Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven Church,
I again invite you to join us this coming Sunday for our Zoom Church Service. Please see below for the details to join the service.
Please see the attached Bulletin and Pastor Glorya's Christmas Letter.
Pastor Glorya's sermon topic will be: "God Always Keeps His Promises (Even If Not Done Our Way)".
Darcy and Alan Stevens will light the Love Candle.
Pastor Glorya has prepared a list of people who need our prayers. See below.
The details for joining the service are below.
Please join us this coming Sunday and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you Peace and Joy!
Linda
Linda
Message from Paster Glorya Johnson:
Dear Friends,
As I sit here in my La-Z-Boy, I can't help but think about the calendar. I feel as if I'm operating in a different time zone. The virus has us all so mixed up. In early November the time changed from the ending of Daylight Savings Time back to what used to be known as Eastern Standard Time. Where did the summer go? Where did the fall go? What happened to my plans? My schedule? Things feel all jumbled up, don't they? And here we are…. Christmas is a few days away.
Over two thousand years ago Joseph was working in his carpentry shop. Mary was at home doing her daily chores but doing them very slowly; the baby would be here soon. When Joseph came home for dinner, he tells Mary he got a notice that because of his lineage they have to make a trip to Bethlehem for some sort of tax count. Mary's not sure about traveling. The calendar reminds her that the baby's due date is right around the corner. Elizabeth is close by so that when the baby comes there will be family to help out. After discussing the situation, they both realize there's no choice they must go.
The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem is no easy trip. The terrain is rough. Thank goodness for the donkey. Not that riding on him in a pregnant condition was fun it did at least allow Mary to get off her feet every once in a while. "Can't wait to get to Bethlehem and get settled in the inn," she must have thought. She was in for a surprise!
Upon arrival, Joseph went to the inn his family had suggested because their house was full. However, the inn's clerk told him that because of the tax count there were no more rooms for rent. Joseph explained that his wife was pregnant, close to her delivery date in fact. The clerk apologized and told Joseph he could put them up in his stable behind the inn if they didn't mind being around the animals. Realizing he had no choice, Joseph agreed.
It seemed like they no sooner got settled in the stable and Mary went into labor. She gave birth to a healthy, handsome baby boy, just as that angel said would happen. Joseph and Mary were overjoyed. Even the animals seemed excited. Joseph found a feeding trough and put some straw in it and Mary lovingly placed the baby in it. He looked so peaceful. Mary and Joseph looked at each other and laughed. They knew this was going to happen but not at this time and in this place. What happened to the plans? What about the schedule? God happened to the plans and the schedule. God knew it was time for his Son to make his appearance. There was work for him to do. Now was the time for him to become human.
The arrival of that baby boy on that night in Bethlehem was truly a blessed event. He was wise beyond his years as a child. And as an adult became an image that we all work to imitate aware that we can never be as perfect as he was. Throughout his life he operated on God's time, Kairos, not human time. He visited people who weren't ready for him to visit, healed people who may have sought him out but when they least expected it, there he was blessing them for their faith. The stories and lessons of hope, peace, joy and love are many, they fill part of a very important book.
And so, we say, "Thank you. Thank you, Mary, for giving birth to this very important baby. A baby who grew up to be an example for us all. A baby for whom we sing "Joy to the World." A baby for whom the most prolific thing we can say is Halleluiah. Amen.
At Old South Haven, this coming Sunday was often the Sunday of the annual Christmas Pageant presented by the Sunday School. There will not be a Christmas Pageant this year, but here are some photos from past pageants:
Kappy Tilney Joseph dutifully listens to Mary as animals gather around the manger.
Topic: Sunday Zoom Church Service
Time: Dec 20, 2020 09:45 AM
Join Zoom Worship Service
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2425544200?pwd=M3JpbUVPMWplL3FHWjlGR1pmK0c2dz09
Meeting ID: 242 554 4200
Passcode: 092003
One tap mobile
+16468769923,,2425544200#,,,,,,0#,,092003# US (New York)
+13017158592,,2425544200#,,,,,,0#,,092003# US (Washington D.C)
Dial by your location
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
PRAYER CONCERNS: December 13, 2020
Losses:
Family and Friends of Eric Smith, entered the Church Triumphant on December 12, 2020 due to Orange Orange.
Family and Friends of Robert (Bob) Baum, who entered the Church Triumphant on Sunday, December 6, 2020. Memorial Service to be held later.
Matt Palace who lost his daughter in her late 20's
The Bontempe Family on the lost of their father
The Haug Family who lost grandmother due to COVID-19
Family and friends of Margaret Duffy who entered the Church
Triumphant after battling cancer
Family and friends of Margaret Duffy who entered the Church Triumphant after battling cancer.
The congregation of the Jefferson Temple in Bellport on loss of pastor
and several congregants to COVID-19.
Kim Lipski loss of husband, Ron
Illness and other concerns:
Mike Baum-Re-infected with COVID-19 resulting in recurrent hiccups
Kevin Barnes and daughter
Lynn Moss
Betty Ulrich
Natasha and Audrey COVID exposure—awaiting test results
Irene- hip fracture-did well with surgery now in Rehab Ctr.
Janice and John Hoffman
Herman Washington
Mary-post op open heart
Prayers for Deacon Patrick Knight, Presbytery Treasurer, dialysis at home; Jose Amayo, Sexton, Presbytery of Long Island. Haiti Helping Kids; Good Shepherd Mission in Belize; Na Luum Ca Village in Southern Belize; NCD: New Hyde Park.
Future meetings of the "Incarnation" study group will be at 7 pm on Tuesday, Dec. 22; and a final wrap-up on Thursday, January 7. 2021.
Join Study Group at 7 pm Tuesday December 22, 2020. The link to the Jan 7 meeting will be announced later.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82958270775?pwd=emx5bFQrU2c2aE51cEF1VTM4bDArQT09
You probably won't need the following additional Zoom information, but I've included it just in case.
Meeting ID: 829 5827 0775
Passcode: 291835
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,82958270775#,,,,,,0#,,291835# US (New York)
+13126266799,,82958270775#,,,,,,0#,,291835# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 829 5827 0775
Passcode: 291835
