Pastor's Update for December 7, 2006

Hi Creeksiders!

• The message this week is part 10 of our Freedom from Religion series. It’s called, “Calling All Peacemakers.” Religion often withdraws from culture or attacks it. What if there is another option? Jesus brings peace to Earth. Really? What does it mean to be a peacemaker? Where is this peace? Bring a friend and be challenged.

• Please keep helping with the Christmas Hampers! Please take some snowflakes off the Christmas tree. Bring the item to the next weekend gathering. Each year God uses these hampers to make a real difference in people’s lives.

• Kindness opportunity – Page a Prayer. We are supporting two ladies who are struggling with cancer. They’ve both been given a pager. Your kindness is fairly simple, yet profound to the ladies. When you think of Angie or Pam, simply call their pager and leave a message or your phone number. They appreciate that you are praying and thinking of them.

Phone Angie at (604) 205-4842
Phone Pam (Wahl) at (604) 205-4848

• Our Christmas Potluck is after church this week at Penner’s home. The whole church is welcome and invited - yep, both campuses. Bring your friends.

26769 64th Avenue, Aldergrove

Directions: From Highway 1, take 264th North to 64th and turn right.
Menu

Vegetarian Roast/patties

Stuffing and cranberry sauce

Salads

Desserts

We will provide Mashed potatoes and Gravy

Please send Teresa your menu item and how many coming so she can plan tpenner@creeksidonline.org Thanks.

• Creekside will help Feeding the Hungry this December. Following along with our theme to help others as Jesus did, we’d like to give you some varied opportunities to help beyond our walls again. Each Sabbath has a different emphasis. There will be special containers for these special offerings that will provide money for meals.
And check out this video from Sarah McLachlan. It’s inspiring: http://www.one.org/gvideo/view/11

December 9 for the Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver.

December 16 for the North Shore Food Bank.

December 23 for the Langley Food Bank.

December 30 for ADRA Canada and Canadian Foodgrains Bank. (Every dollar you give will be matched on a 4:1 basis. Isn’t that cool?)

Colin reflects:

When you hear the word Christmas, how do you respond?

Are you: Energized by the rush or sick and tired of all the commercialism?

Are you: Someone who grew up in a culture that celebrated Christmas very differently?

Are you someone who has done your homework and know that Jesus couldn’t be born at this time of year and the Christmas tree idea is not biblical.

Are you: A person who loves the warm glow and childlike excitement that comes with Christmas? Love carols?

I’ve experienced all those reactions and more. I read something that helped me put this into a God honoring perspective. See if it makes sense to you. You can read it at: http://www.whiteestate.org/issues/Christmas.html#Turn%20the%20Current%20Heavenward

It was written in the 1800’s so the language is a little different, yet still valid. My summary of this writing is that Christ followers can lead culture to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is by building on what is happening around Christmas rather than confronting it.

Creekside Community Church
A church for people who don’t like church and where no one stands alone.

Jim and Colin