San Angelo District Christmas Open House

Rev. Larry Altman (along with Gini Christian and Amy Moore) hosted the district open house this afternoon in San Angelo. Pastor Charles & Belinda joined others from around the district in sharing some holiday cheer (and some of the best praline/pecan goodies anywhere!).

Advent devotional for December 9th

(from St. Andrew's Church - Rugby, Leicester, UK)

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem. They fell down and worshipped Him. They presented unto Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." - St. Matthew 2:11

Each year we have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas which marks the joyous occasion of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we once again reflect on the true meaning of Christmas we can so easily forget what this momentous occasion truly represents.

We can so often get caught up in ourselves and others and forget that Christmas is not about us and the gifts that we give and receive from each other. It is about the birth of and the Gift of His Son that God Himself gave freely to each one of us.

It is through His love that God gave us this divine gift, so that we may find the truth, and the way along with the many gifts and fruits that He desired to give to each of us, so that we may find eternal life with Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, as we reflect on the joyous occasion of Christmas, let us not forget that the birth of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ is Your "gift" to us that represents the true meaning of Christmas.

Marian Brown, First UMC - McCamey

Tonight's Ad Board Meeting

The final Ad Board meeting of 2010 was held tonight in the FUMC fellowship hall. Reports on the church finances, upcoming events, conference reports (that are to be completed by the pastor) and a possible love offering for Pastor Charles... all these topics were discussed.

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It was decided not to have an "announced" fourth Sunday potluck, as that Sunday is the day following Christmas Day. If anyone wants to bring something to share, it will be enjoyed during the fellowship time (starting at 8:30 a.m.)

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Attending this evening were Cathy Allen, Pastor Charles, Wanda Carpenter, Dr. Edwin & Chris Franks and James & Deanna Jordan.

Advent Devotional for December 8th

Thanks to my Christian grandmother - my memories of Christmas are wonderful! We went to my "Nannie" and Roy's house, a long distance of four miles for Christmas.

Nannie made costumes for all my cousins and we acted out the birth of Jesus, complete with animals but a doll for the Baby Jesus. The big old two-story house was full of kinfolk. We slept all over the floors and Nannie made graham biscuits for breakfast.

None of us had much money, but who cared? We were together, had plenty to eat, sang carols and hymns around the piano and shared our joys with each other.

Marie Richardson, First UMC - Iraan

Advent devotional for December 7th

(picture is from Cake Central.com)

Read Matthew 25:14-30

"For the man who uses well what he has been given shall be given more, and he shall have an abundance." -Matthew 25:39

My mother, Gladys Elliott, was a wonderful seamstress. She did embroidery, crochet, cross-stitch, quilting, and tatting, as well as machine sewing. Later, she started making all different kinds of sequined Christmas ornaments and other Christmas decorations. When my mother started doing ceramics at the Senior Citizen Center in Hobbs, New Mexico, she made Christmas ornaments for my house. I still have all the ornaments she made and I enjoy decorating my tree with them every year. My mother used well the talents she was given and shared those talents abundantly.

Christmas is a many-splendored occasion. my tree does not have one color scheme or theme. It is a collection of ornaments my mother made, ornaments that have been given to me and ornaments with special meaning from friends or trips I've taken. Seeing all the beautiful decorations my mother made at Christmas and throughout the year is one way that I keep my mother's memory alive and close to my heart.

Thought for the day: Use the talents God gave you to the best of your ability and be willing to share those talents with others.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to see ways to use our talents. help us to be willing o share our talents with others. Amen.

Cytha Peters, FUMC - McCamey

Advent Devotional for December 6th

(Shureimon Gate, the symbol of Okinawa)

Learning the secret of being content

Read Philippians 4:10-13

The Christmas season brings many memories to each of us. Many memories are related to family, friends, celebrations, travel, food and gifts.

One Christmas Day will be a memory I will carry with me always and it occurred over 40 years ago. While serving my military tour in Okinawa, I had been assigned as the duty officer for the Army Medical Hospital on Christmas Day. I was feeling sorry for myself and my wide. We were having our first Christmas away from our families. We made plans to have lunch at the mess hall of the hospital during my 24-hour duty.

Prior to lunch I was called to the floor where the soldier's wive's babies were delivered. I was informed that one of the women had suffered a massive heart attack and had died. She had delivered a son the day before and it was my duty to inform the husband. I was a young Army officer and this was nothing I had been prepared for in my training.

I talked with the young soldier and I remember him asking if he could see his son. I took him to the nursery and ask if he needed anything and he said, "No, I just want to be with my son."

Even with being away from our families and on duty I had so much to be thankful for. Later that day my wife and I shared a quiet lunch in the hospital. During our tour of about eighteen months on Okinawa we learned to be content in our situation. I often wonder each Christmas about that young soldier and I hope he had learned to accept his condition and be content.

Jim and Mary Witcher, FUMC - McCamey

Second Sunday of Advent

It was another delightful Sunday at the Iraan First United Methodist Church today. The fellowship and worship were awesome. And thanks to Burton Lanehart and one of his ministries... church member families were blessed with special white wooden crosses that he made for their front lawns, to serve as a witness to the world. Pastor Charles and Belinda are pleased to have one for the parsonage's front lawn. Praise God for all the blessings of this day!