From The Pastor:

Seeing the word December on the calendar brings to mind an old song by Merle Haggard about a man being laid off from work in December and hoping to merely survive the month.  “If we make it through December; everything’s gonna be alright I know…”  I wouldn’t be surprised if some upstart artist didn’t reprise the song and have themselves a big hit – based on the economic conditions of the day.

 Of course, December also brings Christmas to mind and another song by Andy Williams, or some such crooner as he – “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” The song focuses on the simple joys of having “good cheer.” So which is it? Looking at things from the economic side of things, it would be tempting to cast your vote for Haggard’s “If We Make it Through December,” as the song most fitting for 2009. But from the spiritual side, the side of the deepest and greatest reality, the vote goes to the Andy Williams song.

I don’t want to let the anxieties and fears of a world at large dictate to me how I feel about this time of year.  My hope – our hope – is not in the economy or in government leaders or in banking ebbs and flows.  The economy is a real issue, yes, but partly because our minds and hearts have been misled by our culture into thinking that savings accounts and retirement incomes are our rock and 

fortress.  These are merely relative to our times. I’ll never forget the image in one magazine back in the 60’s -- A man fishing along a river and bragging, “How I retired, making $300.00 a month.”  Wonder if that man is still alive and bragging.  Probably not.  My point is: even if we feel we are set and loaded, there’s still no real security outside of the person of Jesus Christ.  That’s why we celebrate Christmas, his birth, his entry into our world.  Our hope, my hope, now lies in all that He is and all He has done, and all He will do to bring His loved ones to completion.

If you see this season only as a time of “making it through” office parties and the idea that “I have to send this card and buy this present, and spend this much,” you may end up feeling like the narrator of the Merle Haggard song.  But if you can focus on the presence of Christ, what He has accomplished in bringing us our salvation, the simpler joys of the season, this December can be “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

I hope you’ll prayerfully make the right choice.  Take every opportunity to fellowship.  Take every opportunity to worship, not only on the Sundays of December, but on Christmas Eve as well.  Have a most wonderful time this December.

Pastor Hoard

Worship in December:

December 6, 2009

Second Sunday of Advent

Sermon Text:  Luke 3: 1-6

Sermon:  Preparing the Heart for God's Entry Service of Holy Communion

December 13, 2009

Third Sunday of Advent

Sermon Text:  Luke 3:  7-18

Sermon:  One who is Mightier than I

December 20, 2009

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sermon Text:  Luke 1: 39-45

Sermon:  Blessed is the One who Believes God's Fulfillment

December 27, 2009

First Sunday after Christmas Day

Sermon Text:  Luke 2:  41-52

Sermon:  Jesus Breaks from Family and Toward God

Opportunities

Christmas Eve Service:  One of our highly anticipated traditions is our annual Christmas Eve Service, which includes communion by candlelight.  Join us for the service on Thursday evening, December 24 at 6:00 p.m.  The service generally runs approximately 45 to 50 minutes.  Please consider inviting a friend or neighbor.  Many people would love to have a place to come on Christmas Eve, to observe the real meaning of Christmas.

  From the Pastor:  In January, we are praying to begin a small group ministry.  If anyone is interested in learning more about serving as a facilitator, please consider attending our next small group training on January 5 in Conyers.  We will plan to leave from the church at 5:30 p.m. for the 7:00 p.m. meeting.  Supper will be served at the meeting.  Because a count is needed, please let me know if you plan to attend by Sunday, January 3. 

 The Education Team is seeking a team leader.  If you are interested in working with this group and would be willing to take on this challenging role, please see Joey Allen.

 Join us for Sunday School on two consecutive Sundays in December, starting at 10:00 a.m. on December 13 and 20.

 Small Group Focus

 Mid-Week Prayer Group:  Because He told us to pray, every Wednesday morning some of our church members gather in the sanctuary to share our faith with one another and pray over each of the names on the prayer list found in the Sunday worship bulletin.  Each person or family on the list is prayed for by name.  If you would like to be part of this intercessory prayer group, please join us each Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

 Pastor Hoard will be teaching a wonderful study entitled "The Purpose of Christmas" during December.  It's scheduled as follows:

 Session I:  December 13th at 10:00 a.m.

Session II: December 16th at 6:00 p.m.

General Announcements:

 The Ladies Circle will provide food baskets for the elderly again this Christmas.  Monetary donations are being requested to enable the group to meet holiday food needs of 36 elderly Oconee County citizens.  Your gift can be placed in the offering plate in the envelope provided in your Sunday bulletin.

 During Christmas week the sanctuary will be decorated with poinsettias which may be purchase in memory or in honor of loved ones.  The cost for each plant is $15 with profits going to Church Missions.  Order forms are in the Narthex; deadline for ordering is Nov. 29. 

 ORMC will begin celebration of the Christmas season with a luncheon after worship services on Sunday, December 6,  We understand that Santa will drop by, so be sure to bring the kids.

 The Nursery is in need of a few items including toys that would be appropriate for a baby or a toddler.  If you are interested in donating, please see Candi Hoard for a more specific list. 

 Our church has committed to support the Oconee Senior Grocery Bag Program each month by donating paper towels and dishwashing detergent (36 of each).  The collection boxes can be found in the Narthex.