Nicaragua

For all St. Andrew’s COLLEGE AGE+ (19-25 or so):
Join your church friends at Panera Bread (132 & Maple) on Sunday, January 6th following the 9:15 service (by 10:30 a.m.) for some fellowship time.
And please pass the word to those who may not be receiving a-mail.
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This Sunday
JANUARY 6, 2008
8:00, 9:15 & 10:45
Bruce Davis & The Reckless Abandon Players: FIND YOUR GRAIL.
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THE FIRST CHOIR PRACTICE OF THE NEW YEAR IS TONIGHT AT 7:00. We’d love to engage you in this vital ministry.
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NANCY DAVIS writes: On January 13 I am preaching a sermon about bullying and the problems associated with it. I have chosen to do this on the second Sunday of the month because that is the designated Sunday when our youth attend worship with us. I hope that parents of youth and children will want to hear this message because it is certainly a timely one and one that touches many lives. The title of the message is “BULLIES” and if you are curious why I would choose that title, I’ll tell you on the 13th! Nancy
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From BOB D.: Just a reminder we do not have youth Bible study today. Youth choir will not meet this week. Pam F. and I are working on a new plan for youth choir. I will keep everyone posted. Sunday youth group times have changed to better serve more youth. Middle School Youth Fellowship (MYF) will meet at 5pm and end at 6:30pm. Senior High Youth Fellowship (SYF) will meet at 6pm and end at 7:30pm. We will be meeting in the Family Life Center for the start of youth group. Wednesday nights are going to be great for the youth. The youth room is going to be open at 6pm for youth to come and hang out. A few of our youth have expressed interest in running a little café for their peers to enjoy from 6pm to 7pm in the youth room. Bible study will continue to meet at 7pm and end at 8pm. Praise band and praise singers will continue to meet at 8pm. The youth room will have a new ping pong table, an extra TV, and gaming system for the New Year.
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2008 CONFIRMATION CLASS BEGINS THIS SUNDAY JANUARY 6, 2008. If you have an 8th grader or a youth older than 8th grade who has not been confirmed but would like to be, please call the church office and give their names to Bob. We will be offering the class twice a week – once on Sunday mornings at 10:45 and again on Tuesday evenings at 6:00. Students may attend either class in any given week.
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As many of our readers know, St. Andrew’s is committed to ministry with the people of rural NICARAGUA, including our sister community of San Andres. I’ll be making a quick trip down there, leaving Thursday, February 7, returning Sunday, February 10. If you’re interested in going with us, let me know ASAP.
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From JOYCE C.: This Sunday (as is the first Sunday of every month) is Hi-C Sunday. Please bring Hi-C juice drink boxes for Campfire USA. These drink boxes are included in children's "weekend backpacks" -- providing them with nutritious snacks and meals for the weekends. Without these backpacks, some of these children would have little to eat for the weekend. Your help is appreciated!
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WHAT’S SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE?
“There is nothing we can do to make God love us more. There is nothing we can do to make God love us less.” Author, Philip Yancey takes a probing look at grace: what it looks like, what it doesn’t look like, and why only Christians can and must reveal the grace the world is searching for. Corey R. & Jeff H. will co-facilitate this study on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. starting January 9th. There is a small fee for the participant’s guide. Contact Diana to register.
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PASTOR CHARLOTTE asks: Prayers of sympathy for the family of Tom L., Sr., in his recent passing (father of Tom L.).
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Matthew, chapter 2, verses 1-12:
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
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BRD