Kramer

THIS SUNDAY

December 3, 2006

The First Sunday In Advent

Bruce Davis: “INNOCENCE”

Philippians 2:1-15
*
We were blessed to participate in the baptism of GRANT JAMES M., son of Nathan and Lori.
*
Adding Sunday morning and Wednesday evening (121) together, we figure a worship count of 1,005. Factor 181 young ones, we arrive at a happy number of 1,186.
*
There’s a whole lot of shaking going on around here today. Netta and her team are getting ready for the first round of UPWARD BASKETBALL & CHEERLEADING evaluations. Christmas trees are up, waiting to be decorated. It’s great to see all the gifts under the TOGETHER INC. CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE.
*
This Kramer fellow from “Seinfeld” has been in the news. I saw the footage of his 2 ½ minute racial diatribe on one of the cable news stations. I also noticed that at least some in the audience seemed to think it was funny. One could scarcely blame people of color in this country for wondering if Michael Richards was simply saying what many if not most white people actually think. I have a heavy doctrine of original sin. Included in my doctrine of sin is the suspicion that most everybody—red and yellow, black and white—has an inclination to racism. Racism was a big issue in the gospel era. In that time and place, it was Jew and Gentile. Authentic Christianity strives to rise above our labels and live as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Love not only does not say what Michael Richards said, it doesn’t laugh when others say it.
*
We were thrilled to hear Auction/Dinner/Dance Coordinators GREG & PAM T. and KEVIN & STACEY F. report that a conservative counting has the 7th Annual Gala clearing in the vicinity of $90,000. Wow!
*
PAM F. writes:
All adult and youth who are involved with the Dec. 10th intergenerational music program, will have rehearsal this Wednesday (Nov. 29th) and next Wednesday (Dec. 6th) from 6:15-7:30. This week we will meet in the music rehearsal room. It's not too late to join us!

Also, the Christmas Eve Choir is for only the 7:00 p.m. service. We would love to invite more people to join us. We are rehearsing on Sunday mornings from 10:15-10:40 in the music rehearsal room. If you have questions on either of these choirs, please contact Pam F.
*
PAT M. writes: Would you please remind the Seasoned Perennials (those 55 and better) to join us for our Christmas Dinner on December 10th at 5:30 at the church. We will have a chicken dinner - catered by HyVee - and then play some games. Please sign up in the rotunda. The cost is $6.00 each. We will also have a gift exchange - bring a $5 - $10 gift. Thanks, Pat M.
*
BOB D. tells us: December 5th at 6:30pm Nancy and I (Bob) will be having an activities planning meeting for St. Andrew’s youth group 5th grade through 12th grade. All parents and their youth are welcome to attend. We will be planning the next three months (January –March) of activities for the youth group. We will be meeting in the youth room. I am looking forward to a successful meeting!
*
SCOTT K. asks: "Please say a special prayer for the victims and victim's families of the devastating fire that swept through a group home for the mentally ill in southwest early Monday morning."
*
PASTOR CHARLOTTE asks: Prayers for 5 year old Corey, who is legally blind, awaiting test results which will indicate whether or not he may totally lose his sight (great-nephew of Sheila C.). Prayers of sympathy for Lou Ri. and his family, in the recent passing of his sister, Betty.
*
Philippians 2:1-11
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
*
BRD