Advent Devotional Book 2012

Advent 2012

Sharing Our Stories on the

Journey of Faith

Faith United Methodist Church 300 Ninth Street NW – North Canton, OH 44720 330.499.6040 www.faithumchurch.org

Faith United Methodist Church Revs. Cara and Steve Stultz Costello, Co-pastors Advent Book Coordinator—Pam Wig Education Ministry Team Chair—Sandy Vaughn, Heather Andrews Director of Christian Education & Spiritual Formation—Kathy Schmucker

Faith UMC Motto

Journey into Faith-Learning, Loving, Leading

Vision Statement

Faith United Methodist Church seeks to be a dynamic, growing community that gathers around Christ in Word and Worship to pray, learn, care, share, and serve together.

Mission Statement

We individually and in small groups, and as a congregation profess Christ as Savior and Lord and align ourselves with God’s will. We: PRAY following Christ’s model and listen for God’s response.

LEARN to be true disciples of Christ through ongoing study of scripture and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

CARE for one another and those around us by modeling the gracious love of Christ as we share the gospel.

SHARE what we receive in thankfulness for all that God has given.

SERVE one another, our church, our community, and our world as we follow Christ’s example.

Faith UMC’s Education/Spritual Formation Team Vision: To promote spiritual growth through Christian education programs that are Christ centered and faith-based.

Mission: To provide people of all ages educational opportunities that nurture faith, provide knowledge, and inspire and empower them to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Advent Book Ministry Group

This task supports the mission and vision of Faith UMC by focusing on the spiritual growth of individuals while building the Body of Christ spiritually. It incorporates the goal of building intergenerational connections by recruiting people of all ages to write devotions and prayers, and by encouraging the use of the Advent devotional resources among all ages.

Advent 2012: Sharing our Stories on the Journey of Faith When asked to help with the Advent Book this year, I prayed that God would be a big help – and of course He was. Without Him, it would not get done. He is the ultimate Guide and Editor – in- Chief. He is definitely in charge.

Kathy, Faith UMC’s Director of Christian Education & Spiritual Formation, had some great ideas that we decided would make this Advent season fun. We let the writers pick their own scriptures, we included illustrations, we included activities for everyone to do. We also included writings from all ages – from young children through adult. What creativity we have in the church. I am constantly amazed at what can happen when the Holy Spirit takes over.

I thank each and every person who submitted something. I also thank each of you for taking the time to read this book.

May we each be enlightened by this Advent Book. Read it, do the activities, and have fun as we embrace this season of anticipation and expectation. May we all be blessed by the God who started it all.

Pam Wig Advent Book Coordinator

Faith is a journey. Faith United Methodist Church is a congregation on a journey seeking to be a dynamic, growing community that gathers around Christ in Word and Worship to pray, learn, care, share, and serve together. Sharing our stories as we journey into faith is one of the characteristics that makes for a vibrant faith community. This Advent, as you reflect on the significance of Christ’s birth, we invite you to share your faith story.

~Join the conversation~ This year, Faith’s Advent devotions will also be available on our new Faith Formation Blog. The blog will give us the opportunity to share questions and comments regarding this year’s Advent devotions and activities. Join the conversation as we share our stories on the journey of faith!

Follow the link from our website:

www.faithumchurch.org or go directly to the blog, www.faithumchurch.wordpress.com Journey into Faith: Learning, Loving, & Leading at Faith UMC is a blog brought to you by Faith UMC’s Christian Education & Spiritual Formation ministry, created to provide faith formation reflections and resources to support our journey of growing to become completely committed Christians who know, love, and serve God and others with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

December 2, 2012 “Draw near to me, hear this! From the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there. And now the Lord God has sent me and his spirit.” - Isaiah 48:16 At 13 my mother was ordained. I was new to being a pastor's kid. I moved from the big 3rd floor bedroom of the big century home to a converted basement storage space in the small ranch home. I was new to a community and school. To boot, I was painfully self-conscious and shy. On the first day in the school cafeteria - a day and time I dreaded - a group was waiting for me. They descended upon me with introductions and invitations. They included me in their community.

Long before I became familiar with this iconographic image…

I pictured the community of God like this…

For as long as I can remember I have pictured Three at a table dreaming of, shaping and guiding other gatherings in their life-giving likeness.

Jesus left that table so that he could go out to invite others to join him. God in Jesus descended with introductions and invitations. The Holy Spirit continues to extend those invitations through us.

In this season when we celebrate God coming among us in the birth of Jesus who will you invite to your table in his name?

God the Three in One, we gather at our holiday tables in gratitude for the communities in which we find welcome and identity. Help us to remember that there are many who are turned away from tables. Work in us, that having found welcome in you, we will work for reconciliation and inclusion in the name of Jesus all may gather at your Great Kingdom Table. Amen.

Pastor Cara Stultz Costello

December 3, 2012 Advent Activity

Story a Day for Advent “…we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.” Psalm 78:4 The season of Advent marks the beginning of the Christian year. The word Advent means “to come.” Advent is a season of waiting, a season of preparation. It’s a time for waiting and watching for Christ. During the season of Advent we prepare our hearts and our lives to celebrate God’s greatest gift, the birth of our Lord & Savior. We prepare to receive Christ into our hearts and wait expectantly for Jesus to come again. Advent is a hopeful time as we anticipate that wonderful gift of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us.

This is a fun time of year, but we are also faced with many distractions that can keep us from focusing on the true meaning of the season. God reminds us through His Word that we are to tell others the wonders He has done. Our children need us to pass down the stories of God’s goodness and hope so that a future generation will one day praise the Lord (Psalm 102:18).

Create some family memories by making time to tell the stories of Christmas, of God’s work in the world,. Share family memories during the season of Advent. Select 24 Christmas stories, family memories, or scripture passages and read one as a family each night during Advent. You may want to use a basket or bag & write down the titles of those favorite stories & select one each night to enjoy together as a family. Consider asking grandparents or other relatives to share their favorite scriptures or family traditions.

After reading the story, spend some time talking about the story. Share why it is a family favorite or how the lesson in the story or scripture applies to your lives today. Practice retelling the story and talk about some creative ways to share the story with others.

If your family is not nearby, consider taking advantage of the technology available to you. Share your stories by phone, Facebook or Twitter, or even Skype your stories!

Some suggestions to get you started: Favorite Christmas stories from your childhood, scripture passages from an Advent calendar, or readings from a Jesse Tree devotional (some of the great stories of God preparing the world for the birth of his Son). Check out Faith’s library for some suggestions! Whatever you choose, remember to have fun, keep it simple, & focused on keeping Christ at the center of your holiday preparations!

December 4, 2012 CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.� - Romans 15: 5-6 Eight years ago, I received a wonderful gift. It was the gift of Christian community. In the fall of 2004, I saw a display in our church about a group of women that was forming to study the first book in the Companions in Christ series. There were ten of us in that group. What I found was a grace-filled environment and boy, was the Holy Spirit at work! Our small group is still going strong. Every time we are together, there is love and acceptance. We have formed a sisterhood built on sharing our lives as we share the love of Christ. We are family and we feel at home with one another.

