Newsletter

"Good Tidings we bring to you and your kin."

Here it is, the season of Christmas, and I haven't gotten our tree up yet.  It used to be that one would wait until at least after Thanksgiving to begin the Christmas season but now we are seeing Christmas wrappings beginning in October.  Why are we in such a rush to get to Christmas?

For the retailers, the sooner we buy, the more we will buy and that helps the economy. (Or so we are told). The music in the malls and the elevators has all been changed and we are almost sick of carols even before the Thanksgiving pie is gone.  Hurry up and get your decorations up before the neighbors or you  might been seen as slacking off.  Rush, rush, rush. 

The choir is singing an anthem based on the German lullaby "Still, Still, Still" at the 11 o'clock service on Christmas Eve.  What a contrast that song gives us to the busy schedules we find ourselves controlled by in December.  We need to slow down and listen to the falling snow and look around at the beauty of the world God has created for us.  We can quietly wait for the coming of the Christ Child and be at peace with the world.  Take time in the midst of your day to sit quietly and wait.  Wait for the peace that only comes from the Prince of Peace.  Enjoy the Joy of the Season and receive the gift of Love that comes at Christmas.   

See you in the pew.

                                                                                            In His Peace

                                                                                                                            Pastor Dave

Pastor Cindy’s Corner

“Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father…” (James 1:17)

One Sunday not too long ago, as I was serving communion, I caught a beautiful picture of the church being Christ’s body.  As I was waiting for the next group of communicants to make their way to the rail, I noticed one of our members who had been going through a rough time give a gentle pat on the back to another person who had been going through a rough time.  The two looked at one another and then walked out of the chancel arm in arm.  I don’t know how well these two people know each other.  They each knew enough to know that the other needed a special measure of love and concern.  They had just received Christ’s body and were now living it in their care for one another. 

            What amazing gifts we have been given through our crucified and risen Lord!  Nothing less than new and eternal life!  And with those marvelous gifts come the privilege of sharing them.  You all do that in so many ways here at Christ Lutheran Church and in your daily lives – through your donations of hats and coats and money and food for those in need, through the Social Club, your ministry with our children and youth, Habitat for Humanity, your care and concern for those among us who are sick or homebound or grieving, and so much more…

            At Thanksgiving and Christmastime, we often take time to reflect on the gifts that we have received and the gifts we want to give.  I pray that as you work through your Christmas lists this year, you will focus not only on the sales in the stores but on the ways that you can share the gifts of God with others during this season and throughout the year.  Consider the ways that you can share the love of God with your loved ones and friends – a donation ELCA World Hunger in lieu of a present, a fairly traded gift from the Lutheran World Relief Handcraft project, a timely call or note to someone who is having a hard time, an invitation to worship with you…

In Gratefulness for your Ministry,

Pastor Cindy

The Dove Report                   11/7/2011

Good News! I have been recommended by the faculty for ordination! This recommendation is made to the Virginia Synod Candidacy Committee. I will be meeting with them in December for final approval.  So, I hope that by the time that you read this that I will have more good news to share. Time is flying by. We are excited and anxious to see where we will be assigned and all that God has in mind for us in the coming year. It wasn’t that long ago and I was wondering if I would be able to survive Summer Greek and now I am months from graduating. Thanks be to God!   I am hoping to be able to be a supply preacher/ leader for the S.C. Synod in the coming months. Doug enjoyed traveling with the fighting Doves to Gettysburg for the Luther Bowl. We won one game before the game was called for weather (snow). The leaves are just now turning down here, so we are able to enjoy them. We hope to be home for Thanksgiving and to see you then. Thank you for walking this path with us. Please keep us in your prayers as we move forward in this process.      

                                                             Peace,

                                                             Phyllis Diamond

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT

This year the Christ Lutheran adult choir will be joining several other choirs in an ecumenical St. Lucia Christmas concert on St. Lucia Day (December 13th).  The concert will be at St. Andrew's Catholic Church at 7:30PM, Tuesday, December 13th. Other choirs participating are St. Andrew's Catholic, St. Paul's Episcopal in Salem, and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic in Rocky Mount.  The concert includes a time for carol singing with the congregation and the singing of a traditional St. Lucia carol. Afterwards there will be a reception featuring Swedish treats. Members of Christ Lutheran are most welcome and encouraged to attend this special mid-week Advent/Christmas festival. At the St. Lucia concerts in previous years, the church has been filled to standing-room-only, so be sure to come early!

Sing Praises!

Nancy Delaney

Organist/Director of Church Music