Paw Print Press Serving Itasca “The Big Little Town” since 1997 Itasca, Texas 76055 Volume 2009 Issue No. 51 December 18, 2009 “Fear Not,” Still an Important Part of Christmas Message in 2009 Christmas is such a wonderful time of year! Itasca is lit up with beautiful lights and Christmas displays. Choral programs and pageants are presented. There are yummy Open Houses with good food and good fellowship. But what if you’re not feeling the joy this year? What if you or a loved one is in the Armed Services and far from home this Christmas? What if one of your loved ones has died? What if you’ve lost your job? What about the economy, the H1N1 flu, health care? Maybe you say “It just doesn’t feel like Christmas this year.” You might be surprised! If you go back and read the original Christmas story in the Bible, it’s full of things that didn’t go according to plan. There’s several “Fear nots”. And besides fear, there’s also grief. Imagine that you were Mary - a teenage girl, looking forward to getting married and then you suddenly find out you’re going to have a baby. An angel says “Fear not”. Imagine that you’re her fiancé, Joseph. Your heart is broken, and you’re considering having her stoned to death. And an angel says “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.” Imagine that you go into labor miles from home and can’t even find proper lodging, so you give birth in a stable, surrounded by animals. Out in the fields, shepherds are doing their job, watching their sheep. Suddenly, they hear “Be not afraid.” And they leave their flocks and go in search of this newborn King. Imagine you’re the Wise Men, following a star. You’ve left your home and your friends and families to search for this King. And it doesn’t take much time in King Herod’s court to realize there’s going to be a problem, for Herod is already feeling threatened by this new King. Imagine that you’re Joseph, thinking the worst is behind you when suddenly - there’s the angel again, telling you to get up and go to Egypt! And imagine that you’re one of the many mothers of a baby boy, born in Bethlehem, watching soldiers come and take him away and killing him on orders from King Herod. We like to think of it like “Silent night, Holy night”, but the Christmas story is full of unexpected, inconvenient plans. Things didn’t go smoothly. And there was pain. There was grief. But now, in the midst of your pain or grief or busy life, hear these words - “Don‘t be afraid!”! A Savior has been born for you! He is Emmanuel - God with us. Maybe you can understand just how wonderful that knowledge is this Christmas. At least, that’s my prayer for each of us. Diane Barnes (President Itasca Ministerial Alliance) The Christmas Story HE Has a Place at School And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out Should federal courts be allowed to ban prayer and from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be Bible reading in school? An article titled “School Prayer” registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was in The Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia states that, governing Syria. So all went to be registered everyone to although it has been debated in federal courts that his own city. allowing public prayer in schools violates some people’s Joseph also went up First Amendment rights, supporters of public prayer from Galilee, out of the have long argued that if God can be invoked within the city of Nazareth, into chambers of the government itself, then children should Judea, to the city of not be denied prayer in school. David, which is called I believe the benefits of public prayer at school far Bethlehem, because he outweigh the negative claims made against it. was of the house and Prayer is the procedure of praising and worshiping the lineage of David, to be entity we consider our creator and future salvation. registered with Mary, his According to Joan Range, in her Grolier Multimedia betrothed wife, who was Encyclopedia article titled, “Prayer,” prayer is a part of with child. So it was, that every culture and does not belong exclusively to any while they were there, the particular religious group. Our ancestors believed days were completed for her to be delivered. everything good and worthwhile began with prayer. Continued on page 2 Continued on page 3 Page 2 December 18, 2009 Paw Print Press Churches of Itasca The Christmas Story Bethlehem Missionary Baptist W. Spurgeon 687-2800 Continued from page 1 Central Baptist Church 401 E. Monroe 687-2343 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him Church of Christ 200 N. Aquilla 687-2774 in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there First Baptist Church 107 S. Lamar 687-2783 was no room for them in the inn. First Presbyterian Church 106 N. Lamar 687-2243 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in First United Methodist Main & King St. 687-2475 the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, Loveview Baptist Church FM 2959 East of I-35 an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Second Baptist Church 120 W. Marrion 687-9134 Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then Shiloh Community Church 254-582-0487 the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring St. John Missionary Baptist 506 S. Weaver 687-2821 you good tidings of a great joy which will be to all people. For 3rd Day Worship Center 107 E. Adams 214 564-2185 there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who Itasca Nursing Home Sunday - 10:00 a.m. is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will Everyone Welcome Monday Evening 6:00 p.m. find a Babe wrapped in a swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Central Baptist Church heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the Sunday School 9:45 Worship 10:50 a.m. highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” R.A.’s & G.A.’s (1st-6th) - Youth (7th-12th) 5:00 p.m. So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into Sunday Evening Worship 6:00-7:00 p.m. heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now Tuesday - Ladies’ Bible Study 10:45-12:15 p.m. to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which Wednesday Supper 6:00 p.m. ($2.00 ea. w/$10.00 the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste max/family) Adult Bible Study and Prayer 7:00 p.m. - Youth (7th-12th) and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 7:00 Kids’ Choir 7:00 p.m. website - itascacbc.org Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told to them by the shepherds. But Mary kept First United Methodist Church all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the Guaranteed no-nap Preaching, or double your doubt shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the back. Where Worship Is Joyous things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them. Experience the energy of God’s promise in a Luke 2:1-20 beautiful, historic sanctuary. Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship 10:50 a.m. Itasca Church of Christ - 200 N. Aquilla St. Are we taking a test without reading the book? That is exactly what many are doing when it comes to the Bible. They go by what they feel, think, or what others have told them, but have never read for themselves the complete book. This is the most important test you will ever take! Join us at the Itasca Church of Christ? Sunday mornings - 9:45 a.m. - Bible classes- 10:45 a.m. - Worship - 5:00 p.m. – worship Wednesday – 7 p.m. - Bible study All are welcome. First Presbyterian Church 106 N. Lamar Itasca 254-687-2243 Mrs. Kim's Kids & Grandkids [email protected] www.fpcitasca.org "In mission to and with the Presbyterian Childrens Wishes You a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Home to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ." Sundays - 9:30-10:00 Fellowship in Barton Hall 10:00 - 10:45 Sunday School for All Ages 11:00 - Worship Service 6:00 - Praise and Worship in Sanctuary Holiday Open House 6:30 - KFC and Hour of Power Itasca Citizens State Bank Tuesday and Thursday - 10:00 Exercise Class in Barton Hall Friday, December 18 Wednesday - 6:30 Vespers Service at PCH Chapel 7:15 Choir practice 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ANGEL FOOD SITE Everyone is Invited!! Page 3 December 18, 2009 Paw Print Press HE Has a Place in School Continued from page 1 The ritual of prayer was implemented in the foundation of our country, the creation of our democratic government, and establishment of our public education system. Although our ancestors believed strongly in the use of prayer to aid in public solidarity and homogeneity, our modern society ap- pears to have changed its perspective toward this time-honored custom.