Pastor’s Corner
The Characters of Christmas …
Their names are familiar: Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Magi, Simeon and Anna
Each of them, all of them, before they entered the Christmas story we tell were just ordinary people going about ordinary things. It was this one event, the birth of Jesus that changed their lives (and ours) forever. They become important because of Jesus.
I chose to touch on each of their lives during these weeks because it is important to remember that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. We see ourselves as ordinary, God sees us as extraordinary. Because God does not see us as people drudging through life, but as people with moments of time, important critical moments that influence God’s story in the world.
In a single moment, Zechariah is confronted by and angel and he and Elizabeth become partners with God in the paving of the way for the Messiah.
Mary, young, innocent, planning a wedding, puts aside the life she hoped for and became the mother of the Son of God. In the morning she knew what life held. In her acceptance of the message, her life would be forever changed.
Joseph, honest, upright, feeling betrayed, listens to an angel and accepts Mary, and then Jesus, protecting them with his name and providing for them. He had his mind made up, but once he agreed to do what God called him to do, he did it with his whole heart.
The shepherds, going about their business gathered around a fire and protecting the sheep discover that the true shepherd of the people has been born, and go and see this miracle. And they tell the story to everyone they see.
The Magi, honored by Herod, are offered money to come back to tell him what they found, and they go home by another path, and the infant is protected long enough to escape.
Simeon and Anna have been coming to the temple every day for many years. But one day a poor young couple comes in with an infant, and they give the message God gives them to the parents of the child.
Single moments, changing the course of all history, moments God will treasure.
Our lives have such moments as well, moments that we go back to and remember, just as the Bible story tells us Mary treasured these things in her heart. God treasures those times with us. But God treasures any moment where we, as the Biblical characters do, turn our will away from what we want and towards what God wants. These are the most precious moments.
In this unusual year, it is even more important that we listen for God’s voice to us so that our ordinary lives can become a part of God’s story to the people around us. It is important that we understand that even the little things we do for others are important.
With Christmas love,
Pastor Bobbie
Sermon On-Line
Through December, our worship continues to be available on our Web site under the Communications /Worship Tab
https://tricountyministries.weebly.com/worship-service
Because Longwood and Range Line’s worship services will be different during the month of January, we may not have worship services posted on our website. But in the January newsletter, we will let you know what our plan is, working towards the future of our pulpits.
Christmas 2020 Events
This year, Longwood will have the Children’s Christmas program as part of our morning worship time on December 13th. Range Line will hold their Christmas Eve service at 6:30 on December 24th. , cookies, coffee & punch to follow. We pray that you will have blessed, safe holidays with your loved ones.
LPC Presbyterian Women
Just to let everyone know about our Christmas mission this year because a lot of our congregation has not been able to join us in person, we have purchased Wal-Mart gift cards for 16 families at the Northwest Elementary School. The cards can only be used to purchase a turkey or ham and fresh produce. It is our hope that each family can have a special Christmas meal with these cards. We also will be accepting our Joy Offering contributions during the month of December.
Also at the end of this year we will be losing our minister, Rev. Roberta Karchner, or better known to us as Pastor Bobbie, to retirement. Although we are sad to see her go we must rejoice in her much earned retirement. Pastor Bobbie, we wish you the very best in your future and hope you can finally relax. You have been with us through thick & thin, and Covid. You have gone out of your way to make sure we each have been taken care of and let us know that you care about each of us. You have made sure that both churches have had services in the church, in our cars or online. May God bless you in your retirement.
As we come to the end of 2020 we are all praying that the New Year will be kinder to our world. This year has brought so much pain and division. One prayer has been answered, a vaccine for this horrible virus. We pray that this will be the blessing we need.
During this Christmas season it is hard to be upbeat with all the losses that have been suffered but there have been blessings as well. As we see all the people suffering, we also see that there are people helping each other, getting meals to those that need them, groceries given to help people survive, kindness given to those who are grieving. We cannot forget the good in people even when we see so much hurting. We have to let people know that God is always with us. We need to share, even if all you have to share is a kind word or a smile that could mean so much to people. May God bless your family during this sacred season. Sharon Greer, PW.
