Good morning everyone;

Joy to the world, the Lord is come.  Let Earth receive her King.  These are great words that announce the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  It was great as we gathered on Sunday to worship the newborn King – Jesus Christ – our Redeemer, Savior, and Friend.  The weather held off on this weekend and we were able to celebrate.   Thanks to the worship team – you did a great job as you led us in worship.  Also thanks to Pierce for helping me out with some of the other worship leading tasks.  It was good to preach this past Sunday and I really enjoyed it.  Many of you spoke kind words regarding the sermon.  It’s a message that we need to make known to the world and Jesus has commanded us to go into all the world and make disciples and teach them the things of God, because He is coming back again and we need to be ready and make sure others are ready.

By now you realize that Pastor Barry is not writing this today.  Since he was away this last Sunday he asked me if I would write this week’s edition of Tuesday on the Run.  I want to share with you an email that I received several years ago from a friend.  You may have seen it as well, but it bears repeating:

You are cordially invited to A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!

Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ

Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25 but He's always around, so the date is flexible....

Time: Whenever you're ready. (Please don't be late, though, or you'll miss out on all the fun!)

Place: In your heart.... He'll meet you there. (You'll hear Him knock.)

Attire: Come as you are... grubbies are okay. He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.

Tickets: Admission is free.  He's already paid for everyone...  (He says you wouldn't have been able to afford it anyway...it cost Him everything He had. But you do need to accept the ticket!!)

Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a far-out drink He calls "Living Water," followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!

Gift Suggestions: Your life. He's one of those people who already has everything else. (He's very generous in return though. Just wait until you see what He has for you!)

Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more! (All "G" rated, so bring your family and friends.)

R.S.V.P. - Very Important!  He must know ahead so He can reserve a spot for you at the table.

Also, He's keeping a list of His friends for future reference. He calls it the "Lamb's Book of Life." We hope to see you there!

Each one of us has been called to share the Good News with those who are around us – go ahead and spread it around.  The world could really use some Good News.

This week Wednesday night returns to its normal schedule.  Pastor Barry will continue his study in Proverbs and Student Ministries is back to its regular schedule as well.

I am looking forward to our next sermon series that begins this Sunday, January 3.  It is called “Listen Up, Church!”  Did you ever wonder what God would say to the church today?  We are going to explore the seven churches of Revelation and discover how that applies to us today.  Pastor Barry and I encourage you to join us for this great series.

Let me take this time to express our thanks and gratitude for the wonderful Christmas gifts our family received from the Parkway family.  Thank you so much for your love and thoughtfulness.  Pam and I love you all.  I’m sure I speak for Pastor Barry and Rosemary as well.  My prayer is that you have a great week – God bless each one of you and Seize the Day!

Happy New Year!

Pastor Dale

Good Morning!  I hope you are safe and warm on this snowy Tuesday morning.  It looks like this stuff is going to be with us for a while.

 Were you able to enjoy being snowed in over the weekend?  E-mail me and let me know some of the neat stuff you were able to do while you were snowed in.  I know some of you, like Jerry Pomphrey, worked non-stop, but how about the rest of you.

We started a 1000 piece picture puzzle on our coffee table [not much progress so far].  We read a lot, drank hot chocolate and shoveled and shoveled and shoveled snow.  Fortunately, a neighbor took pity on us Sunday afternoon and loaned us a snow blower.  Otherwise, I’d probably still be shoveling.

Like most of you, we were extremely disappointed at not being able to gather for worship on Sunday.  We had big plans for the Sunday before Christmas [bell choir, special music, etc], but it was not meant to be.  I’m confident God knows what he is doing.  Hopefully, you worshiped together as a family and made some wonderful memories.

Since this is our last Tuesday on the Run before Christmas, let us take this time to wish you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. Rosemary and I appreciate more than you’ll ever know our wonderful church family.  Your love, your concern, your prayers and your expressions of kindness mean the world to us.

