Pastor's Pen: Love Came Down at Christmas

‘Tis the season, and the music of the season is already in the air. You certainly hear it in worship, but you might also hear it on the radio and in the mall. The Christian carols compete these days with Frosty and Rudolf, but if you listen carefully, you still can hear what happened in Bethlehem so long ago.

Interestingly, those carols shape how we hear the story even more than the Scriptures do. According to the gospel of Luke, the angels responded to Jesus’ birth by proclaiming their praise of God. However, most of us, remembering the carol, believe that the herald angels did not only speak but sang their announcement. According to the gospel of Matthew, an unspecified number of magi came from the East to offer presents to the newborn.  From the carol, we know that there were three, and moreover, they were kings. I am not personally bothered by such discrepancies. For the most part, they are trivia that you can share at your next Christmas party. However, there is one carol that I sing under protest or at least with a caveat.

In the third verse of “Away in a Manger,” we sing

“The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes”

The gospels do not mention whether or not Jesus as a baby cried. I assume that the author of the carol wanted to emphasize that Jesus was somehow different from other babies, and the assumption is that “good” little babies don’t cry.

Unfortunately, I disagree. I believe that Jesus was fully divine. However, Jesus was not like Clark Kent waiting for the right moment to become Superman. He was fully human. He got hungry like other babies. He wet himself like other babies. He cried like other babies. The Scriptures say that Jesus “did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself…” (Philippians 2:6‐7).

Frankly, I am grateful that Jesus knows my humanity in its fullness, especially my weakness. At the death of his friend Lazarus, we read, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). In order to face the challenges that come, I want to know that even my hunger, pain, and sorrow has been redeemed by what Jesus Christ has done.

“Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.”

Merry Christmas,
James Hodsden

Pastor's Pen: Stewardship: Investment in the Future

The Ardmore Presbyterian Church is committed to growing in faith, building community and expanding our witness in the world.  We live by God’s grace, and God often uses the generosity of others to extend that grace to the Church and to the world. 

We are thankful for your generosity in 2011.  In the midst of an ailing economy, you gave.  Because you gave, Ardmore Presbyterian Church continues to provide preaching and teaching, excellent music, wonderful opportunities for children, and support for missions both far and near.  Through your gifts, we maintain a beautiful presence on the corner of Montgomery and Mill Creek which benefits both us and a number of neighborhood groups.

Clearly our church struggles financially as everyone has these past few years.  In 2010 and 2011, the session adopted deficit budgets.  That was a hard decision.  At the same time, the church froze salaries for one year and overall has greatly reduced administrative costs.  Thanks to cost cutting and additional giving, 2010 was better than anticipated, and 2011 could be better as well.  However, deficits are not sustainable.  In coming years if the financial situation does not change, deep cuts in ministry will be required. 

This seems a strange time to discuss expanding our ministries.  However, stewardship is not about timidity.  We must live within our means, but we also put our resources where they can make the greatest impact for God’s mission.  In September 2011, the session decided to expand the position of Director of Youth and Children Ministry.  This will cost the church an additional $10,000.  However, we see this as an investment in our existing programs, Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, and Wednesday PLUS.  In addition, we see expanded opportunities for our youth and children in worship, fellowship and mission.  The exodus of young people away from the church later in life is not inevitable.  Nonetheless, if APC cannot increase revenues to match this commitment, the session understands that there will need to be cuts elsewhere. 

We know that these are challenging times.  Nonetheless, we ask for your continued investment in the future of APC.  Consider your commitment as the 2012 Stewardship Campaign begins.

Grace and Peace,

James Hodsden

FROM MATT TAYLOR, MODERATOR OF THE STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE COMMITTEE…

The Stewardship Campaign is beginning at Ardmore Presbyterian Church.  This is a time when we, as members of APC reflect on the meaning of stewardship, our relationship to God and to the church community especially as it relates to our money.   For our Session, and the Stewardship & Finance Committee, it is a time plan projects for the coming year and to prioritize the many opportunities this congregation has to further God’s word here in Ardmore and throughout the world. 

Mitten Tree begins on November 27

 

Mittens, hats and scarves are needed for our annual Mitten Tree to be in the narthex beginning Sunday, November 27 (first Sunday in Advent).  Both hand knit and purchased items are most welcome.  These items will be given to our local Maternity Care Coalition to be distributed to families in their program.  These are always greatly appreciated! 

Toys for Glouchester House

When you are Christmas shopping, please remember to pick up items for The John Gloucester House "Happy Birthday, Jesus" Party.  Especially needed:  educational toys, sports/recreational items for children from 1^st to 8^th grades.  Gifts cards are also appropriate.  Please leave unwrapped items in the church office or bring them with you to the Sunday, December 4^th Advent Family Night.

