OUR WEEK —

JANUARY 6TH TO JANUARY 12TH

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REMINDERS — 

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1ST —
HAPPY NEW YEAR

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We are experiencing the twelve day celebration
of Christmastide. (night of December 24 thru
January 6, Epiphany). 

This is Poem By Renee Swope

• THE MANGER OF MY HEART •
This Season, Lord, come to the manger of my 
heart.
Fill me with Your presence from the very start.
As I prepare for this Holy day and gifts to be
given,
Remind me of the gift You gave when You sent
Your Son from Heaven.

Restore to me the wonder that came with 
Jesus' birth,
when He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped
Himself in rags of earth.
Immanuel, God with us, Your presence came
that night.
And angels announced, "Into your darkness,
God brings His Light."

"Do not be afraid," they said, to shepherds in
the field.
Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to
yield.
Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient
to Your call.
Setting distractions and worries aside, to You
I surrender them all.

This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of
my heart.
Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace
to every part.
Dwell within and around me, as I unwrap Your
presence each day.
Keep me close to You, Lord. It's in Your
wonderful Name I pray.
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JANUARY 2, 1879 -
Thomas Edison began construction on his first
generator.
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JANUARY 2, 1892 - Ellis Island opened as
America's first federal immigration center.
Annie Moore, age 15, became the first person
to pass through.
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JANUARY 2, 1921 -
The first religious broadcast on radio was heard
on KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, PA, as Dr. E. J.
Van Etten of Calvary Episcopal Church spoke. 

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JANUARY 3, 1496 -
Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks suggest that he
tested his flying machine today. The test did not
succeed and he didn't try to fly again for years.

  Some of Leonardo's designs.
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JANUARY 3, 1938 -
The March of Dimes was established by U.S.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The organization was seeking to eradicate polio.
It has a broader focus now.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 6TH
EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
COLOR: WHITE
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Early celebrations of Epiphany incorporated
both the stories of the Magi and the baptism of 
the Lord.

SCRIPTURE READINGS —
ISAIAH 60:1-6
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
IIsaiah offers a word from the Lord to exiles or
new returnees to their homeland after at least a
39-year absence. They knew to expect ruins on
their return, and that is what they found. Thick
darkness would have been an apt description
of their ruined homeland and their destroyed
capitol, Jerusalem.  Isaiah prophesies to the
people that the day would come when all
nations would "stream to their light."
This prophecy was partly fulfilled in those
times. Not long after issuing the decree to
set the Judeans free to return to their
homeland, the new Persian government also
sent orders to have supplies and building
materials sent to rebuild and furnish the city
and its temple. Among those materials were
gold and frankincense. 

 ZION WILL BE GLORIOUS
1 "People of Jerusalem, get up.
      Shine, because your light has come.
      My glory will shine on you.
 2 Darkness covers the earth.
      Thick darkness spreads over the nations.
   But I will rise and shine on you.
      My glory will appear over you.
 3 Nations will come to your light.
      Kings will come to the brightness of your
      new day.
 4 "Look up. Look all around you.
      All of your people are getting together to
      come back to you.
   Your sons will come from far away.
      Your daughters will be carried like little
      children.
 5 Then your face will glow with joy.
      Your heart will beat fast because you are so
      happy.
   Wealth from across the ocean will be brought
      to you.
      The riches of the nations will come to you.
 6 Herds of young camels will cover your land.
      They will come from Midian and Ephah.
   They will also come from Sheba.
      They'll carry gold and incense.
      And people will shout praises to me.
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PSALM 72:1-14 (UMH 795)
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
In praise of the righteous king who would
receive tribute from all nations.
A PSALM OF SOLOMON
1 God, give the king the ability to judge fairly.
      He is your royal son. Help him to do what is
      right.
2 Then he will rule your people in the right way.
      He will be fair to those among your people
      who are hurting.
3 The mountains and the hills will produce rich
      crops,
      because the people will do what is right.
4 The king will stand up for those who are
      hurting.
      He will save the children of those who are
      in need.
      He will crush those who beat others down.
5 He will rule as long as the sun shines
      and the moon gives its light.
      He will rule for all time to come.
6 He will be like rain falling on the fields.
      He will be like showers watering the earth.
7 Godly people will do well as long as he rules.
      They will have more than they need as long
      as the moon lasts.
8 He will rule from ocean to ocean.
      His kingdom will reach from the Euphrates
      River to the ends of the earth.
9 The desert tribes will bow down to him.
      His enemies will lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of places far away
      will bring him gifts.
   The kings of Sheba and Seba
      will give him presents.
11 All kings will bow down to him.
      All nations will serve him.
12 People who are in need will cry out, and he will
      save them.
      He will save those who are hurting.
      They don't have anyone else who can help
      them.
13 He will take pity on those who are weak and in
      need.
      He will save them from death.
14 He will save them from people who beat others
      down.
      He will save them from people who do mean
      things to them.
      Their lives are very special to him.
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EPHESIANS 3:1-12
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Paul's imprisonments make it possible for
Gentiles, including leaders of the Roman 
Empire, to know the mystery that they, too, are
invited to become heirs with Christ Jesus.
Paul can't stop talking about Jesus, even in 
prison. And when he does, it's Epiphany!, at 
least for some of his hearers, even some of 
those who lock him away for it! Paul talks 
about how Epiphany! happened this way for 
the whole imperial guard in Rome.
PAUL IS THE MESSENGER TO NON-JEWS —
1 I, Paul, am a prisoner because of Christ Jesus.
I am in prison because of my work among you
who are not Jews.

