 By Rebecca Vickery I love Christmas music that points us to the beauty and majesty of the story of Jesus Christ being born in our midst. There is a blending of sorrow and joy in many of my favorites. When I think of the Christmas story, it is the same. The son of God is ushered into the world with intrigue and glory. Angels deliver messages. Choirs of angels sing. Shepherds go find the baby in the manger and respond with rejoicing. And yet, following the story of the good comes the inevitable workings of evil in the world. A jealous King sends out an order to slaughter all the Jewish born boys under the age of two. “Did e’er such love and sorrow meet?” When the noise quiets and the festive rushing about subsides, I am faced with the sorrows of this past season. We have said goodbye to some truly special people. Our little church community is in the midst of that sorrow. And yet, I cannot help but rejoice at the time we got to spend together. Never before have I gotten to know such a wonderful family, and become friends with a Pastor in a way that felt like true friendship. I have received the gift of knowing and being known by people I would never have known in this way had I been mired in my previous position any longer. The firing or “being let go” of yesteryear turned into the blessing of the next six. My tree is filled with reminders of Christmases past. Ornaments from my Grandmother who passed away in 2007, tinsel from my Grandfather who passed in 1994, ornaments made by my daughter who lives too far to make it for Christmas, the bitter and the sweet so intermingled in a sparkly lit up Christmas tree. This season has been so tightly interwoven with hardships and beauty. Laughter and tears. Both sides of the coin are necessary weights in the journey of our existence. I think back to some of my favorite phrases in the Bible. From the story of Joseph in Genesis, at the end of things, when Joseph is speaking with his brothers, he tells them, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive.” And Job, in response to his wife’s suggestions for him to respond to his hardship with cursing says, “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” And finally from Jesus himself, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Sorrow and hardship are not surprising in a world colored over by sin and strife. And yet, Jesus ushered in the Kingdom of God with his coming, and with it, His peace. While my heart can break, I can also have peace that passes understanding. While I can be filled with sorrow, I can still rejoice. It is a mighty strange dance, this life we are given. But in a world that has met a Savior in the humblest of places, the manger in Bethlehem, hope does not disappoint. I will worship in the dark places to sing truth to my soul. Sorrowful yet rejoicing, I can attest with the words of Rend Collective’s new “A Christmas Hymn,” O the mystery, O the wonder, somehow God is one of us. I cannot help but marvel at the thought of the King of kings and the Lord of Lords joining us in the suffering and hardships of this life to know us, to join us, to walk amongst us. We do not serve a distant Savior, but one who with His departure gifted us with the Holy Spirit so that we would never be alone. The Savior left the throne of heaven so that heaven can break forth like the springtime through the winter of our souls. In this way, I can reconcile the hardships of life and lift my hands to praise my King and rejoice in my savior. Merry Christmas to you all. And God bless us every one. "A Christmas Hymn (To The Tune Of "Come Thou Fount")" Come now see the Lord of Heaven in a lowly manger laid King deserving of a throne room, born a poor, powerless babe Oh the mystery oh the wonder Somehow God is one of us Such is greatness in His kingdom He descended to our dust Christ the Word, holy expression of the humbleness of God Herald of a prideless kingdom, one of sacrificial love Mighty One who made the heavens Knelt to wash his brother's feet And the earth that He created He bestowed unto the meek King of glory became nothing Humbled to the point of death Stretched His arms out like a beggar And forgave with His last breath What God started with a manger ended with an empty grave Suffering servant now exalted, Jesus name above all names Light eternal in the darkness He shall not be overcome Shining over all our shadows Every curse has been undone Heaven breaks forth like the springtime Through the winter of our souls Now His life is life abundant is forever ours to know Come now church let us adore him Tune your heart to sing His grace Streams of mercy never ceasing Call for songs of loudest praise Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above Praise the mount I'm fixed upon it Mount of God's redeeming love Praise the mount I'm fixed upon it Mount of God's redeeming love  by Kadeen Edwards
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness... For when I am weak, then I am strong". Jesus is not a crutch. He is not something that is temporarily used to get through and then to be discarded. Jesus is a foundation. He is our foundation and the anchor that holds us together in the hard times. He is with us in the good times and keeps us going, whether we’re in a valley, in the Hills, or on the mountain he’s always with us. It is not easy to be a Christian, but it’s necessary. We were once dead in our transgressions and lived among the dead. However, when we chose Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior and believed that he died and rose from the death so that we may have life and receive that new life in him we are risen with him in life,. Now we live free from sin, death, shame, and all the things that keep us bound. The apostle Paul said I rejoice in my weaknesses because in my weakness he is made strong. People can say that it is the weak that needs Jesus. But all need Jesus and I’m OK if somebody calls me weak because as the apostle. Paul said Christ's strength will shine all the more in my weakness. Truly, it takes strength to take up your cross and walk with Jesus to die to oneself daily.  By Joyce Pelletier
