Issue #21 - January 2008
Our church has a lot of poetry lovers in it. In fact, many of the youth and adults write and read poetry frequently. So, we are taking up a golden opportunity to share our poetry. Poetry is spread throughout the January newsletter. Even if you are not a poetry buff, we hope you enjoy. It is a new way to ring in a new year.
A God of Resolutions
"I'll lose the weight!"
"I'll be a better person!"
That is what we say every year.
January brings on a new year,
New resolutions,
New hopes,
New dreams.
Resolutions are the beginnings of great things,
and of great failures.
On that first day we strive for the best,
To repent and start fresh.
Buying a gym membership and salad greens.
We plop our Bible down for a daily read.
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
The road to Heaven is as well.
So, resolve away!
God is with you.
God is in the u-turns
and when we go astray.
- Matthew
A Reminder
Please, remember to use the recycling containers in the church kitchen. The container on right is for aluminum. The left container is for glass. It would be greatly appreciated if you would make sure your containers are empty and clean when you put them in there. Keep recycling at home, as well!
Amazement of Snow
An amazement of snow greeted me today
when I drew back the curtains at dawn.
Whorls of flakes, born of leaden skies,
were mantling the town with a blanket of white.
Snow in Virginia awakens the child within:
it comes often enough to be anticipated,
but not enough to be loathed.
Even old eyes sparkle as they gaze up to track
the flake that lands on an age-creased nose.
The day is new, the scene is pristine.
Too soon yet for raucous snowplows
with steel blades that scatter and salt bins that spatter.
Too early also for shovel-wielding neighbors
bent on digging out cars smoking in driveways.
Now is the time to be still--
to listen to the silence;
to witness what only the heart can see;
to experience afresh what every child knows
but no adult can tell.
- H.D. Burnette
Youth Christmas Play
If you were not able to attend church on December 16, you missed a wonderful Christmas play by the youth.
"The Vision of the Silver Bell" was the title of this year's play. It was a play that was set in the 1750's and the 1950's. Eleanor worked hard on the costumes and it showed. The 1750 crew looked especially good in their antique clothes.
In 1750 the Mason family was visited by two travelers, Mary and Joseph, who left a silver bell. One hundred years later the bell rang again all on its own. As the 1950 Mason family is sitting around the tree on Christmas eve, they eagerly waited to see if the bell would ring again by itself. Of course, it did.
The play had great actors and the talented direction of Eleanor Perkinson. Several people were able to record the play, if you would like to see the recording, just call Matthew. Thanks to all the hard work that was put into the play. It was a good reminder of the mystery and joy of Christmas.
Schedules
Acolytes
The Acolyte schedule may need to change, but this is a start.
In January it's John P. and Sam P.
In February: Meagan C. and Ginny B.
But, oh, in March it's Andrew P. and Meagan C.
Watch out! April brings us Kris D. and Linda D.
Comic Relief
I'm going to tell you a secret, it's no joke.
This really did happen to my folk.
They were abducted by aliens in the dark of night.
they were whisked away to mars in the speed of light.
They were poked and prodded in their sleep,
their dreams were haunted by the baaing of sheep.
The aliens were green and covered in slime
and smelled of an old gold mine
They had eyes that bulged out of their heads
and their scientific studies are done in sheds.
They had warts on their hands
and lived on completely dried land.
Some of them lived in bogs,
If you haven't guessed it, the aliens were frogs.
- Ginny Bowers
"A cheerful heart is good medicine." (Prov. 17:22)
Lectionary
January 1, 2008
New Year (White or Gold)
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Psalm 8
Revelation 21:1-6a
Matthew 25:31-46
January 6, 2008
Epiphany of the Lord/Epiphany Sunday (White and Gold)
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
January 13, 2008
Baptism of the Lord (White)
Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 29
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17
January 20, 2008
Second Sunday After the Epiphany (Green)
Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 40:1-11
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
John 1:29-42
January 27, 2008
Third Sunday After the Epiphany (Green)
Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23
Take a moment and read these scriptures each week!
Volunteer Opportunities
- Come help with our Community Youth Night every Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:15 pm by driving, cooking, or just hanging around.
- Someone would be doing a huge favor for the church if they would go by the county's Voter Registration office every other month and send letters to people who have moved to Louisa (Matthew has been doing this, see him for details)
- Serve as the 2008 Relay for Life team captain or co-captain. Talk to Matthew.
The Changed Man
"The Changed Man," by Robert Phillips from Spinach Days (The Johns Hopkins University Press). *At New Years, this poem is dedicated to all of the women who make us men better and get us through our resolutions.*
If you were to hear me imitating Pavarotti
in the shower every morning, you'd know
how much you have changed my life.
If you were to see me stride across the park,
waving to strangers, then you would know
I am a changed man-like Scrooge
awakened from his bad dreams feeling feather-
light, angel-happy, laughing the father
of a long line of bright laughs-
"It is still not too late to change my life!"
It is changed. Me, who felt short-changed.
Because of you I no longer hate my body.
Because of you I buy new clothes.
Because of you I'm a warrior of joy.
Because of you and me. Drop by
this Saturday morning and discover me
fiercely pulling weeds gladly, dedicated
as a born-again gardener.
Drop by on Sunday-I'll Turtlewax
your sky-blue sports car, no sweat. I'll greet
enemies with a handshake, forgive debtors
with a papal largesse. It's all because
of you. Because of you and me,
I've become one changed man.
Upcoming Youth Activities
12/31 - 1/6 ... Matthew gone on vacation, No activities
1/13 ... Visit Mineral Baptist Church 11 AM
1/20 ... No activities
1/27 ... No activities
Life is a book in volumes three--
The past, the present, and the yet-to-be.
The past is written and laid away,
The present we're writing every day,
And the last and best of volumes three
Is locked from sight -- God keeps the key.
-- Author Unknown
Birthdays
Brandon R. Bishop 2/19
Beverly Kay Brindle 2/14
Brenna Canning 2/4
Kathleen B. Chambers 2/14
William E. Clements 2/4
Linda Dishman 2/17
Alyssa Eubank 2/18
Elizabeth A. Furniss 2/8
Tabitha G. Harris 2/11
Denny McDonald 2/10
John Jerl Purcell, Jr. 2/15
Joey Short 2/22
Ester D. Smith 2/26
Rebecca May Smith 2/25
Corey Strickland 2/18
If we missed a birthday, let us know.
Kid's Page
Worship
Come to Sunday School at 10,
Don't sleep through your alarm again.
Hang around for church at 11,
For a little slice of heaven.
If you can't get enough of Denny's preaching and prayer,
There's another service on Wednesdays at noon at the church.
Get on over there.
Every Wednesday we offer a Bible Study at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM ... not too late!
Community Youth Night every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:15 PM ... It's great!
Louisa Christian Church
P.O. Box 1344
104 Elm Avenue
Louisa, VA 23093
Rev. Burnette: 540-967-4884
Email
Rev. Ricks: 540-748-4188
Email