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Pastors Pen

Pastors Pen Reflection

  "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
 
-- William Arthur Ward
 
 Dear <<Name>>
   I trust each one of you had a wonderful Christmas Day.
 
I was thinking of the Christmas story yesterday and how Joseph and Mary were left to fend for themselves. They had traveled for days; Mary pregnant and yet when they arrived there was no room for them any place. They ended up in a barn! This could explain why the Magi brought Frankincense and Myrrh, to help with the smell.
 
This Christmas I thought of a trip Marilyn and I took four years ago to bring some of her father’s items back after he passed away. We drove a van from Pennsylvania across the United States. In the process we stayed at places along the way that Marilyn had booked ahead of time. Nearing the end of our journey we were headed into Salt Lake City after driving for 8 hours and checked into our hotel. We just got our luggage into the room along with Pixie when the phone rang. The young man on the other end of the phone asked: “Do you have a dog?  Yes, we have a dog! (Marilyn made sure the places we booked had an “Acceptance of dog’s policy.) “Well, ma’am you can’t have a dog here.” I put Marilyn on the phone! Come to find out there were two hotels in that chain in Salt Lake and this one didn’t accept dogs!
 
The problem was the other hotel that did accept dogs was 20 miles back from where we just drove. Me being me, I stated I am not driving back 20 miles to redrive the same 20 miles the next day. So, we decide to head towards home. I am thinking we can drive the 353 miles to Winnemucca and find a place there. This drive takes about 5 hours and it will still be early enough, so we head down the road and pull into Winnemucca around 10 PM.
 
The First hotel we go in but the answer is, sorry no room. The Second hotel, sorry no room, Third, Fourth and Fifth …no room. We should have headed home but we persisted and the Super 8 had one room left. We should have taken a clue at the missing light on the Super 8 but you know hind sight. It was clear there had been no maintenance for years. The lobby smelled like smoke of course, but we asked for a non-smoking room; that was a joke!
 
We retrieved our plastic key with gold numbering on it and headed to our room. My mind thought of the Christmas story because this room was definitely a manger! I am pretty sure the last guests to stay were livestock. It was small, with worn carpets, cigarette burns on the bedspread and cracking wall paper. It felt weird and we were afraid to take a shower or to lay on a bed which we looked over very carefully. Needless to say, we left at 4 am to head for home.

I wrote a letter to the company but didn’t get a reply. I guess the point is don’t stay in WinnaYucka; our new name for the place!
 
I think this would be a great Christmas play because it reminded me to be thankful for what I have. It reminded me of the birth of Christ and I am so thankful for the ability to have a nice home, a warm bed, and a hot shower!
 
I hope you join us for the last service of the year as we celebrate Christ, ‘the light of the world, even in WinnaYucka!
In Christ Rev Terri
Sunday
  • Discipleship 10 AM -  No Discipleship Until Jan 7th
  • Jan 7 Discipleship topic New Beginnings 
  • Worship 11 - Light of The World
  • Text: -  Luke 2:25-32

Wednesday 
Feeding the Homeless
Pastoral Appointments
Cleaning 
Worship Band Practice  
 
Mission Statement …
  
Valley Ministries MCC is an inclusive church -- loving God and serving God's diverse people.
•        Encouraging everyone in their spiritual journey
•        Empowering all to use their spiritual gifts
•        Promoting justice and compassion
 
Epiphany 2018 Theme: Blueprints
You are invited to begin the New Year in exploration of Gods plan for your life. Come and examine your faith during discipleship and worship. Let God work in you as you seek to grow in your spiritual life with God. 

January 7, 2018 Epiphany
Theme: Foundation
 
January 14, 2018 2nd Epiphany
Theme: Marvelously Made
 
January 21, 2018 3rd Epiphany
Theme: To Follow or Not?
 
January 28, 2018 4th Epiphany
Theme: Jeremiah 29:11
 
February 4, 2018 5th Epiphany
Theme: One of those Days?!
 
February 11, 2018 6th Epiphany
Benefits in doing the things we spoke about.

 
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Stockton CA 95204

 

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Valley Ministries MCC · 4118 Coronado Ave. · Stockton, CA 95204 · USA

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