SERMON NOTES:

Prayer Requests
Y Pray for all those who suffer from the terrible tragedy in Connecticut. Y Pray for Dianne Blacks sister, Arlene Benson, who is in the hospital for depression and anxiety, and will be hospitalized until January. Y Pray for Hussein, Angelicas co-workers husband, who is starting treatment this week for leukemia. Y Yea God, Sebas Osorio is cancer free! Y Special prayer to Bakia Ndips brother Mor as he travels to Dublin, Ireland for Christmas. May the Lord guide him through this journey. Y Prayers for continued healing for Addie Oberg, 4 year old neighbor of Amy & Paul Moore, who had skull surgery. Y Prayers of thanks for healing for Amy Moores mom; for a job for her brother; engagement of her nephew; and college acceptance of her niece. Y Pray for Gods guidance and good health; and guidance to find a job for Rose Tendoh. Y Pray for successful surgery (that was on Monday) and healing process for Melanie Vosdingh. Y Pray for John Thiessen as he is going through chemotherapy treatment. Y Pray for Gods guidance, and good health in Mbeny Bakia-Chicks family. And pray for Gods protection. Y All who grieve the passing of Ama Houdjagos father, Togo. Y For Peder Gustafson, whose parents are both living with chronic illnesses in the later stages of life. Y Pray for Jennifers neighbor, Julie Fjeld, who continues to receive treatment for her cancer. Y For Bobbie Pearson whose recovering from pneumonia and fighting weakness and cancer. Y Pray that Hildy Peterson finds full-time employment. Y Pray for Beverly Dols, John Ivers sister, who suffers from lung cancer. Y Pray for Diana Zile-Young, friend of Ivers, who suffers from liver failure. Y Pray for Ryan Tates mom who found abnormal cells on her thyroid. Please pray that everything will be okay. (not public)

Y Pray for healing for Candi (Heathers friend) who has cancer. Y Pray for Dave Schwartz and Marg Olson (friends of George & Dianne Black) who are both going through cancer. Y Pray for Ward Sessing, member of the Presbyterian Church of the Way, who is recovering from surgery. Y Pray for Donna McCullen, wife of Ken McCullen. Y Pray for Alan Shingledecker who is suffering from past injuries. Pray the lawsuit will end so he can have surgery and get off pain killers.

DEVOTION
The first two chapters of Luke is a wonderful story to read during Christmas week. The writer, Luke, weaved together the facts of the birth of Jesus and John into a narrative that illustrated the power of God. Luke was like a newspaper reporter sharing what had happened. He wanted to write an orderly account for Theophilus. Putting together the outline of these chapters showed Luke at work. First Gabriel appeared to John, then Gabriel appeared to Mary, then John was born, then Jesus was born. Mary shared a song of praise and then Zechariah shared a song of praise. The parallelism was important for Luke to share. As you read this story this week, take some time to appreciate the amazing birth of Jesus. We know the story, but its worth knowing even more deeply! Comments and thoughts about the devotion can be E-mailed to Pastor Paul at pastor@colpres.org. Enjoy!! Monday, December 24 Read Luke 1:1-25 Luke wanted to write an orderly account of the gospel so that Theolphilus would know the truth of what happened. Luke was a

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historian who wanted to place the birth of John and Jesus in a historical context. We can see this as Luke shared the long details of when Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and the ancestry of Zechariah and Elizabeth. In a sermon on December 9 Pastor Paul talked about how God surprised Zechariah. Zechariah wasnt opened to being surprised. Even though an angel of God appeared in front of him to tell him what was going to happen, he still couldnt believe. How open are we to being surprised by God? The surprises happen all around us, but often we can miss them. Being aware and available to being surprised can fill us with joy and expectation. Prayer: Surprising God, you are working all around us to surprise us with your presence. May I be open to what you are doing. Dont let me be like Zechariah in discounting your amazing surprises. Tuesday, December 25 Read Luke 1:26-38 Merry Christmas!! Marys response was quite different than Zechariah. The message that the angel, Gabriel, shared was not any more surprising, but Mary was willing to accept it. She couldnt understand how the words of Gabriel would happenshe knew how babies were conceived! Even though the message was unbelievable she was willing to believe. As you celebrate Christmas today, open yourself up to the unbelievable message of Jesus entrance into the world. If you can, share this story with the guests with whom you eat. Talk about how Mary was willing to believe the unbelievable. Listen carefully to

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what others say about Marys response to Gabriel. Prayer: On this Christmas day when the world celebrates Jesus birth, open us up to being surprised. Help us believe the unbelievable. May the world be drawn closer to you because of our celebration of Jesus brith. Wednesday, December 26 Read Luke 1:39-80 Quite a lot happened in these 41 verses! Mary went to visit Elizabeth. John was born. Both Mary and Zechariah shared a song of Praise for God. Both Marys and Zechariahs songs of Praise talked about what God had done. God was the active part of these stories. The birth of John and Jesus was an expression of the promise that God had given to the people of Israel. God never fails on a promise. Many had given up on God, but God had never given up on the people. Praise God! Prayer: You are a God of sure promises. Thank you for never giving up on us or on me. Forgive me when I give up on you. Continue to burn within my own heart, so that I can believe and enjoy your promises. Thursday, December 27 Read Luke 2:1-20 The story of Jesus birth speaks for itself. Within the story we can see the markings of Luke the historian. At the start of the story Luke wanted the hearer of the story to know who the political leaders. He was placing the story into a context.

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The angels first words to the shepherds are worth remembering. Do not be afraid Often when an angel appeared to a human these were the first words out of the angels mouth. We live in a world full of fear. In fact many people manipulate our fears. God doesnt want us to be people who are afraid. Do not fear!! Take these words with you today. Prayer: It is hard to look at the world and not be afraid. Your words from the angels are worth living out. Help me embrace these words for my life! Friday, December 28 Read Luke 2:21-40 Again God was orchestrating the connection of people in the story. God had shared with Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. What a privilege it must have been for Simeon to receive this message! Simeon knew his call because God had told it to him. When he saw baby Jesus he took it in his arms. This might have seemed a bit forward, but to Simeon it was very natural. How could he not take Jesus in his arms and give praise to God. The promise of God had been kept! The baby was the illustration of the promise! Prayer: Just as you made a promise to Simeon you have given each of us a call in our own lives. May my own sense of call be as clear as Simeons. May I know and be sure of my own purpose. Saturday, December 29 Read Luke 2:41-52 This is the only story about Jesus as a boy, and it only appears in Luke. By going to the Passover celebration we learn that Joseph and Mary were committed to the rituals of

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their faith. In the Passover the Jews remembered their liberation from Egypt. As a twelve year old Jesus was beginning to assert his independence from Joseph and Mary. Most parents can understand this! Luke ended the chapter by saying that Jesus increased in wisdom and in divine and human favor. He was growing up to be an adult who would change the world! Prayer: Thank you the wisdom that you gave to Jesus as a twelve-year old. I pray that the pre-teens in Chain of Lakes can grow in your favor and in human favor. May we be a community that is passionate about our Core Value of Investing in Future Generations.