You Can Still Help

Church was cancelled last Sunday for most PCC people. It was really cool that 130 people came to Powhatan. I was surprised - I thought we'd see like...TEN. And over 100 computers tied in to the online service. It was really neat.

But that still means that 80% or so of our normal attenders didn't come to church either physically or virtually. Among other things, this dramatically affected giving.

Normally, giving is up and down - part of the normal cycle of a month. But this was the last Sunday of the year, and a very low offering will have a pretty dramatic impact. Our two largest budget items - building payment and staff - still happen, even if we don't have church.

Today, you can still help! If PCC is where you call home or a place you love and can support, let me encourage you to give today. It's December 31, and if you postmark your envelope today or give online today, your giving will be reflected on your 2010 giving statement, making it a tax-deductible contribution for this year. (see below for addresses)

Thanks for your help and for your support of our church. God has done some remarkable things in 2010, and that is sure to continue into next year!

Give online by clicking here.

Mailing Address:

PCC

P. O. Box 834

Powhatan, Virginia 23139

Proverbs 30

I have been reading Proverbs for a couple of months now. One chapter every day - whichever chapter corresponds to that day of the month. It's convenient, since there are 31 Proverbs (or chapters).*

Today, I read the 30th chapter. Written by Agur (I don't know anything about him). Somewhat weird, especially the beginning. Here's a guy who says he's gotten no wisdom and doesn't really know or understand God...and then he goes on to say, "Every word of God is flawless..." and other praises. I haven't figured this one out yet.

However, the reason I write about it today concerns Agur's deep thinking. He takes his time to ponder the way 'things' are - in nature, in life, in relationships.

"There are three things that are never satisfied...the grave, the barren womb, land - which is never satisfied with water." (v.15-16)

"There are [four] things that are too amazing for me - that I do not understand...the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden." (v.18-19)

I don't think enough...ponder enough. I don't sit on the front porch in a rocking chair and consider enough. I don't listen enough to the voice of God speaking through the creation and the world around me. Proverbs 30 is helping me...even though I may not understand every part of it. Maybe it can help you, too.

*there are actually many proverbs contained in every chapter, so I prefer to say that there are 31 'chapters' instead of 31 'proverbs'.

Social Media Christmas

As promised, here is the video we showed at church today...I recommend reading Luke 1-2 first, if you haven't done that recently:

SNOW TODAY

PCC is only having ONE service today: 11:15 at the Powhatan Campus. You can see the online service today at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/PCCWired. You can go there directly by CLICKING HERE.

No church at Westchester and no 9:30 service at Powhatan.

Snow Sunday?

As you probably know, they've been talking about Christmas day and Sunday snow for the whole week. Today, they are saying it's less likely, as the storm seems to be taking a more easterly track. Still, we will post ANY changes we make due to weather in several ways:

• this blog
• local tv (especially channels 12 and 8)
• twitter
• facebook
• the website
• the church phone voicemail message
• an email to everyone in our database

If we were to get a ton of snow this weekend or any other weekend, we will at least have a live broadcast on the internet (assuming we have electricity), like we did twice last winter.

Hope to see you tomorrow at the Christmas Eve services!

Brian

Christmas Eve and December 26!

You do NOT want to miss the VERY special Christmas Eve service we have planned, called God with Us. I'm really excited about how moving this special evening will be. And, for the first year ever, we have 3 services (the first 2 offer childcare).

Invite your friends! At this service, we will share the message of Jesus Christ in a very non-threatening, simple way that people will understand, regardless of their religious background.

Second, you can help. We need folks to help with parking, greeting, and childcare. I know this is a very busy night for many families. This service is a great gift to our community. Lives will be changed. Why not make helping out at one of the services a family event for you and your family?

Finally, the day after Christmas is Sunday and we have a GREAT service lined up for you. We'll continue some Christmas music and have a fantastic celebration together!

Hope to see you there Christmas Eve and next Sunday!

A few questions about Luke 1-2:

• After reading Luke 1-2, name the things you know about:

Zechariah

Elizabeth

Mary

John

Jesus

• Which characters in the Christmas story are NOT in Luke's account (who is usually in the nativity scene that is not mentioned by Luke)?
• Why was Zechariah unable to speak?
• There are 2 songs in Luke 1 sung by 2 different people. Who are they? Why are they singing? What is their message?
• John has a unique way of greeting Jesus the first time he 'meets' Jesus (from his mother's womb). What does he do?
• Elizabeth and Mary were both unlikely candidates for motherhood. Why?

Don't limit your family time to these questions. Work through the scripture.

And also consider the 3 things we talked about today:

1. How are you making the paths straight for Jesus to be in your life?
2. Is there someone around you to whom you can give some time, and help fill in their valley this Christmas?
3. Is God calling you to give to families in need this year - helping level their mountain of need or hunger or pain? Where should you give? There are lots of options - from individual families to the Salvation Army. You can also give to those folks through PCC. Click here to give through our website. There is an option for 'help others in need' and 100% of your donation would be given to a family in need of help.

Hope this helps you prepare for His coming this Christmas!