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A Community of Grace
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2201 Benita Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Phone: (916) 635-5502 Fax: (916) 635-4985
E-mail: GraceRCelca@sbcglobal.net
Office Hours 9 am - 2:30 pm The Rev. Steven D, Krogh, Pastor
The C. Arthur Schultz, Pastor Emeritus
Schedule of Advent & Christmas Services
Sunday, December 7- Advent 2
9 a.m. Traditional Worship Service
11 a.m. Contemporary Worship (with Children’s Sunday School
6 p.m. Advent Evening Service and Snacks
Sunday, December 14—Advent 3 &
Sunday, December 21—Advent 4
9 a.m. Traditional Worship Service
11 a.m. Contemporary Worship (with Children’s Sunday School)
6 p.m. Advent Evening Services and Snacks
Wednesday, December 24—Christmas Eve
7 p.m. Family Candlelight Worship Service
10 p.m. Liturgical Candlelight Worship & Communion Service
Sunday, December 28
9 a.m. Traditional Worship Service
11 a.m. Contemporary Worship (with Children’s Sunday School
“To Us a Child is Born” (Isaiah 9:6)
“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” - Galatians 4:4
It is that time of year once again when many Christians and non-Christians will be observing the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Whether it be commercially, spiritually or traditionally, Christmas will be upon us shortly. For the most part, I enjoy Christmas (as I am sure most of us do). However, there is this one thing that always threatens to throw a kink in the whole Christmas experience. It is something that we all have probably experienced at one time or another in our lives. One word that can throw the whole Christmas experience out of whack : “expectations”.
I’m sure we have all heard that Christmas is the one time of year that: ___________ (fill in the blank). We can use phrases like, “the Christmas spirit,”
“Christmas cheer or that Christmas feeling.” All of these phrases can carry a well-intentioned meaning, but there are times when simply setting aside a certain time of year will not suffice to create a certain experience. Just because it is the Christmas Season does not necessarily mean that families who don’t get along the rest of the year will suddenly put aside their differences and love each other - just because it’s Christmas. Likewise, it clearly doesn’t ensure that people will suddenly draw closer to God because of the manger scene under the tree, the Christmas songs playing at the mall, or the Christmas Services being held at church. God certainly might move peoples’ hearts closer to him during Christmas, but not just because of the season itself.
The reality is that we as human beings are utterly helpless when it comes to instigating our relationship with God. There is nothing we can do to come closer to God. We can observe holiday after holiday. We can do as many “good” things as we can possibly think of and still not experience the closeness of God. We can light candles, sing Christmas songs, send Christmas cards and eat all the Christmas cookies in the world and still not feel a bit closer to the One who made us. Our only hope is that God will draw closer to us. That is why what we celebrate this time of year is so important - so needed, and not just during this holiday season, but every day of our lives.
The reality is that God came into our world and our lives. He came to us and saved us from being so far away from Him. So, knowing this, how do we draw close to God if it is not by observing the holiday season and doing all the things associated with it (which is not bad by the way)? It is by simply trusting Him. For it is by grace, through faith (or trust) that we are saved from our condition of being separated from God. This trust is impossible for us to achieve on our own. Everything about our relationship with God has it’s beginning with God and fulfillment in God. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, a new way to be in relationship with God is possible. This way is the way of trust. Through placing our trust in God we experience a new life never understood by the world, but available to every one regardless of success of failure,regardless of past or present circumstances, and regardless of strength or weakness.
This next year will be one of great trust, great freedom, and great joy . . . all because a little boy was born at just the right time.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Steve
HOPE
Friends, Grace and Peace to each of you.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character; hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” - Romans 5:1-5
As we enter into this Advent season where do “we” stand? Are we rejoicing? Are we suffering? Is our character being tested? Do we have hope? Paul tells us that hope does not disappoint, and that God loves us and pours out His love into us, so much so that Jesus was born into our world and into our lives to be Emmanuel, God with us. Is that hope enough for us? Do we see evidence of this hope in the world, or in our church, or in our daily lives? I say yes, there is evidence of hope, things are changing, a new day is dawning. A black man is president, babies are born, communities are strengthening, wars are ending, a church meets its challenges, and people everywhere are searching for meaning and relevance. God is moving among us. God is as real today as ever. God may be the same, but He is not static. His movement among us is always changing, always new and always hopeful.
It is appropriate that we enter the season of Advent in the spirit of hope, for it is not merely a time of waiting. It’s a period of experiencing God’s future, now. Christ is born, Christ reigns. Christ with us, God is with us. We are redeemed and we can worship without fear, worship with abandon, and shout to the Lord— for great in our midst is the Holy One. Future enters past and becomes present.
Advent is not a time of waiting for Jesus to be born—it is not some past event fondly recalled that we pretend to wish to come. It is the very real God breaking into our lives. Advent challenges us to envision God’s kingdom and live it as a present reality. Future enters past and becomes present.people pressed to live in a holy present. Advent is not waiting for the baby Jesus to be born. He is here, Emmanuel, God with us, hope of the world, light of the world, was and is and will yet to be. Future enters past and becomes present.
people pressed to live in a holy present. Advent is not waiting for the baby Jesus to be born. He is here, Emmanuel, God with us, hope of the world, light of the world, was and is and will yet to be. Future enters past and becomes present.
May you have hope and light and peace this holiday season.
Chad
Chadbrown_gracerc@sbcglobal.net
We have already started the Church Calendar’s New Year. This year, November 30th was the First Sunday of Advent. We will have three more Advent Sundays: December 7, 14 and 21. We observe Advent with the lighting of the Advent Wreath at each Sunday morning service, as we also have Advent Services at 6 p.m. each of these Sundays. We encourage you to join us as we take time from the busy-ness of the Season to prepare and focus our hearts on the true meaning and purpose of celebrating Christmas. The works on this song help to summarize the message of Advent:
All earth is hopeful, the Savior comes at last! Furrows lie open for God’s creative task; this, for the labor of people who struggle to see how God’s truth and justice set everybody free.
