JOY TO THE WORLD!

"GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST"

On a night some 2,000 plus years ago the lives of some shepherds on a barren, rocky hillside outside of a little town called Bethlehem were forever changed. For those who always found themselves looking up to see the bottom, something happened - something heavenly (literally). What was just another boring night watching over some sheep that probably didn't even belong to them turned into an encounter with angelic messengers from God and ultimately God Himself. Good news was offered and received. Great joy was seen on the faces of the sheep watchers. A newfound giddy was found in their giddyup! Leaving the sheep behind, the shepherds hightailed it to town and met God in the flesh, the Savior who was Christ the Lord! All of a sudden these lowlifes became evangelists telling everyone what they had seen and heard. And what was a ho-hum night on the ouskirts of town for no-names on a hillside was replaced by transformed lifes who glorified and praised God for a night where he came to them as a baby, just as the angels told them. I pray that you all experience the same transformation, the same joy and the same amazement this Christmas. God has come in the flesh in the person of His Son Jesus. Join with the shepherds in glorifying and praising God.

JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME!!

There's Nothing Like Family!

We were blessed to have the kids and their families here to celebrate Christmas on Saturday. About didn't happen due to snow and ice in the Topeka area but Eric's made it here around 12:30 - just in time for big dinner - good timing! The grandbabies were a blast, but I forgot how busy little ones can be. But enjoyed every minute of it. God has blessed us with such wonderful boys - Todd, Eric, and Kyle and marvelous daughter-in-laws - Melissa and Andrea. And of course, they have doubly blessed us with beautiful grandchildren - Brayden, Owen, and Adelyn. God has graced us with a family that loves each other and loves Jesus as Savior and Lord.

It JUST doesn't get any better than that!!!

Little Addy jumping for joy!

Owen playing us all a song on the guitar.

Brayden hamming it up for the camera!

FOOD, FUN, AND FELLOWSHIP! AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Had a lot of fun last Saturday at the parsonage open house. So glad so many of you were able to come. It was a good day to get into the spirit of Christmas!!

My sister-in-law Janelle, youngest son Kyle, and his girlfriend Molly. They decided it was their job to make sure the food table was properly guarded and all plates kept full of goodies.

Candy, John, Deb, Barbara, and Janet solving all the world's problems.

Wait a minute! Didn't we just see Barbara and Candy in the previous picture?? We also see Bethany, Joe, and Mike eating, drinking, and making merry!

Ah yes, the table was loaded with all sorts of meats and cheeses, crackers, vegatables, dips, and drinks. Notice the first little sign - "Elk Meatballs". They were a big hit. If Candy wouldn't have eaten so many there would have been enough for everyone.

On a more serious note, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I pray that you will experience the love of God who gave His One and only Son that we might have life, abundant life, both now and for eternity. As we celebrate the birth of Christ this Friday it is my prayer that we will join the angels as we lift our voices together singing, "Joy to the World, the Lord is come, let earth receive her King".

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”- Isaiah 9:6

God bless you all this Christmas! - P.R.

A SPECIAL INVITATION

Just a reminder that you are invited to attend a special Christmas eve candlelight service at the church on the 24th. We will have 2 services - one at 6:30 pm and one at 11:00 pm. So if you are having a meal with your family during the early service, why not come out for the the late service? Likewise, if you have a family gathering that night, why not bring the family to the service at 6:30? Either way, we'd love to have you come out to celebrate the birth of our Lord on Christmas eve. Hope to see you Wednesday night.

WHAT IF......................?

What would have happened if it had been three wise women instead of three wise men?

They would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought practical gifts.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Did a woman write this?

BOWERS CHRISTMAS 2007

M.L's side of the family met for Christmas at the Best Western in Emporia over the weekend. Here are a few pics.

The "bingo table". Of course, Luke's mouth is open.

"...but we want to open presents now"

The newly engaged Keith and Cheryl - congrats!

Grandma Bowers and Bev checking out the loot.

Had lots of fun and ate waaaaaaay too much!!

JUST CHRISTMAS 2007

Here are a few pics of the Justs from our travels this past week to see our family. Check out the previous blog for Bower's pictures (M.L.'s side of family).

Little Brayden in his Jumperoo he got for Christmas.

The family at Eric's house in Topeka on the 26th.

A four generation picture of Justs.

All the Justs at dad's house in Aulne. We clean up pretty good don't we?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Hear these words of good news once again from the gospel of Luke:

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

What else could I add? Have a blessed Christmas, everyone!!

MONDAY MUSINGS!!

A few thoughts as another week is upon us:

What a great Christmas program last night at the church. The kids did great. Thanks to all who helped make it such a great evening.

We received some much needed moisture this past week. A little rain, a little ice, and some snow to top it off on Friday. Thankfully the ice wasn't as bad as it was to our east. Because of the weather 2 basketball games were postponed. Will make one up at Oakley on Tuesday night.

My folks celebrate their 50th on Thursday. ML and I are going to make a quick trip Wednesday to take them out to eat in McPherson. Will return that night. Congrats to them. See......., it can be done.

Kyle finishes classes this week. He'll be done Wednesday at noon with two semester tests in the morning. He finished his college algebra class last week. Hallelujah!

We're working on a new web page at the church. The address is www.leotiumc.com but we are having a few little mishaps. Bear with us as we work to correct the miscues.

Only a week left until Christmas. Are you ready? Not talking about shopping and presents and all. I'm speaking of your heart. It's so easy to get caught up in all the busyness of the season and before you know it, the 25th has come and gone. I hate when that happens to me- most of the time it is my own fault. So when you all get together with your families why not take a moment to read Jesus' birth accounts in Luke and Matthew before you open presents. That's what we do every year and it helps keep everything else in perspective.

If you live in Leoti or are coming to town to see family I invite you to the Christmas eve service on the 24th at 6:00 pm. It promises to be a special time.

Hope to post once more before Christmas. If not, have a most blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year.