From the Pastor
Dear friends in Christ,
Merry Christmas! Christmas brings unending joy, peace that lasts, and hope that does not quickly fade away. Jesus came in time to be born for us, live with us, and die for us.
We’ll want to avoid the Christmas “let-down.” A pastor once observed a conversation on Christmas Eve in grocery store. He watched a woman at the bakery counter methodically tearing down all the festive decorations—at 3:15 in the afternoon! At the check out stand, a clerk said to a customer, “I had so hoped they’d leave the decorations up at least until New Year’s.” The pastor observed a “let-down.” This really isn’t that surprising as the way the world celebrates Christmas is fleeting. Christmas all too often ends up being merely about buying and selling, giving and receiving. Once all the activity is over, there isn’t much to celebrate.
I can relate. I remember one Christmas in which how my Christmas went was entirely based on the present I thought I was to receive. My expectation was to open a new video game console. And when my expectations were dashed, Christmas wasn’t quite right. Somehow the video game console suddenly appeared a few days later and my Christmas was just what it was supposed to be. However, in a month or so my interest faded. Even though I received what I wanted, the Christmas “let-down” came my way.
How can we avoid that “let-down?”
Learn from the Child. Isn’t it amazing that God became a baby? Luke 2:12 tells us, “The Babe was wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” I think the hard part, however, for most people is accepting the idea that we are to learn from the Child. Learning?!? But I know everything! From a child no less?!?
The reality is that many on the first Christmas Day were not willing to learn from the Child. Roman soldiers were camped right outside Jerusalem on the night of Christmas—some of them were probably not willing to humble themselves and make the journey to Bethlehem. Herod was there the first Christmas—but he didn’t take much interest in Jesus. Why should he care? He was a king and what difference could a child make?
Others were willing to learn from the Child. I’d encourage us to take a learning position like the shepherds and wise men. Christmas will be less likely to be a “let-down.”
Learn as a Child. They say that children learn like sponges. Children don’t let their ego get in the way. And for that reason, watching a child learn is a beautiful thing to behold.
We went on some amusement rides this summer that had a height requirement. Riders had to be under 46 inches. That left me out. I am used to rides that are for people over 46 inches! I learned that day that sometimes rides are made intentionally for little children.
The same can be said for the Gospel and God’s work in the Incarnation of Christ. Jesus would say, “Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it (Luke 18:17).”
I do believe these two approaches to Christmas can help us avoid a Christmas “let-down.”
Aim for unending joy, peace that lasts, and hope that will not quickly fade away. This is what the Christ child means for us!
Merry Christmas!
Pastor J
Peace by the Numbers
Plan for Worship
December 1 – 10:00am Worship service with Communion. First Sunday of Advent.
December 4 – 6:00pm Advent Midweek Service. Holden Evening Prayer.
December 8 – 10:00am Worship service. Second Sunday of Advent.
December 11 – 6:00pm Advent Midweek Service. Holden Evening Prayer.
December 15 – 10:00am Children’s Christmas Program.
December 18 – 6:00pm Advent Midweek Service. Holden Evening Prayer.
December 22 – 10:00am Worship service with Communion.
December 24 – 7:00pm Christmas Eve Service – Candlelight, Communion, Carols.
December 25 – 10:00am Christmas Day Service with Communion. December 29 – 10:00am Worship Service
Adult Bible Study: Comparative Religions
religions. The reality of the religious landscape in the United States is that it is becoming more and more pluralistic. What is pluralism? It is a mixing and matching of beliefs that do not fit traditional understandings. This month we’ll be looking at Roman Catholicism and Unitarian Universalism. We’ll then be moving on to new religions of the last two decades. Research shows that younger generations are not as atheistic or agnostic as we think, but highly spiritual. This spirituality tends, however, to be a remixing of religion–without a God.
December 1 Roman Catholicism
December 8 Unitarian Universalism
December 15 Wellness Culture and Rebirth of New Thought
December 22 (Break) Intergenerational Bible Study
December 29 No Adult Bible Study
January 5 Two Doctrines for a Godless World
Ladies Movie Night
Join the Peace ladies Thursday, December 5th at 5pm. It will be an evening of Impossible Christmas Love Stories with back-to-back Hallmark Christmas themed movies! Oh yes! Bring your favorite movie snack and hot beverage, wear your comfy clothes…sweats, pajamas, or just come straight in from work! Bring your folding chair, beanbag chair or air mattress, blanket and pillows! Ladies of all ages welcome!
