Cross
Cross december 2012
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Flame wpaumc.org
Santa Claus or Jesus?
Who gets top billing at Christmas Celebrations? Every year, many of us say we’re going to cut back, simplify, and have a Christmas that focuses on the real reason for the season – Jesus. But every year, advertisements beckon, children plead, and it seems easier just to indulge our wants and whims. Overspending, overeating, materialism, and “to-do lists” rob us of our peace and joy and rob Jesus of his rightful role as the center of our celebration. “What we have done is taken Christmas and abandoned the whole reason for Jesus’ birth,” says Mike Slaughter, pastor of Ginghamsburg Church in Ohio and author of A Different Kind of Christmas. “We’ve professed an alliance to Jesus, but we’ve made Christmas a hedonistic feast of gluttony instead of a sacrificial giving of ourselves with Jesus for the life of the world.” Jesus was not obsessed with wealth, pleasure, power or recognition. He identified with the weak and powerless, the widow and the orphan. He did not condemn, but defended, the sinner. Jesus was the embodiment of God’s values and priorities. Christmas is about a miracle. God does miracles through ordinary, simple people like Mary and Joseph—and us. We have the power to do amazing things . . . if we are willing to sacrifice some of our own comfort for the good of others. “We are God’s means to change the world,” says Slaughter. This year, why not take a more holistic approach to the season and celebrate the gift of relationship? Experience the gift of giving sacrificially so that others may also share the joy of the season. Volunteer your time in ministry to the homeless. Support the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Make room for others in your own life as you simplify. In whatever ways you choose to reclaim Christmas, the hope is that you will experience the peace of knowing that God is truly with us, the joy of giving sacrificially, and the love of a Savior who gave everything he had for us. Learn more at RethinkChurch.org. Take the Simplify Challenge. Share your ideas online and with others in your church. ---Jackie Campbell
Bible Study and Prayer
Join United Methodists throughout Western Pennsylvania in studying these Bible passages from the Revised Common Lectionary and praying for these congregations and leaders. December 3 - 9, 2012 Second Sunday of Advent --Purple or blue Read: Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 1:68-79, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 Pray for: ✟ Ingomar UMC, Pittsburgh Dist., E. David Streets, pastor; Dianne D. Glave, associate ✟ Mount Tabor UMC, Indiana Dist., John D. Mize, pastor ✟ Central Highlands UMC, Washington Dist., William Starr, pastor; Janet Lord, associate ✟ Geneva: Faith/Mumford Chapel UMCs, Erie-Meadville Dist., Christine E. Rogan, pastor ✟ Franklin Street UMC, Johnstown Dist., Terry L. Knipple, pastor ✟ Ringgold/North Freedom UMCs, Indiana Dist., Kenneth L. Duffee, pastor
december 10 - 16, 2012 Third Sunday of Advent --purple or blue Read: Zephaniah 3:14-20, Isaiah 12:2-6, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 Pray for: ✟ Kiski Charge, Indiana Dist., Sharon Waltenbaugh, pastor; Michelle Worzbyt, associate ✟ Grove Avenue UMC, Johnstown Dist., Edward A. Schoeneck, pastor ✟ Erie: Cascade-Simpson/Henderson/San Juan Charge, Erie-Meadville Dist., Raymond Speakman, Jr., pastor ✟ Tionesta/Tylersburg Charge, Kane Dist., Mark Hurst, pastor; Andrew Blystone, associate ✟ Murrysville: First UMC, Greensburg Dist., D. Chris Livermore, pastor
december 17 - 23, 2012 fourth Sunday of Advent --purple or blue Read: 1 Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:46b-55, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 Pray for: ✟ Beaver Falls: Riverview/Central UMCs, Butler Dist., Heidi M. Helsel, pastor ✟ Stahlstown Charge, Connellsville Dist., Audrey J . Bell, pastor ✟ West Liberty Charge, Butler Dist., A. James Lewis, pastor ✟ Alverton/Westley Chapel UMCs, Connellsville Dist., Thomas E. Shirer, pastor ✟ Dempseytown: Oakland UMC, Franklin Dist., Edward P. Saxman, pastor ✟ Bear Lake/Chandlers Valley UMCs, Kane Dist., Larry Condron, pastor; Jean Olsen, associate
december 24 - 30, 2012 First Sunday after christmas--white or gold Read: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Psalm 148, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 Pray for: ✟ Girard/Lake City UMCs, Erie-Meadville Dist., Brock R. Beveridge, pastor ✟ Bethel Park: Christ UMC, Pittsburgh Dist., R. Duane Thompson, pastor, Christopher Morgan, associate, Linda Williams, associate, Cynthia Schneider, associate, Deborah Dennick-Ream, associate ✟ Springfield: Pleasant Hill UMC, Connellsville Dist., Marvin C . Watson, pastor ✟ Shannopin/Glenwillard Charge, Pittsburgh Dist., Robert Jordan, pastor, Sandy Jordan, associate ✟ Balm/Sharon: Oakland Avenue UMCs, Franklin Dist., Richard N . Carlson, pastor
&
Flame wpaumc.org
Santa Claus or Jesus?
