Brown's Daily Word 12-15-10

Praise the Lord for this Holy Advent Season. The Lord blessed us with a very beautiful weekend of worship, fellowship, and renewal. I have been reading from Isaiah 35. When the heart is healed by Christ, then "the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy". When the Lord heals our hearts, our deficiencies and handicaps will be turned into assets. Our inadequacies will become something beautiful for Him. "Be strong, fear not, behold, your God will come and save you."
The second image which Isaiah offers is the image of a barren wilderness which has become fertile, a burning desert which has become a refreshing spring of water. "Be strong, you who are of a fearful heart; be strong, fear not, for waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water." The healed heart, the transformed heart, the heart in which Christ dwells, looks at the world and sees not so much a desert, devastating and dreadful, deadly and destructive, but instead sees at least the prospect of a verdant garden. The healed heart is a heart of imagination. The healed heart is a heart having hope. The healed heart, the heart which has truly heard God's word, "Be strong, fear not", looks at its world and sees the possibilities.

In Christ,
Brown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSKnkqAOhpA


Living Nativity
A Living Nativity will be presented on Friday, December 17 from 5-7 PM at 1000 Day Hollow Road, Endicott, New York. This beautiful event is sponsored by the Wesley United Methodist and the Union Center United Methodist Churches. There will be live animals including sheep, goats, and cows along with a live cast. The "Four of Hearts" A cappella women's quartet will be singing Christmas carols.
The church has ample parking in its well-lit parking lot. Hot coffee and hot chocolate will be served along with cookies.



The Ignite Youth Group of the Union Center United Methodist Church is hosting a Holiday Concert and Youth Rally by locally known artist, Jared Campbell. The Concert will be held on Saturday, December 18 at the First United Methodist Church, 53 McKinley Avenue, Edicoott. The doors will open at 4:30PM for ticket holders. The cost of the tickets are $5.00 in advance, $5.50 at Arrowhead Parable Christian Book Store, and $7.00 at the door. The Ticket price includes pizza and soda. For Information call: (607)-235- 0652.


The Union Center United Methodist Church will be sponsoring two Christmas Eve Services on Friday, December 24.
At 4:30 PM there will be a Christmas Candlelight Worship Service held at the First United Methodist Church, 53 McKinley Avenue, Endicott. The Service will include readings of the lessons and singing of traditional Christmas Carols. Aric Phinney will be accompanying at the Piano. The Congregation of the Cornerstone Christian Church will be joining in the service, and their Choir will bring a special number. Various members will be reading the lessons.
A traditional Christmas Candlelight Communion Service will be held at the Union Center United Methodist Church at 7:30 PM. The Church is located 128 Maple Drive, Endicott.
The Public is invited to join both of these services. For Information call: (607)-748-1358.