Pastor's Page

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As I compose this message, people are filled with pre-Christmas anticipation. Decorations abound. Decorative lights appear everywhere. Christmas lights hold an attraction for me that date back to my childhood. I must confess that at this time of the year, in spite of the greenhouse effect and the cost of gasoline, I often take the long way around to a destination just so I can get a glimpse of ordinary objects transformed into the extraordinary as they are bathed in the glow of artificial light. Given the number of homes and places of business that are light laden during this season, I believe that I am not alone in my attraction to the lights of Christmas.

However, December 26 or shortly thereafter, the lights are turned off, packed away and the world returns to business as usual. We are left to yearn for the longer days of spring and summer without benefit of Christmas lights. Why this fascination for the lights? Humans have a physical and psychological/emotional need for light. Christmas lights temporarily and artificially address that need. The lights disappear. The need remains.

Events of the past year underscore the darkness that plagues humanity. Hurricanes, floods, wars, poverty, genocide, murder, and abuse of children and the elderly, are but a sampling of the terrors that stalk our planet. Add to the list, the personal black holes of our existence and one might well ask about the presence of God in the midst of this confusion, pain and suffering.

After January 6, we will be in the season of Epiphany, the event that celebrates the wise men traveling by light of the Star of Bethlehem to find the baby Jesus. Epiphany is a season of light. Jesus is the light of the world. He is the life of the world, “the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1: 4, 5, 6) Sometimes, we feel overwhelmed by chaos. The world screams out for the light of Christ. John reminds us that the darkness cannot overcome the light that is Jesus.

The darkness is real and is identified by many names. The romantic, unrealistic images that we have of Christmas with its beautiful but artificial light, cannot remove the shadows in our lives. During this season of Epiphany, let us remember that Christ’s light is every bit as real as and more powerful than the worst evil imaginable. Let us remember that even in the most devastating circumstances, Jesus is there. There is only one light that can transform the ordinary things of our lives into the extraordinary—bread to body, wine to blood, and sinners to saints. Because we are baptized, we share in the light that cannot be extinguished. Because that light lives in us, we too can do extraordinary things. God does not promise to take all the darkness from our lives but He does promise to be with us at all times and in all places. In this new year,

May the light of Christ direct your days,

The love of Christ surround your ways,

The Spirit of Christ set your hearts ablaze.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Linda

We meet on the first Wednesdays of the month at 6:15-8:00 PM. A Pot-Luck Meal begins at 6:15PM and Bible Study starts at 7:15 PM to 8:00 PM. For more information, please call Pastor Linda or the Church Office at 469-2586.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4: 8,9

BIBLE QUIZ

1. Who wrote the first four books of the New Testament?	2. Who wrote the first four books of the New Testament?
3. What two Old Testament Books are named for women?	4. What are the Ten Commandments?
5. What is the Greatest Commandment?	6. What is the second Greatest Commandment?
7. What is the Golden Rule?	8. What is the Great Commission?
9. What was the test of a prophet, to know that he was truly from God?	10. To whom did God give the 10 Commandments?
11. Which two people did not die?	12. What is the root of all kinds of evil?
13. What is the beginning of wisdom?	14. Who delivered the Sermon the Mount?
15. How did sickness and death enter the world?	16. Who was the Roman governor who sentenced Christ to death?
17. Who are the major prophets/	18. What people group is the Old Testament about?
19. What happened while the Lord Jesus was in the desert for 40 days?	20. How many people were on Noah's ark?
21. Who was the first murderer?	22. Which person was afflicted with terrible trials but trusted God through it all?
23. Who was Israel's most well-known and well-loved king?	24. Who was "the weeping prophet?"
25. Who was thrown into the lion's den?	26. Who were the two people in the famous fight with a stone and a sling?
27. What is the book of Acts about?	28. What are epistles?
29. On what occasion was the Holy Spirit given to the church?	30. Whom did God command to sacrifice his only Son?
31. What was the Old Testament feast that celebrated Gods saving the firstborn of Israel the night they left Egypt?	32. Who was the Hebrew who became prime minister of Egypt?
33. Who was the Hebrew woman who became Queen of Persia?	34. Who was the pagan woman who became David's great-grandmother?
35. Which angel appeared to Mary?	36. How did the Lord Jesus die?
37. What happened to Him three days after He died?	38. What happened to the Lord Jesus 40 days after His resurrection?
39. What should we do when we sin, in order to restore our fellowship with God?	40. How did the universe and world get here?
41. Where did Satan and the demons come from?	42. Who directed the writing of the Bible?
43. Where was the Lord Jesus before He was conceived in Mary?	44. Who taught in parables?
45. What are parables?	46. Which two animals talked with human speech?
47. With which woman did David commit adultery?	28. Which one of their sons succeeded David as king?
49. Who was the female judge of Israel?	50. Who was the wisest man in the world?
51. Who was the first man?	52. Who was the most humble man on earth?
53. Who was the strongest man on earth?	54. Where were the two nations of God's people taken into captivity?
55. Which cupbearer to a foreign king rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem?	56. Who were the two Old Testament prophets who worked miracles?
57. Which Old Testament prophet spent three days in the belly of a great fish?	58. What is the last book of the Old Testament?
59. For which Israelite commander did the sun stand still?	60. Who was the first king of Israel?
61. Who built the temple in Israel?	62. Which of the twelve tribes of Israel served as priests?
63. Which city fell after the Israelites marched around it daily for seven days?	64. What did God give the Israelites to eat in the wilderness?
65. Which two people walked on water?	66. Who was the first martyr?
67. Who betrayed Jesus to the priests, and for how much?	68. What is the Lord's Prayer?
69. Who was the first person to see the risen Lord?	70. Which prophet and cousin of the Lord was beheaded?
71. To what country did the young Jesus and His parents escape when Herod was threatening His life?	72. What was Christ's first miracle?
73. Which one of the Lord's personal friends did He raise from the dead?	74. Who was the greatest missionary of the New Testament?
75. Who was Paul's first partner?	76. Who did an angel release from prison?
77. Which event caused God to splinter human language into many tongues?	78. Which chapter of an Old Testament prophet's book gives a detailed prophecy of the Messiah's death by crucifixion?
79. Who wrestled all night with the Lord and was left with a permanent limp?	80. Which two pastors did Paul write letters to?
81. Who was hailed as a god when he was bitten by a snake but nothing bad happened?	82. Which two New Testament writers were brothers of the Lord Jesus?
83. Which two New Testament books were written by a doctor?	84. Who had a coat of many colors?
85. In what sin did Aaron lead the Israelites while his brother Moses was up on the mountain talking to God?	86. How many books are there in the entire Bible?
87. What's the difference between John the Baptist and the John who wrote several New Testament books?	88. Who saw the Lord appear to him in a burning bush?
89. How many sons did Jacob have?	90. Who gave up his birthright for a bowl of stew?
91. Which Psalm starts out, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want?"	92. Who disowned the Lord Jesus three times before a cock crowed?
93. What did the Lord do just before the Last Supper to demonstrate His love and humility?	94. Where is the New Testament "Hall of Faith?"
95. Who appeared with the Lord in glory on the Mount of Transfiguration?	96. Who is the second Adam?
97. Which Old Testament prophet married a prostitute because God told him to?	98. What are the two sacred ordinances that the Lord commanded us to observe?
99. What are supernatural enablings that allow a believer to serve the Body of Christ with ease and effectiveness?	100. Whose tomb was Christ buried in?
101. Who wrote the book of Hebrews?	102. which is the "epistle of joy?"
103. What is the book of Revelation about?	104. Who is the bride of Christ?