December 2016
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—348-330-4170 and email address—fleeneda@gmail.com I’ve been thinking a lot about the end of the world lately. Whatever your political leanings are, the increasingly rapid change in the world can be frightening. It can drive folks into one of three directions: nostalgia for a simpler time, rage against the powers that be, or a numb, defeated acceptance. Genuine hope for a better world seems to be rare these days. What does the Christian do when hope in the ordinary fails? It seems serendipitous that our elections take place in early November, and the Christian season of Advent arrives by the end of the month. So often, we put messianic expectations on our leaders. It’s the same kind of mistake people have been making since the invention of government. During the first Advent of
Christ, the world looked dim for many. God’s people suffered under imperial occupation. And there were plenty of would-be messiahs, who only made things worse. God himself descended into such a dark world, but in a way that no one expected. Even most of the prophets spoke of God’s anointed as a powerful king, not as a little child. Even Isaiah, who gets shadows and hints of what is to come with Jesus’ ministry, speaks of an everlasting reign of justice and peace. God born out-of-wedlock to a young girl, who lived in a tiny nowhere town, was completely unexpected. God showed up in the last place anyone expected to see God. The same is true today. Even though we wait for his final, definitive return to earth, he still appears among us in the last places we would expect
Zion’s 2016 Council Members Elder & President ...................................................................... Jody Stanley Elder & Vice-President ................................................................. Larry Hile Secretary ............................................................................... Barb Hardwick Deacons ................................................................................... Scott Clamme Drew Walker Allen Stallsmith Trustees .................................................................................... Chris Stroble Tom Armstrong Mark Prout Treasurer ................................................................................. Max Langdon Financial Secretaries .................................................................... Tiann Coy Kathy Sharp
to see him. In the person who can’t hold down a job. In the addicted. In those crushed and broken by economic powers, which see people only as means to an end. The irony is true for ourselves, too. When we feel farthest from Christ, that is precisely when he is closest to us. Christ is the hope in a hopeless world, the light which is not overcome by an overwhelming darkness. To be Christian is to realize how vulnerable we really are. We don’t have the luxury of spreading our hope thin. Our hope is in one basket. Our hope is in one Christ and in no one else. God renew your hope in Christ this Advent and Christmas season. Always remember – God keeps promises, even when the keeping seems far away. Love to you all, Pr. David
Advent Dinner Zion’s Advent Dinner will be held following the worship service on th December 4 . Bring a dish to share and come enjoy the music, skits, and fellowship.