December 13, 2024

Dear Road Church Friends,

Teddy Roosevelt said that the best prize and greatest joy that life has to offer is to “work hard at work worth doing.” Doing good work is a sure source of joy because joy is feeling good about something good. St. Paul tells us that joy is the crown of a life well lived, and that the stars in that crown are the people who share in the work we love to do. They are also a source of our joy. Christmas is a season of joy, but that joy is sustained throughout the year by our Christian brothers and sisters and the good work we do together in the church. All year long joy we are each other’s joy and crown.

      SCRIPTURE: Philippians 4:1, 4-7    SERMON: Joy Makes Us Strong

My dear brothers and sisters, whom I love and long to see again. You are my joy and crown. Stand firm in your faith and rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be known to everyone. Do not worry about anything. Pray about everything. The Lord is always near. Make your requests to God with thankful hearts. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds.

NOEL! NOEL!

by Laura Simmons

O Christmas, that your Gift of Gifts might be

Amongst us yet! as once in Galilee—

Telling of lilies, and of birds overhead—

Of little children and our daily bread—

To us, His humble fisher-folk! make plain

The shining wonder of himself again,

That we may touch the seamless garment’s rim

And be made whole, through the dear grace of Him!

Across the centuries that seem so far—

How close the Christ child comes! how near the Star!

CHRISTMAS PRAYER

by Madeline Morse

Let Christmas not become a thing

Merely of merchant’s trafficking,

Of tinsel, bell and holly wreath

And surface pleasure, but beneath

The childish glamor let us find

Nourishment for soul and mind.

Let us follow kinder ways

Through our teeming human maze

And help the age of peace to come

From a Dreamer’s martyrdom. 

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Norm

This service on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/nXEI4bo9joY?si=nWZYnc-sQjJ2_E0o