Over the years we have laughed, cried and prayed together. We have supported each other by providing whatever is needed like meals, caring for pets and planting a flower garden to cheer a friend whose husband passed away. We have had many wonderful experiences together including going to meditate at the Stations of the Cross in the beautiful outdoor area at Little Flower Catholic Church, going to the bead shop and making jewelry, learning how to make applesauce and then canning it and walking a 5K for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Probably the best thing, though, is that whenever any of us is in need of prayer, we know our sisters are just a phone call, text or an email away. We know we can count on each other.

Through our studies we have discovered God-given gifts that we employ as leaders of Faith Church with a sense of energy and fulfillment. These gifts have drawn us even more deeply into community.

Our small group now meets away from the church at a local restaurant where we share a meal, study the Bible and other books and pray together. I hope that others eating at the restaurant see us praying together, that they see us share the love of Christ with each other, and see how much fun we have together. We are the face of Jesus in our community.

Think about joining a small group or starting one of your own. God would like to give you the gift of Christian community too.

Companions in Christ prayer: Light of Christ, Shine on our path, Chase away all darkness, And lead us to the heart of God. AMEN

Lauralee Stiffler

December 5, 2012 Advent Activity—Stop by Faith UMC today and walk our labyrinth anytime between 10 am and 8 pm or use the finger labyrinth printed below.

Walking to Bethlehem: A Labyrinth Journey “You will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:12-13 When we hear the word journey, we most often think of traveling from one place to another over a period of time. A journey might also be passage or progress from one stage to another. Both definitions might be used to describe one’s faith journey.

Over 2,000 years ago, Mary and Joseph journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem; a 70 mile journey laden with danger, discomfort, and fear. A journey we only imagine being possible with deep trust and faith in God. Today, we invite you to explore Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem through the experience of a prayer labyrinth.

The labyrinth is a spiritual tool that many people use to grow closer to God. It is found in all religious traditions in various forms around the world. The labyrinth represents a journey, a pilgrimage, an intentional time to seek God. Labyrinths can be large for walking, indoors or outdoors, and small designed for your fingers to walk. You can even walk a labyrinth on your computer screen using your mouse. Unlike a maze, there are no dead ends or false paths. Simply follow the path to the center. As the path winds, it becomes a reflection for where we are in our lives; touching sorrows and releasing joys.

There is no right or wrong way to experience the labyrinth.

Trace or walk the labyrinth without words, sing it, pray, or repeat a few lines of scripture. Feel free to skip, run, crawl or dance as you journey. Use whatever means might help you to open yourself to God’s presence. As you ‘walk’ the labyrinth be aware of your spiritual focus and how you are drawn to God. Journey with an open heart and mind!

Begin the journey by taking a few moments to quiet and prepare yourself. You might choose to begin your labyrinth journey with a prayer hymn such as this twentieth century hymn by Daniel Iverson: Spirit of the Living God fall fresh on me. Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me.

Walk the labyrinth as if you are on a journey to Bethlehem to worship Christ! Begin with a favorite Advent hymn, such as O Come, O Come, Emmanuel or Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.

Read through the following scriptures as you prepare for this journey to Bethlehem: Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:2-7, Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 1:26-56, Luke 2:1-20 What journey might God be calling you to explore? Joseph’s journey to obedience? Mary’s journey from questions to praise? The Magi’s journey to worship Christ the King and experience His wonder? The shepherd’s journey from amazement to proclamation as they share their joy, glorifying and praising God? Mary & Joseph’s journey to Egypt to escape Herod and protect Jesus?

As you explore these journeys surrounding the stories of the birth of Christ you may find God is calling you to journey. Perhaps you are finding yourself on an unwanted journey or heading in a direction that you may not have anticipated or find surprising. Journeys of disappointment, sorrow, and pain are bound to be part of our life story as are journeys of wonder and great joy. Allow the good news revealed in the experiences of those who journeyed to Bethlehem over 2000 years ago remind you that God walks with you on your journey as well. Seek God and submit to the journey He has prepared for you knowing that He is with you. May you find peace, hope, and strength in Him that will sustain you wherever you are in your journey this Advent.

If you are not sure about this spiritual exercise, we encourage you to try it at least three times before coming to any conclusions. You just might be surprised!

December 6, 2012

The Shema “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” – Deuteronomy 6:4-9 A few years ago, I participated in an Advent study which changed how I viewed this passage from Deuteronomy (known as the Shema) and inspired my passion for ministry. In this study, the author pointed out that while Mary certainly had questions when the angel visited her and announced that God had called her to give birth to the MessiFirst Paragraph of the Shema as written in a Torah scroll. ah, she was able to respond in obedience to God’s call on her life because she knew the prophecies, the scriptures that foretold the coming of Jesus. As a child, Mary’s family would have lived the commands of the Shema. Hearing the stories of God’s love for his people and hearing the prophecies of the promised Messiah would have been part of Mary’s faith formation experience. As I reflected on how Mary’s understanding of scripture impacted her ability to respond to God’s call in her life, I shuddered. What if my children did not respond to God’s call because they weren’t able to recognize His voice in their lives? What if the children and adults of our church and community can’t respond to God because they don’t know His word?

As a parent, I want to do all I can to help my children grow in their relationship with Christ, Along the way, I stumble and fall short, but my heart’s desire is to nurture the faith development of my children; to do all I can so that they will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and be able to recognize God’s voice when He calls them. It brings me great joy when I see glimpses of the ways that God is at work in their lives. In a recent card, my daughters wrote a thank you note and ended it with, “And most of all, thank you for teaching me about God!” Our family is far from perfect, but what a blessing it was to read these words!

As a faith community we vow as each child is baptized to be involved in the nurture and faith formation of our children. Sometimes this means finding new ways to engage our children in faith formation experiences in worship, small groups and opportunities to serve. Sometimes this means finding ways to support and nurture parents and grandparents. Sometimes this means getting involved in the lives of our children, whether we are parents or not, simply to share our faith and love of Jesus so that we can “tell the next generation the wonders of the Lord.” (Psalm 78:4) This Advent, my prayer is that you will spend some time sharing the stories of Jesus with a child. Make a difference for Jesus in the lives of a Mezuzah: Decorative case containing teen or young adult by telling them your story. Tell them how God has the Shema affixed to a door fame. made a difference in your life. Tell them of the wonders He has done.

Talk about His love, His promises, and His grace. Talk about Jesus when you sit at home or when you drive along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. May we all write His story on the door frames of our homes and our hearts.

Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to teach us how to live and how to love. As we embrace Your story this Advent season, help us to share it with others, especially our children and youth.

Kathy Schmucker

Note: Check out the miniature Torah on display in Faith UMC’s Library.

December 7, 2012

“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life.” - John 3:16

What this verse means to us?

God loves us.

God is the light of the world.

Have no fear.

God believes in us.

Trust God. God makes things hardly impossible.

God gave us his Son!

Written and illustrated by Wednesday Night Faith Connection Kids

December 8, 2012 Advent Activity

12 Days of Christmas Family Activity This is a fun, family activity that helps your family to focus on a spirit of giving and serving others while reaching out to someone in need of joy and love at Christmas.

As a family, prayerfully consider whom you know that you would like to surprise with little gifts or acts of service to brighten their lives during the season of Advent. Maybe there is a family in your neighborhood that is facing some challenges, or a widow in your church family who may be alone during the holidays. Perhaps you have a relative you rarely get to visit or know someone serving in the military.