 2 I am sure you have heard that God appointed
me to share his grace with you.
3 I'm talking about the mystery God showed me.
I have already written a little about it.

 4 By reading it you will be able to understand
what I know about the mystery of Christ.
5 The mystery was not made known to people
of other times. But now the Holy Spirit has made
it known to God's holy apostles and prophets.
6 Here is the mystery. Because of the good news,
God's promises are for non-Jews as well as for
Jews. Both groups are parts of one body. They
share in the promise. It belongs to them because
they belong to Christ Jesus.
7 I now serve the good news because God gave
 me his grace. His power is at work in me.
8 I am by far the least important of all of God's
people. But he gave me the grace to preach to
the non-Jews about the wonderful riches that
Christ gives.
9 God told me to make clear to everyone how
the mystery came about. In times past it was
kept hidden in the mind of God, who created
all things.
10 He wanted the rulers and authorities in the
heavenly world to come to know his great
wisdom. The church would make it known to
them.
11 That was God's plan from the beginning. He
has worked it out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Through him and through faith in him we can
approach God. We can come to him freely.
We can come without fear.
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MATTHEW 2:1-12
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Magi from Iraq arrive to offer homage to a new
king in Judea and to participate in God's plan to
undercut, sabotage, and subvert Herod's plan.
Iraqi or Iranian astrologers just didn't normally 
come striding into Jerusalem looking for a 
newborn child destined to become the new 
ruler of that nation. If they did, they would have 
known enough protocol from their own culture 
that they wouldn't normally start by asking 
common people and maybe a priest or two 
where this child might be. Matters of state like 
this would usually have been handled by an 
official delegation working through all the 
"right" channels.
What we know of Herod we know primarily from
a historian (Josephus, who did not like him), as
well as from this testimony in Matthew. Herod
was, by their testimony, insecure, paranoid,
easily threatened, and ready to act violently if
he thought someone might be in his way.  
The Magi are free agents initially drawn into 
Herod's scheme as pawns. The angels in 
dreams send them home by another way.
THE WISE MEN VISIT JESUS
1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea.

This happened while Herod was king of Judea.
After Jesus' birth, Wise Men from the east came
to Jerusalem.
2 They asked, "Where is the child who has been
born to be king of the Jews? When we were in
the east, we saw his star. Now we have come to
worship him."
3 When King Herod heard about it, he was very
upset. Everyone in Jerusalem was troubled too.
4 So Herod called together all the chief priests
of the people. He also called the teachers of the
law. He asked them where the Christ was
going to be born.
5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied. "This
is what the prophet has written. He said,
6 " 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
      are certainly not the least important among
      the towns of Judah.
   A ruler will come out of you.
   He will be the shepherd of my people Israel.' "
      —  (Micah 5:2)
7 Then Herod called for the Wise Men secretly.
He found out from them exactly when the star
had appeared.
8 He sent them to Bethlehem. He said, "Go!
Make a careful search for the child. As soon
as you find him, bring me a report. Then I can
go and worship him too."
9 After the Wise Men had listened to the king,
they went on their way. The star they had seen
when they were in the east went ahead of them.

 It finally stopped over the place where the child
was.
10 When they saw the star, they were filled
with joy.

