Last night was our church's annual Christmas "Talents" Program.
It's a special time of gathering with our church family and neighbors to worship our Lord
and fellowship together.
The vision is one of giving back,
and sharing the abilities and gifts
that have been given to us by the Lord,
to bring Him glory, and to be able to share His love and truth with others.
We pray that the theme of this year's program, "Treasuring Jesus,"
was accomplished,
and that all who came to the program were very blessed!
Ted kicks it off with a welcome and introduction.
Then, Kyle opens with a prayer and the introduction to this year's "in-between-acts" quiz competition between the two sides of the congregation . . . Team 1 and Team 2. This year's theme was "Christmas Carols!" Kyle did a great job preparing this portion of the program and being the "M.C." for the evening.
Here's one of the first questions . . .
"The slightly demanding carolers in "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" wouldn't go until they got some . . . "
Caroline accompanied Steve for this recitation.
"It is the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year." What is everyone telling you?
This is a choir that comes together from our church and two other small, local churches. They are always really awesome!
Finish this line from "Winter Wonderland," "Later on we'll conspire, as we . . . "
Valerie's "talent" that she contributed for the intermission!
In "Do You Hear What I Hear,"
what are the shepherd's words to the mighty king?
Bowes/Tevis ladies and their daddy leading the congregation in
"O Come All Ye Faithful" just after the intermission.
Finish this line from "Deck the Halls." "Follow me in merry measure . . . "
"SVCC Hillibillies" singing about being "fishers of men" to the tune of "Beverely Hillbillies" being played on the banjo!
In the song "Let it Snow" what does the singer bring?
This was one of my favorites for a couple reasons. 1. We helped him pull off his performance as a surprise for his mom . . .even printing a separate program just for her with his name and song omitted, so she had no idea that he was going to sing! 2. He had an amazing voice, and sung "O Holy Night" beautifully . . . at the young age of 16!
One of the trickiest questions . . . "In the song 'Twelve Days of Christmas' what does the 'true love' give on the third day of Christmas?"
Victoria and Valerie playing an "Amazing Grace" duet for Steve's "The Old Violin" recitation.
After all the acts were complete, our dear brother Gale did an awesome job summarizing the evening with a call for each of us to consider if we have received Jesus' free gift
of grace and salvation this Christmas season,
and "made room" for Him by surrendering our lives to His Lordship every day of the year!
1. Thinking lots about all that Jesus has done for us, and praising God for His plan of salvation!
2. Missing our sweet friend, Marilyn.We especially miss her sweet smile and special wave as we would often pass one another on our country road. Still can't imagine life without her. Praying lots for Bob, and all their family, who miss her so much . . . especially during this Christmas season. Also, honored and thankful to have a couple small parts in her upcoming Memorial service.
3. Delivering two sets of triplet goat kids and bottle feeding two of them!
4.Staying warm, huddled by the fire, spending time
together as a family while working on a Christmas puzzle.
5. Planning, preparing, and practicing for our church's annual "Christmas Talents" program and outreach this Sunday evening!
6. Wondering if any other family members will get the
stomach/abdominal virus we’ve been passing around; and thankful for, but hoping we can avoid another late
night at the Pediatric after-hours clinic!
7. Enjoying receiving our friends’ and family’s Christmas cards, and possibly getting around to sending out our Christmas photo letter!
8. Baking, shopping and wrapping for all the upcoming Christmas festivities!
9. Making lists and checking them twice for upcoming family meals and gift giving.
10. Looking very forwardto our precious family arriving soon from Oregon and Arizona, and all the fun times we’ll have together!
11. Meeting 10 families that are taking puppies home just in time for Christmas!
12.Trying to savor the moments we have been given with our loved ones in the midst of it all.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. . ."
Friday night Richie and Lydia stopped by so that Lydia could practice singing "Treasure of Jesus" with Ted for an upcoming Christmas program. It is such a beautiful song, and the lyrics are so fitting both for the program, and for the news we received that evening
(and last night as well).
Soon after they finished practicing the song on Friday night,
we received a phone call from Janet, Richie's mom,
that their beloved uncle,
a Wycliffe missionary for most of his life,
had gone home to be with Jesus.
We were so sad to hear the news of the loss this will be to so many . . .
his dear wife, Helen;
his family;
and many, many friends all over the world.
At the same time, as Richie re-told his amazing story,
we enjoyed reminiscing and rejoicing over his life . . .
a life lived surrendered to the Lord and for His glory.
No doubt, as he entered into the presence of Jesus,
he heard "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
Among many amazing things that Don did in the Lord's service,
was to be a part of the search team for
Jim Elliott, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, and Pete Fleming
in the jungles of Ecuador after their death in 1956 by the Auca Indians.
Don and his team-mates are written about in Elisabeth Elliot's book
"Through Gates of Splendor."
He is also in a few of the photographs on pages 208-211,
wearing a Hawaiian shirt and his logging hard hat. :-)
In addition to his news,
we heard late last night that our very beloved and faithful friend, neighbor and "adopted" grandma,
suddenly went home to be with Jesus. She also lived her life fully devoted to the Lord and to others.
These two dearly loved ones, Don Johnson and Marilyn Jerke, entered into eternity within about 24 hours of each other.
Words can't express how much we will miss them!
What can I do How can I live To show my world The treasure of Jesus
What will it take What could I give So they can know The treasure He is
If I can sing Let my songs be full of His Glory If I can speak Let my words be full of His Grace If I should live or die Let me be found pursuing this prize The One that alone satisfies The Treasure of Jesus
And if I can sing Let my songs be full of His Glory If I can speak Let all my words be full of His Grace And if I should live or die Let me be found pursuing this prize The One that alone satisfies The Treasure of Jesus
