AN HONOR BUT WITH DIFFICULT DECISIONS ...
My title above can sum up what it is like to be a Pastor. I love the privilege of and consider it an honor to be your Pastor. One of the responsibilities of the Pastor is to be the "Shepherd" of "his Flock". A good Shepherd keeps the well being and safety of his sheep as a high priority. And that is what I try to do with our Family at FCC. The last few hours have been such a challenge and deciding the best decision for everyone. First of all, will it be safe for our Christmas Eve Service, especially with all of the ice, etc. A very special "Thank you" to Mark Long and John Morena who have checked to make sure all was well at the Church and keeping me abreast of the road conditions. Actually, with the sun coming out today and more tomorrow, our roads should be fine. So Christmas Eve is as scheduled. But as always, you make the best decision (just not an excuse) for you and your loved ones safety. Secondly, I have been asking myself "should we even have a service on Sunday?" You know how much I love Christmas and the Reason we Celebrate the Season. But I also know that this is a very special time for Families. At the Castles we will have 18-20 folks at our house, family from all over the Country, with some under the age of 8. How exciting and energetic. If you are like us, please do what is best for you and your family. But as I mentioned earlier, please include in your Celebration a time of focused recognition of why we Celebrate Christmas - the Reason of the Season - Immanuel, God with us!
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS: Do you have traditions that make Christmas special to you? After the service on Christmas Eve, we will have 20 or so folks at our house for an Italian Feast. As part of the Celebration, actually the Highlight, we will have a Birthday Party for Jesus - cake (red velvet), candles, song, and all. The Birthday Party for Jesus has been a tradition that has been passed down from my Parents, and now to our Children. The evening always ends up with fun stories, games, and lots of fun. (By the way, if you are having to spend Christmas alone - come on and join us. The more the merrier!) What are some of your traditions? Please send me an email and share them with me.
I do love Christmas and I do love You. And we actually got a "White Christmas! (You know it is because I changed the picture at the top of "The Communicator" last week.)
So from the Castles to you and your Family, we wish the Merriest of Christmases! And let's look forward, together in anticipation, about what awesome things God is going to do at and through FCC in 2023.
I hope to see you on Christmas Eve and possibly Christmas Day. Remember, it is the gift that God gave us on that first Christmas, Immanuel, that we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that:
WE ARE LOVED!!
JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD HAS COME!
Pastor Lonnie