Who gets top billing at Christmas Celebrations? Every year, many of us say we’re going to cut back, simplify, and have a Christmas that focuses on the real reason for the season – Jesus. But every year, advertisements beckon, children plead, and it seems easier just to indulge our wants and whims. Overspending, overeating, materialism, and “to-do lists” rob us of our peace and joy and rob Jesus of his rightful role as the center of our celebration. “What we have done is taken Christmas and abandoned the whole reason for Jesus’ birth,” says Mike Slaughter, pastor of Ginghamsburg Church in Ohio and author of A Different Kind of Christmas. “We’ve professed an alliance to Jesus, but we’ve made Christmas a hedonistic feast of gluttony instead of a sacrificial giving of ourselves with Jesus for the life of the world.” Jesus was not obsessed with wealth, pleasure, power or recognition. He identified with the weak and powerless, the widow and the orphan. He did not condemn, but defended, the sinner. Jesus was the embodiment of God’s values and priorities. Christmas is about a miracle. God does miracles through ordinary, simple people like Mary and Joseph—and us. We have the power to do amazing things . . . if we are willing to sacrifice some of our own comfort for the good of others. “We are God’s means to change the world,” says Slaughter. This year, why not take a more holistic approach to the season and celebrate the gift of relationship? Experience the gift of giving sacrificially so that others may also share the joy of the season. Volunteer your time in ministry to the homeless. Support the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Make room for others in your own life as you simplify. In whatever ways you choose to reclaim Christmas, the hope is that you will experience the peace of knowing that God is truly with us, the joy of giving sacrificially, and the love of a Savior who gave everything he had for us. Learn more at RethinkChurch.org. Take the Simplify Challenge. Share your ideas online and with others in your church. ---Jackie Campbell
Bible Study and Prayer
Join United Methodists throughout Western Pennsylvania in studying these Bible passages from the Revised Common Lectionary and praying for these congregations and leaders. December 3 - 9, 2012 Second Sunday of Advent --Purple or blue Read: Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 1:68-79, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 Pray for: ✟ Ingomar UMC, Pittsburgh Dist., E. David Streets, pastor; Dianne D. Glave, associate ✟ Mount Tabor UMC, Indiana Dist., John D. Mize, pastor ✟ Central Highlands UMC, Washington Dist., William Starr, pastor; Janet Lord, associate ✟ Geneva: Faith/Mumford Chapel UMCs, Erie-Meadville Dist., Christine E. Rogan, pastor ✟ Franklin Street UMC, Johnstown Dist., Terry L. Knipple, pastor ✟ Ringgold/North Freedom UMCs, Indiana Dist., Kenneth L. Duffee, pastor
december 10 - 16, 2012 Third Sunday of Advent --purple or blue Read: Zephaniah 3:14-20, Isaiah 12:2-6, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 Pray for: ✟ Kiski Charge, Indiana Dist., Sharon Waltenbaugh, pastor; Michelle Worzbyt, associate ✟ Grove Avenue UMC, Johnstown Dist., Edward A. Schoeneck, pastor ✟ Erie: Cascade-Simpson/Henderson/San Juan Charge, Erie-Meadville Dist., Raymond Speakman, Jr., pastor ✟ Tionesta/Tylersburg Charge, Kane Dist., Mark Hurst, pastor; Andrew Blystone, associate ✟ Murrysville: First UMC, Greensburg Dist., D. Chris Livermore, pastor
december 17 - 23, 2012 fourth Sunday of Advent --purple or blue Read: 1 Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:46b-55, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 Pray for: ✟ Beaver Falls: Riverview/Central UMCs, Butler Dist., Heidi M. Helsel, pastor ✟ Stahlstown Charge, Connellsville Dist., Audrey J . Bell, pastor ✟ West Liberty Charge, Butler Dist., A. James Lewis, pastor ✟ Alverton/Westley Chapel UMCs, Connellsville Dist., Thomas E. Shirer, pastor ✟ Dempseytown: Oakland UMC, Franklin Dist., Edward P. Saxman, pastor ✟ Bear Lake/Chandlers Valley UMCs, Kane Dist., Larry Condron, pastor; Jean Olsen, associate
december 24 - 30, 2012 First Sunday after christmas--white or gold Read: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Psalm 148, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 Pray for: ✟ Girard/Lake City UMCs, Erie-Meadville Dist., Brock R. Beveridge, pastor ✟ Bethel Park: Christ UMC, Pittsburgh Dist., R. Duane Thompson, pastor, Christopher Morgan, associate, Linda Williams, associate, Cynthia Schneider, associate, Deborah Dennick-Ream, associate ✟ Springfield: Pleasant Hill UMC, Connellsville Dist., Marvin C . Watson, pastor ✟ Shannopin/Glenwillard Charge, Pittsburgh Dist., Robert Jordan, pastor, Sandy Jordan, associate ✟ Balm/Sharon: Oakland Avenue UMCs, Franklin Dist., Richard N . Carlson, pastor
