Giving Bees Busy Over Christmas
By Ken Hussar
Members of the Coed Care team pray over packages and write cards before the care packages were shipped
Well, the giving bees of Hempfield UMC were certainly busy manufacturing honey in the month of December! As a result of your sweet giving spirits, 31 families received Christmas meals and gift cards, 30 children from our community got a gift from the giving tree, 55 college students were sent packages from Coed Care, a family was helped with a UGI bill, some folks received gas cards, turkeys, hams, homemade mittens, hats and scarves, and our SHOUT youth gave a freezer full of homemade cookies.
As they say on the TV quiz shows, “And that’s not all!”: two youth visited the church with a grocery store gift card; turkeys and hams appeared in our freezer, many bags of food arrived from a neighboring elementary class; a neighboring business had a food drive for our ministry, our Noah’s Ark Preschool class delivered canned and boxed foods for the food cupboard, and another Noah’s Ark class brought jars of jelly–the day after the food cupboard’s jelly supply had been depleted. God’s timing is always perfect!
How’s that for starting the year 2012 with great news? We praise God, brothers and sisters, for your Bee-Attitudes and for the host of people who continue to pray for CARE ministries! God has blessed us mightily as a result of your generosity and intercessory prayer. We are very grateful for your support.
Advent Devotion – Day 28
Get Ready!
By Ken Hussar
Tomorrow is a day that most look forward to,
Giving, receiving, unwrapping, eating, there’s so much for us to do.
Oh, there’s plenty of action stirring ‘round the Christmas tree
With our children and grandchildren shrieking happily,
Burl Ives sang of Christmas, you know, that “holly, jolly” one
That ever so distracts us from the Greatest Gift, God’s precious, holy Son.
The Psalmist tells us to be still, amidst our making merry,
And focus on the One who authors peace and frees us from all worry.
Don’t fixate on the flurry, praise Him Who matters most
For God incarnate is with us, our exalted Lord of hosts.
Yes, “Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound,”
Who know the Christ of Christmas, in Whom salvation’s found!
So, on this December 24th, don’t be overstressed,
Fix your thoughts on Jesus Christ, and may His name be blessed.
Today’s Readings – Psalm 45, 46, 89:1-29, Isaiah 59:15b-21, Galatians 3:23-4:7,
Matthew 1:18-25
Advent devotions – Day 1
By Ken Hussar
Readings
Psalm 146, 147, 111, 112, 113
Amos 1:1-5, 13-2:8
1 Thess 5:1-11
Luke 21:5-19
“Fear not. God is with us!” These are words of power and comfort as we celebrate the Advent season, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To make these devotional times more meaningful, consider keeping a journal of your responses to the daily readings.
Psalm 111: What characteristics of God are emphasized in this psalm? How do these descriptors make you feel about Almighty God?
Psalm 112: Which of God’s works make you want to shout hallelujah today?
The Advent season abounds in giving. What insights does this psalm offer concerning godly giving?
Psalm 113: If you were to reside at a rescue mission, how would you feel after reading this psalm? What is your reaction where you presently live?
Psalm 146: This psalm addresses God’s instructions in caring for the needy. Is God speaking to you today about something you can do to serve those in need?
Psalm 147: After reading this psalm, what attribute(s) of God causes you to say, ‘Wow!’? What is it about the image that speaks to you?
Amos 1:1-5, 2:8: Have you ever heard a sermon based on a passage from Amos? This is not a feel good book of the Bible. We naturally like to major on chapters that describe God’s promises, blessings, and grace. Yet we must not overlook the fact that God promises and pronounces judgment. As you reflect on these verses do you think that they are as important (or more important) than the aforementioned positive themes?
I Thessalonians 5:1-11: Earlier this year Reverend Howard Camping forecasted (and amended several times) the date of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. How do these verses make you feel about those who predict the time of Christ’s return?
In verses 9-11 we are encouraged to be encouragers. Is there someone at Hempfield UMC who could benefit from your encouragement today and in the weeks to come? This might be a good time to place an index card in your Bible to remind you to have a spirit of encouragement in 2012.
Lent Reflections – The Hearse with the Roof Rack
By Ken Hussar
Today’s Scripture Readings
Psalm 119:49-72, 49, 53
Deuteronomy 9:13-21
Hebrews 3:12-19
John 2:23-3:15
Free to Be (Psalm 119:49-72)
• What does this passage have to say about freedom from sin and guilt?
• Are you a promise keeper? How can you obey God’s commands today? (vs. 57)
• God has a lesson He wants to teach us today. Are we ready for the lesson? (vs. 66)
• We don’t usually consider rules and regulations to be “more precious than gold or silver.” How does God’s law fit this description? (vs. 72) Am I prepared to be spiritually disciplined today in obeying God’s precepts?
The Hearse with the Roof Rack (Psalm 49)
Perhaps you have heard the observation, “You can’t take it with you. Hearses don’t come with roof racks.” It is true that temporal possessions are left behind when life on Earth ends. As you read Psalm 49, consider the following:
• How do Earth’s rewards stack up when compared with heaven’s rewards?
• What can we take (to heaven) with us?
• How can I build my eternal inheritance? What should my primary motivation be in doing so?
What Kind of Fool Am I? (Psalm 53)
“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”
• Why do fools—many of whom are highly educated—deny God’s existence? What are the consequences of such a denial?
• What has caused you to believe in God? How does this belief in the existence of a God who is aware of all aspects of your life govern your behavior?
Idol Chatter (Deuteronomy 9:13-21)
How horrible it was for the children of Israel to build a golden calf! It takes no particular skill or training to set oneself up in the critic’s corner, does it? Before we wear out our digits by finger-pointing, let us consider the ways we are guilty of using resources with which God blesses us to sculpt contemporary golden calves. How do our selfish actions stand in the way of our service to the true, living God?
Heaven on Earth (Hebrews 3:12-19)
These verses recount how the Israelites missed out on heaven on Earth (the Promised Land) by blatantly rebelling against God. As you read this selection notice, too, the instruction to fellowship with fellow-believers. Why is it more than just a ‘good idea’–but rather an absolute necessity–for us to regularly fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ (and not just on Sundays!)? List some of the benefits of regular communication with fellow believers.
It’s Not What You Know but Who You Know (John 2:23-3:15)
Nicodemus, apparently, was not a know-it-all. Yes, he was a highly-educated Pharisee and a card-carrying member of the Sanhedrin, but he was also smart enough to realize that in spite of his impressive academic standing, he was lacking in the area of spiritual wisdom and insight. So, under the cover of night, he paid a visit to Jesus to get some answers.
• What did Jesus tell Nicodemus that he must do to receive salvation?
• This passage stops one verse short of (perhaps) the best-known verse in Scripture. Who are the Nicodemuses (doubters and seekers) in your world with whom you need to share the really, really Good News of John 3:16? Don’t delay. Start praying and sharing with them today!
Let Us Pray!
Dear Heavenly Father, in response to Your Word, please teach me and cause me to be obedient to Your commands. Let me be aware that true wealth lies in your blessings and that I am investing today for eternity and Your glory. Give me a love for the “fools” who deny Your existence. Give me wisdom and the words to introduce them to You and Your great salvation. Make me run from the golden calves in my life so that I may experience daily victory by being committed to serving You. Direct my paths so that I will fellowship with other believers today. Like Nicodemus, I need more than head knowledge. I need spiritual wisdom to guide me today and for all the days of my life. Thank you for all your blessings! I love you! In Jesus’ name, amen.
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