Tis The Season

Church Street Members and Friends

As another year swiftly comes to a close, I want to say "THANK YOU" for the privilege of being a co-laborer with you in God's Kingdom-building business. "THANK YOU" for your prayers, presence and participation in the life and ministry activities of this Christian household. "THANK YOU" for what you do to strengthen the inner workings of our church family and "THANK YOU" for helping us to reach out beyond the walls of the church house to be a more effective and viable witness of God's love. "THANK YOU" for your support of my pastoral leadership and "THANK YOU" for suppporting each other.

Having begun this 2010 Advent season, let us prepare our minds and hearts to focus on the real "reason for this season" that we are entering. Advent is a season that focuses: on the memory of the God who became a child and is now our Savior and Lord, on repenting prayer and reforming worship of our hearts, on reading and reflecting upon the Word of God, and on taking time to slow down in the midst of this busy season to be awakened to appreciate the Divine Mystery that looks so common and so ordinary and that yet is so wondrously present.

May this season be filled with love, joy, peace and hope. May this season find you being a holy and helpful people . . . kind, patient, generous, and loving.

Elaine and I wish you a most blessed Advent and Christ season!

We love you all!!!

Pastor Mitchell M. and Mother Elaine Walker

Are you a teacher?

In a recent book I was reading some interesting quotes and sayings about teachers. It lead me to examine my reason for wanting to be a Bible Study Teacher. Here are some interesting pearls of wisdom to consider. "You cannot impart what you do not possess." How profound is that? In order for me to teach my students, I first must possess the knowledge of what it is that I am attempting to teach. I first have to study, digest and become my subject! Whoa! I have to turn off the television, get off the internet and sit down with my study materials. Preparation for Bible Study is about more than reading the Bible. You have to know exactly what it is the Bible is saying. So, in addition to reading the Bible, I have to research the events in the scriptures and read the reference material. Most of all I have to ask for understanding. Who do I ask for understanding? "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." (Proverbs 1:7a) Therefore, to begin that knowledge, I had to search the scriptures. I learned in James 1, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." and in chapter 3 that "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be intreated."

So as I gather my four to seven year olds for class this evening, I will recall these PEARLS OF WISDOM and make every effort to apply the love, gentle peace and knowledge that has been imparted to me to them.

BLESSINGS!!!