The December 2012 Shiloh Glorifying God by … Reaching, Building, Serving THE CHRIST OF CHRISTMAS Sometimes it seems as though we spend our lives waiting. Daydreaming about an upcoming vacation, worrying over a medical test, preparing for the birth of a grandchild-our days are filled with anticipation and anxiety over what the future holds. As Christians, we too spend our lives waiting. But we are waiting for something much bigger than a trip, bigger even than retirement or a wedding: We are waiting for the return of Jesus in glory. Advent heightens this sense of waiting, because it marks not only our anticipation of Jesus' final coming, but also our remembrance of his arrival into our world more than 2,000 years ago. I hope as you enjoy all of your Christmas festivities that you will join us in worship as we remember all that God has done for us through the child of Bethlehem and anticipate what our Heavenly Father wants to continue to do in our lives through the living spirit of the Christ child. As we move through this Advent season, let us affirm our faith in Jesus our Lord through this Christmas Covenant: -I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of the gospel begun in Bethlehem. -I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a little town; and whose spirit still brings music to persons all over the world, in towns both large and small. -I believe in the one for whom the crowded inn could find no room, and I confess that my heart still sometimes wants to exclude Christ from my life today. -I believe in the one who the rulers of the earth ignored and the proud could never understand; whose life was among common people, whose welcome came from persons of hungry hearts. -I believe in the one who looked at persons and made them see what God's love saw in them, who by love brought sinners back to purity, and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of God. -I believe in God who gives us the best of himself. I believe in Jesus, the son of the living God, born in Bethlehem this night, for me and for the world. -I confess my ever-lasting need of God: The need of forgiveness for our selfishness and greed, the need of new life for empty souls, the need of love for hearts grown cold. Merry Christmas, Pastor Mike You’re Invited to A Cookie Exchange!! DATE: Saturday, December 15, 2011 TIME: 2-4 p.m. LOCATION: 12456 Ascot Close Drive King George It is that time again everyone! That’s right it is cookie exchange time. Get out your favorite cookie recipe or buy your favorite store bought cookies and join us on December 15th from 2-4 pm at the home of Sharon Band. Bring a small gift (under $10) for a white elephant gift exchange. We will also be collecting cookies again this year for our homebound members that will be distributed by our men’s ministry members. In addi- tion, this year we will be collecting a donation that will go toward purchasing sewing machines for the ministry of Wendy Ryan in South Africa. Wendy was one of the missionaries that we skyped with during VBS this year. Wendy helps women diagnosed with HIV earn a living to provide for their family by learning to sew. Can’t wait to see you there! Call Sharon Band at 540-775-2456 if you have any questions or need more information. Lester Zook, a JUNEAU survivor, was among the prominent guests at that commissioning cere- mony. His presence showed the spirit of camarade- 70TH Anniversary of the sinking of USS rie that spanned three generations of ships and Sail- ors. He died in 1998 on the anniversary of the JU- JUNEAU (CL 52), our Shiloh NEAU disaster. connection The motto “We Stick Together” was taken from by Cindy Miller the Sullivan brothers and handed down from the first ship to the second. On November 11, we recognized our veterans As those five Sullivan brothers cherished each during worship service, reflected on their service to other, the men and women of the U.S. Navy treas- our country, sang the patriot songs, and went away ure the bonds they’ve made with passing ship- feeling grateful to them for preserving our freedoms. mates, such as Lester Zook…such as those in our The day before, a special edition of the USS THE congregation. SULLIVANS (DD 537/DDG 68) Association news- Eternal Father, Strong to save, letter arrived in my mailbox, and I just wanted to Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, share this story. Who bid'st the mighty Ocean deep On Nov. 13, 1942, USS JUNEAU (CL 52) was Its own appointed