MMC: Waiting and Hoping and Wondering.

Good Morning Bethlehem!

Hope you are all staying warm on this chilly morning and a few treats where in your shoes this morning on St. Nicholas' Day.   

In an effort to diversify worship leadership, a new signup sheet has been created.  All positions are opened to everyone, and myself or an experienced leader is willing to train you either before or after worship.  The positions are:  Worship Assistant, Reader, Usher (need 2), Communion Assistant, Altar set-up & clean up, Bread baker (1 person per month), Coffee hour host and Offering Counter.  For December 12, Bob Middeke-Conlin is ushering and Karin Russo is hosting coffee hour.  If you would like to volunteer to be one of the other worship leaders this week, or in future weeks, please send me an email letting me know which day and position you would like to do.  

And a few quick reminders:  

If you have toy's for St. Luke's Life Works, they must be dropped off TODAY, Monday December 6th.  If you are not able to do so please bring your gifts to Toys for Tots or another like organization as all the organizations give to children without toys and your gifts are greatly appreciated.   

If you did not get your poinsettia/wreath order in, please call Becky Pirron at 203644-4208 ASAP.  Poinsettias range in prices from $5 to $22 a plant; you can also put money towards wreaths.  

Tonight at 7pm the Social committee is meeting to plan celebrations and collections for the rest of the winter and spring. Please join us to add your input and insights.

Senior Lunch in on Wednesday at noon.  We will be meeting at Lombardi's in Georgetown.  

Congregational Council is meeting after worship next Sunday.  Meetings are open to all who wish to attend to discuss the leadership of Bethlehem. 

This week's Book of Faith Puzzler is: Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, doesn’t talk during Elizabeth’s pregnancy.  Why? A) He was born mute. B) He is protesting all the attention Elizabeth is getting.  C) He is being punished for not believing Elizabeth was pregnant. D) It was part of a religious ceremony for the father to not talk during the pregnancy.  Email me your answer by noon on Wednesday to be entered into this week's drawing.  

Now onto the text:  

The first reading is Isaiah 35:1-10.  Here we are at the beginning of winter and the first verse we read talks about crocuses, which are often the first bloom of spring.  It almost seems cruel but yet hopeful.  The rest of the passage has very hopeful sayings about the blind being able to see, the deaf hear, the lame leaping and the mute singing.  Where do you find hope?  Where do you see joy?  Especially at this time of year, when the days are so short?  Especially at this time as a nation when so many are suffering financially?  

The second reading is James 5:7-10.  James tells people to be patient as they await the coming of Jesus.  How is it hard to be patient?  What are you anxious for?  Are you anticipating opening the presents and watching others open the presents that are accumulating under your tree?  Are you impatient as you await a promotion, raise, new job?  Are you being patient as you teach children new skills?  Are you being patient as we wait to hear about Jesus' birth and the Christmas story? 

The gospel reading is Matthew 11:2-11.  John the Baptist wonders if Jesus is the Messiah and he sends messengers to ask Jesus that question.  Have you wondered if Jesus is the Messiah?  Have you ever question if Jesus was God's son or just a very philosophical person?  How have you gotten beyond those doubt?  What did God "say" to you to have your questions answered or are you still asking?

As always I love to hear your answers to these questions or other thoughts you have on these text.  The Finer Things in Life, the women's bible study on Wednesdays at 7:30, also explore these texts in greater detail.

Blessing on your week

Pastor Becca