element in the coming of Christ and the Christmas Story. They represent Hope, Peace, Joy, Love and lastly Christ. As we are now entering the second week of Advent I wanted to share some thoughts about Peace.
of innocent men, women, and children defies belief. I feel so powerless when I hear of these atrocities. So, in such dark times where can we find Peace? Where do we turn? We can share our thoughts with others who feel the same frustration with the state of our world. However constructive solutions seem unattainable, unrealistic and just reinforce our inability and powerlessness to make any type of significant change. This cause, this desire for Peace seems out of our reach. So, what should we do? What can we do? I think the only real answer is for Christians to turn to Jesus. He is the only one who can provide us with inner peace. Christ’s death on the cross allows us to have salvation from our sins and also the knowledge that He will return and heal our broken world. Believers also can let others know that the peace of Christ is available to everyone who believes and trusts in Him. So, as we begin our second week of Advent let us all consider the Peace of the Lord. When things in our physical world seem so difficult and insurmountable, turning to Jesus is really the only way that we can find true Peace on Earth.
In His Name, Ellen
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Some of my favorite Christmas memories include cookie baking days, candlelight services, and lots of fun with family; all things I hope to share with my daughter as she grows. I’ll admit, with each holiday and the excitement of making new memories with our daughter, I can’t help but wish those empty seats at the table were still filled with the love and laughter of those we remember. How I wish they could be part of these new memories. But what hope I have for a joyous reunion someday.
Along with “big traditions”, this year I’ve also found myself thinking about daily rhythms and rituals. There is so much beauty in the ordinary, the quiet spaces (or not so quiet if you’ve got a toddler or more running around the house, but you get the idea). It’s especially easy this time of year to get swept up in the hustle and bustle. Let’s celebrate, in ways that feel and reflect Jesus is Lord, in our everyday rituals and rhythms. Let’s celebrate together, the extraordinary gift of God’s love, through Jesus, a Messiah, a baby sent to save us all. The beauty of the Christmas season is that God didn’t come to us with a big, fancy entrance into the world for all the perfect people. God came to us in the form of a vulnerable baby. God with us, Immanuel, is our celebration! Through all of the messiness and imperfections that come with being human, joy and sorrow, God is with us. Whatever the Christmas season holds for you and yours, may you experience comfort and joy, as we celebrate, each and everyday, the greatest gift to the world. Christmas blessings, Kierstie
been listening to Christmas music and anticipating the joyous holiday since July. I do understand, of course — I myself have been known to bang away on Christmas tunes on the piano with nostalgia long after our tree has been sent to the dump (or sitting in our burn pile waiting for the snow to melt). There is something undeniably exciting and beautiful about the anticipation of Christmas. In the church, we know the four-week period before Christmas as the season of Advent. I think the anticipation and longing for the day of Christ’s birth is the best part of the year. With Advent, a time of expectedness and haunting mystery, the music is particularly poignant and beautiful. It covers much of what we’re familiar with — the celebratory Joy to the World, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and, my personal favorite, O Come O Come Emmanuel. But there are newer songs bringing an additional perspective to this season we all love so much; Light of the World (We the Kingdom), Make Room (Casting Crowns; lyrics below) and Noel (Lauren Daigle) are just a few of the songs that come to mind. While anticipation and excitement look forward, this season of Advent also provides a great opportunity for reflection and looking back on our past years. One of the biggest changes in my own life recently has certainly been my new role as Worship Director here at 1st Pres. It was a surprise to me in so many ways, not what I was expecting — but sometimes that’s how God works. I think God, in many ways, tries to teach us to always expect the unexpected. One of the unexpected joys I am finding in this position is an opportunity to dive deeper into music I am already familiar with and to learn new music I may never have had a reason to learn or listen to before. Music has always been the primary story teller in my own life, and Advent has a pretty exciting story to tell. While I may give my son a hard time for listening to Christmas music so early or the DJs a hard time for switching over before the carved pumpkins have hit the compost pile, the truth is that I myself have been listening to Christmas music for just as long. In some ways I have been anticipating Advent — the season of anticipation — for a while now. Learning and discovering this beautiful music, both old and new, has been a welcomed and unexpected addition to my life. Expect the unexpected. That continues to be a phrase of joy in my life and this year is no different. Advent is a time to be surprised by the joy and mystery of the birth of Christ all over again, year after year.