11 The Wise Men went to the house. There they
saw the child with his mother Mary. They bowed
down and worshiped him. Then they opened
their treasures. They gave him gold, incense
and myrrh.
12 But God warned them in a dream not to go
back to Herod. So they returned to their country
on a different road.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 7TH —
Office closed today.
Students return to school today after Winter 
Break.  Set Your alarm clocks kids.
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I pray that you are able to take a moment today
to "unwrap the gift of Jesus;"  that today will be
a day of great joy and peace for you; and that
your New Year will be full of God's abundant
blessings.
In Christ's love,
Pastor Melodee
 

OUR WEEK —
DECEMBER 30TH TO JANUARY 5TH, 2013

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REMINDERS —
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2012
CHRISTMAS DAY.

Peace, Love and Joy to You Throughout This
Special Season.
We are in the midst of the twelve day celebration
of Christmastide (night of December 24 through
January 6, Epiphany).

• December 27 is the Feast of John, Apostle and
Evangelist, whose long life bore lasting witness
to the Word made Flesh.

• December 28 is the Feast of the Holy Innocents
(color: Red), the commemoration of the deaths
of the infants in Judea in response to news of
the birth of a new King because of Herod's
jealous rage.

• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1846
Iowa became the 29th state in the United States.

— Happy  Birthday,  Iowa. —
No, it doesn't look this way today - - but give us 
a few months and it will all be back.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY
COLOR: WHITE OR GOLD
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1 SAMUEL 2:18-20, 26
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
The story of the childhood of Samuel, raised by
a priest, who would become the last judge and
the first prophet to the kings of Israel. This
names two pieces of clothing Samuel wears - -
a linen ephod (sleeveless garment) and the 
new robe his mother made and brought him
year by year. These clothes publicly marked 
him as an apprentice for the priesthood, and
there is every indication here that he was not 
just wearing the clothes, but learning the
practices of the craft from Eli year by year.

18 But the boy Samuel served the Lord. He wore
a sacred linen apron.
19 Each year his mother made him a little robe.
She took it to him when she went up to Shiloh
with her husband. She did it when her husband
went to offer the yearly sacrifice.

20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife. He
would say, "May the Lord give you children by
this woman. May they take the place of the boy
she prayed for and gave to him."
Then they would go home.

26 The boy Samuel continued to grow stronger.
He also became more and more pleasing to the
Lord and to people.
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PSALM 148 (UMH 861)
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
All creation is called to join in the praise of God
who has established leadership to deliver and
protect the people.
   Praise the Lord
1 Praise the Lord from the heavens.
      Praise him in the heavens above.

 2 Praise him, all his angels.
      Praise him, all his angels in heaven.
3 Praise him, sun and moon.
      Praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens.
      Praise him, you waters above the skies.
5 Let all of them praise the name of the Lord,
      because he gave a command and they were
      created.
6 He set them in place for ever and ever.
      He gave them laws they will always have to
      obey.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
      you great sea creatures and all of the
      deepest parts of the ocean.
8 Praise him, lightning and hail, snow and
      clouds.

      Praise him, you stormy winds that obey
      him.
9 Praise him, all you mountains and hills.
      Praise him, all you fruit trees and cedar
      trees.

10 Praise him, all you wild animals and cattle.

      Praise him, you small creatures and flying
      birds.

11 Praise him, you kings of the earth and all
      nations.
      Praise him, all you princes and rulers on
      earth.
12 Praise him, young men and young women.
      Praise him, old people and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord.
      His name alone is honored.
      His glory is higher than the earth and the
      heavens.
 14 He has given his people a strong king.
      All of his faithful people praise him for that
      gift.
      All of the people of Israel are close to his
      heart.
   Praise the Lord.
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COLOSSIANS 3:12-17
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Paul exhorts the readers to clothe themselves
with practices that embody the peace of Christ
ruling in their hearts and the teaching of Christ
dwelling among them richly.  The clothing is
figurative, and the practices are literal. He
several times tells the Christians to "clothe
themselves" with behaviors and practices that
indicate their status as "God's chosen ones,"
like Samuel wearing the ephod and the robe.
These practices include compassion, kindness,
humility, meekness, patience, forbearance,
forgiveness, and love,
"the belt of perfection" (3:12-14). All of these
things take time and practice to "put on."
12 You are God's chosen people. You are holy
and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and
kindness as if they were your clothes. Don't be
proud. Be gentle and patient.
13 Put up with each other. Forgive the things
you are holding against one another. Forgive,
just as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all of those good things put on love.
Love holds them all together perfectly as if they
were one.
15 Let the peace that Christ gives rule in your
hearts. As parts of one body, you were
appointed to live in peace. And be thankful.
16 Let Christ's word live in you like a rich
treasure. Teach and correct each other wisely.
Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing
with thanks in your hearts to God.
17 Do everything you say or do in the name of
the Lord Jesus. Always give thanks to God the
Father through Christ.
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LUKE 2:41-52
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
During the family's annual Passover pilgrimage
to Jerusalem, Jesus, now "of age," stays behind
to engage in rabbinic debate with the teachers
in the temple. The holy habits are developed by
Jesus, beginning in childhood. Many of the
"child Jesus" stories circulating in Luke's day
involved small miracles of one sort or another
that seem to suggest Jesus may be "above the
rules." The story Luke gives us is about
showing how thoroughly Jesus had learned,
knew, and kept the rules.The final verse is
direct reference to today's reading from
I Samuel.
• First, Jesus and his family kept Jewish ritual
tradition.
• Second, while in the temple, Jesus did not
simply read his "Torah portion," but entered
fully into the debate of the teachers of the law,
fulfilling and exceeding the expectations.
• Third, Jesus remained obedient to his parents
and "grew in wisdom and in favor with God and
people".
The Boy Jesus at the Temple
 41 Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem
for the Passover Feast.
42 When he was 12 years old, they went up to
the Feast as usual.
43 After the Feast was over, his parents left to go
back home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in
Jerusalem. But they were not aware of it.
44 They thought he was somewhere in their
group. So they traveled on for a day.  Then they
began to look for him among their relatives and
friends.
45 They did not find him. So they went back to
Jerusalem to look for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple
courtyard. He was with the teachers. He
was listening to them and asking them questions.

47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at how
much he understood. They also were amazed at
his answers.

 48 When his parents saw him, they were amazed.
His mother said to him, "Son, why have you
treated us like this? Your father and I have been
worried about you. We have been looking for you
everywhere."
49 "Why were you looking for me?" he asked.
"Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's
house?"
50 But they did not understand what he meant
by that.
51 Then he went back to Nazareth with them,
and he obeyed them. But his mother kept all
these things like a secret treasure in her heart.
52 Jesus became wiser and stronger. He also
became more and more pleasing to God and
to people.
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 31ST —
NEW YEARS EVE
Office closed today.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 1ST —
NEW YEARS DAY

Office closed today.

1863:  Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation
Proclamation.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 4TH  —
Office closed today.
1885:  Dr. William W. Grant of Davenport, Iowa,
performed the first appendectomy surgery.
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May God Bless and Keep You,
Pastor Melodee

OUR WEEK —
DECEMBER 23RD TO DECEMBER 29TH

REMINDER —
DECEMBER 19, 1843 —
Author, Charles Dickens published the book —
A Christmas Carol this day.
Do you remember Scrooge?

 and Tiny Tim?

Naomi reminded me that only the wealthy could
read in the year this book was published.  We took
a moment to be grateful that the leaders of our own
country decided to include Public Education in our
benefits —
(although that was a long and difficult process).
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SATURDAY. DECEMBER 22ND

ADVENT STUDY IN ADAIR U.M.C.

• SUPPER AT 6 P.M. •
• WORSHIP AT 6:30 •
  ———————————————————————
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2012
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

COLOR: PURPLE OR BLUE

SCRIPTURE READINGS:
MICAH 5:2-5
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Micah proclaims the coming of a "new David"
whose reign is characterized by peace and
caring for the needs of people rather than war.
The contrast is between the historical David, a
king notable for his victories in war, with the
"new David," a new leader who will be known for
making peace and caring for the needs of people.
Micah is prophesying to people who are about
to face destruction in a war with the Assyrians.
They would "become small."
That's the power of Micah's reminder of David,
the great King of Israel. David was from "one
of the small clans in Judah." He came to power
not because he was impressive, or from an
impressive line, but because God chose him
from this tribe of little account.  Micah came 
to expect God would bring forth the one known 
as Messiah (Mashiach, "anointed one"), whose 
rule would fulfill the promise for all time. 
Micah's prophesy will call Matthew to say
"Jesus is the one Micah was talking about."
 2 The Lord says,
   "Bethlehem, you might not be
      an important town in the nation of Judah.

   But out of you will come
      a ruler over Israel for me.

    His family line goes back
      to the early years of your nation.
   It goes all the way back
      to days of long ago."
      Bethlehem was also called Ephrathah.

  3 The Lord will hand his people over to their
      enemies.
      That will last until the promised ruler is born.
   Then his relatives in Judah
      will return to their land.
   The Lord will rule over them
      and the people of Israel.
 4 The promised ruler will stand firm
      and take care of his flock.
   The Lord will give him the strength to do it.
      The Lord his God will give him
      the authority to rule.
   His people will live safely.
      His greatness will reach
   from one end of the earth to the other.
    5 And he will bring them peace.
The Lord Will Save His People From Their Enemies
   The Assyrians will attack our land.
      Enemies will march through our forts.
   But we will raise up many shepherds against them.
      We'll send out against them
      as many leaders as we need to.
———————————————————————
LUKE 1:46b-55 (UMH 199)
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
In Mary's Song, God (who is mighty and Holy)
magnifies Mary (who is lowly). God's strength
does not strengthen, but scatters the proud, pulls
down the mighty from their seats and lifts up the
lowly.
Mary's Song is often called "Magnificat" after its
opening word in Latin. "My soul magnifies the
Lord . . for he has looked with favor on the
lowliness of his servant." The lowliness of Mary
recapitulates the lowliness of Bethlehem in the
prophecy from Micah. The "strength of God's
arm" acts as both defender against oppressors
(the proud • the mighty • the rich) and provider
for the oppressed (the lowly • the hungry).

 MARY'S SONG
46 Mary said,
   "My soul gives glory to the Lord.
47 My spirit delights in God my Savior.
48 He has taken note of me
      even though I am not important.
   From now on all people will call me blessed.
49 The Mighty One has done great things for me.
      His name is holy.
50 He shows his mercy to those who have respect
      for him,
      from parent to child down through the years.
51 He has done mighty things with his arm.
      He has scattered those who are proud in their
      deepest thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones.
      But he has lifted up people who are not
      important.
53 He has filled those who are hungry with good
      things.
      But he has sent those who are rich away empty.
54 He has helped the people of Israel, who serve
      him.
      He has always remembered to be kind
55 to Abraham and his children down through the
      years.
      He has done it just as he said to our people of
      long ago."
———————————————————————
HEBREWS 10:5-10
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 40:4-6 by
offering his life in obedient service to God.
In this way, he both ended and replaced the
sacrificial system of the Aaronic priesthood.
The system of sacrifices is out and the system
of obedience begun in Jesus is in!  
 5 So when Christ came into the world, he said,
   "You didn't want sacrifices and offerings.
      Instead, you prepared a body for me.
6 You weren't pleased
      with burnt offerings and sin offerings.
7 Then I said, 'Here I am. It is written about me
      in the scroll.
      God, I have come to do what you want.' "
                                                  —(Psalm 40:6-8)
8 First Christ said, "You didn't want sacrifices
and offerings. You didn't want burnt offerings
and sin offerings. You weren't pleased with
them."
He said that even though the law required
people to bring them.
9 Then he said, "Here I am. I have come to do
what you want." He did away with the first.
He did it to put the second in place.

10 We have been made holy by what God
wanted. We have been made holy because
Jesus Christ offered his body once and
for all time.
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LUKE 1:39-55
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Elizabeth, a priest's elderly and miraculously
pregnant wife (Mother of John the Baptist),
receives unwed, Mary with child and breaks
forth in blessing and wonder.
We sense Elizabeth's bodily elation. She could
not contain the joy that filled her when her baby
leapt at the sound of Mary's greeting and the
Spirit filled her (Luke 1:40-41). "Blessed are you
among women! Blessed is the fruit of your
womb!" she "voiced with a great cry" (verse 42).
This is an ecstatic speech, such a revelation.
It is speech from God's future made present.
Young, barely expectant Mary contrasts with
the older, very pregnant Elizabeth visually, as 
they share in the same joy about what God 
was doing in and through each of them.
MARY VISITS ELIZABETH
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a
town in Judea's hill country.

 40 There she entered Zechariah's home and
greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the
baby inside her jumped. And Elizabeth was filled
with the Holy Spirit.
42 In a loud voice she called out, "God has
blessed you more than other women. And blessed
is the child you will have!
43 But why is God so kind to me? Why has the
mother of my Lord come to me?
44 As soon as I heard the sound of your voice, the
baby inside me jumped for joy.

 45 You are a woman God has blessed. You have
believed that what the Lord has said to you will be
done!"
MARY'S SONG
46 Mary said,
   "My soul gives glory to the Lord.
47 My spirit delights in God my Savior.
48 He has taken note of me
      even though I am not important.
      From now on all people will call me blessed.
49 The Mighty One has done great things for me.
      His name is holy.
 50 He shows his mercy to those who have
      respect for him,
      from parent to child down through the years.
 51 He has done mighty things with his arm.
      He has scattered those who are proud in
      their deepest thoughts.
 52 He has brought down rulers from their
      thrones.
      But he has lifted up people who are not
      important.
 53 He has filled those who are hungry with
      good things.
      But he has sent those who are rich away empty.
 54 He has helped the people of Israel, who
      serve him.
      He has always remembered to be kind
 55 to Abraham and his children down through
      the years.
      He has done it just as he said to our people
      of long ago." 
———————————————————————
• ON THIS DAY IN 1788
Maryland voted to cede a 100-square-mile area
for the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.)
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 24TH —
CHRISTMAS EVE
The office is closed today.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE IN CASEY-5:30 P.M.

 ON THIS DAY IN 1818
"Silent Night" was composed by
Franz Joseph Gruber.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25TH —
CHRISTMAS DAY

 MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL

AND GOD BLESS US EVERY ONE
Office will be closed today
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WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, 
DECEMBER 26 AND 27 —
The office will be open at regular hours.
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FUTURE FOCUS —
NO ADVENT GROUP ON THE 29TH
——————————————————————— 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30TH —
Pastor Melodee will tell us about her trip to 
Israel.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 1ST, 2013 —
NEW YEARS DAY! OFFICE CLOSED.

CELEBRATE JUDICIOUSLY . . . . .
IN OTHER WORDS, WISELY, PRUDENTLY, 
SENSIBLY . . . TAKE YOUR PICK.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2ND —
SPRC MEETING IN ADAIR U.M.C. @7 P.M. 
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Have a superb and safe holiday season.
God Bless and Keep You,
Pastor Melodee 

OUR WEEK — 
DECEMBER 16TH TO DECEMBER 22ND

REMINDERS — 
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12TH —
TODAY IS 12/12/12 - FIRST LAST AND ALWAYS
———————————————————————
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15  
 • CHRISTMAS MALL • 

  ††† ADVENT STUDY ††† IN ADAIR U.M.C.
• SUPPER AT 6 P.M. •
• WORSHIP AT 6:30 •

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2012
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
COLOR: PURPLE OR BLUE

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ZEPHANIAH 3:14-20
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
The prophet offers a new psalm of thanksgiving
in anticipation of God's deliverance from exile,
protection from present and future enemies, and
promise to make the name of this people to be
renowned and praised everywhere on earth.

 The prophet first foretells a massive judgment
on peoples of the earth that would leave only a
remnant, "a people humble and lowly". It is to
these people that Zephaniah prophesies God's
rejoicing and the renewal of the nation.  When
the hope of returning to the homeland was
fulfilled (beginning in 539 BC), his song was
remembered and sung by those returning.
 14 People of Zion, sing!

       Israel, shout loudly!
   People of Jerusalem, be glad!
      Let your hearts be full of joy.
15 The Lord has stopped punishing you.
      He has made your enemies turn away
      from you.
   The Lord is the King of Israel.
      He is with you.
   You will never again be afraid
      that others will harm you.
16 The time is coming when people will say to
      Jerusalem,
      "Zion, don't be afraid.
      Don't give up.
17 The Lord your God is with you.
      He is mighty enough to save you.
   He will take great delight in you.
      The quietness of his love will calm you
      down.
      He will sing with joy because of you."
18 The Lord says to his people,
   "You used to celebrate my appointed feasts in
      Jerusalem.
      You are sad because you can't do that
      anymore.
      So others make fun of those feasts.
   That was a heavy load for you to carry.
      But I will bring you back to your city.
19 At that time I will punish
      all those who crushed you.
   I will save those among you who are disabled.
      I will gather those who have been scattered.
   I will give you praise and honor
      in every land where you were put to shame.
20 At that time I will gather you together.
      And I will bring you home.
   I will give you honor and praise
      among all of the nations on earth.
   I will bless you with great success again,"
says the Lord.

 ———————————————————————
ISAIAH 12:2-6
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Unlike Zephaniah's Song, which predated the
exile by a few decades, Isaiah's predates even
the Assyrian conquest of Israel (721 B.C.) and the
Babylonian exile by 150 years or more. Perhaps
it had been used by some as a song of hope at
the time of the Babylonian exile as well.
It certainly contains a message of joyous trust
and praise to God.
"Surely it is God who saves me." 
Those who have come a long way from being
beset by evil and disaster or committing evil
against others may rejoice with this song.
2 God, you are the one who saves us.
      We will trust in you.
      Then we won't be afraid.
   Lord, you give us strength.
      We sing about you.
      Lord, you have saved us."
3 People of Israel, he will save you.
      That will bring you joy like water that is
      brought up from wells.
4 In days to come, the people of Israel will sing,
   "Give thanks to the Lord. Worship him.
      Tell the nations what he has done.
      Announce how honored he is.
5 Sing to the Lord. He has done glorious things.
      Let it be known all over the world.
6 People of Zion, give a loud shout!
      Sing with joy!
   The Holy One of Israel is among you.
      And he is great."

 ———————————————————————
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Paul has been working out the fearsome
backdrop of what could happen to this
congregation if they don't get their act together
and work diligently at maintaining unity.
After calling for a leader, perhaps the local
bishop named Syzygos, to intervene to help
reconcile a conflict, Paul reminds the
congregation that in and through all challenges
they may face as a community, they can and
should rejoice in Christ who is near and offer
prayers and thanksgivings without anxiety. As
they do these things, they will experience the
peace of God sustaining them.  Paul bids them
develop a reputation for gentleness, to let go of
worrying and to offer regular intercessions with
thanksgiving — as follows:

 4 Always be joyful because you belong to the
Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful.
5 Let everyone know how gentle you are. The
Lord is coming soon.
6 Don't worry about anything. Instead, tell God
about everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to
him.
7 Then God's peace will watch over your hearts
and your minds because you belong to Christ
Jesus. God's peace can never be completely
understood.
———————————————————————
LUKE 3:7-18
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
An excerpt from the preaching of John the
Baptist. Someone more powerful is coming!
Unquenchable fire awaits! Don't stand there:
Repent! Show that repentance in the way you
live and work in the world.
What we see and hear is the raging, almost
raving address to crowds as a "nest of vipers"
and a warning about the "unquenchable fire"
awaiting those who will inevitably be cut off at
the roots by the ax of God's judgment unless
they bring forth good fruit.  The good news is
not only the coming judgment and the changes
to be made, but the real changes in people's
hearts and lives.
• Give extra food and clothing to the poor. 
• Tax collectors, collect only what is owed.  
• Soldiers, accept your wages, and do not
extort more from the people by threats of
violence.  If these three simple actions are
done, Rome's power of fear over all the people
will be utterly destroyed.
We may ask the same kinds of questions of
ourselves that the people asked of John.

  7 John spoke to the crowds coming to be
baptized by him. He said, "You are like a nest of
poisonous snakes! Who warned you to escape
the coming of God's anger?
8 Produce fruit that shows you have turned
away from your sins. And don't start saying to
yourselves, 'Abraham is our father.' I tell you,
God can raise up children for Abraham even
from these stones.
9 The ax is already lying at the roots of the trees.
All the trees that don't produce good fruit will be
cut down. They will be thrown into the fire."
10 "Then what should we do?" the crowd asked.
11 John answered, "If you have extra clothes,
you should share with those who have none.
These are some donations offered after
Hurricane Sandy demolished parts of the east
coast.

 And if you have extra food, do the same."

 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized.
 "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?"
13 "Don't collect any more than you are required
 to," John told them.
14 Then some soldiers asked him, "And what
should we do?"
John replied, "Don't force people to give you
money. Don't bring false charges against people.
Be happy with your pay."
15 The people were waiting. They were expecting
something. They were all wondering in their
hearts if John might be the Christ.
16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with
water. But One who is more powerful than I am
will come. I'm not good enough to untie the
straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit and with fire.
17 His pitchfork is in his hand to toss the straw
away from his threshing floor. He will gather the
wheat into his storeroom. But he will burn up
the husks with fire that can't be put out."
18 John said many other things to warn the
people.
He also preached the good news to them.
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 17TH —
The office is closed today
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 24TH —
CHRISTMAS EVE

GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU THIS CHRISTMAS

SEASON AND HAVE A VERY 
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Pastor Melodee