Community Shoebox Video

We had a lot of people come to celebrate Jesus' Birthday and give out shoebox gifts to our community! All in all we ministered to 63 kids and gave out 23 boxes of food to families. Pretty amazing! We had a puppet show, games, songs, cake and punch, and a lot of fun! I was thinking about them today as I remembered that one of the kids there told me that he wasn't going to open his shoebox until Christmas. He was going to wait the whole week to see what he was given.

Here is a video that I put together to highlight the day. But this video doesn't to justice to the looks and feelings in the room that day. It was the church being the church that day.

Merry Christmas indeed!

The meaning of the Advent liturgy

(This is taken from Dennis Bratcher's site. Credit goes to him.)

The beginning of Advent is a time for the hanging of the green, decoration of the church with evergreen wreaths, boughs, or trees that help to symbolize the new and everlasting life brought through Jesus the Christ. Some churches have a special weekday service, or the first Sunday evening of Advent, or even the first Sunday morning of Advent, in which the church is decorated and the Advent wreath put in place. This service is most often primarily of music, especially choir and hand bells, and Scripture reading, along with an explanation of the various symbols as they are placed in the sanctuary.

The Advent wreath is an increasingly popular symbol of the beginning of the Church year in many churches as well as homes. It is a circular evergreen wreath (real or artificial) with five candles, four around the wreath and one in the center. Since the wreath is symbolic and a vehicle to tell the Christmas story, there are various ways to understand the symbolism. The exact meaning given to the various aspects of the wreath is not as important as the story to which it invites us to listen, and participate.

The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son. The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ.

The colors of the candles vary with different traditions, but there are usually three purple or blue candles, corresponding to the sanctuary colors of Advent, and one pink or rose candle. One of the purple candles is lighted the first Sunday of Advent, a Scripture is read, a short devotional or reading is given, and a prayer offered. On subsequent Sundays, previous candles are relighted with an additional one lighted. The pink candle is usually lighted on the third Sunday of Advent. However, different churches or traditions light the pink candle on different Sundays depending on the symbolism used (see above on Colors of Advent). In Churches that use a Service of the Nativity, it is often lighted on the fourth Sunday of Advent, the final Sunday before Christmas.

The light of the candles itself becomes an important symbol of the season. The light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. It also reminds us that we are called to be a light to the world as we reflect the light of God's grace to others (Isa 42:6). The progression in the lighting of the candles symbolizes the various aspects of our waiting experience. As the candles are lighted over the four week period, it also symbolizes the darkness of fear and hopelessness receding and the shadows of sin falling away as more and more light is shed into the world. The flame of each new candle reminds the worshippers that something is happening, and that more is yet to come. Finally, the light that has come into the world is plainly visible as the Christ candle is lighted at Christmas, and worshippers rejoice over the fact that the promise of long ago has been realized.

The first candle is traditionally the candle of Expectation or Hope (or in some traditions, Prophecy). This draws attention to the anticipation of the coming of an Anointed One, a Messiah, that weaves its way like a golden thread through Old Testament history. As God’s people were abused by power hungry kings, led astray by self-centered prophets, and lulled into apathy by half-hearted religious leaders, there arose a longing among some for God to raise up a new king who could show them how to be God’s people. They yearned for a return of God’s dynamic presence in their midst.

And so, God revealed to some of the prophets that indeed He would not leave His people without a true Shepherd. While they expected a new earthly king, their expectations fell far short of God’s revelation of Himself in Christ. And yet, the world is not yet fully redeemed. So, we again with expectation, with hope, await God’s new work in history, the second Advent, in which He will again reveal Himself to the world. And we understand in a profound sense that the best, the highest of our expectations will fall far short of what our Lord’s Second Advent will reveal!

