JoyLink Newsletter-December 4, 2016: Advent Two:"Linger for Peace"

JoyLink December 4, 2016

On this second Sunday of Advent, we will ‘linger for peace,’ as we 'looked for Hope’ the first week. Peace so often eludes us, particularly this time of year. The Apostle Paul reminded us in his letter to the Ephesians that Jesus is our peace. He said in verse 14: 14 For Jesus is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.

May the prayer that St. Francis of Assisi prayed be OUR prayer this Advent season.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Isaiah 9:2 (NRSV)

9 [a2 [b] The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NRSV)
6 For a child has been born for us,
    a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
    and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually,
    and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
    He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaías 9:2 (DHH)

2 (1) El pueblo que andaba en la oscuridad
vio una gran luz;
una luz ha brillado
para los que vivían en tinieblas.

Isaías 9:6-7 (DHH)

6 (5) Porque nos ha nacido un niño,
Dios nos ha dado un hijo,
al cual se le ha concedido el poder de gobernar.
Y le darán estos nombres:
Admirable en sus planes, Dios invencible,
Padre eterno, Príncipe de la paz.
7 (6) Se sentará en el trono de David;
extenderá su poder real a todas partes
y la paz no se acabará;
su reinado quedará bien establecido,
y sus bases serán la justicia y el derecho
desde ahora y para siempre.
Esto lo hará el ardiente amor del Señor todopoderoso.

Next Spiritual Transformation Class:

Wrap-up: Wednesday, November 30th @ 7pm

You fear you won't make it through. We all do. We fear that the depression will never lift, the yelling will never stop, the pain will never leave. In the pits, surrounded by steep walls and aching reminders, we wonder: Will this gray sky ever brighten? This load ever lighten?

In this six-session small group Bible study, pastor and New York Times best-selling author, Max Lucado offers refreshing assurance. Max reminds participants God doesn't promise that getting through trials will be quick or painless. It wasn't for Joseph—tossed in a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongfully imprisoned, forgotten and dismissed. But his Old Testament story is in the Bible for this reason: to teach us to trust God to trump evil.

With the compassion of a pastor, the heart of a storyteller, and the joy of one who has seen what God can do, Max explores the story of Joseph and the truth of Genesis 50:20. What Satan intends for evil, God redeems for good.

Next Spiritual Transformation Class-Wednesday, December 7th @ 7pm:

Unwrap the Full Love Story of Christmas with Ann Voskamp

In The Greatest Gift, New York Times bestselling author Ann Voskamp celebrates the majesty of God’s greatest gift to us―His son, Jesus Christ― through the timeless Advent tradition of the Jesse Tree.

Now, in this stunning four-week video curriculum, Ann draws viewers even deeper into Scripture as she explores and illuminates the magnificence of God’s Word through the unfurling of the greatest love story ever told―God’s ardent and relentless pursuit of us.

This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month. There will be a 2nd giving opportunity to contribute to Joy MCC's Building Fund.

Please consider giving above and beyond your normal tithes and offerings to help pay down the mortgage.

'Tis the Season...

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Facilities team; multimedia team, praise team/choir; ushers, worship readers, holders and servers; TransMinistry Team; Gardeners of Joy, Food Pantry

If you have an interest in sharing your time and talents in any of these or any other ways, contact admin@joymcc.com.

BE THE CHURCH!
Pull a Post It, Play Your Part

Weekly in the Welcome area, you'll see this board! Check it out and see how YOU can be the church here at JOY and pull a post it and play YOUR part. These are simple things that are needed--places to volunteer, areas to give back, and opportunities to serve! There are 6 categories: Worship, Ministry Teams, Volunteering, Skills, Outdoors and Items. There are a variety of things you can choose and in so doing, you can provide help and hope to those in our community!