Praise the Lord for the Fabulous Friday.
Sunita called yesterday evening and told me that she and Andy were attending Handel's Messiah at the Kennedy Center. Laureen and some of our friends are attending the performance of Handel's Messiah at the Binghamton Forum this evening. I am not able to attend the performance but I can enjoy the performance through my children and friends. I am grateful to some of friends from Downtown Singers who provide many tickets to our Church family and friends. Thank you.
We are getting ready for our Living Nativity this evening at the premises of the Wesley UMC. Lynn Rosenbarker and her team are ready for this presentation of the Birth of our Lord And Savior. The Living Nativity will be in display from 5-7 PM this very evening. There will be live animals such as sheep, goats, and cows, and a live cast. The local women's singing group, Four of Hearts, will provide live music.
We are preparing a special Christmas meal for the needy around the area tomorrow, to be served at noon at First United Methodist Church. Our young friend, Chef for the day, Sam Echorst has prepared a very special meal for friends and neighbors. There are many who are getting ready to share the meal and the fellowship.
Our Youth are preparing for their Christmas Concert with Jared Campbell, which will be held at the First United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 18. The doors will open at 4:30. Pizza and drinks will be served. The Concert will start at 6 PM. Members of the Vestal Police Department are providing security measures for the evening. The Boy Scout troop that meets at the Union Center Methodist Church under the leadership of our friend Chris Seavy will be serving the food and drinks to the attendants of the concert. During Morning Worship Sunday our Choir will present a Chistmas Cantata during both morning worship services. There will be a luncheon reception for the children and the choir members and the church family at 12:30.
Yesterday I was privileged to have "the Russians" come to the house and visit me. They sang the Lord's prayer in Russian for me. It ministered to my heart. They will be returning home on December 28, in time to celebrate Orthodox Christmas with their families.
We are set for a Big Weekend of ministry and out reach. May Jesus be praised. May many come to know Him as the New Born King and Lord. "Come to Jesus and Live".
I read about Robert Read, who understands this. He said, “I have everything I need for joy! Amazing!” Most of you have probably never heard of Robert Reed. He’s not some movie star or some great athlete. He did graduate from highschool and went on to graduate from Abilene Christian University in Texas with a degree in Latin. He taught at a junior college in St. Louis and even ventured overseas on five mission trips before moving to Lisbon as a missionary in 1972. He rented a hotel room and began studying Portuguese. He found a restaurant owner who would feed him – because he could not feed himself. Robert’s hands are twisted and his feet are useless. He cannot bathe himself. He cannot brush his own teeth. He cannot even put on his own underwear. His shirts are held together by strips of Velcro. His speech drags like a worn out audio cassette. He can’t drive a car, ride a bike, or go for walk. Robert has severe cerebral palsy, but that did not keep him from becoming a missionary to Portugal.
Robert went daily to the park, where he would station himself and with his twisted hands he would pass out brochures about Jesus. Within six years he helped seventy people find the Lord, one of whom became his wife, Rosa.
Robert could have been bitter because of his disease – but he wasn’t. Robert could have asked for pity – but he didn’t. Robert could have a really bad self image - but he doesn’t. Instead Robert holds his bent and twisted hand in the air and yells, “I have everything I need for joy! Amazing!” Robert can do that because he knows that he has value in God’s kingdom. Robert can do that because he has met the Prince of Peace – Jesus.*
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnTQo3WS7rM
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Brown's Daily Word 12-13-10 Christmas for Orissa, India
Dear friends,
As some of you may already know, I have been sick over the past four weeks. I am slowly coming out of it now. In the midst of my illness and afflictions I was unable to get around to writing about the great needs that still exist in Orissa, India. This is the third Christmas since the persecution of Christians began in Orissa in the summer of 2008. Since that time thousands of Christians have been displaced from their homes, and many are still living in refugee camps with the poorest of lodging, food, and clothing. We continue to support 25 girls at the girls' home, and we also support the training of "LPN" level nurses in a Christian training school. We are also trying to reach out to some of the pastors who have continued to preach, teach, and minister wherever they can.
It is our desire to be able to send a special gift for the girls at the girls' home, the nurses in training, and some of the pastors during this Christmas season. Any gift that their receive from their Christian brothers and sisters here would be a tremendous blessing to them. As in the past, as you are led by the Lord you can make a check, payable to "Union Center United Methodist Church", designated "Orissa, India". Your check can be mailed to 128 Maple Drive, Endicott, NY .
May the Christ of Christmas bless each of our hearts as we share, as we serve, and as we give. Thank you for caring and sharing.
In Christ,
Pastor Brown
As some of you may already know, I have been sick over the past four weeks. I am slowly coming out of it now. In the midst of my illness and afflictions I was unable to get around to writing about the great needs that still exist in Orissa, India. This is the third Christmas since the persecution of Christians began in Orissa in the summer of 2008. Since that time thousands of Christians have been displaced from their homes, and many are still living in refugee camps with the poorest of lodging, food, and clothing. We continue to support 25 girls at the girls' home, and we also support the training of "LPN" level nurses in a Christian training school. We are also trying to reach out to some of the pastors who have continued to preach, teach, and minister wherever they can.
It is our desire to be able to send a special gift for the girls at the girls' home, the nurses in training, and some of the pastors during this Christmas season. Any gift that their receive from their Christian brothers and sisters here would be a tremendous blessing to them. As in the past, as you are led by the Lord you can make a check, payable to "Union Center United Methodist Church", designated "Orissa, India". Your check can be mailed to 128 Maple Drive, Endicott, NY .
May the Christ of Christmas bless each of our hearts as we share, as we serve, and as we give. Thank you for caring and sharing.
In Christ,
Pastor Brown
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