The remaining three candles of Advent may be associated with different aspects of the Advent story in different churches, or even in different years. Usually they are organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the season. So, the sequence for the remaining three Sundays might be Bethlehem, Shepherds, Angels. Or Love, Joy, Peace. Or John the Baptist, Mary, the Magi. Or the Annunciation, Proclamation, Fulfillment. Whatever sequence is used, the Scripture readings, prayers, lighting of the candles, the participation of worshipers in the service, all are geared to unfolding the story of redemption through God’s grace in the Incarnation.

The third candle, usually for the Third Sunday of Advent, is traditionally Pink or Rose, and symbolizes Joy at the soon Advent of the Christ. It marks a shift from the more solemn tone of the first two Sundays of Advent that focus on Preparation and Hope, to a more joyous atmosphere of anticipation and expectancy. Sometimes the colors of the sanctuary and vestments are also changed to Rose for this Sunday. As noted above, in some churches the pink Advent candle is used on the fourth Sunday to mark the joy at the impending Nativity of Jesus.

Whatever sequence is adopted for these Sundays, the theme of Joy can still be the focus for the pink candle. For example, when using the third Sunday to commemorate the visit of the Magi the focus can be on the Joy of worshipping the new found King. Or the Shepherds as the symbol for the third Sunday brings to mind the joy of the proclamation made to them in the fields, and the adoration expressed as they knelt before the Child at the manger. If used on the fourth Sunday of Advent, it can symbolize the Joy in fulfilled hope.

The center candle is white and is called the Christ Candle. It is traditionally lighted on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. However, since many Protestant churches do not have services on those days, many light it on the Sunday preceding Christmas, with all five candles continuing to be lighted in services through Epiphany (Jan 6). The central location of the Christ Candle reminds us that the incarnation is the heart of the season, giving light to the world.

Mission Offering Cards!

Hello all!

Last week (December 5th) kids were encouraged to take home cards that had slots for quarters. This video explains what those are about and what to do with them.

The cards are due back at the church by January 2nd.

Thank you so much for helping our kids learn about missions!

Mission Project for Nazarene Churches: Kids from Pastor Dave on Vimeo.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today we learned about God makes us so unique! He uses us with the talents he has given us. What kind of special talent has God given you? Are you using it to glorify God? What could you change so that you are?

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know I have a lot to be thankful for!

God’s peace,

Pastor Dave

Hard Week!

I had a hard week. Maybe some of you guys did too.

Have you heard the expression, "Rode hard and put away wet!" Well, it refers to when horses were ridden to exhaustion and then putting the horse in the barn without a cool down and brush down time. It is very bad for the horses' health.

So there ya go.

I hope your week is better and you grow closer to God everyday.

So here is the last video for Egypt: Day Three! I hope everyone had a great time! Enjoy!

Egypt Day Two!

Here is tonight's video! I guess this is a sneak peak! So enjoy! Looking forward to seeing you tonight! And, check back tomorrow for one last video of all the pictures we will take tonight!

Egypt Day One!

Some of you may have missed the video of our first night in Egypt! So here it is! We had a great time! Enjoy!

New Baby!

Wednesday, our little one came into the world. She is doing really well, as is Mommy.

Here are some details!

Name: Eliya Ann Foshee
Time: 7/7/10 @ 2:17 pm
Weight: 8 lb 4 oz
Length: 21 1/2 inches




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God is good!

Pastor Dave




- Post From My iPhone

Happy Mother's Day!

Have a great day all you Moms out there!


-- an iPhone post

It's been awhile. And now for something completely different.

It's been awhile since I posted. We have been busy (isn't everyone?). So today I thought I would post something.

We are coming up on our last few weeks of Father's House. It will be sad to see it go for the summer but it will give us a much needed breather. Producing that kind of quality and energy for 9 months is hard! But oh so worth it! The kids seem to really enjoy it.

We will be re-launching our website soon. The logo is getting close to being finalized. I can't wait to reveal it! So I guess you could say that the reason no new things have been on the website lately is that I been working to re-build it and re-theme it. So I guess, until then, it is under construction.