APC Advent Special Events for Advent and Christmastide 2011

ARDMORE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMASTIDE 2011

Sunday, November 27, 2011 – First Sunday of Advent

10:30 a.m. – Lord’s Day Worship

Sunday, December 4, 2011 – Second Sunday of Advent

            10:30 a.m. – Lord’s Day Worship – Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

                                   Deacons’ Fund Offering Received

5 p.m. - All Church Advent Family Night: Cherub, Children’s, Youth and Handbell Choirs present Advent and Christmas music (Sanctuary). Please bring an ornament for our Christmas tree (from another country, if possible) for a festive international Christmas tree!

                         Then come to Fellowship Hall for our traditional wassail bowl, seasonal crafts, music, festive potluck buffet.  Please bring plentiful quantities of finger foods to share at the potluck buffet. (Suggested ideas: appetizers, chicken, sandwiches, veggies, desserts, etc.)

Sunday, December 11, 2011 – Third Sunday of Advent

                10:30 a.m. – Worship – Nativity Tableau

                       Cherub, Children’s and Youth Choirs participating. Children leave from worship for a Christmas Carol Sing (Mill Creek Room).

Sunday, December 18, 2011 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

            10:30 a.m. – Worship – Chancel Choir presents:

           K. Lee Scott’s The Incarnation

           Christmas Joy Offering received

Saturday, December, 24, 2011 – Christmas Eve

             7 p.m. – Family Service of Carols and Candle Lighting

                            Chancel, Youth and Children’s Choirs participating

            11 p.m. – Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols

                            Chancel Choir and Quartet participating

    Christmas Joy Offering received

Sunday, December 25, 2011 – Nativity of Jesus Christ/Christmas Day

10:15 a.m. – Carol Sing Prelude

10:30 a.m. – Lord’s Day Worship – Young Adult Choir participating

Pastor's Pen: Songs of the Season

‘Tis the season, and the music of the season is already in the air.  You certainly hear it in worship, but you might also hear it on the radio and in the mall.  The Christian carols compete these days with Frosty and Rudolf, but if you listen carefully, you still can hear what happened in Bethlehem so long ago. 

Interestingly, those carols shape how we hear the story even more than the Scriptures do.  According to the gospel of Luke, the angels responded to Jesus’ birth by proclaiming their praise of God.  However, most of us, remembering the carol, believe that the herald angels did not only speak but sang their announcement.  According to the gospel of Matthew, an unspecified number of magi came from the East to offer presents to the newborn.  From the carol, we know that there were three, and moreover, they were kings.  I am not personally bothered by such discrepancies.  For the most part, they are trivia that you can share at your next Christmas party.  However, there is one carol that I sing under protest or at least with a caveat.

In the third verse of “Away in a Manger,” we sing

“The cattle are lowing

The poor Baby wakes

But little Lord Jesus

No crying He makes”

The gospels do not mention whether or not Jesus as a baby cried.  I assume that the author of the carol wanted to emphasize that Jesus was somehow different from other babies, and the assumption is that “good” little babies don’t cry.

Unfortunately, I disagree.  I believe that Jesus was fully divine.  However, Jesus was not like Clark Kent waiting for the right moment to become Superman.  He was fully human.  He got hungry like other babies.  He wet himself like other babies.  He cried like other babies.  The Scriptures say that Jesus “did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself…” (Philippians 2:6-7). 

Frankly, I am grateful that Jesus knows my humanity in its fullness, especially my weakness.  At the death of his friend Lazarus, we read, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).  In order to face the challenges that come, I want to know that even my hunger, pain, and sorrow has been redeemed by what Jesus Christ has done.

Love came down at Christmas,

Love all lovely, love divine;

Love was born at Christmas,

Star and angels gave the sign.

Merry Christmas,

James Hodsden

Young Adults and Families Provide Thanksgiving Dinner to Those in Need

Dear Friends;

This past Sunday, the Ardmore Presbyterian Church Young Adult and Young Family Group met to help assemble Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner boxes for families in need in the Philadelphia area. We were able to complete 8 turkey dinners—8 frozen turkeys plus a box full of fixings! The children made Thanksgiving cards to go with the boxes.

Rev. Luis Sanchez of True Vine Church Community in the lower northeast of Philadelphia came to pick up the dinners for distribution. I know and work with Luis, through Project HOME and the distribution of Welcome Home Kits (which our congregation has also helped to put together, at times). This was a large contribution to his efforts of outreach.

Thank you to all who were able to help! I look forward to working with everyone on such a project next year, once again! Thank you so much!
Sincerely,

Schaunel Steinnagel