The point is not to spend money on gifts, but to focus on being creative as you reach out to surprise and serve someone else. For 12 days surprise this person by either leaving gifts on their doorstep or sending a surprise in the mail. You may want to begin with one item the first day and ending with 12 on the last day. As a family, plan the surprises you will give.

Involve children in making the items.

Some suggestions include a plate of cookies, a card, a drawing, an ornament, a CD, or an act of service such as shoveling the sidewalk or brushing snow off of vehicles. You may also want to include a note with clues about what could be expected to happen next. Leave a Bible verse and some encouraging words along with your gifts. Whatever gifts you choose to leave, make it fun as you find ways to surprise the person and keep your identity a secret. Make praying for this person a part of the experience as well.

May your family enjoy the blessings that come from giving of yourselves to bring joy to someone else during the Christmas season! “God loves a cheerful giver.�

2 Corinthians 9:7b

December 9, 2012

The Best Gift of Christmas How do we instill in our children a sincere knowledge of the Best Gift of Christmas? My mother blessed me with that knowledge at a very early age. She made it incredibly easy to understand.

At an early age she made Christmas special to me and my three younger sisters. We decorated the house early, usually by the first Sunday in Advent. My mother’s most prized possession was a Nativity set. We would anticipate finding the Stable with the Manger and its special figurines each year with great excitement as we opened the storage boxes that held the Christmas decorations.

We would set up the Stable in a prominent place in the Living Room. A place that we were all able to see easily, a place that was accessible to a child’s hands, a place where we could all touch and handle the figures within the Stable. This place was called Bethlehem. At first the Stable would only house a Cow, maybe a sheep and an empty manger. The shepherds with their sheep would watch over the Stable from the Dining Room China Cabinet, it was a far away hill. Mary, Joseph and the donkey were placed across the room from the Stable, on the piano, this place was called Nazareth, from which they started their month long journey to the Stable in Bethlehem. They would travel from place to place in our home. Mary and Joseph would rest each night on a kitchen counter, the dining room table or an end table in the living room; each night getting ever closer to their final destination, the Stable in Bethlehem.

Finally it was Christmas Eve, the most Holy night of the year! We would go to church on Christmas Eve with visions of Sugarplums, Santa, and also what was yet to come before we went to bed. When we returned home from church, Mom would read to us the Christmas story from Luke. Read Luke 2:1-20. Now comes the fun part….As she read to us we acted out the story. From a hiding place, usually a drawer in the China Cabinet, Mom would bring out three figures. First the baby Jesus and He would be placed into the manger as she read the story. Second the Star would be placed upon the Stable. The last was the Angel. The Angel would fly around the room proclaiming the GOOD NEWS! The Angel would fly to the far away hill (the top of the China Cabinet), singing loud HOZANNAs and speaking with the Shepherds to tell them what has happened in Bethlehem. The Shepherds would be guided by the Star to Bethlehem so they could now be placed in the Stable to worship baby Jesus. Then the Angel would come to rest on the roof of the Stable to watch over them all.

Now you may ask "where are the Wise Men?" They are still traveling, from a far away land. Our Wise Men also have been traveling around staying a week or longer in each of the bedrooms of our home. They would travel around the room at the discretion of the child in charge for that week. They would continue to travel until 12 days after Christmas! Epiphany! This is when the Wise Men reach the stable to worship Jesus. Read Matthew 2:1-12. In reality you should know that the Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem about two years after Christ was born. We also don’t know how many Wise Men there were, we assume three because of the three gifts, but it probably was many more.

My Mom also had one last task for us before we were placed in our beds. We would all go to the front door of our home, and gather in a tight little semi-circle around the door. My Mom would open the door and let in a cold blast of winter. While the door was opened we would verbally ask Christ to come into our home to share Christmas with us. We would ask Him to stay with us for the coming New Year. Finally it was off to bed with The Best Gift of Christmas still lingering in our small hearts and peace for the New Year in our souls.

My Mother continues to renew the Best Gift of Christmas as we gather each year in her home for our large family celebration. There are now 26 of us plus or minus the various girlfriends and boyfriends who may or may not eventually become permanent members. As they come and go they become witnesses to the legacy of faith for our family. My Mom now has a small plain brown paper box, on which is written “The Best Gift” and tied shut with twine. We do not open any gifts until we have opened the best gift. Each person's name is written on the box, because the “Gift” belongs to one and all. As we all gather in the small living room of my parents home, that was designed to hold 6 not 26, my Mom once again reads the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20. Then the box, “The Best Gift” is opened by the youngest child present. The child peeps in the box and a small voice will say “It is baby Jesus!” Because nestled within some soft straw, are two things, a manger and a figurine of the baby Jesus.

I pray that you also may bring this wonderful inspired tradition into your own homes this Christmas Season. May it be a Blessing and possibly a Legacy for your children and grandchildren to discover the “Best Gift” of Christmas… Jesus Christ! Merry Christmas!

Ruth Zimmerman PS: My Mother Mary, yes that is her name, has more than 200 miniature nativity sets that have been given to her over the last 40 years.

December 10, 2012 ADVENT 1970 I missed Advent in 1970- almost all of it. I was in Southeast Asia as a USAF pilot flying a KC-135 air refueling plane. Our original orders had us returning home "sometime during the Holiday season". Our commander said, "Why don’t we try to get these guys home for Christmas?"

During my tour, there wasn't any thought of 'anything church'. Personally my only touch with God was a daily prayer asking for safety for me, my crew, and all other service people. So we find ourselves at the end of the runway at Hickham Air Force Base in Hawaii at 5:00 AM on 12/24- Christmas Eve day. The plane was full of fuel, our crew of 4, and 40 troops in the back that we were bringing home. The look on everyone's faces could best be described as giddiness. The takeoff and climb to our assigned altitude was normal. We leveled off and prepared for what was supposed to have been about a 30 hour journey back home- Plattsburg AFB, New York.

The extra long trip was because of having to drop off half of the troops in Louisiana, go thru customs, refuel, and refile a new flight plan. After the stop in Louisiana, we had to fly to a base outside Atlanta and do all of the same stuff again before we could head home to Plattsburg.

So we are at 41,000 feet headed east when our navigator announced, "You're not going to believe this but we just picked up a 165 knot tailwind". We got to Louisiana 3 hours early.

The customs guy came on board, took the paperwork, and said, "Merry Christmas". Because of the tailwind, we didn't need to refuel saving us another 3 hours. The wind followed us to Atlanta where we enjoyed the same good luck (3 more hours saved). The tailwind miracle continued as we turned north toward home. We called home base to tell them of our adjusted arrival time and landed at 9:00PM on Christmas Eve- 15 hours early.

What a reunion!

Because of this, my favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 40: 31- “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Buck Stultz

December 11, 2012

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered.

“May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. - Luke 1:38 In the Gospel of Luke 1:38, Mary responds to the angel who has just brought her earth shaking news that will change her life and the world forever by saying, “I am the Lord’s servant and I am willing to accept whatever He wants.” WOW! I want to let go and be able to say those words without reservation, knowing that the future directed entirely by God will be filled with His joy, peace, and love.

