West Main

The importance of helping families at Christmas is not a ministry that is hard to justify. We all have memories of being a kid opening that one gift and our hearts are filled with love and warmth. Those of us who are older probably have the reverse memory as well. We can fondly recall that one time when we watched our own kids open that “one” gift and we saw their eyes filled with wonder. It is our desire, that families in need can experience these same emotions. So every year, as a church family, we reach out into our community and help families do exactly that.

Thank you for your response so far. Most of the gift items are taken, but a few still remain. And there are plenty of food items that still need to be signed up for. If there is anyone who still wants to help, please jump in, as it is not too late. If you cannot shop, we will be glad to take your donation and shop for you! We have a wonderful reputation in this valley for being a church that cares for our city and helps it out. Thank you for caring and for always responding.

Blessings . . . .

– Pannell

ARE  YOU  HUMBLE  ENOUGH  TO  CONFESS?

There are many scriptures that “contain some things that are hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16). However, the command to “confess your sins to each other…,” seems straightforward and easy to understand. Why then does confession seem to be somewhat of a neglected, if not forgotten, practice among us? As one person said to me this week, “Perhaps we need to confess we are not confessing!”

The psychiatrist, Karl Menninger, wrote a popular book in the 1970s with the pithy title, “Whatever Became of Sin?” In regard to sin, Menninger said, “The very word ‘sin,’ which seems to have disappeared, was a proud word. It was once a strong word, an ominous and serious word. It described a central point in every civilized human being’s life plan and lifestyle. But the word went away. It has almost disappeared—the word, along with the notion. Why? Doesn’t anyone sin anymore? Doesn’t anyone believe in sin?” (p. 14). Since we no longer believe in sin, then maybe confession has virtually disappeared because we do not believe there is any sin left to confess.

The notion that we do not confess because there is no sin left to confess could be true among those outside the Christian faith. Yet, those of us who confess Jesus as Lord and Savior, and hold to the Bible as the inspired Word of God, certainly believe there is plenty of sin remaining and sin being committed in our lives to confess. So again, why does confession seem to have fallen out of use as a public and routine occurrence in our Christian walk?

One reason is good (or bad) old fashioned: Pride. We worry about what others think of us. We desire to be held in high esteem and valued. If we confess our shortfalls, then perhaps others will not esteem or value us. We may fear not being loved when others see we are not always what we claim and project ourselves to be. Confession of sin comes across as a personal risk. In short, we resist to confess because we fear loss—the loss of our self-created image in the eyes of others and own selves.

In a sin fallen world (which includes the local church) where sin-fallen human beings interact, the confession of sin would expose our weaknesses. Others may gain advantage over us as we lose the high ground of our pride. The loss of advantage might bring uncomfortable disadvantages such as loss of promotion, salary, reputation, and social status. Consider how many national politicians running for public office are derailed by sins of their past catching up to them. In many of these cases the sin is a youthful indiscretion that occurred twenty or more years ago in the politician’s life.

Though many in the world may seek to destroy a politician for any youthful indiscretion, Scripture says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). The local church is supposed to be a family where love, forgiveness, and mercy are found in abundance. No child of God should ever fear they will be loved less for confessing sin. If anything, we should expect to be loved all the more! Not that we encourage sin, but rather we are encouraged by God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ to always lift up those among us who are and have fallen. So the question is, “Are you humble enough to confess?”

– Terry

Calling All Performers . . .  "A Winter Wonderland" is the title of our Talent Christmas Program. If you are interested in performing or helping in any way, please come this Sunday, December 7, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Please come prepared with your music. We will have a rehearsal on Sunday, December 14, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. The program will take place on Saturday, December 20, at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Contact person is Meagan Delgado.

Giving Tree  --  We still have a few names left on our tree located at the back of the auditorium. If you would like to help a family with a gift, please take a name off of the tree. Also, there is a list posted of food items needed for our Christmas food baskets. If you are unable to shop, cash donations are also needed to buy the items needed. Thank you for all of your support for this project.

RRMC Blanket Baskets -- This year Hudson Thomas will be making Blanket Baskets for the Rogue Regional Medical Center Pediatrics Ward for his Senior Project. The help of the congregation to complete these baskets will be needed and appreciated. Please bring your items to the church this Sunday, December 7.

Tuesday Ladies Bible Class  --  We will take our Christmas break on December 23 and 30. We will resume class in the New Year on January 6.