Thought for today:
»Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother« Matthew 2:13
The term “Refugee” was voted word of the year.
This year so many people in our world had to flee; that never before had happened.
– Jesus shared this hard fate with all those people. I can´t imagine a worse stigma than being undesirable. Nobody wants to receive those people. It is easier to spend money on fences and walls. – This is actually a reaction that we observe in small children. They look away or close their eyes and then the problem is gone. What they don´t see anymore, is no longer there, does not exist anymore.
But one year later in kindergarten, we learn that this is not true. Nevertheless politics still follows this scheme of two years old kids, not because the politicians want it, but rather because the voters do.
We are talking about a central point of our life; it is about the human condition and humanity. Only if I discover that my neighbor is a human being, I start to be human too.
God becomes man, vulnerable, kicked around, powerless. But precisely because he stepped down into our darkness he has brought us hope. Christmas – there is hoping to become really human.
A merry Christmas time
Reverend Roland
THIS SUNDAY AT BALBOA UNION CHURCH
Worship Service at 10 a.m. – ALL ARE WELCOME!
SPEAKER: Rev.Roland Schnell
Sunday School Teachers: On Vacation
| First Testament Readings and Psalm | 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Psalm 148 |
| Epistle Reading | Colossians 3:12-17 |
| Gospel Reading | Luke 2:41-52 |
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
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.