Friday, December 26, 2008

I have called you friends

The theme for our Stewardship campaign was "I have called you friends." Throughout the Sundays of November we heard personal testimonies challenging us to think about our stewardship and giving to National City Christian Church. I want to thank Charlie Richardson, Shana Pereira, John Scott Williams and Bill and Keturah Raabe for their courage and witness to talk to us as friends.

Just as Jesus calls us friends, you responded to Jesus' call to be friends to each other and to the world. Your estimate of giving for 2009 is truly a "God-happening." Thus far we have received 80 pledges totaling $361,552. When combined with anticipated giving from others our grand total is $439,531. The gift range is from $15 - $20,400, making all of your gifts meaningful to God's work here on Thomas Circle and beyond.

For the privilege of serving as your associate minister I give thanks! Four your gifts and commitments for 2009 I say thanks! Our journey into a new year begins! Thanks be to God.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Emmanuel

“Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright.
When God is a child there’s joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
and none shall be afraid.”
(When God is a Child, Chalice Hymn 132)

For many years in my previous church, we would sing “When God is a Child” during the lighting of the Advent candles. There are four stanzas themed Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Each year a different stanza seems to touch me and this year I’m moved by the stanza with the theme of Hope.

As I talk with many of you and others in the neighborhood around our church, there is great worry and concern over the economy and jobs. When I talk to friends back in Indiana, they tell me that the Midwest is suffering with job losses and foreclosures. One phrase I usually here is, “I hope things will get better.”

As we enter this season of Advent – a season of waiting, longing and anticipation I hope that we can once again place our hope in the one who loves us so much that we have the gift of a baby. This baby named Jesus is also called Emmanuel—God is with us. In whatever darkness you may be experiencing this season turn to the star that shines in the night. If you aren’t living in darkness, then I HOPE you will be the light of Christ to the world!

Emmanuel,
Steven Moore