Each year, we enjoy having friends and family come over during the Christmas season for special visits. It has often been the youth group or College/Career during the last 17 years of marriage! The smells of rich food, cider and Christmas candles fill the air. It is special. We spent some time this week getting our house in the Christmas mood! I always dread doing it, but it really makes the season special.
Although our life is quite different this year, we just couldn't let the season get past us without celebrating it with others. Our first Christmas gathering for 2006 was this past Saturday evening. Our guest list included: Rodney and Stacey Shaw—
their son, Taylor & daughter, Brooke
(Associate Pastor, New Life UPC, Austin, Pastor Bernard)
Melvin and Lisa Reddy,
(starting a daughter-work church in Cedar Park, TX, Austin Metro)
Jarrid and Kendra Younkin and baby girl, Eliana. (starting a daughter-work church in Round Rock, TX, Austin Metro)
Neither one of the new daughter-works are having services yet, so the Younkin's have been helping us in our services.
Karla really prepared some great dishes! We enjoyed chili, cheese soup, cornbread, chocolate icebox pie, and grape salad. We had a great time laughing and sharing stories about our lives. We are all just getting to really know each other and have a lot in common. Bro. Shaw left today to teach a Bible class in India for a week. It was interesting talking about his upcoming adventure.
We have family and friends coming in this weekend for a wedding, so we are looking forward to having a lot of fun and fellowship with them! It looks like we will have 6 or so of them in service this weekend and they will be singing. Our church will really enjoy having them. I have announced it and asked them to invite one person per day to come with them Sunday.
The next weekend, December 15th, is our church Christmas Gathering here at the house. The church members are inviting their friends, family.....everybody they can, so that we can get to know them and they can see us as the family of God. I am teaching at 'Wednesday's Word' about being a ministering church. Hospitality is a vital part of making friends, which in turn attracts them to His Kingdom. It is our desire to cultivate that kind of atmosphere in New Life Church of Pflugerville. I feel it in the air already! Our little church is one of the friendliest places you can experience...just like Him. Make room for Him this Christmas and you will want to make room for others. You and they will never be without someone who cares.
7 comments:
The house looks beautiful! Ya'll always do it up nice. Sounds like things are moving on in GREAT ways! I know more and more people are going to find "the friendliest church in Pflugerville"!
Keith and I dread the lights, too! We mostly do it for the girls.
Sounds like you all are having a good time. The house looks really nice. I can't wait to come see you sometime!
Everybody— Thanks for the nice comments.
Carla— Come on and visit! We really enjoyed ya'll staying with us in Wichita Falls.
Your house looks really pretty all dressed up for Christmas! We are still getting there with ours.
I've loved your blog, I can see God is blessing your family and your church.
WE LOVE YOU ALL!
Karen
I am going to miss going to your house for Christmas this year. I can remember going to your house for Christmas parties since I was 12 years old. Wow! That's been 11 years ago. Oh, what memories. I am especially going to miss the cheese soup and the cider. Merry Christmas! I love ya'll bunches.
Karen - so good to hear from you! Would love to see y'all again.
Ashley - if you'll come see us, I'll make you cheese soup and cider!!
Your house looks beautiful. I am so glad to hear that your hospitality travels well. Keep up the warm love you spread so well.
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