Sheridan Women's News: Christmas Devotion

Unwrap the Package and Open the Gift

Christmas time…and we are busy shopping for those perfect gifts for our family and friends. The packages will be wrapped in colorful, holiday paper and placed under our beautifully decorated trees. There will be much anticipation and excitement about what might be inside those packages and if the items will meet the expectations of those who will open them.

I remember as a little girl, coming home to our family farm after church on Christmas Eve, my sisters and brother and I would be watching for Santa’s magical sleigh and wondering what gifts he might have brought us. Seeing the packages under our tinseled tree was a dream. That new doll, game, or sweater, brought joyful smiles to our faces. We did not realize at the time, how much love and care our mother put into selecting those gifts for us and that she and our dad sacrificed to save for their purchase.

When I grew up, got married and we had our own family, our children too, enjoyed the wonder and magic of Christmas. The presents under the tree, their own wishes come true, were selected and placed there with much love and care from us. My heart was happy to share in their childhood joy and wonder.

But the items that were inside those pretty packages were not really the gifts at all. The thoughtfulness, love and kindness in the hearts and hands of those who gave those presents were the true gifts. My most cherished Christmas memories were the moments we spent together as a family. The joy, love and gratitude I felt was a very special gift.

This Christmas, as I reflect on Christmases past, I cherish the love we shared and the happy memories we made. Since my husband passed away, these memories are an even greater gift. And though he is no longer with us, I know that he is now with other loved ones, celebrating Christmas with the greatest gift of all.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him, shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Unwrap the package and open the gift…the gift of God’s love and the love we share with the people in our lives. Merry Christmas.

Judy Sorensen is a member of the Sheridan Women’s Ministry Team. She is a long time member of Sheridan and is involved with Tanzanian missions, Grace Group, Women’s Circle and the Music Ministry, as a worship leader. Judy is a retired kindergarten teacher and works part-time as a consultant for Opportunity Education. She and her husband, Rocky, who passed away in June 2017, have four married children and five granddaughters who are the joy of her life. She feels so blessed to be a part of the Sheridan community.

OneSent Mission Market-Extended Holiday hours

Extended Hours: Sun., December 16 from 2-5pm & Wednesdays through December 19

Regular Shopping Hours: Saturdays following worship & Sundays from 9:30-noon

Stop by the OneSent Market this December for a unique shopping experience and support women around the world through handcrafted SERRV products that will guarantee that the artisan who made the item will receive a livable wage for their work.

Winter is a great season to try the Thistle Farm all natural bath and body products. Magdalene Thistle Farms is a non-profit residential Christian community for women who have survived lives of violence, addiction and prostitution in Nashville, Tennessee.

Surviving the Holidays GriefShare one night event

Wed., Dec. 19; 6:30pm; Room 828

Surviving the Holidays is a special one time seminar that is aimed toward helping anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one navigate the holiday season. This time of year is often flooded with memories of happier, past celebrations. Surviving the Holidays seminar provides practical holiday coping strategies and hope for brighter days ahead. Take advantage of this essential support.

Books are available in OneSent for $5.

Call Carol Petersen at 402-419-9805 with questions or to reserve your space.

Also join us for a special Christmas Memories Service Saturday, December 22 at 5:30pm.

2019 Women's Retreat

Save the date: April 5-6

Join us for our Sheridan Women's Retreat with guest speaker Carol Kent at the beautiful Lied Lodge in Nebraska City. Carol is an expert on speaking and writing to encourage people to hold on to hope when life's circumstances turn out differently than their dreams. Her books include When I Lay My Isaac Down, A New Kind of Normal and Between a Rock and a Grace Place. More details will be available in January.

Beth Moore to be in Lincoln

Beth Moore will be in Lincoln for her Living Proof Live Event at Pinnacle Bank Arena June 21-22, 2019. Email Kathy Paisley to reserve your early bird $59 ticket with other Sheridan women before December 17.

This event includes Friday night and Saturday sessions.

Questions?

Contact Kathy Paisley

Deacon, Director of Ministries & Discipleship

k.paisley@sheridanlutheran.org

402.423-4769, ext. 107

WORSHIP WITH US

SATURDAY: 5:30PM

SUNDAY: 8:30AM, 9:45AM & 11AM

WEDNESDAYS: 6PM