Hi All!

I hope you had a Merry Christmas, enjoying God’s Presence! We had a wonderful turn out for the Christmas Eve service with many relatives and newcomers visiting. We had almost 20 children including school-age and infants, not to mention the youth and young adults, all escorted by very proud parents and grandparents.

This past Sunday, we talked about Blessing our Children, not with presents, but with prayer and intentional words of affirmation. Adults throughout the Bible give us an example of blessing children including Jesus who himself was blessed by Simeon and Ana when he was just 8 days old (Mat 2). In turn, Jesus blessed children by laying on hands and praying for them (Mat 19) even if it meant “clearing his agenda” from other significant ministry to be done. Jesus made time to give children a spiritual blessing. I hope you are able to do this at Christmas and throughout the year. Whether you have kids around you at home or at work or not at all, please always keep in mind the kids who come to CRUMC. Strengthening our children’s and youth ministry is so important and will be one of the ways we seek to support young families as our mission of CRUMC.

Of course, there are many people in the world—in your own life—who could use a gesture of blessing. Someone who needs a hug today; someone who needs to hear a kind, encouraging word; someone who needs a silent prayer spoken for them. A quiet nun once told me that blessing is so needed in our world where too often there is curse. Children, spouses, even strangers in a parking lot often exchange angry words. In Gainesville, when the weather was pleasant and windows were open, we heard such unpleasant yelling coming from our neighbor’s home. Apparently, we all even went to the same church! I must confess there are days with our kids that I hope our new neighbors aren’t thinking the same thing about us. Many pastors can tell stories about couples who stopped telling each other why the other person is special and how their present and future life is part of God’s plan. It’s like the water dries up and leaves a dry, cracking creek bed. Relationships crumble. “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver (Proverbs 25:11).” What a gift! Spoken blessings are powerful and should not be taken for granted.

The season of Christmas blessing isn’t over yet…this Sunday we celebrate Epiphany, the “Visit of the Magi” or wise men. We call it “Epiphany” because God’s Light was revealed to the nations. Typically, you may think about the Magi blessing the holy family with gifts, but it’s really about God blessing people far and wide with his Son. See you Sunday!

· This Sunday, 1/3, at 8am is Men’s Breakfast. All are welcome—young, old, men, women—for this great home cooked meal.

· Monday at 7pm the Worship Team will be taking down Advent decorations. If you are free, please come join us. Many hands make light work!

· The 2010 Leaders Orientation has been postponed to Thursday, Jan. 14 at 7pm. All who are serving on committees and team are asked to Save The Date!

Prayer Requests:

· Students travelling back to school, and Pastor Amber’s family (the Edmunds) driving back to Gainesville from a mission trip in Mexico on the 1^st

· Gary and Debra Voorhees, who lost their 21 yr old son in a motorcycle crash.

· All those facing surgery, recoveries, and treatments during the holidays. And a special blessing to caregivers!