On my Faith Journey I have said those words in times of deep sorrow (at the sudden death of my father and then again a close friend), and at times of pain and fear (when confronted with breast cancer 13 years ago). The result was an overwhelming feeling and bone-deep knowledge that I was not alone no matter what happened. I loved that feeling! But to say the words, “Whatever You want God,” when all is going well in my life is another matter. At the moment I continue to say it with reservation as if God might put me somewhere I can’t handle and have no control over. As my journey continues it has been extremely helpful to participate in a small group with Christian friends who understand my reservations and push me ever so slightly to move forward in my faith. I know that God has positioned them and me to support and love each other in whatever may befall us in this world, and to stay on the journey together.

In this Christmas Season of great Joy, I thank God for the faith Mary exemplified and pray that my journey continues until I can say “Whatever You want God,” on a daily basis.

Dear Lord, as we continue on together give me strength to take the next step, wisdom to stay close to you, and joy as I celebrate every bit of the journey with you. Amen.

Sandy Vaughn

December 12, 2012 “Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD: “The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.” So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD.” Psalm 102:18-22 This is not my faith story, but one by which I am inspired.

I hope it inspires you too.

I recently read Laura Hillenbrand’s book Unbroken, a well-researched biography about Louis Zamperini. Zamperini was a trouble-maker in his youth and early adulthood. He was mentored by his older brother and developed a passion for running. The rest of Louis’ life resembles that of Forrest Gump. Louis seemed to be at all the places at all the times that made history. But this is no fairy tale. This is a God thing. From the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and meeting Adolph Hitler, to floating 47 days in the Pacific on a life raft, to surviving Japanese death camps for three years, to marrying a stunning girl, to a conversion at a Billy Graham tent revival in Los Angeles in 1949, to being on The Tonight Show at 95 years old, Louis’ life seems like a Hollywood movie.

Louis was a hero when he returned from the war. He was often asked to speak about his experiences. Talking about the war shook him. Louis turned to alcohol to deal with the post-traumatic stress he experienced. His wife was going to divorce him. She went to a Billy Graham revival in 1949 and changed her mind. The next night she drug him to the tent to listen. Louis thought about how, when he was floating on that raft in the Pacific Ocean, he said to the Lord, “God spare my life through the war, and I’ll seek you and serve you.” God must have seen Louis not as a runner or a war hero, but as a soldier for Christ. Why else would have Louis survived, fallen, and then been in the tent that night? Just as God has used Billy Graham to deliver the Gospel to the masses, Louis was called to preach the Gospel and to deliver a message of forgiveness to all who would listen, even his former captors.

God doesn’t call us all to be Olympians and war heroes. However, we are on this earth for a reason.

Until that reason is fulfilled, God will not forsake us on our journey.

Please God, Break the chains that imprison me. Lead me, guide me, and use me in any way you wish to make disciples for Christ. Amen.

Georgeann Clark

December 13, 2012 Advent Activity Star Gazing Take a drive on a clear night and enjoy some of the Christmas lights around your neighborhood.

End the evening by spending some time exploring the night sky, one of God’ most beautiful creations. Dress warm & bring along some blankets & hot cocoa as it may take a half an hour for your eyes to fully adjust to the dark so you’ll see the most stars. While gazing at the stars, try some of these suggested discussion questions:

 What helps you to find your way in the dark?  Can you count the number of stars that you see?  What do you notice about the moon?  Share your hopes & dreams with each other as you gaze at the night sky.  How does it feel to know that God who created the galaxies and placed each star in the sky knows all about you, even the number of hairs on your head?

Read Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2: 1-20, Isaiah 9:2-6.

 What stirs in your heart as you read of the wonder of Jesus birth under the night sky?  Imagine what it would have been like to have been one of those shepherds. How might you have reacted to the angel’s message?  What does it mean that Jesus is Immanuel, God with us?  How does Jesus help you to find your way in a darkened world? How does Jesus bring us hope?

Close in prayer under the night sky: Loving Creator, thank you for the beauty and wonder of the night sky. Help us to take time each day to appreciate your amazing creation. As the stars and moon light up this dark night, we are reminded to give you thanks for sending Jesus to help us find our way in this darkened world. In His name we pray. Amen.

December 14,, 2012 “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life.” - John 3:16 Dear Jesus, Thank you for protecting me over the years. Thank you for finding a good family for me. Thank you for my strong, hard head. And thank you for letting me live this long. And hope I live longer. Amen.

Written and illustrated by Wednesday Night Faith Connection Kids

December 15, 2012

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.“ Hebrews 11-1 As this Christmas Season approaches I always think of the faith that Mary had in God who told her she was carrying his Son. She was a virgin, yet pregnant, and had to have faith that her family, Joseph and her friends would accept her and understand the importance of her unborn child. In addition, as they traveled to Bethlehem, she had to have faith that God would provide for them a place to rest and sleep and a place to give birth to her baby. Think of the faith Mary had and the blessing of our Savior she brought into the world As I have aged I understand how much my faith is becoming more secure. There have been too many instances where the impossible turned out right and it is because of my faith and the power that gave me. I have learned to worry about situations a lot less because of my growing faith in God. Like Mary, all of us hope for God’s influence in our lives, showing us a way to do something that we may have thought impossible. There have been many instances in my life that I have had to turn situations over to my faith. Sometimes the answer came in a different way but often turned out to be a better growing and maturing experience.

I had an amazing experience on the Mission Trip this year and got so much more from it than I put into it. It was a life changing outcome. I went into that trip with a great deal of excitement but a great deal of fear and anxiety also. I had to rely on my faith and was sure God would guide me through the week and He did.

It takes time and patience but when you rely on your faith, something unseen but certain, you will gain confidence and have a less stress- filled life. As we approach the Christmas Season, wouldn’t the best gift be the realization of what faith can mean in your life.

Dear God: Thank you for your presence in my life and the assurance that you are with me in all situations. Give me the faith that Mary felt in the birth of our Savior Thank you for all the gifts you have given me and remind us all that everyone has a gift to give of their talents.

Mac McLaughlin

December 16, 2012 “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.“ Isaiah 40:30-31 In 1971, while living in Danville, Virginia, we belonged to a large Presbyterian church. A lay team from North Carolina led a series of meetings over the weekend. I went to hear what they had to say – being very skeptical. Their testimony made me realize the reality of God’s love, that he is with me always, and, he really cares for me. My thoughts kept being drawn to this scripture from Isaiah as we adopted it as our family scripture.

As a family of six grew to sixteen, Jake and I have had many experiences – some good, some not so good, but we both find comfort in God’s words through his prophets. It is our rock. God hears our prayers. In this wonderful season of Advent, let us never forget the real reason – the birth of Jesus Christ. God could not have given us any finer gift.

Father God, Thank you for loving us. Help us to keep our thoughts on you this Advent season. We are so blessed. Amen.

Linda Lebold

GOD IS LOVE!

December 17, 2012 Advent Activity What does the nativity mean for us today?

How can rediscovering Christmas change our lives & our world?

The season of Advent is an opportunity for us to celebrate the wondrous moment when God entered our world to make things right. It is a season of worship. Every year we hear the Christmas story, but do we really get it? What does our response to the story of Jesus’ birth say about our hearts? Christmas changed the world the day Jesus was born in a cold, dark stable. Christmas will change the world again. Do you really believe this?

