Pastor's Notes for December 27, 2009

A WISE PERSON ADVISED: Only set persoal goals in areas that you control. Do not make goals that require others to change. Some of my personal spiritual goals for 2010 will include faithfulness to the Lord’s call, exercising spiritual care and pastoral nurture in the body of Christ; involvement of service and cooperation in the community according to the the church’s call; and continued attention to the Lord’s leading.
What are your spiritual goals for 2010?

WHAT ARE OUR CONGREGATIONAL GOALS? Some of my thoughts would include a church website, created and maintained with the expertese in our midst; our continued communitiy involvement through our pantry; more faithful worship attendance on Sunday morning; a deepening desire for Bible study and prayer….Which of these do we embrace? What do you add as vital for our spiritual health as a church?

MINTON OPEN HOUSE next Sunday, January 3, 2010, a come-and-go affair from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Y’all come!

REFLECTING ON THE LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES:
God's Chosen
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26. Samuel was dedicated to the Lord by his mother, Hannah, before his conception. Now the boy ministers at the temple as he matures and learns, chosen by God for a particular work in Israel. Read the rest of the story.

Luke 2:21-20 & 41-52. Simeon and Anna acknowledge Jesus as God’s chosen vessel to bring salvation and redemption. At 12 years of age Jesus recognizes it also.

Colossians 3:12-17. Being called and chosen by God is not limited to individuals nor is it limited to past biblical times. Here scripture indicates the gathered community of faith, the church, is God’s chosen instrument—with the responsibility to exercise God’s forgiveness with one another and to demonstrate God’s love to the world. [Do these verses echo some of the congregational goals mentioned above?]

Psalm 148. A call to worship to all creation and all peoples of the earth, men & women, old & young together! That’s us being called to worship!