Thought for today:
John 3:16
For God SO loved the world, that He sent his only begotten son, that whosoever should believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Love is the best known but least understood of all God’s attributes. Almost everyone who believes in God these days sees Him as a God of love. Some may envision God as a benign heavenly grandfather-tolerant, affable, lenient, permissive, devoid of any real displeasure over sin, who without consideration of His holiness will benignly pass over sin and accept people as they are. But God is not Santa Claus, though perhaps he does care if you have been naughty or nice!
But, this Christmas, it is essential that we understand that it is God’s very nature to love. God IS love! A perfect, holy, love that understands that we are simply human and therefore make mistakes – and loves us unconditionally.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” — Jeremiah 31:3
This is not a love that gives us license – it is a love that gives us strength and hope – a love that affords us boundaries and limitations to keep us safe from harm. A love that gives us hope for a new day: that sees potential in who we are and who we could become and wants the best for us, even while allowing us to have free choice (and choosing to live with the consecuences of our choices).
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord.‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.’” — Jeremiah 29:11
And as Christians, we are called to shower this love on the world – to see in each person the possibility and potential of who they can become. Not accepting their limits of beliefs and possible comfort zones – but rather challenging each other to be everything that we can be. To BE LOVE in this world.
God, my Father, may I love You in all things and above all things.
May I reach the joy which You have prepared for me in Heaven.
Place in my heart a desire to please You and fill my mind with thoughts of your love, so that I may grow in Your wisdom and peace,
and shower Your love in my community and the paths I cross today.Amen.
THIS SUNDAY AT BALBOA UNION CHURCH
Worship Service at 10 a.m. – ALL ARE WELCOME!
SPEAKER: David McIntosh+ Rev.Roland Schnell
Sunday School Teachers: Mitzy Samudio + Helpers
| First Testament Readings and Psalm | Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6 |
| Epistle Reading | Philippians 4:4-7 |
| Gospel Reading | Luke 3:7-18 |
Prayers Concerns
Please Pray for Our Brothers and Sisters from Siria and Iraq
Lord, please remind the world that we are all brothers and sisters and there should be no violence among us, only love and attempts to understand one another.
We also remember in prayer our former pastors:
- Luis Veagra – facing health issues
- Clarence Payne – dealing with Rosita’s recent stroke & passing
Up-coming BUC Activities
Special Invitation: Carols with St. Mary’s
On Sunday, December 20, 5:00 p.m., Balboa Union Church and St. Mary’s will be doing a special “Posada” in our San Pablo/ Tavernilla neighborhood. This will be a get together to sing carols and then have a tea and a bite to eat afterwards. Joel & Pastor Roland are coordinating the details with St. Mary’s for this event.
BUC Christmas Eve Candle Light Service Invitation
All BUC members and friends are invited to our traditional Christmas Candlelight service – carols, special guests and snacks to share are the worship service. Please join us!
BUC Christmas Potluck lunch – Sunday December 27th-
Sunday December 27th, please come and join us. Bring your favorite Christmas plate!
We welcome any special visitors that would like to join us for this celebration, and invite you to bring friends and family to this special celebration.
Lunch usually starts promptly after the service, so please ensure that your visitors are aware that some are pushing for an early lunch as soon as the service is over. For more information please contact Elisa Dorado to 262-9492 after 7:00pm
Other news:
Building 773:
We continue our work sprucing up Building 773 – the basement, apartment C and other common areas. We would be happy to have any volunteers that can assist with this, and any donations towards this work would always be appreciated.
Good Deeds Program in Casco Viejo:
In BUC Missions we are Collaborating with “Good Deeds ” Program: Here is more information regarding the Good Deeds Program. And here is some information regarding their activities, if you want to participate and volunteer more actively.