Every character who encounters the infant King in the nativity story has the same response.

They worship. Examine the characters in the Christmas story & look at their response to Jesus coming. How do they worship Jesus? How does what you learn about their response to the news of our Savior’s birth move you to respond to the greatest gift God has ever given you?

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 1:26-56, Luke 2:1-20 Mary: Joseph: Shepherds: Wise men: Think about your actions & activities. Is Jesus truly the desire of your heart? What do you worship?

Where does your worship drive your heart? What message does your worship send to those around you? Is your worship an outpouring of your heart? What changes do you need to make this Christmas season?

Will you celebrate, sing, dance, pray, meditate, & love your way into the Advent story & experience the story that is of great joy for all people? Will you be like Mary & sing to God, like Joseph & obey without regard to cost, like the shepherds and drop everything to worship Jesus, or like the wise men and face anything that stands in the way of your worship?

Will you be so filled with the love of Christ that you will stop at nothing to share Jesus’ message of love & hope with others? Do you take Jesus seriously & desire the same things that move His heart?

Do you give like God has given to you?

This Christmas season remember there are those who are shopping for more than just material gifts. We live in a world full of people looking for hope, acceptance and love. How is God calling you to move into the Christmas story & be Jesus to them? What will you do to reclaim Christmas?

For further exploration read The Advent Conspiracy by Rick McKinley, Chris Seay, & Greg Holder, Christmas Is Not Your Birthday and A Different Kind of Christmas by Mike Slaughter, visit www.rethinkchurch.org

December 18, 2012

You’re kidding, right?

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” - Luke 1:26-38 If someone came up to me and said, “Hey there! You’re going to have a baby….you are going to be shunned by your community, looked down upon by all, your fiancé is no longer going to want to marry you and basically life as you know it will be over.”

I’m pretty sure my response would not be “I am the Lord’s servant”. It would probably go something like “Are you kidding me? You got the wrong lady. How do I get out of this? Where can I get off this crazy-train?”

Mary’s response is astounding. Her deep trust and faith that the Lord knows what He is doing is inspiring. When things seem out of control in my life and nothing is going smoothly, it is so easy to say “Let me off of this crazy train!” But like Mary, our response should be “May it be to me as you have said.” Often, what God asks of us isn’t always easy. It isn’t the peaceful stroll next to the quiet river. Often it is a bumpy ride on a rickety boat in the raging storm. In these moments we can remember that God is trustworthy and that we can find rest in our faith. It is in these moments that we remember that we are the Lord’s servant.

God, may the response of our hearts and the actions of our lives mirror the faithful response of Mary. May we, too, respond to your requests with an enthusiastic “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said!” Amen.

Carmie Johnson

December 19, 2012

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” Luke 1:46 – 55 This scripture is known as “The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise”. What beautiful words Mary uses to give glory to her God and King. It is a scripture that should be revisited, not just at Christmas (as we think about the birth of Jesus Christ), but throughout the year. There are many things for which we can give God the glory and honor due Him. As we sing praises to God, He doesn’t expect all of us to have perfect pitch. He wants to hear a joyful noise, coming from the heart. When I praise my Lord and King, I am simply lifting my voice to thank Him, to praise Him, to glorify Him. Sometimes I sing with a tape or CD, sometimes I play guitar, sometimes I sing acapella. But, when I do sing, I am singing from the depth of my heart, from the depth of my love for the One who made us all.

I envision Mary also singing from the depth of her heart as she sang these words to Elizabeth – praising and glorifying God. He had already blessed her with much, and now she would be the mother of His Son, who came to earth to teach us, to guide us, to rescue us, to become our salvation. How awesome is that! And, even though things were not as she had planned, she followed and thanked God first and foremost for what He was going to do. What an example she is for all of us.

Let us all remember to thank and praise God first and foremost - for His love, for His guidance, for what He is asking each of us to do for Him.

Dear Father in Heaven, please continue to show us Your way. Have patience with us, lead us, help us to follow You each and every day. And, Lord, please continue to remind us to sing praises to You . Amen.

December 20, 2012

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means God with us).” - Matthew 1:21-23

God is telling Mary, ‘You will have a kid and he will be called Jesus.’ It makes me feel happy.

What I believe this passage speaks to me and says Jesus shall be in the virgin Mary, will be judged and ridiculed about this child being in her and not being wed.

It is a good scripture, not a bad one. It seems interesting.

God sent Jesus to the world to sacrifice him in order to take everyone’s sins away, so everyone is nicer in the future.

Dear God, Thank you for all our friends and for sending Jesus down to earth to sacrifice and take away our sins. Amen.

Written and illustrated by our Wednesday Night Faith Connections Kids

December 21, 2012

Peace Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27 “And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed …” - Luke 1: 46-48 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6 When I was a freshman in college at Baldwin-Wallace, I experienced what probably many students experience at some level during early time away from parents, family and friends. I was excited to be on my own and learning, but the world sometimes felt really big and a little lonely. I made friends through roommates and classes, music and even a trial season of track, but a lot of the time was spent searching. One of the groups I got involved with was a Christian faith group that some of my roommates also attended. It was a nice connection with others, but it also really helped to deepen my spiritual life and my connection with God. I spent free time in prayer and writing to God my thoughts and questions as well as time reading the Bible.

In the spring of my sophomore year, I was in the midst of a lot of stress. It was near finals week for a pretty heavy class schedule. I had recently learned that my sister (also a BW student) had really injured her ankle and might need assistance in the last weeks to get around campus. My mom had called to tell me that our family had received word that the home we had lived in for the last ten years would no longer be home as my dad was reassigned from our Methodist church in Tiffin to preach at a church in Alliance. Finally, my aunt who had been battling breast cancer for a few years had passed away. This was the second sister she had lost in recent years to cancer. In the midst of all of this, I still remember one afternoon walking down the hallway toward my room and being overwhelmed with the deepest, most perfect sense of peace I have ever experienced in my life.

It was like nothing I had felt before, or have truly felt in such a way since and I believe it was God with me. I knew everything would be alright, even though I had no confirmation or “proof” in my own understanding. I could not see around the corner into my future, or know that the move to Alliance would be a blessing on my life as I met Dan (my husband) at church in Alliance a few weeks later.

God’s peace is not of this world and is truly amazing. I think of Mary’s joy and praise in Luke, Chapter 1 and can hear the joy in her words. This is from a girl who had every reason to fear based on the current circumstances of her life. God was with her and there was no room for fear.

For unto us a Son is Given, the Prince of Peace. Thanks be to God. Most Holy God, we praise you for your Goodness and your ways. Please help us to make room in our lives to feel your presence and your peace so that you may lead us in your grace. Thank you for your son Jesus, in whose name we offer our prayers and praises to you. Amen.

Sarah Griffith

December 22, 2012

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:39-45 When Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, Elizabeth felt a "Faith Lift" from within as her baby leapt in her womb. As a man, I cannot personally say that I have ever had such a feeling from within. However, there have been many times in my life when I have felt a "Faith Lift".