But then again, aren't we always under construction ourselves???!?

EggMazing Grace!!

This is the promo for this year's Easter event!! You will not want to miss this!

No Preservatives, Nothing Added

So. Today the fast is officially over. I really felt compelled to end the fast with Communion. Somehow that seemed theologically appropriate. Celebrating a renewal before God with a ritual that ushers in His Kingdom and reminds of it.

What a dichotomy of ideas and textures! The hard act of the breaking of Christ's body and the wonderful new flavors of bread not savored for 21 days. The painful loss of blood and the sweetness and tartness of the fruit of the vine rekindled and renewed through abstention.

I have been thinking to what end did this fast accomplish. I have been reading both the Fasting book and The Daniel Fast book by Susan Gregory. One more than the other speaks of what we get from the fast. There are still tones of success in both of them. This touts of magic wand theology. Our God is not a magic wand God. He is a God that does have our best in His plans, but that does not mean that by fasting we are ushered into an ability to have God wave His magic wand over our problems and afflictions to have God solve them.

However, this fast has taught me what I have been missing by not having certain disciplines in my life that should have already been producing fruit in my life. One of my goals that I believe should be a part of every fast is that of adding something spiritual to our lives when we are withholding something physical from our lives. I personally found that doing these during the time that I would have normally had that thing that I am withholding helps me truly appreciate God in an added way.

For me, I wanted to have a better prayer life. I wanted to commune with God in a more intimate way in order to have a deeper relationship with Him. I turned to the Psalms where God spoke to me as I went through them. Most of what I gleaned was not that of special insight or Godly revelation. Instead it was a methodical approach to reading and understanding how and what David was going through as he wrote them. The pain he endured. The feeling of separation from God. Yet, David recurrently praising God in the middle of the hurt he endured. He truly leaned on God. But it really wasn't a crutch type of leaning. It was total dependence on God.

How incredible! One thing that I learned through David's psalms and Susan Gregory's devotions was that it was through being prepared, having an ongoing relationship with God that is growing and deepening, that he and we are able to persevere. It is not so much that we run to God when we need Him, but rather by having an ongoing relationship with God we are able to be so close to Him that those times do not shake our foundation. Instead, they strengthen our foundation, because we have already become one with the Father (God). In our weakness, He is strong. Our strength comes from Him.

When we do feel closer to God, it is not because of what we got. I believe it is because of what we gave.

Sweet Leaf?

I was looking at a Daniel Fast website and found an interesting link. I was going to have a lunch appointment with someone and was wondering what I could eat if I did go have lunch with them. So I googled it.

It seems that a few restaurants do support the Daniel Fast but it isn't easy. On the same webpage was something called Stevia. I looked it up and it is a sweetener that is okay to have on the Daniel Fast. Also, it is diabetic okay which is cool because my Dad is type 2 diabetic.

Anyway here is the link to it: http://www.sweetleaf.com/

Oh, and just in case you were wondering here are the restaurants that have some okay food:

http://danielsfastcookbook.com/9.html

Hope this helps someone out!

The Daniel Fast

I was looking up some information on the Daniel Fast and came across this site.

I signed up and got an email with a list of foods that are "allowed" and "disallowed." It really helped me.

Many times I have seen people talking about fasting in order to receive some financial boon or for some super special end. I think we all know that God is not a "magic wand" God. So, instead, why don't we focus on fasting as a way to grow closer to God and His will. Let it be ANOTHER discipline that helps you remove things from your life that remove you from God.

For me, fasting is about Sovereignty. God is to be first in my life. Not my needs, not even my physical ones. I was reminded just tonight about Elijah that had to run for his life from a King that wanted him dead. God told him to go to a special place that would keep him safe. Elijah asked what he would eat. And God said, I will provide you with food.

God, you are my King. It is by your hand that I am able to do anything. Let me be reminded.