Murray Presbyterian Messenger

December 2009

“Preparing for Jesus’ Coming”

Advent and Christmas are a special period in the life of the Church. During Advent we wait for the coming of Christ and we prepare for his second coming as well. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord. Advent and Christmas is a time when we can re-focus on what his coming means. Jesus’ coming into the world 2,000 years ago is about “God With Us.” Our God is not a distant God. He came in human flesh to be with his people.

Christmas is a celebration of Jesus’ birth, but the meaning of that birth is sometimes missed. Jesus’ birth matters because it reveals to us that we have a God who can relate to us. Because of the incarnation—Jesus’ divine and human nature—he can understand our pain and struggles. His coming into the world also paid the penalty for our transgressions. Jesus’ arrival 2,000 years ago makes all the difference in the world. His coming gives our lives meaning and purpose. His birth means that we can have peace, hope, and know the grace he offers. God doesn’t want you to just fill your head with knowledge about his truth and grace. He wants you to receive it and experience it! As we reflect back on his coming this year be sure to remember that Jesus didn’t just come to show us grace, but to give us grace—that we might receive it.

How should we prepare our hearts this Christmas to receive Christ? Focus on him in his Word. Keep your eyes fixed on him. Cultivate a love for God in your heart. If you wanted to develop a love for classical music, you would study it and talk with others who love it. You would also listen, listen, listen. If you want to love the Glory of God, then you will focus on him. You will listen and love his Word. You will worship and sing praises to his name.

This Christmas lets all give thanks for the blessings that God has provided us and give thanks for what God has done in Jesus Christ. May you have a merry Christmas!

In Christ,

Jeff

Kyle Nickels: Prayers for healing and strength. (5312 12^th Ave. – Murray, 68409)

Betty Tepner: Prayers for healing and strength for Betty and strength for Dixie Craft. (5309 Crogans Way Rd. Council Bluffs, IA 51501)

Don Loftin: Prayers for healing & strength. (9500 Milford Rd.-Beaver Lake, NE 68048)

Dave, Jenny, Samantha & Ella Cook: Prayers of strength for the family & healing for Ella.

(9923 12^th Street – Murray NE 68409)

Dennis Gochenour: Prayers for healing and strength. (404 N. Elm Street – Weeping Water, NE 68453)

Nessie Swedlund: Prayers for healing and strength. (P.O. Box 61 – Murray, NE 68409)

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Additional Prayer Concerns:

Fay Jose Family: Prayers for Fay’s family as they mourn his passing. (Konfrst: 312 N. Loughridge Ave. – Murray, 68409; Ayers: 310 N. Loughridge Ave. – Murray, 68409; Deterding: 3613 Buccaneer Blvd. – Plattsmouth, 68048)

Cathy Balfour as she battles cancer. (11509 A Street-Avoca, NE 68307)

Nickey Johnson: Prayers for Nickey and her family as they mourn the passing of her mother and father. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thoughts & Prayers for our shut-ins:

Lottie Johnson: Continual prayers. (Ambassador, 1800 14th Ave. #208, Nebraska City, NE 68410)

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Remember the members of our Armed Forces, who are serving overseas and stateside:

Dave Cook

Troy Froistad

Kris Kidd

Philmore Williams

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Continued Prayers of comfort for:

The Family of Fay Jose

The Family of Nickey Johnson

Angel Tree

The “Angel Tree” is now at the back of the church. Please help make Christmas a little brighter by buying a gift for someone in need. Return your wrapped gift to church on or before Sunday, December 13^th.

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**Advent Program & Dinner**

Please join us on the 13^th for our Children’s Christmas Program and then stay after church for our Advent Dinner!

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~Poinsettias~

Christmas is on its way and so are the poinsettias! If you are interested in ordering a poinsettia “In Memory of” or “To Honor” someone you love, please complete one of the forms on the table in the back of the church. The flowers will be available around the 18^th of December and are $7.00 each. Please return the form with your money to the church office.

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Mittens, Mittens, Mittens!

The Deacons are looking for mittens to donate to our local school children.

Our clothesline is now at the back of the church for all your donated mittens.

Thank you!

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Annual Reports – Session Members

The end of the year is approaching. Please start working on your committee report so it can be submitted to the office by January 7^th.

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Prayer Chain

Please call(235-3323)or e-mail(Harold-laverne@inebraska.com) LaVerne Ebner if you have anything to put out on the prayer chain – no matter how small you may think it is!

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Murray Presbyterian Church

T-Shirts

We have a few shirts left in stock (Youth Small and Large; Adult Small and X-Large). If you would like one, please see one of the Deacons. More shirts in various sizes have been ordered. The cost to you is $3.00.

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Join the Women’s Circle every month, on

the second Wednesday, at the church at 7pm!

This Month: December 9^th

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PLATTSMOUTH FOOD PANTRY

Please remember the food pantry and those in need as you shop at the grocery store this month. If you have any donations and you cannot get to the food pantry to drop them off, please bring them to church and we will be happy to deliver them for you!

