Issue #8 - December 2006

Mary

Taught to obey, follow God,
Able to recite psalms since her feet could fill sandals,
Well acquainted with the dusty road to synagogue.
A good girl.

Only a girl.
Today we'd say an adolescent,
Talk at her about family planning,
Wonder why she didn't "know better,"
Lift her up as what not to do, how not to be.
We' glance furtively, whisper accusingly,
Pull our own little ones away from staring.
We' profess God's love Sunday,
Judge her outside of it Monday.

Wouldn't we?

She didn't ask for it, didn't want it.
Who would? Who longs for humiliation,
Asks for ridicule,
Searches out disgrace?
She just said yes.

Said yes
To risk and fear and doubt,
To pain and heartache and loss,
yes to agony and defeat,
yes to love.

Would we?

At Gabriel's bidding
This girl bore God.
Cradled grace.
Grew love.
Let go mercy.
Delivered hope. Gave us life.

~ Julie Richardson Brown
Minister of Youth and Adults
Beargrass Christian Church
Louisville, Kentucky

A Newletter from Home

The following was the newsletter article from my hometown church in Roanoke. I hope it speaks as much to you as it does to me.
~Matthew

Mike's Memo (December)

Here we go again! The big retailers are lining up to once more define the season for us. Is it "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas?" Like Mr. Gimble and Mr. Macy in "Miracle on 34th Street," each will duke it out trying to out do the other for the public's dollar. All the while, however, the "reason for the season" becomes more and more trivialized.

Let's face it, it's pretty tough these days trying to celebrate a religious festival while living in the midst of a secular society. But we keep trying with Christmas. For example, is there really anyone here in America who does not know the Christmas story? I don't think so. Why? Because its plastered all over the place. People know the Christmas story not because they read it in Luke, but rather because they have seen it at the movies, pictured on Christmas cards, ornaments, banners, tee shirts, and coffee mugs, set up in public squares, heard it on the radio, or listened to it referred to in music.

But what is really being celebrated in malls and through a host of new Christmas season marketing stratagems is a slick commercialization of a long standing religious festival. It is very easy for us in this culture to forget that there is no holy ground when it comes to marketing and advertising. Mothers are exploited on Mothers Day and dads get it on Fathers Day. Lovers are lifted up on Valentines Day. Kids are the target on Halloween. No one is exempt. Even grandparents have their own special day. As it is, everyone is a market. There is no sacred ground. Religion is just another realm in which to make a fast buck. Even the dead aren't left alone. Think of Elvis. It has come to the point that we can't even have a war without seeing how it can boost sales.

I don't know about you, but I'm becoming more and more disturbed at how we in the church have allowed a very precious holiday to get away from us. I think it's time we got it back. And so, I pray that for you, somehow during all this ballyhoo and prime time coverage of Christmas this and Christmas that, you will be able to recover and reclaim humility, vulnerability, care, and perseverance.....you know, those things that were discovered in Bethlehem that night by poor shepherds, under a strange star, in a barn out back, behind an inn. Don't forget, the main event really took place there. Those who missed it were completely wrapped up with all of the festivities being held in the comfort and confines of the inn.

Happy Holidays
Merry Christmas!
~ Pastor Mike

First Impressions

I was born in Roanoke, Va. Then, I attended seminary in Richmond, Va. I worked for a summer as a Pennsylvania State Park Chaplain in Mifflinburg, Pa. Now, I live in Louisa. I have lived in several places and visited many more. I have preached at churches all across Virginia. Conclusively, I can say that there is no place like Louisa. There are many other small towns, but none like this.

Only in Louisa do houses have names. For instance, the house beside the church is the "Flannigan House." It is odd to think that a house in Louisa may be called the "Ricks House" for years after I have been gone. Only in Louisa do so many people have nicknames. And, only in Louisa do people know your name before you know theirs.

For many ministers, Louisa is not the ideal place to end up. For many ministers, the most desirable callings are in large cities at large churches with large budgets. They dread the idea of being "stuck" in small towns.

However, I think it is a shame that more ministers do not give places, like Louisa, a fair shot. In the last two and a half years I have found Louisa to be a wonderful town full of compassionate, caring, and hospitable people. As a minister I have a much better chance to do ministry in a small church, rather than a congregation of seven or eight hundred people.

I am glad that this is where God has led me.

~ Matthew

Schedules

Acolytes

January: Amber W. - Shawn L.
February: Abbie S. - Corey S.
March: Andrew P. - David S.
April: Shawn L. - David S.
May: Abbie S. - Corey S.
June: David S. - Amber W.
July: Katelyn P. - Jack P.
August: Andrew P. - Amber W.

Nursery

Nursery Not Available in December or January

A Great Joke

News from the Mission Front:

I just returned from Thailand Monday. I was working with Brother Eddie Ee of Singapore while in Thailand. I heard him give this illustration concerning correct communication. I thought it was humorous. He read an ad in a newspaper that went as follows: Dog for Sale -- Eats anything -- Loves Children.

Lectionary

December 3, 2006
First Sunday of Advent
Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36

December 10, 2006
Second Sunday of Advent
Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79
Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6

December 17, 2006
Third Sunday of Advent
Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18

December 24, 2006
Christmas Eve
Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20

December 25, 2006
Christmas Day
Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12); John 1:1-14

Take a moment and read these scriptures each week!

Volunteer Opportunities

Upcoming Youth Activities

Worship

Sunday School every Sunday at 10 AM
Worship Service following at 11 AM
Prayer Service each Wednesday at noon

Every Wednesday we offer a Bible Study at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM
Community Youth Night every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:15 PM

Louisa Christian Church
P.O. Box 1344
104 Elm Avenue
Louisa, VA 23093

www.louisachristianchurch.org

Rev. Burnette: 540-967-4884
Email

Rev. Ricks: 804-683-3537
Email

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