EV First Press DISCOVERING OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST TOGETHER NEWSLETTER OF THE FIRST EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CEDAR GROVE, WISCONSIN VISIT US ON THE WEB AT www.cedargrovefepc.com DECEMBER 2014 FROM THE PASTOR “ Advent: Expectation, Waiting, Longing, Hope... “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, on them has light shined...For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:2,6-7 For a time, my family and I lived in Northern Virginia, not far from the Shenendoah Valley, home of the Luray Caverns, the largest and most beautiful cavern formation East of the Mississippi. Stalagtites and Stalagmites form delicate and beautiful displays in a way that speaks to the beauty of creation and the care of the Creator. Halfway through the walking tour, the tour guide will stop the group and instruct everyone to stand perfectly still. At this point, he or she will flip a light switch and what comes at the flip of the switch is utter darkness. You cannot see the hand in front of your face. The person to the immediate left or right of where you are standing in only known by their breath. The darkness is all-consuming. However, were the tour guide to light a match, there would not be enough darkness in the room to overcome the light. In fact, all the darkness in the world, could not overcome that one, small light. Jesus is no small light. The darkness that had fallen upon the world in the time of Isaiah, the prophet, was no small darkness. Enemies surrounded Israel and Judah on every side. The walls and darkness were closing in on them. They were wondering, “Is this the end of the line? Has God forgotten us? Will we be snuffed out?” The LORD God declares through his prophet in the passage above, what he is doing and what he will do in their midst. God’s people “walked” in darkness, but they “have seen” a great light. The darkness is deep, God’s light is deeper and greater still. He is declaring that he will send them One who will shoulder the government. This One will be the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. God will not give up on his people. He will not leave them in the deep darkness. In short, he will follow through with his promises with a light that will not be overcome by the darkness, but will in fact swallow the darkness. Are you in dark days? Does the weight of the darkness seem to be on your shoulders? Jesus, the great light, puts that weight on his shoulders. There is no darkness that can overcome him. There is no end to his goodness and grace. May he be your treasure and your strength, this Christmas and everyday. Grace, Justin You can find the church’s Facebook page at 1st Evangelical Presbyterian Church. SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS NEEDED!! Our church is again ringing bells on Friday,December 19 and Saturday, December 20 this year. Please take 1 hour out of your weekend during this busy time of year and help those that will be needing help during 2015. The sheets are hanging by the coffee machine! Thank you for helping in this worthwhile cause. UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUCEMENTS NURSERY SCHEDULE Small Group (House Group) Sunday December 7 - 4 – 6 pm at Justin and Wendy Sembler’s house. (child care provided) DECEMBER 7th – Dara Ledbeter 14th – Sally Eernisse 21st – Sharon Huenink 28th – Kathy Kluender WOMENS FELLOWSHIP CHRISTMAS PARTY Tuesday December 9 at 7 pm at the home of Milf Kroening . 833 Main Street. Co-hostesses are Marissa Underhill and Lilly Kroening. Devotions by Connie Dekker and games with Joy Huenink. Bring 2 dozen cookies to exchange and a container to take home cookies from your friends. Cedar Grove Area Food Pantry update – Cedar Grove Area Food Pantry update - Thanks to many generous donations, 24 families were served in November! The pantry will be open again on Thursday, December 11th from 4:30 to 6:30 PM at Faith Reformed Church (243 S 4th St, Cedar Grove). If you know of anyone who could benefit from the food pantry, please let them know about it. If anyone is interested in donating, right now we are low on cereal, canned fruit, paper products (especially toilet paper), and laundry detergent. (Please check the expiration dates on the food you donate.) Thank you! Also, please pray for Sandy and her recovery from foot surgery. Pray for Lucky who will have heart surgery in December. Also, pray for Paul; his aunt told us that he “is on drugs, in jail, and needs Jesus.” December Birthdays JAN KOPUT BEV BRUNNER SETH UNDERHILL BETTY HARMELING SHARON HUENINK DEC 8 DEC 14 DEC 17 DEC 29 DEC 30 DEADLINE FOR JANUARY NEWSLETTER – December 28 The January issue will be available at church on Sunday January 4th . Email [email protected] with any information you want included. DON’T FORGET TO CHECK YOUR WEEKLY BULLETIN FOR UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Do you have an announcement that you would like included in the bulletin? Announcements pertaining to the life of our congregation can be emailed to: [email protected]. This address is shared by all involved with the weekly bulletin.
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