A New Year's Plan

A NEW YEAR"S PLAN

 

I tried to think of a clever new phrase—
A slogan to inspire the next 365 days,

A motto to live by this coming new year,
But the catchy words fell flat to my ear.

 

And then I heard His still small voice
Saying, "Consider this simple, daily choice:

With each new dawn and close of day
Make new your resolve to trust and obey."

 

"Don't look back caught in regret
Or dwell on the sorrow of dreams unmet;

Don't stare forward anchored by fear,
No, live in this moment, for I am here."

 

"I am all you need. Everything. I Am.
You are held secure by my strong hand.

Give me this one thing—your all in all;
Into my grace, let yourself fall."

 

So, at last I'm ready; I see the way.
It's to daily follow, trust, and obey.

I enter the new year armed with a plan,
To give him my everything. All that I am.

--Mary Fairchild

5th Sunday Night Sing

This Sunday night will be a 5th Sunday Night Sing.  You are welcome and encouraged to share a song, talent, testimony or favorite Scripture.  This is also the end of 2012 and a great time for reflecting on God's goodness and blessings through the year.  What a perfect opportunity to share what the Lord has done in your life and what you are looking forward to in 2013.

 

Following the sing, there will be a time of refreshments and fellowship together.  Hope you will plan to come and also share!

Beautiful!!

I Corinthians 13 - Christmas Version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Merry Christmas and lots of love to you and yours!

Children’s Christmas Play

The children of Antioch presented “I Didn’t Think It Would Happen Like This” – and shared the true meaning of Christmas.  They did a fantastic job and we appreciate their hard work.  So many others helped in a variety of ways and our deepest appreciation goes to each one who had a part in bringing this program to a fabulous conclusion!  Here are a few scenes of the night:

Church wide Christmas Caroling

Tomorrow (Wednesday) night will be our annual Church wide Christmas caroling!  We will leave the church at 5:30 to visit the local  nursing home and the homes of some of our church family who are home bound to spread some Christmas cheer and joy!  Following the caroling, we will meet back at the church for some soup, sandwiches and fellowship.  Hope you and your family will take part in celebrating and sharing the blessing of Christmas!

A Christmas Prayer

In the midst of the tragedy we face in our world today, here is a prayer to the God of Hope by Max Lucado:

 

Dear Jesus,

It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

 

These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.

The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

 

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were night shift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.

 

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

 

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

 

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.

 

Hopefully,

Your Children

Come, and Bring a Gift

Don't forget about our church Christmas banquet Friday night at 6:30 PM.  This year instead of exchanging gifts, you are asked to bring an unwrapped gift to share with children undergoing unfortunate circumstances.   Through the local Guardian Ad Litem Program, children who may have been displaced from their homes and in need of clothes and/or other needs.  Here are some ideas to bring to share:

 

Children's ages are infants to 17 years old

musical toys for infants

diapers for infants

pull ups for toddlers

baby shampoo or soap

soft fleece blankets

toys for boys and girls

paint by number kits

arts and craft kits

 

Thank you for sharing and giving this season!

Deacon Ordination

A very special service was held on Sunday evening as 4 men were ordained as deacons at Antioch.  This service was sacred as we read what God’s Word says about men serving as deacons and a vow was spoken by these men to serve the Lord and His church.  Here are some photos of the special service.

Deacon Ordination

Sunday  night will be a special service as 4 men from our church will be ordained as deacons.  This is a sacred time as these men pledge to dedicate themselves to live a life above reproach and serve the Lord and His church in this office.

 

Please plan to attend this special service at 6:00 PM Sunday as we show our appreciation and support for these men and their families.

Christmas Funny

It was the day after Christmas and Pastor Mike was looking at the nativity scene outside when he noticed the baby Jesus was missing from the figures.

Immediately, he thought to call the police. But as he was about to do so, he saw little Jimmy with a red wagon, and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant Jesus.

Pastor Mike walked up to Jimmy and said, "Well, Jimmy, where did you get the little infant?"

Jimmy replied, "I got him from the church."

"And why did you take him?"

With a sheepish smile, Jimmy said, "Well, about a week before Christmas I prayed to little Lord Jesus. I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas, I would give him a ride around the block in it."