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MEMBERSHIP CLASSES

If you are interested in attending a Membership Class - Pastor Jeff McDonald will be glad to talk to you! Please call (402) 682-1439

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*Denise Ayers is always looking for Liturgists. If you are interested, please sign-up on the sheet on the back table. Please participate and know that your service to the church is appreciated. A special Thank You to all who have done so in the past.

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Please visit our website at www.murraypresbyterian.com to see the weekly bulletin, congregational life, and the monthly newsletter!

Tell a friend!!!!!

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*Birthdays

Happy Birthday to:

Where we’ve been in the Bible: Study Guide (Paul’s Letters)

Study Guide

2 Corinthians (written about AD. 56)

-Corinth, Greece—major ancient commercial center. Corinth has been referred to as the Las Vegas of the ancient world.

-Paul defends his ministry against false teachers—Judaizers.

-In 2 Corinthians Paul focuses on the centrality of the cross.

-Paul encourages the Corinthian Christians to be generous.

-Paul trusts in God for strength when he is weak and things are difficult.

Philippians (written about A.D. 61)

-Philippi, Macedonia (Northern, Greece). Military retirement community.

-Very generous in their giving.

-Paul calls the Philippians to imitate Christ’s humility.

-He also instructs them to not put confidence in ritual, but rather in Jesus Christ.

-The quarrel between Eudia and Syntyche. Paul pleads with them to agree with each other in the Lord.

-Paul tells the church at Philippi to put into practice whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and praiseworthy.

Colossians (written about A.D. 61)

-Colosse—located in what is today southwestern Turkey.

-Small town. Various cults have an extremely strong presence in the community.

-Paul stresses that Christ is the Supreme creator and ruler of the universe.

-He teaches that Jesus is not just a way to God—Jesus is God.

-True fullness is to be found in Jesus Christ and not human traditions—festivals, religious diets, etc.

-Paul urges the Christians in Colosse to pray constantly and share their faith.

Philemon (written about A.D. 61)

-Paul wrote this letter to a wealthy man in Colosse named Philemon.

-Paul writes a very warm and appreciative letter to Philemon asking him to welcome back a slave named Onesimus.

-Onesimus had apparently stole money from Philemon and then ran away.

-Onesimus had a life changing conversion to God and somehow became friends with Paul in Rome. Now Paul wants Philemon to welcome back Onesimus as a brother in Christ.

1 Thessalonians (written about A.D. 50)

-Thessalonica, Macedonia (Northern Greece).

-Thessalonica was a large commercial center and a major seaport.

-Earlier Paul had started a riot there when he visited the town and preached the “Good News.” (Acts 17)

-Paul gives thanks for the Thessalonian Christian’s faith, defends his own ministry there, and rejoices that the Thessalonian Christians have accepted the word of God as it truly is the word of God (ch. 1 & 2). These believers are doing a great job of sharing the faith.

-Thessalonian Christians are being persecuted by unbelievers

and tempted by Satan, but their faith is remaining strong (ch. 3).

-Paul gives instructions in Christian living—live a quite life, work, earn respect from outsiders by how you live (ch. 4). Avoid immorality and love each other.

-Paul explains what will happen to believers—both the living and the dead—at the time of the second coming of Jesus (ch. 5). Encourage one another and build each other up.

Galatians

-Galatia (Central Modern Turkey)

-Paul writes this letter to the church in the region known as Galatia. Written circa 47-48 A.D.

-The letter to the Galatians was written to emphasize the complete sufficiency of justification by faith alone in one’s relationship with God.

-This letter stresses that God has freed us from the project of self-salvation.

-The Galatian churches—where many new believers were Gentiles—were being strongly influenced to add traditional Jewish beliefs and practices to their newfound faith.

-While it was quite natural for Jewish Christians to continue to worship as they always had in the past, to require the same for Gentiles was, to Paul, tantamount to promoting a different gospel.

James

-James was written as a practical letter to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Mediterranean world.

-James was the half brother of Jesus.

-Ch. 1:Don’t just be a hearer of God’s Word (scripture), but be a doer. Be quick to listen and slow to speak.

-Ch. 2: Favoritism is forbidden in the church. We are not saved by deeds, but deeds give evidence that you have faith. Intellectual assent to God is not enough we must follow Him in our daily lives.

-Ch. 3: James focuses on the need to control your tongue.

-Ch. 4: Friendship with the ways of the world is hatred towards God. Christians are to submit themselves to God and follow Him.

-Ch. 5: As we face suffering we are to be patient and stand firm.

1 Peter

-1 Peter was written by Peter to suffering Christians who were experiencing persecution.

-Written to various churches in northern Asia Minor (present day Turkey). Written in the 60s.

-Peter reminded them of their heavenly hope and eternal inheritance so that they would be strengthened to persevere in the midst of suffering.

-He emphasized that believers are called to live lives of holiness and love in the midst of trials.

-Live like living stones who are built into a spiritual house with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone.

-Respond in a godly way to suffering and persecution. Suffering can produce maturity in the Christian.

-Resist Satan and realize that there are other Christians suffering throughout the world.

Submitting Information ForThe Bulletin Or Newsletter

If you have information that needs to be put in the Congregational Life or Newsletter, please send an email to the church address, which is murraypresbyterian@windstream.net