Throughout my life's journey, I have come to cherish the profound comfort of knowing that I am truly never alone. Even in moments when isolation or loss seem overwhelming. There is a constant assurance that He is present. This awareness fills the empty spaces left by those who have gone before us that reminds me that belonging to God’s family is a promise that leads us beyond the circumstances of this world. I wanted to share that I purposely capitalize ‘He and Him’ as it points to the most important word and focus here. It reminds me that we are talking about ‘Abba’ Father or Jesus or the Holy Spirit. Three in one. The past several years there has been a depth of the realization about Adoption and being a Child of the most-high God. I start to melt when I truly consider this meaning. Our Bible Study on Tuesday mornings spent several days with our deliberate attention to our connection with God. I was deeply touched when Brent spent time during a Sunday Sermon and time speaking with him how important it is to be aware and identify with being born again. I remember quite vividly the day I met Jesus and my life changed forever. Many of us have different experiences when we have our first of a gazillion encounters with our God. Growing up, I had no idea the whole purpose of knowing God in a personal manner. Our pastors relate to that importance of a relational existence with God. Now that my original family members are gone to their final rest, the reality of them being gone, showed me ever so clearly that I am an orphan, in need of a family. When I accepted Jesus as Lord and leader of my life, the longer I live and study God’s word, I am more conscious that His presence in my life is all that matters. He is vividly with all of my life and ready at any given moment to teach me and better yet, shows me His love. He gave me a purpose for my life, and even though I don’t live in a perfect world, I am reaching for His purpose for all things in my life to bring that love to everyone I can. I can’t do it without Him. Even though sometimes it’s rather difficult to embrace, but I march on. Each day brings new meaning to what adoption means. The most important is the truth about being adopted, I was chosen by God to be His. He loves me that much to call me to His presence and is always ready to give me what I need to be the recipient of such joy. Things go wrong and always will, until one day when I am in Heaven enjoying all the family God has chosen for Himself. There is no better place to be. Brent also reminds us that we have nothing to fear, as God gives us hope in our being, because He chooses to be with us on this journey. We can pray for those who haven’t accepted that invitation, but that offer remains a blessing beyond anything we can imagine. It says in Ephesians 1:5 “He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will.” John 1:10-12 “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world do not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” The past several years there has been a deepening reality about what Adoption is and what being a Child of the most-high God. I start to melt when I truly consider this meaning. Our Bible Study on Tuesday mornings spent several days on the deliberate attention to our connection with God. Brent spoke so clearly during a recent Sunday Sermon as he spoke about how important it is to be aware of our identity and being born again. I remember quite vividly the day I met Jesus and my life changed forever. Many of us have different experiences when we have our first of a gazillion encounters with our God. Growing up, I had no idea the whole purpose of knowing God in a personal manner. Our pastors relate to that importance of a relational existence with God. Now that my original family members are gone to their final rest, the reality of them being gone, showed me ever so clearly that I am an orphan, in need of a family. When I accepted Jesus as Lord and leader of my life, the longer I live and study God’s word, I am more conscious that His presence in my life is all that matters. He is vividly with all of my life and ready at any given moment to teach me and better yet, shows me His love. Yes, indeed He gives purpose to all of my life, and even though I don’t live in a perfect world, I am reaching for His purpose for all things in my life to bring that love to everyone I can. I can’t do it without Him. Each day brings new meaning to what adoption means. The most important is the truth about being adopted, I was chosen by God to be His. He loves me that much to call me to His presence and is always ready to give me what I need to be the recipient of such joy. Things go wrong and always will, until one day when I am in Heaven enjoying all the family God has chosen for Himself. There is no better place to be. Brent also reminded us that we have nothing to dread as God gives us hope in our being, because He chooses to be with us on this journey. We can pray for those who haven’t accepted that invitation, but that offer remains a blessing beyond anything we can imagine. He never abandons us, not ever! We may have to wait a bit, like a cake that needs baking, when It’s finally done and frosted, it’s delicious! Ephesians 1:5 “He predestined us for adoption as His children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will.” Please pray with me… As we take your hand, Jesus, there isn’t a word that could properly express my true gratitude. However, I believe you fully understand my heart. I am grateful for every opportunity you allow to touch or help another by being there in word, prayer or a heart to listen to. Help me be sensitive to the needs around me and help me bring joy to another’s life. Show us where you want us to be, what you want us to share, and peace to be courageous in all we do. In your most precious name, Amen.  By Peggy Potter-Balau
On November 11th 2025, I had a very vivid dream which I could only recall the very end of it. In my dream I was walking past a trash receptacle when I heard some very loud and pitiful whining. An abandoned puppy , very cute, round , and furry was wrapped in an old lettuce bag and crying for help! My heart was moved with compassion for this precious little creature. I lifted him out ofthe trash can and freed him from that plastic bag. I held him close and assured him , "It's okay! You're safe now! You are not garbage!" Then my alarm went off waking me from my dream. I meditated on this dream that morning and Holy Spirit revealed the meaning to my heart : The world tends to be dismissive and ignores most of us and our plights . But God does not! Jesus said not a single sparrow falls to the ground without our Father's notice! Of how much more worth are we! Matthew 10:29. We are made new in Him! For He knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper us and give us a hope and a future! Jeremiah 29:11 2 Cor 5:17. The world may judge us condemn us and toss us onto the garbage dump of life, but Jesus in His great Love rescues and redeems our lives, making us the people He knows we can and should be. He does not judge us as the world does, but shed His very lifeblood for all our sakes and His glory ! I praise and thank you Lord Jesus Christ for Your Great and amazing Love and Your desire that none should perish, but all come to everlasting life in You! 2 Peter 3:9 Amen Peggie E Potter-Balau |
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