I had given up on finding someone to share my life with. When I told God that he was in charge, I met Martha and experienced a faith lift. When my children were born and I was able to cut their umbilical cords, I felt a faith lift. When the congregation is fully engaged in a song and the energy is flowing out of everyone, I always experience a faith lift. When I am helping someone to do something that they might not expect anyone to help them with, I get a faith lift (and I hope that I give one, too). When I smile at someone and get a smile in return, I hope that I am giving a faith lift.

Maybe we could all do a better job giving faith lifts to others if we think of ourselves wearing a t-shirt that says "Ask me about my Faith Lift"!

Dear Lord Jesus, Help us all to experience the faith lift that only you can provide. Help us to reach out to others in our church, in our communities and throughout the world so that they can experience the Faith Lift of your promise to us!

In Jesus' name, Amen

Joe Richards

December 23, 2012 Advent Activity

Story Time Story telling is a beautiful art. It’s a creative way to pass down family tales & traditions from one generation to the next. This Christmas spend some time sharing those special stories with your family & friends. Relive the memories of Christmas past by reflecting on your most memorable Christmas moment or a favorite Christmas tradition.

Begin by sharing the greatest story ever told. Read Luke 2:1-20 as a family. Take turns reading the verses.

Be creative in the way you tell the story. For fun, get out the bathrobes, sheets, & towels, put on costumes & act out the story. Put yourselves in the story. What would it have been like if you had been one of the shepherds, the inn keeper, or the wise men? Spend some time talking about why the birth of Jesus is the greatest story ever told. Share how Jesus makes a difference in your lives.

Make this story time special, remembering the words of Psalm 78:4, “…we will tell the next generation the praise worthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.” Tell your children & grandchildren, nieces or nephews your favorite Bible verse and why this passage of scripture has special meaning for you. Take turns reading your favorite Bible stories or talking about your favorite Bible characters. What special quality makes those biblical characters stand out for you? Which Bible character would you want to be like? Ask each other to share which character you see reflected in each other’s lives.

Share how you see Jesus in each other. Talk about how God has blessed your family & friends during the past year. End with prayer asking God to help each of you grow in your understanding of how His story is the greatest story ever told!

December 24, 2012 Christmas Eve “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” - 1 Peter 4:10 What does it mean to be good stewards of the manifold grace of God? What in the world does THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD even mean? I don’t know that we ever receive the complete and fully understood answers to these questions. But, there are those experiences in life when the One who became visible among us in the birth of Jesus of Nazareth becomes vivid in our hearts and minds.

During a summer break from college, on staff at Camp Alta Mons in the beautiful mountains of Shawsville, Virginia I had one of those vivifying experiences. Working with kids from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds, I saw just how powerful the manifold grace of God is.

Nearly every week I saw lives transformed as kids learned about and experienced the love of God in Jesus Christ. The Good News of God’s love and grace that I had grown up taking for granted was the difference between life and death for those who had never heard or recognized the experience of it before.

By the end of the summer I was wrestling with a call to ministry. I didn’t know if I was called to pastoral ministry or something else as a lay person but I knew that I had a responsibility to share the life-changing, life-saving Good News of Christ with others. In other words, I knew I was called to be a good steward of the manifold grace of God serving others with whatever gifts I had received.

In this season of Advent as we anticipate the miracle of Christmas, let us ponder anew the significance of this amazing act of grace, God becoming one of us and what we will do as stewards of this Good News.

God of abundant grace, prepare my heart this day for the many ways you enter the world and ordinary life.

Let my voice join the heavenly hosts in singing Joy to the World!

Pastor Steve Stultz Costello

December 25, 2012 Christmas Day “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us.’).—Matthew 1:21-23

There is no other Jesus!

We love Him! We should care for Him! Dear God, Help us to remember that today is Jesus’ birthday. Thank you for your gift of Love to the world!

May we share Your Love with others.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

Written and illustrated by Wednesday Night Faith Connection Kids

December 26, 2012 1 Timothy 4:14: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example to the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

I grew up attending Faith UMC. I was active in our youth group, handbell choir, regular choir and mission trips. I was also involved at the district and conference levels. One year, the theme for Youth Annual Conference (held at Lakeside the weekend before Annual Conference) was 1 Timothy 4:14. This scripture stuck with me because it highlighted my responsibilities as a young person. As a teen and young adult, I often felt unheard by others. I needed to prove myself by being a good example. This is something anyone can do regardless of age.

While I am most certainly not considered a youth now, listening and responding to youth remains a major call in my faith. I teach school, and help with Sunday School, VBS, and other youth related activities as needed. Most importantly, I am a parent. I consistently need to remember to listen, and to present the children I encounter with the same challenge: set an example and earn respect. As a person now in the middle generation, I have the privilege of learning from those younger than me, and listening to those with more experience.

The lessons of this scripture seem especially relevant at Christmastime. Jesus came to the world as a baby, and taught throughout his life. He died at 32, a young age, but he showed us through his perfect example the ideal to which we should strive. Christmas is a holiday that celebrates the joy of his birth, and where our culture focuses on children as the recipients of gifts and a source of joy. Let’s make it a goal to set an example of faith for our children, so that they can go into the world as an example to others.

Dear Lord, Help me to be an example to others of your love, faith, and forgiveness.

Help me to listen to those who are young and to show respect to all. Thanks for your gift of generations and the opportunity to learn and share from one another. Thank you for your perfect example. Amen.

Molly Meister

December 27, 2012 “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me n the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” - Psalm 23 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” - Luke 2: 8-14

I was amazed when reading the two scriptures for today as to how much they had in relation to each other. The Psalm starts out letting us know that the Lord is the shepherd of all of the people and in Luke who does the angel of the Lord visit first? Of course it is some shepherds in a near by field and it is announced to them the birth of the Lord’s son , Jesus. He has let them know that they have found favor with Him and He will shepherd the people while he lives among them. He is restoring the soul of the people as David writes in the Psalm and at the same time letting us know that he is renewing His covenant with the people.

The Shepherds are afraid of the bright light and the Lord’s angel but the angel tells them to not be afraid because he is bringing them good news of great joy for all of the people.( Luke 2: 10) In the Psalm verse 4 we are told He is with us and we do not have to fear evil and that He will comfort us.

Verse 14 in Luke it is written “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors. It can be noted in the Psalm the sixth verse tells us that if we dwell in the house of the Lord, He will bring us goodness and mercy all of the days of our life.

During this Christmas season we need to find the blessing that the birth of the Christ child brings to each of us and to understand that the Lord will fill our hearts and souls with the joys of being His followers. Also that he walks with us each and every day and He will always be at our side through the good and the troubling times.

Lord thank you for the birth of your son Jesus and for the hope and joy that we can find in following Him and knowing that you are always with us. May this joy spread among all peoples and nations and the peace it can bring to the earth and mankind. AMEN

Butch Ransom

December 28, 2012

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” - Psalm 118:24 “All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15

“Make it a habit to be happy”. This quotation from Norman Vincent Peale’s book The Power of Positive Thinking is something that we should all consider in our routine of everyday living.

Happiness is a funny thing. You can’t see it or hear it or touch it. But those who possess it, treasure it; and those who don’t, often spend their lives searching for it.

Happiness is simply a state of mind that depends entirely on you. We talk of others “making us happy”, but this is seldom the case. We make ourselves happy or unhappy by our attitudes toward ourselves, our work, our neighbors and our world. The truly happy person is one who can be enthusiastic about the things he has to do as well as the things he wants to do.

