‘Twas the Week Before X-mas’

‘Twas the week before X-mas and all through the school, not a student was learning whose birthday was due.

No carols were sung on this day of all days, in order to keep what’s offensive away.

The windows were filled with bright snowflakes and trees, but no manger scene with some shepherds on knees.

My students were nestled all snug in each seat, with dreams of vacation the following week.

And I at my desk with my Bible at home, in fear, that my faith would be visibly shown.

When out in the hallway there came such a clatter, I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.

A group of adults from the ACLU were fussing and fuming on just what to do.

It seemed a young girl in Miss Simpson’s fifth grade, had caused the commotion with something she’d made.

The head of our school with his hands in the air, was seeking to calm the small group gathered there. As I walked down the hall and heard somebody cuss,

I looked up at the painting which had prompted the fuss.

And there on the wall to each one’s dismay Was the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay!

December 2016

Tidings Quarterly Newsletter of Clarkston United Methodist Church

Volume 7

Unstoppable Faith & Commitment By Pastor Karen Lyons "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Corinthians 13:13

In June 2014, I was appointed to Clarkston UMC as

the first female African American Pastor. I had little

knowledge of Clarkston UMC and was surprised to find that

it is a seven day a week “Local and Global Mission Field."

Preparing our Mindset 2017

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings

Like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint!” Isaiah 40:31

Many of us woke up this morning thinking, “Where did the days and months go? How can we just slow down our lives and learn to smell the roses and embrace our many blessings by taking a moment to wait and be still.” I was reading a devotional message from our church partners in Kenya, Celebration Sanctuary Kasarani Church and it encouraged me to slow down and really wait for God to guide my footsteps and actions. Enjoy this devotion and ask yourself, "What am I so in a hurry to accomplish and what causes me to rush through each moment to make something happen right now? How will we budget and balance our time, finances and other resources to make the most of our precious time with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors in God's vineyard each new day?

Today I went to use the bank ATM to get some cash because I dearly needed the money. As I started to transact, the ATM showed me an inscription which said; Please insert your card. Likewise I did insert the card. And then another message came "Please enter your pin code," which I did. Another message came, "Select the amount." I did that too. After I had done all this the ATM showed me a message in BOLD letters:

"YOUR TRANSACTION IS BEING PROCESSED, PLEASE WAIT!"

We also have done these things; we have prayed, we have fasted, we have even asked others to pray with us and for us but it seems as if nothing is happening in our lives. Allow me to encourage you to wait patiently don't give up, don't move because your request is being processed. WAIT! What made me wait is because my card was already in the ATM machine, I had already entered my pin code. If I give up now and walk away the next person will get all that I had requested. Not because your messages aren't heard, not because your prayers are irrelevant, not because your fasting is meaningless, but because

“YOUR TRANSACTION IS BEING PROCESSED.”

Wait and murmur not. Your prayers are being processed. Wait upon the Lord. Peace be with you!

MEET OUR NEWEST MEMBER!

Amos Njogu united with Clarkston UMC on October

30. He is originally from Nairobi, Kenya, and he is

an accomplished musician.

When you see him around, welcome him to the

Clarkston UMC Family!

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

Rev. Kahlif Smith of Trinity UMC, Las Vegas,

Nevada and his wife, Nikki joined us

on World Community Sunday!

Frances and Rev. Kahlif Smith

Pastor’s Appreciation Sunday!

Thanks to the SPRC Committee, the Rev. Dana

Everhart, and all the other participants for making

the Pastor’s appreciation a success!

Pastor Karen, Dr. Ralph Lyons and District

Superintendent Rev. Dana Everhart

Pastor Karen & Dr. Ralph Lyons

Appreciation cards and gifts were presented to

Pastor Lyons & Dr. Ralph Lyons by

DeVon Thomas & Oney Houmes.

HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD 2016

The Human Rights Award was presented on

October 7, 2016 to Clarkston UMC for our

ministry to reach beyond the walls of our

church, into the diverse community and the

world.

Pastor Lyons & Linda Parrett accepted

The Human Rights Award from DeKalb

Church Women United!

Kudos to the UMW of Clifton Springs UMC for

their monthly donations of sandwiches for the

children and food for the Food Pantry.

Food for Thought: “May you have the gladness of

Christmas which is hope; The spirit of Christmas which

is peace; The heart of Christmas which is love!”

“

CUMC sign has been renovated! Thank you

Trustees for a job well done!

The UMC is always ready and dependable! Thanks

for decorating the Chrismon Tree

and the sanctuary.

Congratulations to Luma Mufleh!

She was one of the finalist for the

“CNN Hero of the Year 2016!

sHIR