Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances…. I Thessalonians 5:16-18
At this time of year, rejoicing and giving thanks in every circumstance can be especially difficult. The days are short, with little sunlight, so we want to hibernate and some of us experience depression. The holidays can bring lots of stress to get the right gift, have the perfect party or family event. The dysfunction in our families seems to come to the fore. And if we have few resources, we can feel badly that we can’t buy the gifts we’d like for our loved ones. If we’re experiencing the loss of loved ones, we seem to especially feel it at this time of year.
The people of Church in Thessalonica are faithful to the Gospel as told them by Paul and they also have faced hardships. Paul writes to encourage them. And our modern-day research shows health benefits from rejoicing, praying and giving thanks.
So through our stress, grief, and worry, we can try to rejoice, pray and give thanks. It may be the best way to get through our difficult time.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
News & Notes
Rebecca’s Schedule: Rebecca will be at St. John’s Corbin Tuesday, December 16 through Thursday, December 18. Her Sabbath Days will be Monday, December 15 and Friday, December 19. You may leave her a message by phoning the church office at 606-528-1659 or emailing priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Adult Forum: During December, we’ll continue our discussion of The Thirty-Nine Articles, BCP 867-876. Come learn about this historic document, which guides our denomination. Are the Articles still relevant today? Join the discussion. There will be no Adult Forum on December 28.
Godly Play (Sunday School): The Godly Play program is for children and offered each Sunday morning at 10:00 am. All children are invited to participate in this special form of spiritual development.
Winter Coat Donations: The Rotary Club of Corbin is collecting 500 new winter coats, especially for boys and girls ages 3-9. Coats will be distributed at the Empty Stocking Fund party on December 22. If you’d like to donate a coat, bring it to church and give it to Rebecca. You can also make a financial contribution to Empty Stocking Fund and give it to Rebecca.
Donations for Christmas Flowers are being accepted until December 14. Donations can be made in Honor of, in Memory of or in Thanksgiving for a person or blessing. Envelopes are available in the parlor or put your offering in the plate marked, “Christmas Flowers.”
Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm. The next meeting is December 17. If you have special prayer requests or would like to join this prayer ministry, please contact Shelia Phillips.
Decorate the church, Sunday, December 21, after church. Bring your lunch and stay after church on December 21 to help us decorate for Christmas.
Youth grades 7-12 are invited to a retreat, “A New Year in the Spirit” at Cathedral Domain, Saturday, December 27 – until Tuesday, December 30. See Rebecca for more information.
Hymn Selection Group If you’d like to choose hymns for services, join this group. You will choose hymns for an upcoming service and then meet with the entire group to confirm the final selections. See Billy Hibbitts if you are interested.
Would you like to write Prayers of the People? If you are interested in writing these prayers (there are resources that can help with this task), please let Rebecca know by phone or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
United Thank Offering. Remember to get your box for your thank offerings for this ministry of The Episcopal Church. The next collection will be in the spring.
Are you interested in assisting with the Sunday service? Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Crucifers, Altar Guild Members and choir members are all important for each Sunday service. If you’re interested in serving, please let Rebecca know by phone 859-429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Serving Our Neighbors – See baskets in the parlor.
- Everlasting Arm, Corbin’s shelter for people who are homeless, is in need of men’s and women’s razors, gloves, deodorant and socks.
- The Food Pantry at Corbin Presbyterian Church is always in need of nonperishable food items. Vegetables are especially appreciated.