Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-12-21
Monday December 21st, 2020
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
A Christmas story from Judy Nicolette:
Many years ago, when I was a second grade teacher, the children we’re getting excited about Christmas. One student said that another student told her there is no Santa Claus, and she asked me if it was true.
No education class in college prepared me for this! I answered that a long time ago, a man called St. Nicholas, gave presents to children at Christmas to celebrate Jesus’s birthday, and ever since that time, someone has continued giving gifts in his name.
One girl then raised her hand and said, “Mrs. Nicolette, it’s funny. Jesus was born at Christmas and he died at Easter, he hit a holiday both times!”
* * *
Advent Daily Devotion Monday Joshua 24:19-24
Joshua asks the people to make a public declaration of
faith, a commitment to serve God and God only. After
they do so, Joshua reminds them that they are witnesses
“against themselves.” They cannot claim ignorance or
deny their affirmation of loyalty to God. When have
you made a public commitment to serve God? How
will you make that choice evident today?
Gracious God, you abound in steadfast love and yet you hold us
accountable to the public witness we make to serve you. When
we forget or neglect our affirmation of faith, call us back to you
and correct our ways. May our witness against ourselves be a
constant reminder that our ultimate loyalty is to you and that
commitment is made visible in how we live. Amen.
News
Virtual Dessert Tuesday, December 22, 7 pm
Be prepared to tell us your favorite Christmas tradition. Tell us about your favorite holiday food. What makes your Christmas special? If you have an ugly sweater, please wear it. Let’s have a festive evening together.
Email zoom@firstpres.church for the link.
* * *
The FPCC Community Mission Deacons Champaign County Food Insecurity Drive/ aka The 2020 Angel Tree: Food insecurity is the dry technical term for American households going hungry at least some of the time. It is at crisis levels all over America and very much so in Champaign County. According to Census Bureau data, currently, over 1 in 10 American adults did not have enough to eat last week. And, worse, for families with children, approximately 1 in 4 such families did not have enough food for their children last week! In Champaign County, rates are similar, and Food Stamps, Eastern Illinois Food Bank, and others are unable to meet the increasing need. For people of color the statistics are considerably worse. Help is desperately needed now.
The FPCC Mission perspective emphasizes supporting programs that actually help people lift themselves out of poverty. But, critically, FPCC also firmly believes that crises demand immediate responding. Therefore, CMD invites you to join in responding to this crisis.
Our fund provides an opportunity for FPCC to reach out to struggling Champaign County brothers and sisters who, through no fault of their own, are caught up in this crisis. The Eastern Illinois Food Bank has more information at this web site:
https://www.cu-citizenaccess.
So, if you are able to contribute to this fund, that would be wonderful. The amount collected will be contributed to Eastern Illinois Food Bank and hence put to good use via an organization expert in food distribution! As an encouragement, CMD has contributed $4000 and a member family has contributed an additional $1000. Because the need is so overwhelming and many of us have resources that can make a difference, we are optimistic that our church can contribute a substantial amount that will help relieve the hunger issue in Champaign County.
Thank you for your consideration and your generosity.
* * *
Humor (Hard times really need godly laughter):
Well, this is a realistic answer… A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan. She asked the class, “If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?”
A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, “I think I’d throw up.”
Good Word: (Luke’s story…)
Luke 2
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
LET US PRAY:
We are getting closer, Holy God. Is it possible that we won’t notice graces along the way because, since we’ve been here before, we think we’ve seen it all? We think we know it all? We think there’s nothing you could do to surprise us? Forgive us for thinking we know our way around the stable too well.
(We love you.)
AMEN.
* * *
Much, much love to you all.
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