In His Name, Jenny
I think this is a nice prayer that brings to mind having compassion for those who do not have the basic comforts we take for granted. When I read these words and try to apply it to my life, I find myself wondering how to go deeper than merely “remembering” all those listed in the prayer. These are my thoughts that are modeled on a prayer written by Charles E. Moore:
Our church mission to LOVE FIRST demonstrates putting these ideas into action. The Neighborhood Clothing Closet provides for local families to dress their children nicely. Our Community Outreach Ministry has exposed us to new ideas through their Coffeehouse Conversations. Sermon-based Small Groups are enriching spiritual growth and growing friendships. Our Turkey Drive will be supporting hungry families with grocery gift cards. There are so many good things our church is doing for others. Through these programs, we are living out the words of Abigail Van Buren, “May these remembrances stir us to service that thy gifts to us may be used for others.” In His Name, Heather
conductor and interact with students they have never met, but who enjoyed the same interest in playing music.
This special performance, which honors our veterans, can be found on the North Idaho College YouTube page (links below). I encourage you to see the results of the students’ hard work, watch some 1st Pres members perform in the Wind Symphony, and take part in the universal joy of music. Gathering of the Bands: Day 1 (concert begins at 15:15) Gathering of the Bands: Day 2 (concert begins at 14:16) In His Name, Tyler
The Great War officially began on 28 July, 1914 and lasted until 11:00 am, Central European Time, 11 November, 1918. The total number of deaths, civilian and military, on both sides, is estimated between 15 and 22 million souls. Around 10 million of those were military personnel. The Armistice had been signed at 5:45 am, but the Allied Command chose to wait five hours and fifteen minutes to have the ceasefire order given, so that they could have the symmetry of 11/11 11:00 as the official end of the war. In that time there were 10,944 casualties, of which 2,738 were deaths. This conflict had come to be known as The War That Will End War, because its like had never been seen. Humanist author H.G. Wells had coined the term in 1914 with the idealistic thought that, surely, mankind would learn their lesson and turn their swords into plough-shears. It quickly came to be used sardonically by the public, because surely this was the war that would end civilization. A year after the war ended, on 11 November, 1919, the first celebration of Armistice Day was observed. Two years after that, 11 November, 1921, the Unknown Soldier was interred in the tomb at the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery. But war had not ended. The Second World War saw 116,516 Americans killed. The total estimated dead in that war is 70-85 million. In 1954, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, and war continued. The Korean War saw 36,574 Americans dead, then 58,220 in Vietnam. The spiritual war mankind has been experiencing since the world was created seemed to rage on as well, but in the Gospel of John 19:30, Jesus proclaims, “It is finished!” His death on the cross was not an afterthought come up with after mankind’s fall into sin. No, it had been settled before Adam existed.
Nexus comes from a Latin word meaning “connection, usually where multiple elements meet.” Isaiah 46:10 says that it is God who, from the beginning, declared the end. Jesus, slain from the foundations of creation, hung upon the cross and declared “It is finished!” There, at the center of history, where the first event happened, the end was proclaimed. Like the well-known symbol of eternity, the beginning and end of Time met in the middle through Jesus. The life of our Lord is the nexus of history. It may seem that we are forever at war, but He has declared that the war is over, if you want it. The ancient Hebrews looked forward to Messiah, we look backward, and we both see the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and ending. So, as the Psalmist asked, “Why do the nations rage?” We hear of wars and the rumors of war. Nation rises against nation. But this is not the end. We serve our country when needed, and look forward to that moment when, at last, we see the end that Jesus announced, there at the beginning. And then, we shall study war no more.
In His Name, Mikal
reverence to saints canonized and those unknown or known in our own lives and their contributions and sacrifices. It’s an opportunity for us to give thanks for all those who have gone before us in faith, those famous or obscure, including our loved ones who have passed and who are now part of the ‘communion of saints’ who have gone before us. One of my favorite hymns is “For All the Saints” written by William Walsham How, an Anglican Bishop living in the latter part of the 1800s. The text of the hymn was published in 1864 and the music most of us are likely familiar with was thought to be added around 1906. Singing this hymn brings back memories of my beloved grandmother, Ruth Erickson Haas. We sang it at her funeral. Tears in my eyes, I could remember nothing but the love I had for that amazing woman and the saint she was in my life. For all the saints, who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. Alleluia!