Men’s Breakfast in December
MEN’S BREAKFAST: It is time for the Men’s First Saturday Breakfast, December 7th, mark your calendar. Peace will be preparing breakfast this month. A hardy breakfast will be prepared by Head Chef Mark Koeppe and crew. Pastor Lucke will be leading a discussion. Coffee on at 8:00 am, breakfast served at 8:30 and topic discussion 9-10. Always good to know how many will be attending, please let Oscar Gutbrod know by December 5th if you plan to attend. Email [email protected] or call 541-231-3954. Do plan to attend.
Peace Lutheran Ladies Guild News
Guild continues to be busy. December is always busy, and we are no exception. We are involved with giving food baskets to families identified in need by Love, Inc. You will see these lining the wall of the Narthex. We also pick up remaining tags left on the Vina Moses Tree and go Christmas shopping for gifts. It is a fun time, and we love buying these special presents. On Thursday, December 5th Guild meets for its monthly meeting at 10:00 am in the fellowship hall. Guild members will bring food for a potluck. So, if you want a fun snacking meal, please come join us. We also plan to visit our homebound members during the month of December. We present them with a special flower and a plate of cookies. This is a meaningful activity. The homebound are so grateful their church remembers them; and guild members make new friends.
Don’t forget that Pieces by Peace is active. If you have a craft idea for item(s) for the group to make for our Bazaar please contact Jani Burton, Chairperson.
Peggy Krueger, Guild President
News from the Freezer Meal Ministry…
A few members of the team got together recently and added more meals to the freezer. Please let Pastor or the office know if you need meals.
The next scheduled cooking day will be Thursday, February 13th and we can use YOUR help.
Philomath Community Services Holiday Cheer
Using community goodwill and contributions, the Holiday Cheer program offers aid to local families with children who need assistance and cheer during the holiday season. The program provides gifts to children 0 – 18 years of age. In 2023, the program served 78 households including 205 children! This program aims to make the holidays just a little happier for each of the lives it touches. Peace is again supporting this program and donation cards are available on the table in the Narthex.
Vina Moses Center Christmas Program
For many years, Peace has supported the annual Vina Moses Center Christmas program. This year will be no different. We will place gift tags on Sunday, November 24th, on the side windows of the front door that contain the Christmas gift wishes of children from financially challenged families in Benton County. We hope that you will take a tag or two. If you do not have an opportunity to get a tag but still would like to participate, we are asking you to consider purchasing a new toy, game, book, or puzzle for the program. The children participating in the program are between infancy and 18 years of age. For many children, the gift that they receive through this program will be the only gift they receive this Christmas.
Please bring the unwrapped toy, game, book, or puzzle to the worship service on Sunday, December 8th. We will collect them in the Narthex.
If you are unable to bring the toy to the service, please contact George Abele at 541-730-0476 or [email protected] to make arrangements to pick up the toy. Thank you!
Red Cross Blood Drive
December is Blood Drive month again. We are having a blood drive on Friday, December 13th from Noon to 5. There are still some spots available if you would like to donate. Also, cookies or other baked goods would be appreciated and can be delivered to the church kitchen on Thursday or Friday morning by 11:30. Your prayers for a successful drive for this life saving item are very much appreciated.
What is the Grace Center?
Grace Center is a vibrant and vital resource located in Benton County serving seniors and adults with disabilities throughout Polk, Benton, and Linn counties. Grace Center’s mission is to provide day services that optimize the cognitive and physical abilities of seniors and adults with disabilities so they can remain as independent as possible and in their homes. Would you like to learn more? Please come to the Philomath Rotary Club meeting on December 17th at noon in the fellowship hall when we will be hearing from Ms.
Cassie Cruze, Grace’s Community Outreach Coordinator, where she will share what adult day services are and how they positively impact the family and the communities we serve. We hope you can come and remember – lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Lindy if you will be attending so we can plan the number of meals.
Thank You from our Mission Partners
