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Pastor · Sunday Schedule · FBC
News
2003
From the Pastor
Christmas 2002
The snow on Christmas Day created a storybook quality to Christmas this year. I can remember other white Christmases but I don’t remember any that were so perfectly timed or beautiful.
I have had this same feeling about the entire season. Never have I experienced a greater spirit of charity and harmony in our congregation. Never have I gazed upon such beautiful scenes within the church or listened to more beautiful music.
The choir was magnificent this year. The potluck and program on December 15 had to be a highlight of the season for everybody who attended. (I hope you will read the letter in our newsletter from a visitor that night.) One thing to keep in mind in our appreciation of the music is how hard the choir worked. They rehearsed twice a week throughout the season.
Another night of memory was the Living Nativity. We had a record number of volunteers, we added a seventh scene, and 237 cars drove through in a two hour period. What was more inspiring to me was the addition of a brief dedication service in the sanctuary just before the opening.
There were people in costume, scene coordinators, dining room attendants, luminary helpers - all gathered together. We were able to see ourselves as part of the whole and share in a prayer of dedication that our effort might be used to focus people’s attention, for one brief moment, away from the busyness of the season to the story of the Nativity and the coming of the Prince of Peace.
Out of that story and its telling of God’s Gift to the world came many individual acts of charity as well as the generous support given to our church sponsored charitable events, the primary one being our support for the families of Good Shepherd. Our congregation contributed over $1,000 to assist twelve families of Good Shepherd and one family within our church purchased all the turkeys while another family provided all the gifts for 26 children.
Outside Target in Spring Meadows the men of our church worked one hour shifts ringing the bell for one of the Salvation Army kettles. . . and in offices and at other work locations or as families I heard stories about the work of our members in bringing Christmas to those who otherwise would not have had presents under their trees or food in their cupboards. One church member went home after the Christmas Eve service to wrap presents and deliver them to a family with six children whose house was lost to fire two days before.
I will forever remember this past Christmas with its blanket of snow on the ground, fresh fallen for Christmas Day, and the spirit of unity and charity that reigned in our congregation throughout the Christmas season. There was such dedication and harmony, people given to a purpose and joyfully sharing God’s Love, I am still basking in the glow of it and thanking God for it. Christmas 2002 definitely stands out for me and will remain a cherished memory in my heart.
Dr. David W. Andersen
           
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