In the book of Proverbs (15:15), it tells us that when a person is gloomy, everything seems to go wrong; when a person is cheerful, everything seems to go right. In other words, don’t start your day with a negative attitude. Many of us initiate our own unhappiness.

Every morning before you get out of bed, lie there for a few minutes and think of all the good things you are going to do that day – and always remember that God is with you and He will help you to be happy, as indicated in Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Why not start today by telling your family and friends how much they mean to you. Go out of your way to do a good turn for a stranger. You will be surprised at the happiness you will achieve. Happiness is a wonderful thing – the one gift we can give ourselves – and the most precious gift that we can wish for others.

God, fill me with your love that I may bring happiness to others. Amen.

Gwen Guiher

December 29, 2012

Walking By Faith 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight,” (HCSB) After I graduated high school, I was blessed to receive a generous scholarship that helped to pay for my undergraduate work. This scholarship was a wonderful blessing; however one of the stipulations of receiving it was that I would take six weeks of summer classes prior to my freshman year. On the second day of classes I received a phone call from my mother that altered my understanding of God and helped shape me into the man I am today.

My mother told me that my dad had been diagnosed with bladder cancer and he would be undergoing surgery in two days to try and remove it. I remember the feeling in the pit of my stomach that day as I thought about what could potentially happen to my father. I thought about life without him and the struggle that would be for me and my future children to grow up not having a grandfather. I began to question God about why He would let something like this happen to me and found myself growing angry with God. However, in the midst of my frustration, I kept hearing a small voice whispering, “Walk by faith, not by sight.” This helped to comfort me a little bit, but I was still internally wrestling with the thought of potentially losing my dad.

When the surgery day came I sat anxiously in the waiting room for the doctor to return only to hear that they were unable to get all of the cancer and my dad would have to undergo another surgery, in a couple of weeks. I felt so angry at the doctors and nurses who had worked on my dad just hours before, but I still heard that faint whisper, saying “Walk by faith, not by sight.”

When the second surgery came, I recall sitting down with several of my new friends and classmates in the waiting room having prayer for the duration of my dad’s surgery. I remember disregarding my own feelings of infuriation that my father was having to go through this and started relying more on God to perform a miracle and heal my dad. In those moments of prayer with my family and classmates, I could still hear that little voice whispering “Walk by faith, not by sight.”

Eleven years have passed now and I am thankful to the doctors and nurses who cared for my dad during this challenging time in our life. I am thankful for the friends who surrounded our family in prayer and supported me despite my own fears and frustrations. I am thankful for my dad, his life, and that he is still a part of mine. But most importantly, I am thankful for God never giving up on me and continuously (even today) whispering in my ear, “Walk by faith, not by sight.” As we continue to grow in our faith journey with Jesus we must cling to these words that even in the most difficult times we need to walk by faith, not by sight.

God, please grant me the wisdom to walk by faith and not by sight throughout my life. May I focus on You and Your goodness despite my own circumstances, trusting that you will work everything to the good of your glory. Amen

Matt Hart

December 30, 2012 “Jesus Wept.” - John 11:35 Are you familiar with the Bible verse: Jesus wept? Do you know why he did?

If you had Bible verse study and contests as a child in Sunday School or Junior Church, you probably are familiar with the verse. It is the shortest verse in the bible and as kids we all tried to be first to list it. Otherwise we might have had to learn a longer one.

But until now I could not have told you where it was in the Bible or why he wept.

So, turn to the gospel of John and the 11th chapter – the death of Lazarus. No doubt you have heard of Lazarus, his death and Jesus returning him to life. Verse 35 says: Jesus wept. This was after Mary had told Him if He had been there He could have saved Lazarus.

As Christians we must wonder at times if Jesus is weeping over all the warring and troubles that are going on in His world. One religious sect against another. Nation against nation. And in the recent elections, Americans attacking Americans, not really running for office, just viciously badmouthing their opponents.

There is much for Him to weep over. There is much for us (all of us on Earth) to tackle and resolve. WHEN and HOW are waiting but MUST is a necessity. Otherwise the weeping will go on.

Father help us find the answers to peace among men and among nations. Amen.

Paul Miller

Jesus - God’s gift of love to the world!

December 31, 2012

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.” I Corinthians 12:27-28 Have you ever wondered about what purpose God has for you? I have and often wondered where I fit in. These verses help to put it into perspective. We all have been given special abilities as the scripture describes. My husband, Jim, calls me his caring person. So as I look back over my life’s journey I do see my place is to care about and to be a caregiver to others. Not only to my immediate family but the members of God’s family. Sometimes it can be overwhelming but is definitely rewarding and I enjoy it.

I had the privilege to be a caregiver to four very special women in my life. My mother, Mary, my mother-in-law, Emma, my Aunt Martie and my dearest friend, Lynn. The times spent with them, sharing their experiences, faith and wisdom, and gaining insight into my family history definitely helped to guide me on my faith journey. I gave them the care they needed but they gave me so much more. I treasure those times and miss them.

Even though I no longer have them to care for, there always seems to be someone or something else in need so I still am doing what I believe God has designed me to do. I do try to see the best in others and put myself in their situations to try and understand their feelings. I hope that I have set a good example for our children and grandchildren so that they too will find God’s calling whatever it may be.

I pray that I can continue and be a part of the body of Christ.

Dear Lord, Help us all to be all that you want us to be. Help us to listen to your calling and then have the courage to go an ahead with the challenge. Let us follow Christ’s teachings to be more like him. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Chris Bednar

January 1, 2013

John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer I am no longer my own, but yours.

Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be employed by you or laid aside by you, enabled for you or brought low by you.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are mine, and I am yours. So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.

Amen.

Pray John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer as you begin this New Year. Surrender yourself to the Lord and seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Suggestions for using the Covenant Prayer in your daily spiritual practice: Rewrite the prayer in your own words.

Make praying the Wesley Covenant Prayer a part of your daily devotions.

After praying the prayer, take one line each day and meditate on what living a life reflective of this line would mean for you.

John Wesley’s Daily Prayer O God, the giver of all good gifts, thank you for giving me this day in which to renew my commitment to walk in Your ways. Help me to perceive the ways in which I can improve my obedience to you. Be present at all times, in every task, in whatever company I keep; let Your love be my compass throughout today’s journey. AMEN

January 2, 2012

Be strong! Be courageous! Never be afraid. For the Lord God is with you.

He will neither fail you nor forsake you.—Deuteronomy 31:6 I think the first time I ever felt I really needed God's generous help was not until I was ten years old. I grew up in a loving, supportive household. My grandparents doted without spoiling. And even my aunts and uncles gave me great love. Needless to say, I was very sheltered from the problems of the world around me. So when, at age ten, I became dangerously ill with an infection in my hip, I didn't understand why my mom or dad couldn't just kiss my boo boo so that I could continue with my naive existence. While in the hospital for three weeks, I learned that many people were praying for me. What a warm feeling I felt. I realized that they prayed because they truly felt that God would protect me, that He would never fail me. I, myself, began to pray heartfelt prayers that soon included more needy people than just myself. And I have never stopped praying for strength, courage, and especially, for those going through difficult times.

