Thanksgiving and Christmas -Pastor Ted Brust

We live in times when our young people are not receiving an accurate education when it comes to the history of our nation. I can't help but wonder how much true history is being left out of their education. For instance, I wonder if our youth know how some of our former presidents felt about Thanksgiving. Let me share President George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation with you. Please take the time to read this with your children and youth. It is important they know the godly heritage we have in the United States of America .

"George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation"

'Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:'

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the Great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York , the 3rd day of October, A.D. 1798.

Signed: George Washington"

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a time when we gather together with family and friends, to focus on being thankful. As Christians, we should have "Thanksgiving" in our hearts at all times. As the Psalmist said, "I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1

And as we focus on giving thanks, let us ever be mindful of the true meaning of Christmas. How thankful I am that..

"Christmas did not happen by accident. It was carefully planned in the throne room of eternity and, on earth there was detailed preparation for centuries. That's why the apostle Paul said, 'When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son' (Gal. 4:4).

The Hebrew people were unique in their worship of one God. The Greeks fashioned the most perfect language the world had ever known. The Romans built the roads which connected the whole earth. Judaism was the mold which held the Good News, the Greek language was the vehicle to carry the Good News, and the Roman Empire was ready to spread the Good News.

So you see, Jesus came at the right time.

He came to a world of failure. The Jews were an unsatisfied people, the glory of Greece was past, and Roman rule was cruel and tyrannical. It was an unhappy, suspicious, fearful, needy world. It was a world of moral degradation, low ethical standards, bitter hatred, and unrelieved despair.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

But the coming of Jesus gave the world a fresh start. That's why men have numbered their years from the date of His birth. That's when God's Son was given, not loaned, but given. God's Gift is outright. It has never been withdrawn. He is still here. Our emptiness invites God's abundance, our weakness cries out for His strength, and our blindness gropes for His light every day.

The fullness of time is still here."

(Taken from the book, The Wonder of Christmas , by Derric Johnson)

May I encourage you to take a fresh look at Christmas? John 1:9 says, "The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." Yes, I believe God planned Christmas from the very beginning. Let the True Light illuminate your hearts and minds as you approach the celebration of the birth of our Savior. Sometimes we get too used to the traditions of Christmas, and we tend to lose the feeling of awe that should come to us as we think about the wonder of Christmas.

We sing Christmas carols, and often do not realize the significance of what we are singing, or the history behind the song.

"On December 24, 1818 , in the little village of Oberndorf , Austria , the whole town was preparing to come to the Christmas service, the highlight of the season. But the parish priest, Father Joseph Mohr, was worried. The chapel organ was broken, and because of the heavy snowfall, the repairman from the next town could not get there to fix it. The service would be devoid of the beloved Christmas music.

For months he had been wanting to write a new song to express the simplicity and holiness of Christmas, but the words had eluded him. That night, as he sat at his desk pondering what to do about the music, he saw someone struggling through the deep snow, coming toward his cabin. He heard a knock at his door.

As he opened it, a woman stood at his door, explaining that a family from over the mountain had asked that he come to their home to bless their first child who had just been born.

Bundling up, the priest started out through the snow and, after several hours of walking, came to the couple's cabin and the most beautiful scene he'd ever laid eyes on. There was the new mother in her bed smiling, as she and the father were looking in the little wooden crib beside the bed that held their newborn son.

Father Mohr admired the baby and blessed him and his parents. Then as he trudged home through the silent snow, he thought of the little family and how much it was like the scene in Bethlehem centuries before on the first Christmas night.

The words to a song began to flow as joy filled Mohr's heart, and as soon as he arrived home, he wrote them down.

That very morning he asked his friend Franz Gruber to compose the tune to the song. That evening "Silent Night" was heard for the first time by the little congregation at Oberndorf-with Gruber accompanying on his guitar as both men sang. Originally written for two voices and a guitar, the carol has become the most popular Christmas hymn in Europe and America ." ( The Wonder of Christmas , pg. 39-41)

Rehearsal Schedule

Christmas Cantata will be presented on Dec. 7th at 10:30 a.m.

As you read this newsletter, I'm sure you are well aware that Christmas season is upon us. What a wonderful time of the year! The sounds of Christmas are a major part of what makes it such a wonderful time. And if you listen closely, you can hear the sounds of His love - the sound of a baby crying; the sounds of bells filling the air; the sounds of adoration and praise.

We are proud to present this year's musical "The Sounds of His Love." It's a beautiful collection of many of the old carols including "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," "O Come All Ye Faithful," and "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." There are also some new classics like "Breath of Heaven," and " A Strange Way to Save the World." Some new compositions such as "Ring the Bells of Heaven," and "The Sounds of His Love" make this a great musical collection. You will not want to miss this dynamic musical experience. Our presentation will be on Sunday, December 7 th at 10:30 a.m. Mark it on your calendar now and plan to bring someone with you to this wonderful celebration of the sounds of Christmas - the "Sounds of His Love."

Notes From Pastor Zach & Liz

Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto me, for of such is the Kingdom of God ."

Just as Jesus put great importance on children, so do we, here at Bethel Christian Life Center . We count it a privilege to minister to your children. We treasure each one of them.

Make sure you take advantage of the Christian Education opportunities we have here for your children, and bring to Sunday School and Children's Church.

Financial Peace University

We are now convening a class in the Financial Peace University . This is a thirteen-week class from the Dave Ramsey Ministries that is going to have a dramatic impact on those involved. We have 25 families enrolled in this class, which meets weekly. If you weren't able to be a part of the class this time, be sure to watch for details of the next class. Sign up will be sometime in the spring. It will be a blessing to you and your family. Remember Pastor Greg Farmer in prayer as he directs this ministry.

Everyone is welcome!

With the holidays coming, please remember our food pantry here at Bethel .

We have many needs, and it is our desire to minister to those who could use some extra help at this time of year.

In addition to the items listed below, we need the following items for our Thanksgiving Baskets:
Canned pumpkin
Canned milk
Cranberry sauce
Instant mashed potatoes
Dried Milk
Juice (all kinds)
Bread crumbs for stuffing
Brown sugar
Sweet Potatoes
Please bring these items by Nov. 15th.
 

Food Pantry

Would you help us with our Food Pantry?
We have many in our community who look to us for assistance with groceries.
Matthew 25:35 says,
" For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink."
Below is a list of items urgently needed for our Food Pantry Ministry.
Juice (all kinds)
Spaghetti ( l pound packages, please)
Spaghetti sauce (all types)
Rice (any kind)
Canned vegetables (all kinds)
Pancake syrup
Pancake mix
Jelly (grape is good)
Peanut butter
Hot dog buns
Loaves of bread
Bring your items to the kitchen, mark them FOOD PANTRY and leave them on the counter. Darla Farmer and Sue Brust will take it from there.

Thank you for helping with this vital ministry!