As most of you know we will be leaving Wednesday to visit our daughter and her family in Indianapolis.  Please pray for our safety on the roads.  We are hoping to beat the next storm.  Going should be OK, but coming back could be treacherous.  For those of you who are staying in the area, we are planning a lay-led Christmas Candlelight Service on Wednesday night, December 23rd at 7:00 PM.  This will all depend on the condition of the church parking lot.  If you have questions check with Dana Lambert, Don Bradford, or Donna Blankenship.  Pastor Dale will be preaching this coming Sunday.  We hope to be back late Sunday evening.

Let me share this thought with you as we approach Christmas day.  As I’ve read again the Christmas story this year, I’ve been struck by the fact that we have the unique perspective of looking back and seeing the hand of God working in a variety of ways.  From our vantage point we can see that all of it –  the decree of Caesar Augustus, the journey to Bethlehem, the lack of room in the inn, the birth in a stable – was all part of God’s marvelous plan.  But Mary and Joseph didn’t have that perspective.  I’m sure they must have wondered why they had to make this dangerous journey with Mary in such a precarious condition.  I’m sure they must have wondered why God would allow His son to be born in a stable or why they had to flee to Egypt.  And yet, without hesitation, moment by moment Mary and Joseph trusted God and obeyed His voice.  In spite of family opposition, in spite of
unexplained problems, they simply trusted.  Their story reminds me that even though we may not understand the challenges we face each day, we serve a God who does.  We serve One who can move empires, protect His children from powerful enemies, and provide for every need. We simply need to put our hope and trust in Him.  Like Mary, when we see God’s hand at work, when we see His daily provision, and when we witness His miracles we need to “treasure” those moments and “ponder them in our heart.” (Luke 2:19).  The miracle of Bethlehem
reminds us that “God  so loved the world he sent His only begotten son….”  Whatever your need, you can trust Him.

Merry Christmas!


Pastor Barry and Rosemary

Merry Christmas!  Are you getting excited yet about the big day?  Wasn’t it great to be back in the Lord’s house this past Sunday!  What a great service with all the special music and extra carols!

If you missed the student ministries program—”Angels Aware”, on Sunday night you missed a blessing.  The kids did a wonderful job [even some of the old kids .. a.k.a. Moses & Isaiah].  A special thanks to Pastor Dale and all the adult sponsors.

In this weeks issue of Tuesday on the Run I want to remind you again, about what really matters this Christmas season.  You may have seen this before, but it serves as a much needed reminder.  It’s called   

First Corinthians 13—Christmas Version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my neighbors, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my friends, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the entire point of the holidays.

Love stops the cooking to kiss the spouse.

Love sets aside the decorating to call a hurting friend.

Love is kind to other shoppers and store clerks, however harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china, table linens … and a front porch.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but finds constructive ways to include them in the preparations.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t … and does it in lavish, generous ways.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things … regardless of the attitude of those around us.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pretty necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust -- but the gift of LOVE will endure forever.

Have a great week and remember that the greatest gift is the gift of love!

In Christ,
Pastor Barry

Dear Friends,

A week ago I was singing “Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!.”  And even though it was beauti¬ful  and I enjoyed building a snowman, I’m glad to see it finally melting away.  Most of all, I hated missing church this past Sunday.  What do people do all day when they don’t come to worship?  I watched Charles Stanley and Joel Olsteen on TV, but it was not the same as being at Parkway! 

For those of you who may not have gotten the word that we cancelled, we apologize for any in-convenience.  [If in doubt check Channel 3, check the website or call the church to hear a recorded mes-sage].  Anyway, I hope you used the Lord’s day as a time of rest and took at least a moment or two to reflect on the real reason for this Advent season.  It was kinda nice to slow down for a little while and escape the busyness of Christmas.

Speaking of busy, have you looked at your calendar for the next two weeks.  There is something going on practically every night.  In the midst of all this activity don’t miss out on the real reason Jesus came.