My experience mirrors that of Mary, Jesus' mother, since we both needed to understand that God would give us the strength and courage we needed in each of our situations. Mary must have prayed continuously for these attributes during her pregnancy, the trip to Bethlehem, and the birth of her baby, God's child, our Savior. She trusted God knowing He would neither fail nor forsake her. And, He didn't. She continued her strong belief in God's word and promise throughout her life.

These words, in different variations, are found throughout the Bible, reminding each of us that if we only trust Him, He will provide us with the strength and protection we need in all situations. I keep this comforting scripture in my heart every day. How it frees me of stress, fear, and cowardice. Thanks be to God!

Lord, thank You for the courage You give us to travel our daily paths without fear and with strength knowing that You are with us always. Thank You for your precious gift of our Savior, born of a woman who truly followed You with courage and faith. Amen

Judy McLaughlin

January 3, 2013

Great Is Thy Faithfulness “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6(NIV) Last year I participated in a Rick Warren study, “Forty Days in the Word.” Through this small group study I learned methods for reading and meditating on the Scriptures. This practice enabled me to experience meaningful time alone with God and apply God’s word to my life.

One of my favorite scriptures in this study is Proverbs 3:5-6. All through my life I trusted that God would provide for me and lead me on a straight path. I learned that this path may not be the one I “think” I should be taking, but one that God has planned for me. I have looked back over the years and realized that if I had taken the easy way or the quick way, that maybe my life might have had another outcome. In retrospect I can see that God was with me during the rough times as well as the good times. My faith never wavered and I never questioned whether God was leading my path or not. I relied on my trust in God. This trust in God has grown just as I have. As a young child I went to Sunday school and church every Sunday. My youth group experience helped me dig deeper into my beliefs. And as an adult my faith journey continues but now it is up to me (not my parents) to decide what I will do to encourage my faith to grow deeper.

During this season of Advent I think about all the miracles surrounding the birth of Christ.

Mary and Joseph didn’t understand why God chose them, but they trusted and acknowledged God and he made their “paths straight.” Just like Mary and Joseph, I don’t have to “understand” how it all happened, I just have to trust in God and be faithful to him in everything I do. Let us remember this during the Advent season and throughout the year.

When thinking about the words in the Proverbs verses above, I recalled the words to one of my favorite hymns. Let us remember these words as we celebrate this special time of year.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed, thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Sharyl Syler

January 4, , 2013 “Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you. “ - Matthew 7:7 This is one of my favorite scriptures. I like to keep things simple and this scripture helps me keep my priorities straight. All I have to remember is A.S.K. – Ask, Seek, Knock. To me this is an easy way to remember that I need a relationship with God – this should be my number one priority.

Relationship is a two-way street. God is seeking a relationship with us as much as we are seeking a relationship with Him. Jesus, in His humanity, showed us the importance of this, and He showed us how to have relationships. Through Scriptures, God asks us to love Him, to love our neighbor, our enemy, ourselves and everyone else we meet. We can be assured that He loves us so much that He answers our prayers and gives us everything we ask for – at the right time and in the right way. God’s door is always open to those who knock. He is knocking at the door to our hearts – waiting patiently to show us what we should do for Him. When we ask God to come into our hearts, when we seek His face, when we knock on the door to His kingdom; we are showing God how important He is to us. We are showing Him that He is number one in our lives. And, at this, He looks down and smiles.

What does this have to do with Christmas? God sent His Son to us long ago to teach us about relationships – with Him, and with others. A relationship with God is the greatest gift we can give ourselves. He is waiting with open arms to embrace us, to guide us, to love us. All we have to do is Ask, Seek, Knock (A.S.K.) Heavenly Father – we thank you for the gift of Your Son. He is the greatest gift we could receive. He showed us how a relationship with You is so important. Help us to remember to Ask, See, Knock – that we might always keep You as number one.

You are awesome. Amen.

Pam Wig

January 5, 2013 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12 Fear can paralyze us. I’m sure the shepherds were paralyzed with fear when the heavens opened and they heard and saw things unfamiliar and unbelievable. This past summer I had the opportunity to spend time on the Colorado River on a guided trip for eleven glorious adventure filled days. There were nine guides and 20 “pilgrims”. I should have been afraid in the rapids. People occasionally die in them.

Some of the waves were 10 to 12 feet high with a power to the current that defies description. But I never was afraid because the guides told us what to do if we fell out of the raft and they had years of experience on the river. I trusted them completely. How much better off I would be if I could trust God so completely.

We have the Bible to guide us and a church family to support us when the waters get rough. I can’t imagine life without a church family. They feel like the life vest I wore to keep me afloat.

When something unfamiliar or beyond our scope of experience happens, our church family is there, encouraging us to pray, read the Bible, seek comfort through their own experiences and to fear not. For great joy comes after the rapids. The raw beauty of the stars and rocks, the companionship of other “pilgrims” and the knowledge that God loves ME, little as I am in this great universe, leaves me filled with awe and joy.

Lord, help me identify my fears because they are paralyzing me and keeping me from the joy that is waiting for me.

Joanne Fox

January 6, 2013 Epiphany “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12 Epiphany of the Lord, celebrated on January 6th, is the climax of the Advent/Christmas season.

The term Epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." In Western churches, Epiphany Day has marked the observance of the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child (Matthew 2:1-12), revealing Jesus to the world as Lord and King. The original celebration day of the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany season was Epiphany. This was a celebration of the revelation of God's light and power in Christ (Luke 2:32 & John 1:1- 2:11).

Jesus is the light of the world!

Thank God for revealing himself to us in Jesus! The wise men followed the star to find the baby Jesus. The disciples learned to follow Jesus. We are called to do likewise and must answer the question, What does it mean to follow Jesus? Make time for Jesus and let God fill your life with his holy light so that his light can shine through you into the world! Our world needs to experience more and more of God’s love. Our world needs to experience the light of Jesus in its darkness.

Jesus is the Light of the world!

Dear Jesus, Thank you for watching over me, protecting me and loving me. I may not be the best everyday but I know you still love me and forgive me. Amen.

Write Your Faith Story

Notes, Reflection, and Prayers

Thank You We praise God and extend a special thank you to the following who shared their gifts and talents to make this year’s Advent Book possible: Cross illustrations created by members of Faith UMC during worship experience September, 2012 Madeline Griffith (age 6) and Carmie Johnson, Coordinator of Communications —Cover Design Sharyl Syler, Carmie Johnson and Faith’s Office Ministry Team —Publication Support 2012 Advent Book Writers

Special thanks to the Wednesday Night Faith Connection Kids for their contribution to this year’s Advent Book: Molly Andrews Nathan Andrews Tyler Bradley Sarah Christensen Aiden Everetts Caleb Everetts Lucy Everetts Madeline Griffith Maya Griffith

Alex Hobe Lauren Hobe Sara Jones Elijah Krach Kaitlyn Krach Carlee McTighe Cole McTighe Caroline Meister Sam Meister

Charles Melin Kenneth Melin Will Schumaker Addison Schuster Atticus Stultz Costello Eli Stultz Costello Max Vogley Hunter Wenning Tricia Wenning

To God be the glory!

Faith United Methodist Church www.faithumchurch.org