Cares and Concerns
Please keep all of our church families in prayer. Remember, those who are in the nursing homes always enjoy greeting cards:
Concerns from Both LPC & RLPC:
Sympathy
We offer our deepest prayers and sympathies to the families who lost loved ones this month. In this season and a time of a pandemic, it seems almost impossible to comfort the families of those who have passed. We must remember that God is with us all, and will take care of us all of the time. These folks will be missed in our communities:
Esther Brown (Longwood)
Calvin Kirchhoff (Smith Chapel, Marshall)
Kenny Reid (Range Line)
Ron Ditzfield (Sedalia)
From the Internet:
Editors’ comment: Thanks to all who have contributed to the following stories, quips and quotes.
This was posted by others who had to share it, and so do we:
A man was asked to paint a boat. He brought his paint and brushes, and began to paint the boat a bright red, as the owner asked him.
While painting, he noticed a small hole in the hull, and quietly repaired it. When he finished painting, he received his money and left. The next day, the owner of the boat came to the painter and presented him with a nice check, much higher than the payment for painting.
The painter was surprised and said, “You’ve already paid me for painting the boat, sir!” “But this is not for the paint job. It’s for repairing the hole in the boat.”
“Ah! But it was such a small service…certainly it’s not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant.”
“My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened. When I asked you to paint the boat, I forgot to mention the hole. When the boat dried, my kids took the boat and went on a fishing trip. They didn’t know that there was a hole. I was not at home at the time. So when I returned and noticed they had taken the boat, I was desperate because I remembered that the boat had a hole. Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning from fishing. Then, I examined the boat and found that you had repaired the hole. You see, now, what you did? You saved the life of my children! I do not have enough money to pay your ‘small’ good deed.”
So no matter who, when, or how, continue to help, sustain, wipe tears, listen attentively, and carefully repair all the “leaks” you find. You never know when one is in need of us, or when God holds a pleasant surprise for us to be helpful and important to someone.
Along the way, you may have repaired numerous “boat holes” for several people without realizing how many lives you’ve saved. Make a difference….be the best “you”.
The Work of Christmas:
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins;
To find the lost,
To heal the broken
To feed the hungry
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music in the heart.
Clergy Coaching Network
A professor gave a balloon to every student, who had to inflate it, write their name on it and throw it in the hallway. Then the professors mixed all the hundreds of balloons. The students were given 5 minutes to find their own balloon. Despite a hectic search, no one found their balloon. At that point the professors told the students to take the first balloon they found and hand it to the person whose name was written on it. Within five minutes everyone had their own balloon.
The professors said to the students: “These balloons are like happiness. We will never find it if everyone is looking for their own. But if we care about other people’s happiness, we’ll find ours too.
Clergy Coaching Network: “(We’re) Praying that warm hearts, peaceful spirits, and joyful laughter (will) fill your home this Christmas.”
In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human success, but rather on how much we have loved.
You are not the darkness you endured. You are the light that refused to surrender. –John Mark Green
To make a difference in someone’s life you don’t have to be brilliant, rich or perfect. You just have to care enough and be there. –Clergy Coaching Netwk
It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you’re from, Manners, Kindness, Compassion, and Respect will always be the signs of a decent human being.
Dianna Marcum shared this:
We are too prone to engrave our trials in marble and write our blessings in sand. –Charles Spurgeon
Remember, blowing out someone else’s candle won’t make yours shine brighter.
“We may be surprised at the people we find in heaven. God has a soft spot for sinners.”—Desmond Tutu
Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give but cannot. All of that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.
From Jane Anderson and “BeginwithYes.com”
Being 20 in the ‘70’s was much more fun than being 70 in the ‘20’s.
I think as (one) grows older, your Christmas list gets shorter, because the things you want can’t be bought.
Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.—Joshua 1:9
At the end of the Newsletter Year 2020, we share this prayer from the Church of Scotland:
God of Love, in this season of celebration and joy, remind us to look out for one another, to help neighbors, colleagues and strangers, and to do our best to spread a message of peace on earth this Advent. Amen
The Characters of Christmas …
Their names are familiar: Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Magi, Simeon and Anna
Each of them, all of them, before they entered the Christmas story we tell were just ordinary people going about ordinary things. It was this one event, the birth of Jesus that changed their lives (and ours) forever. They become important because of Jesus.
