Pastor's Messagefrom Reverend Cindy's desk... I We
are finishing up Advent and our ReThink Advent sermon series. Christmas
eve will soon be here and we will light the Christ Candle. "The light
shines in the darkness and the darkness shall not overcome it." As
a congregation we have been so generous to United Methodist Open Door (total at
the end of November was 27,307 pounds of food, 271 sacks of hygiene products, 10
boxes plus 66 packages of diapers. The in-kind value of the food alone is
estimated at $27,307. This does not include all the coats and blankets for
Operation Holiday, the bags and bags of clothes for the Klothes Kloset, the
Campbell labels, the arts and crafts fair, Fall Fling and all the special
offerings. I would note that is one top of regular Sunday offerings. There
are many things I need to "rethink" in my life, but being pastor at
West Heights is never one of those things. Your generosity and service and
willingness to reach to those in need this last year has made a real difference
in our congregation, in Wichita and indeed across the world. We are blessed, I
am blessed and I look forward to 2010 being partners in ministry in the name of
Christ. Merry Christmas to you and yours and may the Light of Christ shine
in you and through always. Graced
to Serve, Cindy
On the Christian Journey.... with Pastor Christopher
By the time you read this
another busy semester will have ended. I anticipate having done well again
(depending, of course, on how these last papers turned out) and I am deeply
appreciative of the support West Heights gives me as a student and pastor that
makes this possible. I will again have the honor of preaching on December 27 and
January 3 and we will celebrate
Christmas! What's that - the
world says Christmas was December 25 and it's over by then? We know
better. Christmas officially lasts until Epiphany, and really, as a season that
reminds us of the incarnation and of peace and joy given by Emmanuel, Christmas
is essential year round. On December 27, we'll focus on a story that has
often puzzled me, Jesus as a boy "lost" and then "found" in
the temple. Did Mary and Joseph forget? Then on January 3, we will celebrate the
world's new year with Epiphany, Communion, and how the two connect in
our lives. Lastly, I will have the privilege of presenting to the New Journeys
and Perspectives Adult Sunday School classes in January on some of the most
powerful verses of scripture - the creation stories and songs of the Bible and
how those then shape my own understanding of the incarnation celebrated at
Christmas. I'm looking forward to it and would love to have others join us.
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