Tuesday, December 3, 2013 WOW-Zine

It’s the first Tuesday of December, and if you’re like me, you’ve already dug out those bins of Christmas decorations and have started to make your house look festive. As we hang lights and ornaments on trees, let us also remember to hang them in our heart. The Bible says God’s Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. It’s so easy for us to head down the wrong path at this time of year by falling prey to the advertising blitz that bombs us so hard. What if we would try to keep the celebration of our Savior’s birth within the confines of our circumstances? In other words, to spend within our means and lead our children by example. To focus on the needs of others rather than to overindulge in more things that we don’t need. 

And those ornaments that grace our Christmas tree? As we hang them, or sit back and enjoy the finished product, let’s take time to think about the things we’re displaying in our lives. What attitudes are we putting out for the world to see? Are we showing peace and patience and mercy, or are we reacting out of our tiredness and becoming short-tempered and irritable? Imagine a Christmas tree covered in ugly, broken ornaments. That’s what we sometimes offer the world when we don’t keep ourselves focused and walking in the light of God’s word.

So there you have it—just a few thoughts from my heart to yours!

It’s time to take up where we left off in our Bible studies. This week we’ll be studying James 3:1-5 as well as finishing the Beth Moore video that we started at our last study. All women are invited to jump in at any time. Common Grounds meets Wednesday evening at 6:30 (Viv is bringing treats) and The Perk does the same lesson on Thursday morning at 9:30 (Sharon is bringing our snack, and Kristen S. will be the MIC.) We just meet for two more weeks after this before taking a long Christmas break.

A reminder that our WOW Sparkly Sweet and Savory Christmas Party is on Saturday, December 14th, at 6 PM at Amy’s. (7755 Bracken Dr., Cornelius). We can car pool from behind the church, so will meet there at 5:30 and leave at 5:40. Please bring a sweet or savory dish to share for our dinner, as well as a wrapped sweet or savory item for our fun gift exchange. Remember some of the fun stealing that occurred last year? Get ready for it to happen again! Since it’s a sparkly party, don some of your best bling. As I said during announcements on Sunday, it doesn’t even have to be tasteful bling! If you’re comfortable in slippers, bring them along so we can help keep the Great Northwest outside Amy’s house rather than dragging it in. If shoes are part of your bling, just bring them along to change in to after getting inside. Just a reminder that this event is for women (defined as upper-high school age or older) and friends. Husbands and children must be left at home or in the trunk!

Doesn’t the church look beautiful as a result of the hard work a crew of ladies put in last Saturday? Savor it as much as you can, as you know the saying about all good things must come to an end. That time for our Christmas decorations will be on Friday, January 3rd. You’re invited to meet at the church at 6 PM for an Undeck the Halls Party. If you’re coming, please let me know ahead of time, as for $5 you’ll get to enjoy pizza and soda while we work, and I need to know how much to get. Then at 7 we’re going to have our first Game Night of the year. We had a great one last month, and it’s time to do it again. Feel free to bring a snack along to share during that time. We’ll just make an evening of it!

Thanks for spending this time with me today.
Until next time,

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com     971-285-6699