I chose to touch on each of their lives during these weeks because it is important to remember that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. We see ourselves as ordinary, God sees us as extraordinary. Because God does not see us as people drudging through life, but as people with moments of time, important critical moments that influence God’s story in the world.
In a single moment, Zechariah is confronted by and angel and he and Elizabeth become partners with God in the paving of the way for the Messiah.
Mary, young, innocent, planning a wedding, puts aside the life she hoped for and became the mother of the Son of God. In the morning she knew what life held. In her acceptance of the message, her life would be forever changed.
Joseph, honest, upright, feeling betrayed, listens to an angel and accepts Mary, and then Jesus, protecting them with his name and providing for them. He had his mind made up, but once he agreed to do what God called him to do, he did it with his whole heart.
The shepherds, going about their business gathered around a fire and protecting the sheep discover that the true shepherd of the people has been born, and go and see this miracle. And they tell the story to everyone they see.
The Magi, honored by Herod, are offered money to come back to tell him what they found, and they go home by another path, and the infant is protected long enough to escape.
Simeon and Anna have been coming to the temple every day for many years. But one day a poor young couple comes in with an infant, and they give the message God gives them to the parents of the child.
Single moments, changing the course of all history, moments God will treasure.
Our lives have such moments as well, moments that we go back to and remember, just as the Bible story tells us Mary treasured these things in her heart. God treasures those times with us. But God treasures any moment where we, as the Biblical characters do, turn our will away from what we want and towards what God wants. These are the most precious moments.
In this unusual year, it is even more important that we listen for God’s voice to us so that our ordinary lives can become a part of God’s story to the people around us. It is important that we understand that even the little things we do for others are important.
With Christmas love,
Pastor Bobbie
Sermon On-Line
Through December, our worship continues to be available on our Web site under the Communications /Worship Tab
https://tricountyministries.weebly.com/worship-service
Because Longwood and Range Line’s worship services will be different during the month of January, we may not have worship services posted on our website. But in the January newsletter, we will let you know what our plan is, working towards the future of our pulpits.
Christmas 2020 Events
This year, Longwood will have the Children’s Christmas program as part of our morning worship time on December 13th. Range Line will hold their Christmas Eve service at 6:30 on December 24th. , cookies, coffee & punch to follow. We pray that you will have blessed, safe holidays with your loved ones.
LPC Presbyterian Women
Just to let everyone know about our Christmas mission this year because a lot of our congregation has not been able to join us in person, we have purchased Wal-Mart gift cards for 16 families at the Northwest Elementary School. The cards can only be used to purchase a turkey or ham and fresh produce. It is our hope that each family can have a special Christmas meal with these cards. We also will be accepting our Joy Offering contributions during the month of December.
Also at the end of this year we will be losing our minister, Rev. Roberta Karchner, or better known to us as Pastor Bobbie, to retirement. Although we are sad to see her go we must rejoice in her much earned retirement. Pastor Bobbie, we wish you the very best in your future and hope you can finally relax. You have been with us through thick & thin, and Covid. You have gone out of your way to make sure we each have been taken care of and let us know that you care about each of us. You have made sure that both churches have had services in the church, in our cars or online. May God bless you in your retirement.
As we come to the end of 2020 we are all praying that the New Year will be kinder to our world. This year has brought so much pain and division. One prayer has been answered, a vaccine for this horrible virus. We pray that this will be the blessing we need.
During this Christmas season it is hard to be upbeat with all the losses that have been suffered but there have been blessings as well. As we see all the people suffering, we also see that there are people helping each other, getting meals to those that need them, groceries given to help people survive, kindness given to those who are grieving. We cannot forget the good in people even when we see so much hurting. We have to let people know that God is always with us. We need to share, even if all you have to share is a kind word or a smile that could mean so much to people. May God bless your family during this sacred season. Sharon Greer, PW.
