December 2018 Reflections from the Pastor The beauty and attraction of the Holy Spirit because the son she would bear Christmas story can only be explained by was the Son of God. One can only imagine the supernatural element in play. If one the thoughts that raced through Mary’s does not believe in God, then the Christ- mind, and, at the top of the list was, “How mas story is reduced to nothing more than will I ever explain this to Joseph?” “How a beautiful legend. can this be happening to me?” But if God plays a part in your Gabriel took the words right out of heart and mind, the Christmas story comes her mouth with the response, “For with alive with insights that continue to amaze God nothing will be impossible." Without and instruct the believer. Consider first the the belief in the supernatural there is no coming of miraculous conception and no human ex- the angel planation. Of all the questions that must Gabriel to have rushed through Mary’s mind, there the virgin was no question of God’s ability to carry Mary. She out what Gabriel was suggesting. And be- is engaged cause of her conviction in God’s existence to be mar- she is ready to place her future in God’s ried to a hands saying, “Behold the maidservant of man named the Lord! Let it be to me according to your Joseph. In word.” [Luke 1:38]. the Jewish Enter Joseph into the mystery of culture of the Christmas story. The discovery that that day, Mary is pregnant is inevitable. Joseph had- The Messenger engagement n't been told until Mary was "found to be was a much more serious matter that in with child." [Matthew 1:18]. That this dis- secular society of America today. An en- covery shocked Joseph goes without say- gaged couple could only break that rela- St. John’s United Church Methodist United St. John’s ing. He did not yet know what Matthew is tionship through the legal process of di- about to explain of the involvement of the vorce. Holy Spirit in this miraculous conception. So, when Gabriel announced that The only thing that Joseph knows at this Mary would become the mother of the moment is that this is not his child. Messiah, her natural reaction was, "How Imagine the conflict that he faces. can this be, since I do not know a Mary's explanation doesn't make human man?" [Luke 1:34]. Gabriel came right sense and if there was one thing he knew back saying that this conception would be about Mary was that she had ever been the through the overpowering presence of the epitome of honesty and integrity. Her 1 REFLECTIONS FROM THE PASTOR truthfulness was one of the beautiful things that made love, the wisdom and the power of the supernatural her so attractive to him. Now she is telling him that as it works its way in and through you. Have an espe- she is pregnant, and he faces a moral dilemma. If he cially meaningful Christmas! Pastor Ivan L. Schwenn believes her story, he will be accused of being a part- ner in her immoral relationship. If he denies her story and it turns out to be true, he becomes guilty of the evil of unbelief. PRAYER THOUGHTS . At this critical moment, the angel that ap- "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given peared to Mary comes to Joseph in a dream and con- 10 firms all that Mary has told him; that the child she you;... For every one that asketh receiveth;...". carries was miraculously conceived in her by the Ho- [Luke 11:9a, 10a]. ly Spirit. Once Joseph realized that Mary was being truthful, he took immediate steps to protect her by The context of making her his wife. these verses includes the Two beautiful thoughts explode from the confident faith Christmas story. The first is seen in the spiritual of a child ask- character of Mary and Joseph. All they wanted was ing simple to know the right thing to do. Once they were con- things that the vinced of the truth, they immediately surrendered Father has the their lives into the hands of God. If you and I are ever potential to give. There is no hesitation on the part of to know truth; what is right and what is wrong, it will the child to ask, nor any reluctance on the part of the have to come to us from a world outside of ours. father to respond. When we try to live without the reality of the super- natural, we lose our moral and spiritual compass of How often have we told people with problems life. that we would pray for them, but in reality have not The second truth was, once they were con- lifted that concern to our heavenly Father. As a pas- vinced of the truth, Mary and Joseph took immediate tor, I am constantly asked to pray for people and their steps to obey and follow God's will and purpose in problems. I have found it helpful if I can pray for that their lives. They well knew some of the issues that need immediately. Even if the need is presented over would plague their reputations. Yet, they took re- a phone conversation, it is best to lift that prayer over sponsibility to take those risks because of their faith the phone. How often simple prayers made in this in God. They were true children of Abraham. They fashion have been answered. simply went out, "...not knowing where they were Often, I don't feel I have time to pray as I going." [Hebrews 11:8b]. There is something roman- ought. If we wait for the time to pray, we will discov- tic about that kind of obedience. er that that moment never arrives. How much better If you desire that the Christmas story come to tell the Father in one sentence what your need is alive in your heart and life, follow the example of than not to pray at all. Mary and Joseph. Allow God to have an opportunity In the verse before us, Jesus is saying, "Ask to engage in your life. Give Him the freedom to do what you will and your prayers will be answered." with you as He did with Mary and Joseph. Seek How hard is that? James puts it succinctly when he God's truth and once you know it, become immedi- wrote, "...you have not, because you ask not." [James ately and ever obedient to that divine revelation. You 4:2b]. Isn’t that more like the truth? will live the rest of your life in amazement at the 2 THINGS TO PONDER . OUR ADVENT JOURNEY On December 23rd the choir will perform the cantata “A Night to Remember”. Our Christmas Eve The St. John’s Women’s Group under the Service will be on December 24th at 6:00 p.m. fol- leadership of Donna Durant and Doris Butler have lowed by a short Fellowship time with cookies, cof- produced Christmas Devotionals to be shared with fee, and cider. We would appreciate any cookies you the church family and anyone who desires a copy. would like to share. Our Advent Journey covers the period from December 30th is our Fifth Sunday service and December 1 – December 25 with a devotional medi- Ed & Kathleen Pluess will be performing a Worship tation from Dr. Charles F. Stanley, is the senior pastor in Song” for us. We always enjoy and appreciate of First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and having them share with us. founder and president of In Touch Ministries. FOOD PANTRY Look for the devo- tional booklet which will be Cathy Mendoza, on display in the Arnold Chairperson of the Room. Food Pantry at St. Johns United Meth- WORSHIP odist Church reminds COMMITTEE all of us that the Thanksgiving- We met on November 3rd and began preparations for Christmas Holiday our busy holiday season. We celebrated a very nice Season makes heavi- service on All Saints Day. The flowers that were pur- er than usual demands upon their pantry. They espe- chased for the altar were made into eight bouquets for cially need cereals, canned meats, canned fruits and those in our congregation that are homebound or be- crackers. Cash donations allow them to purchase the cause of health reasons have not been able to worship items most needed. with us. The flowers were then delivered to: Majel Beal, Elsa Coca, Josie Coronel, Tom and Jerry Ernst, Darlene Geurin, Nancy Gregory, Ruth Marston, and SIDEWALK Don and Deblen Sawyer. MINISTRY December 1st we will begin our busy Advent season by sharing in the Hanging of the Greens at The Sidewalk 8:00 a.m. We want to have a very festive sanctuary as Ministry contin- we journey toward the birth of our Lord and Savior. ues to grow and have a positive impact upon the peo- On December 2nd we will begin the Advent Season ple of the St. Johns UMC community. They are espe- with the lighting of the Advent Candle which we will cially grateful for whomever donated the knitted do every Sunday up to Christmas Eve. It was decided beanies and scarves that are so necessary for the poor this year to have the liturgist read the lighting service and homeless during the winter season. with a member of the congregation lighting the can- dle. We will decorate the tree with the Chrismon’s The Sidewalk Team, composed of Cathy that were donated to St.