Mountains and valleys will have to be prepared; new highways opened, new protocols declared. Almost here! God is nearing, in beauty and grace! All clear every gateway, in haste, come out in haste!
We first saw Jesus a baby in a crib. This same Lord Jesus today has come to live in
our world; He is present, in neighbors we see our Jesus with us and ever sets us free .
With One Voice #629 permission by OneLicense #A-708572
Each year we focus on one of the Gospels for preaching and teaching. This year it is the Gospel of Mark. Mark is the shortest Gospel and perhaps the oldest. Its stories and events occur in rapid order and it uses the word “immediately” often as it goes on to the next action. It’s easy to read in a short time and you will blessed by taking the time to do that soon in our “Year of Mark”. You will read of miracles, of power struggles with the religious authorities, of confrontations with demons, of the disciples as they struggle to understand Jesus and His teachings. You will also notice that Mark doesn’t cover all the events of Jesus’ life as Matthew and Luke do. There is no Christmas story and the Easter story is very short and to the point. Yet the message is clear. The Good News is that God has provided salvation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His only Son.
Another family of 5 will be graduating soon from the Family Promise program. They will be needing household items - anything from furniture to cooking utensils. If you have any extra items lying about unused, please call Marian at 853-1854.
All other families are progressing nicely toward their goals of self-sustenance. With the holidays approaching, the host churches are planning to make them as festive as possible for our homeless families. Please continue to remember them in your prayers.
God’s Peace,
Marian Olson
For more information on Family Promise, call (916) 443-3107, or visit their website: www.sacfamilypromise.org.
“Teach the children that as the sheep are found by the bell, it should also ring for man to return to the fold...it means guidance and return.” Then Santa drew forth a candle.
Teach the children,” whispered Santa, “that the candle shows man’s thanks for the star of long ago. At first candles were placed on the Christmas trees - they were like many glowing stars.”
Santa picked up a gift from under the tree, and pointing to the large bow, said, “A bow is placed on the gift to remind us of the brotherhood of man – the bow is tied as many should be tied, all of us together, with bonds of goodwill toward each other. Good will, forever, is the message of the bow.”
“Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherd’s crook. The crook, on the staff, helps bring the straying sheep back to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother’s keeper.”
Santa reached into his bag one more time and brought forth a large holly wreath and placed it on the door. “Please teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love, it never ceases,
stops, or ends. It is one continuous round of affection - it should remind us of all the things of Christmas.”
“Please, “teach the children.”
Helen Hammer
Altar Guild Director
Poinsettias
As is our tradition, we are again asking for donations of Red, Living Poinsettia plants. Please bring your plants to the church beginning December 21st. We will place them in the sanctuary for the Christmas Eve services. If you would like to take your plant home, you may do so following the Sunday worship service on December 28th.
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord… Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”
Luke 2:13-14
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who is helping to make our Thursday Afternoon Children’s Outreach (ages 6-13) such an awesome success: our Meal Schedulers, Helen Hammer and Vicki Timberlake. Our weekly cooks for August and September have included Marian Olson, Vicki and Cindy Timberlake, Stacey Rosas, Kelly Brown, Helen Hammer, Greg Dines and Floretta Andrew. Glenda Lloyd and Sandy Lyons have become our weekly helpers for the last few months, and it makes a big difference!
Although we have had many of our children move away over this last month and a half, we’ve also had three of our former JAM girls return from Mexico after over a year, as well as a few new faces.
This month we’re beginning to prepare for the Annual Christmas Pageant. We need seamstress for new costumes and crafty people who can help make it even better this year. Also, we want to make
“JAM Christmas packs” again. They were so joyfully received last Christmas
by all the church and community kids!
Finally, as always, my ever growing ap-
(Jesus And Me)
preciation to Lynda McDonald, Chad, and Pastor Steve for their love and commitment to all God’s kids.
Please prayerfully consider how you can get involved in helping this vital program. You will be blessed!
Karen O’Brien
Director of JAM
The Christmas Pageant will take place Wednesday, December 24th at 7:00 p.m., during the Family Christmas Eve Service. We need lots of help to make it successful. Most of the process takes place behind the scenes prior to the pageant. If your child will be here on Christmas Eve, please let us know. Rehearsal Dates are Sunday, December 14th after the 11 a.m. Worship Service & Tuesday, December 23rd at 6 p.m. Thank you to all of you who are assisting or will be assisting!
“JAM PAX,” Last year’s “JAM PAX” were a big success! With the help and generosity of members of Grace, we were able to provide all our children with a big red Christmas Stockings filled with goodies (watches, socks, school supplies, toothbrushes and toothpaste, hair brushes, books, school supplies, small gifts…) The kids were wonderfully surprised! We want to do it again this year!
If you can help with the Pageant or JAM PAX, or If you have any questions and/or can help with the Pageant or PAX in any way, please contact Karen O’Brien a.s.a.p. (Home: 851.8631; Cell: 595.4295; or work (635.5502)
Please continue to pray for God to bless the children and families in our community through our ministry. After all, knowing Christ is the greatest gift of all!
Dear Members of Grace,
I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and visits while I was in the hospital and nursing home. May God bless you and your holidays.
- Joann Davidson
Words alone cannot fully express the thankfulness and comfort I feel with the support and prayers I have received while recovering from my accident. May the Lord continue to bless each of you as you continue to do His work.>BR>
Thanks be to God!
Al Balliet
This page was last modified on: September 6,2008
RHM
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