In His Name, Janet
Before there were Walmarts, Starbucks and Costcos, people worked the land and the Lord blessed them each year with a harvest that sustained and nourished them throughout the winter months. My memories of fall take me back to my parents and the dairy farm I grew up on — Mom canning tomatoes, Dad driving the tractor and putting the corn in the silo for the cows, and pumpkins — so many pumpkins! My parents were humble, hardworking, and grateful people, thankful for the harvest and the Creator who provided it. 1st Pres will be celebrating the harvest this year on October 28th with our annual Fall Harvest Celebration, held in the gravel parking lot. We will have cider and hot cocoa served by our youth, tables for children’s crafts, temporary tattoos that celebrate our Lord, a selfie booth, and a petting zoo complete with food for the animals. It will be a chance to show families in our community some fun and what love looks like at our church. We are still in need of volunteers to set up and take down canopies and assist at the tables and booths. It not too late to get involved. You can call the church office or simply show up on Saturday to lend a hand. This event is being put on by the Community Outreach committee with the hot cider and cocoa provided by Family Ministries. This will be our last community inclusive event for the year. (We do have a surprise for the congregation planned for December, details to follow).
I hope you can join us on the 28th to celebrate fall, the harvest, and the Creator who provides it!
In His Name, Donna
of the fruit trees as they start to blossom. I enjoy visiting all the nurseries in the area to find the perfect plants. It’s a challenge, because I love them all! I enjoy digging in the dirt of my flower gardens with the sun on my back. The smell of the dirt and the warmth of the sun seems to rejuvenate me. I look forward to fresh summer fruit and vegetables at the farmer’s markets. But my favorite thing about Spring is taking a drive through the Palouse to see the colors of the rolling hills. Fall means that things around us are dying off, but I love this time of year also. I love watching the squirrels hiding acorns everywhere and the birds flying off in formation as winter draws closer. I love the smell of the crisp morning air and the fragrance of the leaves that are preparing to fall. I like to soak up the sun in the afternoons when the sky is clear, wishing I could absorb the warmth and enjoy it when the winter days get cold and dark. I enjoy the tastes of Fall with all the wonderful fruits and vegetables sold at the orchards. Pumpkin everything! My favorite part of Fall are the leaves on the trees as they change color, just before they fall. The trees almost compete with the beauty of the flowers we enjoyed all summer. The colors of the foliage are like a masterpiece God has completed for the year. Although I prefer Spring and Fall, each season has their own beauty. The seasons are reminders to me that God is intentional in his love and care for his creation. He cares for all of His creation, but he cares about his children most of all. We are his greatest masterpieces.
In Christ,
Stephanie
Let me tell you about the love and care stitched into every quilt by sharing some words from a group to which I belong, the Quilts of Valor Foundation. QOV awards quilts to thank military veterans for their service, sacrifice, and valor in serving our nation. To make sure the recipient knows how much care is contained in every award, they include this description in their award speech:
The Foundation goes on to explain to the recipient veteran:
Every quilt, and not just Quilts of Valor, contains some measure of the above description. I don’t normally share so much of others’ writings, but the QOV verbiage is so well-worded that my hope is it helps you to more deeply appreciate all that goes into the making of a quilt. Also, I hope you will come to the Quilts and Sweets event next Tuesday. Perhaps as you view each quilt, you’ll have a more thorough understanding and appreciation of the depth of care and love contained in each one — even if every single stitch is not “perfect.” Please come and enjoy the large selection of quilts on display. King Solomon was the probable author of Ecclesiastes (with Hezekiah as editor). His eloquent words in chapter 3 are often quoted.
As many times as I’ve read Ecclesiastes 3, I had never noticed his reference to sewing before. However, he continued with the following verses:
While designing and constructing a quilt takes much hard work, that toil is pleasurable and brings me much joy. Hopefully, that joy is also shared by the recipient. May you be able to view quilts with more understanding and appreciation in the future. Your friend in Christ, Emily |
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