The Bible Study Sunday School Class by Sherry Glenn

The Bible Study Sunday School Class meets in the center classroom on the second floor of the Saint John’s Center at 10 a.m. each Sunday.  We will be studying the book of Hebrews for the next few weeks and welcome those who wish to be part of our fellowship group.  Our class is multi-generational, and we enjoy learning how our wide variety of life experiences have affected our journeys of discipleship.  One class member described the group as “very loving and helpful.”

 

A recent lesson concluded, “Hearing must be turned into doing since only in the doing can we understand what has been said to us.”  We love and pray for each other; study Scripture; share opinions, good books, and devotionals; host a meal every quarter for Family Promise; serve as greeters; and regularly support Epworth Children’s Home and other mission projects.  One of our projects many years ago was to buy the boat-shaped conference table and chairs for our classroom to make the space more useful for groups.  Room 221 continues to be a popular meeting space.

Reflections from "Jesus in the Gospels" Bible Study by Sharon Mitchell

As I think about Jesus being anointed by Mary, I see a gracious and kind man accepting the selfless gift of perfume offered by Mary. Then I picture him in the Last Supper. He is so strong, sure and focused on the fulfillment of his prophecy. He enacts the meaning of his impending death again as his “self-giving” is evident for the disciples as he breaks bread and shares the cup.

In Gethsemane, my heart is breaking. As he prays with his Father, he is showing agony. Jesus experienced mental and spiritual suffering as he prayed, and he felt alone. He said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He knew the cup would not be removed. 

Picturing Jesus in this study helps me connect to the Jesus in my own life. I too pray that many times “the cup” will be removed in my life. However, being a disciple of Jesus many times it is not what I want, but, like Jesus, what I know and feel that You want for my life. 

In following Jesus he commands us to love the Lord God with all our strength, mind, and soul; and to love our neighbor. In my walk with Jesus I pray that I will be “among the sheep, the righteous.” It will not always be easy, and many difficulties will surely be a part of this walk. But that’s when I am most assured that he is always holding me by my right hand. Even in Gethsemane when God was silent, He was with Jesus. “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

Yes, I believe!

"Our Unusual Christmas" by Eddie and Sylvia Knox

We had a Norwegian exchange student in 1978-79. The Christmas after she went home, Eddie and I, along with our son and daughter, were invited to spend Christmas with Grete's family. Her dad was an army general in command of all of north Norway. That put us north of the Arctic Circle for the holiday. We participated in their traditions at home, church, and on the army base. Since her dad had access to the King of Norway's cabin when the king wasn't there, that was where we slept. It was an unforgettable Christmas with a wonderful family.
To make it even more unusual, it all took place where it was dark except for two hours of twilight each day.

"More than Just Ornaments" by Sherry Glenn

 For more years than I can recall, every year my mother has made Christmas ornaments for the Bible Study Sunday School Class, my sister’s elementary school classes, and for her grandchildren.  When two of her granddaughters began teaching elementary school, their classes also made the list for the handmade treasures, and their second- and third-graders drew sweet construction paper thank you notes for Gram.

        Recently the mother of one of those elementary school children from many years ago sent a picture of his ornament hanging on the family’s Christmas tree.  That photo and my mother’s 91^st birthday inspired my sister to post a request on Facebook for those who have one of Gram’s special ornaments to respond with a comment or picture.  To date, she has received over 50 replies.

        This week while sharing homebound communion with a long-time Saint John’s member, I noticed on her tree several of Gram’s ornaments including a pair of bells made of communion cups.  Faithful sharing of our love, gifts, and time make this season so special, and I have been touched by how these small ornaments lovingly crafted of yarn, pearls, and crystal beads have brought joy to hundreds of children and adults all over South Carolina for so many years. 

"Teach Us to Give Freely: A Prayer" by Sharon Mitchell

Dear Father,

I can always, without failure, count on you to give me daily bread to sustain my needs. Please use me as a disciple whose heart will be formed to reflect the character of your precious son, Jesus. You teach us to give help to the needy and give freely all of the resources, love, and kindness that you have shown me. Help me to always serve you and to value your great gifts. As Jesus teaches, the heart is where the treasure is. Thanks and praise to you, Father, always.

"A Daily Prayer" by Ron Weitze

Heavenly Father,  

As I try to live according to your will, help me to understand your love and grace.  
God, please use me as you need. In Jesus name I pray. 

 Amen

Keeping Christ in Christmas by Dana Hamilton

When I first told my husband my title for this post, his response was, “isn’t that conversation played out.”  Funny he said that because I felt the same, but I also felt it still is an issue each and every year. I love this season. I love everything about it and having small children makes it even more exciting!

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” ~Norman Vincent Peale

I noticed early on that my kids were very specific about their wants this Christmas and very vocal about it. I completely understand their sweet minds and those bright eyes looking in amazement at the latest toys. However, our job as parents is to allow them to see beyond the excessive commercialism of Christmas. I keep a Nativity Scene in our home ALL year. A few Christmases ago I went to put away the decorations, and I felt that the Nativity had no place in the attic.

Our family is blessed to participate in Journey to Bethlehem at St. John’s this weekend. This is always a special time for our family and now that our children are getting older they can experience it with more understanding.

I’m thankful for a Christian mate who also wants to make our children aware that Christmas is not their birthday but Jesus’ birthday and we begin our Christmas morning by singing Happy Birthday to Jesus before going downstairs. I love that we do that and aim to limit the gifts.  I’ve heard of others having a birthday cake for Jesus and a special seat for him at dinner.

We will continue to learn how to make Christmas special in our own way and to keep Christ present in our home during a time that is easy to become distracted by the search for the perfect gifts and doing all the things we “should” do as a family. God wants us to live happy lives and sometimes that just means being present with those around you and loving one another in the simplest ways.

We look forward to church on Christmas Eve each year and this year two of our children will be a part of the nativity scene that evening. All of these opportunities for our children are one of my biggest praises to St. John’s. I love that the children, the future of the church, is our number one focus. That is evident in all we do as a church family. 

The Hamilton Family hopes everyone has a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!