I read a story recently about a mother who was running furiously from store to store on Christ-mas Eve … trying to get those last minute gifts …Suddenly she realized she’d lost track of her little 3 year old son.  In a panic, she retraced her steps and found him standing with his little nose pressed flatly against a frosty window.  He was gazing at a Manger scene.  When he heard his mother call his name, he turned and shouted in innocent glee: “Look Mommy! It’s JESUS!  Baby Jesus is in the hay!”  The har¬ried Mom grabbed his arm and jerked him away, snapping, “We don’t have time for all that!  Can’t you see that Mommy’s trying to get ready for Christmas?”

Let’s not get so busy with shopping and wrapping gifts and holiday parties that we forget what we are suppose to be celebrating—the birth of our Savior.  Slow down, take a deep breath and reflect on the “unspeakable gift” of God’s only begotten Son.  I am personally rereading the Nativity narratives again from the New Living Translation.  If you haven’t seen it in a while go to Blockbuster, rent The Nativity Story and watch it with your family.  Take advantage of the many opportunities to worship this sea-son.  There are numerous concerts and programs not only at our church but throughout our community.  Don’t let the season slip by without taking time to reflect upon the  miracle of Christ’s birth …
 
Yours for Christ!
Pastor Barry
 
“The virgin will be with child and give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel” which  means “God with us.”

Dear Friends,

             Are you tired of turkey yet?  I saw a recipe on line yesterday for “Turkey Pizza”.    I haven’t tried it yet, but if you’re interested I’ll send you the recipe.  I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, survived the weekend shopping ordeal, and found some real bargains.  Rosemary and I have a deal.  I go with her for a little bit of shopping and then she leaves me alone to watch football.  An hour of fighting the crowds is about my limit.

             Anyway, we are officially now into the Advent season.  We had a great first Sunday as our worship focused on the Hope of Advent.  Pastor Dale did a great job of reminding us in some of his song selections, that not only did Jesus come to the little town of Bethlehem, but one day He is coming again.  The question is will we be any more prepared than they were in Bethlehem and Jerusalem 2000 years ago?  One of the marvels of the Nativity story is that only a select few witnessed the  miracle.  Even more amazing, they were not the religious; not the powerful or rich, but simple shepherds, a couple of senior citizens, Simeon and Anna and some foreigners who followed a star.

             Richard DeHaan of the Radio Bible Class shares a story about a family in England who put their little girl to bed on Christmas Eve.  Suddenly there was the sound of trumpets in front of their home.  A Salvation Army Band had come down their lane to play Christmas carols.  The  little girl awakened by the trumpet blast came running into the living room shouting with joy …”Mommy, Jesus is here.  Jesus is here!”  Her parents had to explain it was not really the trumpet of the Lord, but merely the cheerful notes of an earthly trumpet.  This story of childlike exuberance and joy challenges us:  Would we be that that excited to see Jesus?

             I trust that we will see this Advent season as a time of spiritual preparation.  Are we ready for His coming!  Is our prayer life up to date?  Are there broken relationships that need mending?  Are there sins that  need to be confessed?  If Christ were to come today would we be ready or would we need time to prepare.  May the Lord find us watching and expecting His soon arrival! [READ Matthew 24].

             If you read your bulletin Sunday, you know that these next few weeks are jam-packed.  Here are just a few of the upcoming events.

   * Sunday School Worker’s Dinner … December 5th at 6:00 P.M. at Mrs. Rowe’s

   * BYF Fellowship at Tueting’s … Saturday, December 12th at 6:00 P.M.

   * “Angels Aware” Student Ministries Musical … Sunday, December 13th at 6:00 P.M.

   * Wedding Reception for Brian and Barbara Bonney … Monday, December 14th at 7:00 P.M.

   * Handbell Concert at Kings Daughter’s … Saturday, December 19th at 2:30 P.M.

             Please call the church office if you have questions about any of these events.  Have a great week!  Remember the reason for the season!                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                     Merry Christmas

                                                                                                                     Pastor Barry