Healing and Hope is Born! 

There is a song we sang in high school chorus for Christmas with the line, "Memories fill my mind, as Christmas comes each year. Dreaming for today, brings yesterday so near." 

• Hearing stories about how my dad stayed up all night to assemble a play kitchen for his four little girls 
• My three sisters and I receiving West Family action figures and the corral (Anyone remember?) 
• Lying in bed with my sister listening to crackly Christmas music on the radio and whispering with anticipation of morning
• Grandpa Moser dying on December 23
• Being in Florida with my Weinberger grandparents over Christmas
• Lying on the floor beside my 5 month old infant on Christmas eve as she vomited throughout night
• Hearing our daughters giggle and scurry around as they opened the stockings which were hung outside their bedroom doors 
• Waiting with anticipation for those little girls to come bursting into our bedroom 

Whether my memories of Christmas are positive or negative,and I've had some of both and know some of you have had really difficult life journeys, the truth of Christmas remains the same: Healing and Hope for a hurting and discordant world was born that day in the City of David.

My desire and  prayer for you this Christmas and coming year is that you will experience our loving and gracious God in your life as revealed through Jesus, God in the flesh, finding hope and healing in your own life to then share with others. 

This week Brother Mick's message is called, "When Hope is Present," and he states, "In the midst of our messy, complicated, troublesome, pain-filled lives, we must decide whether we will embrace the hope walking there beside us or the fear waiting to pull us back, down, away from God." The sermon text is Matthew 1:18-25 and supporting passages Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19.  Please join us for this last advent message before our Sunday Christmas celebration on December 29!

Service of Remembrance and Hope is tonight 7 PM at Ridgeview. This is an opportunity to share our grief, loneliness, and challenges that come with this season. Although I'm unable to attend this year, in the past I have found this to be a very meaningful service.

Christmas Eve service is at 7 PM.

I look forward to conversation and "catch up" with you!

Prayer for today: Lord God, as we experience shifts and changes in our lives, help us to recognize the constancy of your love.  As we experience the storms and clouds of life, bless us with the light that is you. As we face doubts and indecision, guide us with your Spirit and keep us from fear.  As we recognize your presence in all aspects of our lives, help us to respond in humbleness and joy. Hope! Hope! Hope!  Lord, fill us with your healing and hope that your mercy and grace will overflow, and the Good News that is You will sate a hungry world today. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. AMEN.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

Seriously? Either the traffic lights aren't coordinated correctly, or they aren't designed for this many cars! Grrrr. As I left Park City Mall yesterday along with a million other people, I sat at the light. I sat at the light. I sat at the light.  I averted my eyes so as not to see the woman holding the sign telling me she was cold and hungry. I sat at the light.  Finally the light turned green, and about three cars passed through the intersection. Though the light was still green, I couldn't go unless I wanted to be parked in the middle of the road.  sigh. Another light exchange. Now I am first in line to turn into the lane to hop on 30 E. AHHHG! The car in front of me has left a cushion between it and the car in front of it for a megabus. Move up! Grrrrr.

I blew it, didn't I? I had no kids in my car.I had no meetings to go to. I had a few dollars in my purse.
Yeah, I can blame the traffic. The cars were gridlocked. That's what I'll do. . That's what I usually do. I can usually find an excuse. There is always an excuse. Always a rationalization....That woman.

"But Carol," I tell myself,  "It wouldn't have been practical. It would have been tough with all that traffic. Besides, who knows what kind of deranged person she might be? She may have robbed you, stabbed you, kidnapped you!" That woman in the median strip.

Oh yes, "Blessed are the practical, for theirs is the kingdom of mediocrity. Blessed are the fearful, for theirs is the kingdom of darkness... " Aren't those the tenets I often choose to live by though my words say otherwise?

I can't get that woman out of my brain. It is cold, really cold out. I could have rolled down my window and invited her to hop in and gone to a restaurant for a meal or taken her to Water Street Ministries.  http://wsm.org/ I could have gone around the block and gotten a hot chocolate, parked and walked to her, giving her the warm drink and engaged in conversation. At the bare minimum, I could have rolled down my window, handed her a few dollars, and said, "Merry Christmas!"  sigh. The cynic in me says, "Oh, but I'm sure she would have used the money for drugs."

Maybe. Maybe not.

Truly, if I claim this Jesus who has taught me and redeemed me, then shouldn't I be living like I believe it?  Shouldn't my words and actions be demonstrative of the love, grace, and mercy that has been lavished freely on me? Shouldn't I release the cynic and regimented "me" to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit where the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are evidenced? Shouldn't I live like I could, might actually, literally lose my life.... only to find it?  
Merry Christmas?

