St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church: The Messenger: December, 2014/January, 2015/title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <link href="../Saint-Ansgar.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"> </head> <body bgcolor=lightblue> <table align=left> <tr><td width="435"><p><font size=5><b>Excerpts From: <i>The Messenger</i></b></font><br> <font size=-1>The Community Newsletter of</font><br> <font size=+1><b>St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church</b></font><br> <font size=5><b><i>December, 2014/January, 2015</i></b></font><br> <strong>Vol. 77 Nr. 10</strong></p> </table> <table align=right> <td><img src="chrch1.gif" width=240 height=130> </table> <br clear=left> <br clear=right> <hr> <h3>Pastor's Corner</h3> <p>A Steady Flame</p> <blockquote><p>The true light that enlightens every person was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own things, but his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but born of God<br> (John 1:9-13)</p></blockquote> <p>To our friends in Christ far and near:</p> <p>Shalom and Peace of God be with you and your family. Once again the Christmas season has arrived. We are again reminded that His light is with us here on earth. Christmas and lights go together. Midnight services sung by candlelight. Lights strung on the houses and on Christmas trees. Blinking, twinkling lights. Colored lights. White lights. Candles. We can't seem to get enough of them. </p> <p>In Bethlehem, some two thousand years ago, light came into the world. The skies exploded with brilliant light and an angel descended, bringing a message of hope for all: Jesus was born! Heavenly light. True light. Primal light. The Source of all lights. God of God, Light of Light. A Light that existed before God said: "Let there be light." A Light that will shine long after sun, moon, and stars are snuffed out.</p> <p>In Bethlehem, some two thousand years ago, life entered the world, life conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary. The Word of God made human flesh. "In Him was life, and the life was the light of people." In the darkness, God shines His Light, His Son, Jesus Christ. He came to join forces with us, to be on our side, to become one with us and one of us. He came to dwell among us, full of grace and truth and love. Jesus Christ is Light and Life. He is a Light that no darkness can overcome.</p> <p> Peace has come to have a deeper meaning for me this year, I feel so blessed by God through the ministry God has entrusted to us in St. Ansgar’s. We are what we are because of the spiritual influence other Christians have had on us in our faith journey. Come to think about it. It is truly a humbling experience to read through the Old Testament and see how frail and imperfect all the "heroes" actually are. </p> <p>Abraham, the coward who cannot believe the promise. Jacob, the cheat who struggles with everybody. Joseph, the immature and arrogant teen. Moses, the impatient murderer who cannot wait for God. Gideon, the cowardly Baal-worshipper. Samson, the womanizing drunk. David, the power abusing adulterer. Solomon, the unwise wise man. Hezekiah, the reforming king who could not quite go far enough. </p> <p>It never ceases to amaze me why God could not have chosen "better" people to do His work in the world. Yet if God can use them, and reveal Himself through them in such marvelous ways, it means that He might be able to use us, inadequate, and unwise, and too often lacking in faith that we are. I think that is part of the wonder of the Advent Season. That is the miracle of Advent and Christmas. </p> <p>As the calendar year draws to a close, family schedules and personal agendas fill with meetings, programs, parties, and annual obligations. The carol "Silent Night" could not have been written at the end of the twentieth century, when its title evokes the peace and stillness modern women and men can only imagine. </p> <p>Yet this busiest time of year calls us to draw close to others, above all to God, who became flesh and lived with us. Meditation and manic shopping! How do we carve out moments of quiet when we open ourselves to God's presence? It is my wish that this moment will be a further blessing in your life and mine, as we celebrate the greatest gift that God gave to us on Christmas, his only Son. </p> <p>To receive him is to have him make our hearts his manger. He takes our hearts, and fills them with his light and life. God gave the greatest gift of all when He gave Jesus! "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son" John 3:16. Christmas is not a date on the calendar. </p> <p>It is a way of life. But like the innkeeper who turned Joseph and Mary away, we often put up a sign in our heart that reads, "No room!" Oh, we can participate in the festivities of the Christmas season but until we receive the gift that God gives, we will never truly experience Christmas.</p> <p>To have a Christ-centered Christmas we must not only recognize God as the center of a season but we must make Him the center of our whole life! He chose to dwell in our hearts but He didn't have to do it that way. He could have been born into a palace. </p> <p>His first home on earth could have been a mansion but He came to a manger and His birth was announced by shepherds instead of Kings. The greatest of all miracles took place in the midst of total simplicity. And today He comes to us once again in the midst of our simple daily lives.</p> <p>He conforms our will to his will and gives us purpose to live and for ministry as small as it might be. He gives us a new birth by the Holy Spirit whom He sends. He calls us His sisters and brothers. When we open our hearts to this wonderful Baby born in Bethlehem, he will save us and give us peace, which passes all understanding, and fill us with true light. He will fill us with His life. That is deep and lasting Christmas joy. </p> <p>My family and I would like to take this occasion to thank you for your friendship, love, and patience with us, thank you for your support, encouragement, and our ministry together. We are forever thankful to be part of what God is doing and what He is going to perform in our midst.</p> <p>I sincerely thank all the members and friends of St. Ansgar who worked diligently, and helped out with our annual Bazaar (it was a great success), and other Church related activities. </p> <p>This year has been a year of challenges for me personally, in fifteen months a brother and sister have died, once again you came through with your support and prayers. I want to thank you all for your diligent prayers, emotional, and above all financial support for the on going ministry at St. Ansgar. We are truly a community church people, in mission for others, and I have great confidence, and believe that there is a future and potential for our parish. </p> <p>I trust that you will be touched by God in some way during the Advent and Christmas season. May God’s presence fill your heart, your home and may the birth of the Christ-child be a sustaining strength throughout this festive season and the days to come.</p> <center> <p> May you be richly blessed by this wonderful gift of Christ. <br> Have a blessed Christmas, Glædelig Jul,<br> Frohe Weihnacht. Joyeux Noël, anda Happy New Year!</p> </center> <p>Yours in Christ,<br> Pastor Samuel King-Kabu</p> <hr> <p><font size="-1">Web Page prepared by:<br> <a href="Mailto:webmaster@st-ansgars-montreal.ca">Roger Kenner</a> & <a href="Mailto:messenger@st-ansgars-montreal.ca">Jette Blair</a>.<br> Content-New Topics Last Updated: 2015/06/25<br> <a href="http://www.st-ansgars-montreal.ca">St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church