limits keep; sunk by a Japanese submarine in the naval Battle of O hear us when we cry to thee, Guadalcanal during World War II. That special edi- for those in peril on the sea. tion newsletter paid tribute to the 687 officers and crew of JUNEAU who lost their lives, including the “Five Sullivan brothers-- George, Francis, Joseph, Madison, and Albert--from Waterloo, Iowa, and the 10 men who survived. The next Navy ship built was to be named after the Sullivan brothers, as directed by President Frank- lin D. Roosevelt. Less than a year after JUNEAU’s sinking, USS THE SULLIVANS (DD 537) was com- missioned and saw service in both World War II and the Korean War. It was decommissioned in 1965; my husband, Luke Miller, was the ship’s last weapons officer. The second ship bearing the brothers’ name, USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68), was commissioned by Kelly Sullivan Loughren, granddaughter of Albert, the youngest of the Sullivan brothers, in 1997 in Stat- en Island, New York. The commissioning ceremony included not only the officers and crew of THE SUL- LIVANS but also personnel who developed the Aegis Weapon System and associated computer programs for this ship and the Dahlgren personnel who to this day install and maintain the programs. Some Navy personnel and civilians in our congregation perform Fire Controlman 1st Class Robert Dean many aspects of these duties every day. (SW), shown here at Shiloh’s 2012 Memorial Day Rob Dean was one of the Sailors at the commis- services, served in the U.S. Navy from 1991 to sioning that day who, with the entire crew, rapidly 2001. He commissioned two Aegis Destroyers: boarded the ship, following the orders of ship sponsor USS JOHN S. MCCAIN (DDG 56), with whom he Kelly Sullivan Loughren: “Man our ship and bring served from 1993-1996, and USS THE SULLI- her to life.” Luke participated, too. As last officer of VANS (DDG 68), serving aboard her from 1996- the deck on the first USS THE SULLIVANS, he 1999. He was also an Aegis instructor at the Aegis passed the long glass to the first officer of the deck of Training and Readiness Center, NSWC Dahlgren the new ship. Division, from 1999 to 2001. 2 By: Angela Clatterbuck By: Diana Moore Sparks is for grades kindergarten through 2nd. Christmas is coming soon! Books and videos are This is a wonderful age to learn about Christ’s love now on display in the library and on the shelves by for us. Sparks are distinguished in their uniform by a the choir room. There is something for every age. red vest. They will use this vest all 3 years and Keep your children reading over the holidays. They attach patches and jewels as they accomplish their can then share what they learn about the reason we books. This age group will read biographies on celebrate the season – Christ’s birth. The lovely people from the Bible, memorize scriptures, learn the Christmas scene miniature by Henrietta and Ed books of the Bible and complete some fun activities. Hastings is lit up in the library. Be sure to drop by to If they complete all three books they will have admire their talents. Dana Jensen donated “Junie B. explored the whole Bible. We have several Jones and that Meanie Jim’s Birthday” by Barbara wonderful adults who work with this group each Park. The Reger family donated a big bag of books week. Again, it is not too late to join the Awana and toys. Richard and Suzanne Headley brought in program. If you or someone three big bags of books. There are also two you know is interested in inspirational books for teens: “Chicken Soup for the checking us out, come by any Teenage Soul II” and “Taste Berries for Teens #3”. Sunday from 4 to 5:30 – we’d love to see you! Thank you to all of these donors. Also this month we are preparing for our Awana Christmas store! As the kids memorize scriptures they earn “Awana bucks”. They can use these Awana bucks at the Christmas store to buy presents for siblings, Dad, or Mom. We are asking the church to donate small items that would make nice gifts for Thank you all so much for donating so many the kids to purchase. Please see Jim Jensen, Angela coats! We were able to send about 95 warm winter Clatterbuck, or Cathy Lyon if you have questions or coats to the people at the Standing Rock Indian need ideas! Reservation! I was so excited to be a part of this Finally, this Month the Trek kids (middle school ministry opportunity and I am thankful for the age) joined the regular youth for Sunday nights.