Come Kingdom of God. Here on earth as it is in heaven!

Brother Mick's presermon notes say this, " The passages for today paint for us beautiful visions of the redeemed world. The Psalm (146) tells us of a place where God's presence is unmistakable and wrong is set to right. And Isaiah (35:1-10) calls forth images of a desert blooming with abundant flowers, where free flowing waters abound."  The sermon text is Matthew 11:2-11, and Mick has titled his message "Tethered to the Tangible." If you are unable to join us, the sermons are later uploaded to the website, so you can listen there. Worship begins at 10:15 AM and Sunday school at 9 AM.

College students, I've been praying for you as you have finished or are still finishing exams, papers, and projects!  I look forward to seeing you during your break.

Please read the bulletin for the many opportunities to worship and serve!

Prayer for today: Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, fear not!"  (Is.35:3-4) 
We celebrate your Presence, Lord. During these festive days there are many all over the world who are cold, hungry, lonely, and despairing. Grant those of us who claim you as our Lord to live in love, mercy, and grace like we believe it, being your hands and feet. Remind us to seek your kingdom rather than our own.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

I've squirmed uncomfortably as preachers pour on messages of guilt and shame. I've felt like I should go up for the altar call not because of "good news" but because I felt coerced into it. I've cringed as preachers shout "Repent, you are but a worm and horrible person." I've left sanctuaries feeling like something left behind in the fish gut hut. Quite frankly, the god that these preachers hollered about was a deity from which I'd rather run and hide under the covers than face, 'cause it sure seemed like I'd be heading straight for a whuppin' even though they tacked on a "grace" mention at the end. 

Where was the good news? Where was the Jesus who sat down eating and drinking with "sinners," building relationships and being God with skin? Where was the Spirit fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control? Where was the Jesus who fed the hungry and healed the sick? Where was the Jesus who said, "Come unto me, all who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest?" Where was the Jesus who calls us to join in the work of reconciliation and hope? Sadly, at least by my estimation, many believers have the understanding that God is carrying a massive club, and if you don't follow the right rules, you're going to get a drubbing. 

Repent--change direction. Change your heart and life. Many churches focus on our unworthiness. I'm not denying that I am not worthy; however I've been created by the Most High who knows me, made me in God's image as God's workmanship, desires relationship with me, calls me "daughter;" these things, this love, this relationship creates in me a desire to change, transform, yes, to repent. For me, focusing on the ugliness/unworthiness results in me feeling even uglier and never worthy to accept the free gift of grace. 

"Unadorned" is the title of Brother Mick's sermon this week from the text in Matthew 3:1-12 which is the proclamation of John the Baptist. "Repentance as outlined by John is an active process. It is an integral part of the total conversion experience where everything in our lives changes because we have heard the call of the one who is coming, and we have caught a glimpse of the kingdom promised of God. This has less to do with feeling sadness and more to do with a total change of attitude and direction." I hope you'll join us for the worship service!  Christian education begins at 9 AM and worship at 10. 

There is so much going on these next few weeks, I'm only going to highlight a couple of events and encourage you to read the bulletin. 
http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/bulletins/current.pdf

Monday night is the annual church auction, and Ridgeview doesn't need to be your church home for you to attend! Food is available for purchase from 5-6 PM, and the acution starts at 6:30 PM.  Blankets, canned goods, bird feeders, meals, pottery lessons, jewelry... The variety is wonderful!  You may pay $90 for a jar of Anna Esh's chowchow, but you may pay a pittance for a cozy blanket.  Come join the fun! The proceeds benefit Ridgeview Ministries and The Factory. http://thefactoryministries.com/wordpress/

A refugee family with three little girls has arrived from Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) and is settling into an apartment in Lancaster. Loretta, Evie, and others have been working tirelessly to provide a welcoming environment for them. I would imagine this is quite a culture/weather shock for this dear family, so let's pray for them as they adjust.

Caroling is happening at 4:30 PM on Sunday. Meet at the church! 

This time of year is really difficult for some of us. December 20 at 7 PM there will be a service of remembrance and hope. You are not alone. 

Prayer for today: Blessed be the Lord, our God, who alone does wondrous things. You alone are our rock and our salvation. The spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the awe of the Lord rest upon our Saviour. Lord, let us turn toward your kind face.  Let us run to your outstretched arms to receive the joy, courage, and strength to be salt and light for a world struggling to find reason.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done, will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd