The longest night is past. From here on the days will be getting longer and the nights shorter. It's no coincidence that we celebrate Jesus birth at this time of the year. While many primitive cultures celebrated the returning of the light, the beginning of the lengthening of days, the early Christians said, "Hey, the True Light of the world has come! Now is the time to celebrate the fulfillment of the prophecy "...the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot put it out!"
And so we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the true Light of the world. Our Christmas trees, decorated lampposts in our community, lighted homes and beautiful light displays all are reminders of this Light of the world, Jesus, coming into our world, into the darkness and into our lives.
Come and celebrate the coming of this Life giving Light with Candlelight Communion services on Christmas Eve at 6pm and 9pm. Special Christmas music, starting at 8:30 precedes the 9pm service. (Nursery Care will be available at 6:00 p.m.) Please note both Christmas Services will be webcast live, link available at www.oursaviorelca.com or click here. Then on Christmas morning at 11am we gather again for a Christmas Day communion service. That will be followed by our annual "Home Alone" Christmas Day dinner in the Fellowship Hall at noon. What a wonderful way to celebrate God's coming to us; being gathered together for a great meal and conversation. This is free and our gift to the community. If you know anyone who will be alone on Christmas, tell them to come on by.
Finally, Our Savior received a great Christmas gift this past week. Many thanks to one of our own, Dave Siperek, a local insurance man, who helped us reach a settlement with our insurance company for our organ which was damaged this past summer in a lightening storm. With the insurance settlement and a number of generous gifts from you, the people of Our Savior, we only need about $4000 more to finish paying off the new organ. This is a beautiful, state of the art, instrument, which will be dedicated Epiphany weekend, Jan. 3-4. If you are interested in helping sponsor the dedication recital please talk to Ryan Hostler, Minister of Music.
For more information about the life and ministry of Our Savior, please visit our website and "Like" us on our Facebook page.
May this Christmas week be filled with God's Peace, Joy and Love for you and yours.
See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl +
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