Cares and Concerns
Please keep all of our church families in prayer. Remember, those who are in the nursing homes always enjoy greeting cards:
Concerns from Both LPC & RLPC:
- Barbie Reid and family
- Nurses, Teachers and other civil servants in our communities during this time of Covid
- Bill & Margaret Schlomer at Golden Oaks
- Helen Coffelt, at Sylvia Thompson
- Georgia Reid, at Cedarhurst, Sedalia
- Elijah Johnson (Delbert & Amy’s son)
- Betty Jane and Jim Reid
- Bob Reid, broken leg
- Mary Kirchhoff at Golden Oaks
- Patricia Brouillette, therapy & surgery
- Scott, and Renee, Moore
- Lee Ann (Paxson)
Sympathy
We offer our deepest prayers and sympathies to the families who lost loved ones this month. In this season and a time of a pandemic, it seems almost impossible to comfort the families of those who have passed. We must remember that God is with us all, and will take care of us all of the time. These folks will be missed in our communities:
Esther Brown (Longwood)
Calvin Kirchhoff (Smith Chapel, Marshall)
Kenny Reid (Range Line)
Ron Ditzfield (Sedalia)
From the Internet:
Editors’ comment: Thanks to all who have contributed to the following stories, quips and quotes.
This was posted by others who had to share it, and so do we:
A man was asked to paint a boat. He brought his paint and brushes, and began to paint the boat a bright red, as the owner asked him.
While painting, he noticed a small hole in the hull, and quietly repaired it. When he finished painting, he received his money and left. The next day, the owner of the boat came to the painter and presented him with a nice check, much higher than the payment for painting.
The painter was surprised and said, “You’ve already paid me for painting the boat, sir!” “But this is not for the paint job. It’s for repairing the hole in the boat.”
“Ah! But it was such a small service…certainly it’s not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant.”
“My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened. When I asked you to paint the boat, I forgot to mention the hole. When the boat dried, my kids took the boat and went on a fishing trip. They didn’t know that there was a hole. I was not at home at the time. So when I returned and noticed they had taken the boat, I was desperate because I remembered that the boat had a hole. Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning from fishing. Then, I examined the boat and found that you had repaired the hole. You see, now, what you did? You saved the life of my children! I do not have enough money to pay your ‘small’ good deed.”
So no matter who, when, or how, continue to help, sustain, wipe tears, listen attentively, and carefully repair all the “leaks” you find. You never know when one is in need of us, or when God holds a pleasant surprise for us to be helpful and important to someone.
Along the way, you may have repaired numerous “boat holes” for several people without realizing how many lives you’ve saved. Make a difference….be the best “you”.
The Work of Christmas:
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins;
To find the lost,
To heal the broken
To feed the hungry
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music in the heart.
Clergy Coaching Network
A professor gave a balloon to every student, who had to inflate it, write their name on it and throw it in the hallway. Then the professors mixed all the hundreds of balloons. The students were given 5 minutes to find their own balloon. Despite a hectic search, no one found their balloon. At that point the professors told the students to take the first balloon they found and hand it to the person whose name was written on it. Within five minutes everyone had their own balloon.
The professors said to the students: “These balloons are like happiness. We will never find it if everyone is looking for their own. But if we care about other people’s happiness, we’ll find ours too.
Clergy Coaching Network: “(We’re) Praying that warm hearts, peaceful spirits, and joyful laughter (will) fill your home this Christmas.”
In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human success, but rather on how much we have loved.
You are not the darkness you endured. You are the light that refused to surrender. –John Mark Green
To make a difference in someone’s life you don’t have to be brilliant, rich or perfect. You just have to care enough and be there. –Clergy Coaching Netwk
It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you’re from, Manners, Kindness, Compassion, and Respect will always be the signs of a decent human being.
Dianna Marcum shared this:
We are too prone to engrave our trials in marble and write our blessings in sand. –Charles Spurgeon
Remember, blowing out someone else’s candle won’t make yours shine brighter.
“We may be surprised at the people we find in heaven. God has a soft spot for sinners.”—Desmond Tutu
Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give but cannot. All of that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.
From Jane Anderson and “BeginwithYes.com”
Being 20 in the ‘70’s was much more fun than being 70 in the ‘20’s.
I think as (one) grows older, your Christmas list gets shorter, because the things you want can’t be bought.
Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.—Joshua 1:9
At the end of the Newsletter Year 2020, we share this prayer from the Church of Scotland:
God of Love, in this season of celebration and joy, remind us to look out for one another, to help neighbors, colleagues and strangers, and to do our best to spread a message of peace on earth this Advent. Amen