Week of December 23, 2009

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A Word From Our Executive Director

News From Around Our Churches

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World Outreach

IF Update

A Word From Our Executive Director - December 23, 2009

“In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it” (John 1:4 – 5).

In response to the many thoughtful cards, e-mails and personal notes we have received from friends around the world, we want to say “thank you” for the warm Christmas greetings and kind words of encouragement; they are truly appreciated. We want to wish all our friends a very Merry and meaningful Christmas. While the times we live in may cast shadows of concern, just remember we can see the shadows because of the presence of light.

News From Around Our Churches - December 23, 2009

NORTH CAROLINA

Day of Sharing

The Women's Home and Foreign Mission Society of the Shiloh Advent Christian Church in Monroe, N.C., sponsored a Day of Sharing on Saturday, December 12, in their Fellowship Hall. Items shared (at no cost) included: household items, linens, clothing for all ages, toys, meals in a bag/nonperishable foods, etc. This event was taken very seriously by the church members in prayer and participation. Approximately 125 people from the community and surrounding areas of Monroe attended. No one left the Fellowship Hall "empty handed." Gifts for all — even four lovely Christmas trees! Plans are being made to make this a continuing event. Acts 20:35 — “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Announcements and Upcoming Events - December 23, 2009

IMPORTANT REMINDER REGARDING DONATIONS FOR 2009

Please remember that in order to receive credit for donations in 2009 all checks must be postmarked by December 31.

IRS ANNOUNCES 2010 STANDARD MILEAGE RATES
We have received the following information from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and are passing it on to you for your church's budgeting process.

The 2010 standard mileage rates for business purposes and medical and moving purposes are reduced from 2009 levels, as anticipated.

Beginning on January 1, 2010, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 50 cents per mile for business miles driven, 16.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.

In 2009, the standard mileage rates were: 55 cents per mile for business purposes, 24 cents per mile for medical or moving purposes, and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.

World Outreach - December 23, 2009

The Word Became Flesh

E. Stanley Jones, outstanding Christian missionary in the 20^th century, said that the most important verse in the Bible is John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and dwelled among us.” So, here we are more than 2,000 years after the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, and we are celebrating the glory, wonder and truth of that proclamation of John. Jesus came to this planet. The Word became flesh.

Stanley Jones went on to say that in every other religion words became words. But, in Christianity the Word became a person. God revealed himself in the person of Jesus Christ. This same Jesus who came here to live and die for our sins, said at the end of John’s Gospel, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

IF Update - December 23, 2009

Have yourself a merry, little Christmas! I don’t know about you, but as I say these words slowly, it’s almost as if I can hear the music in the background, and I begin to sing. On the other hand, try saying these words quickly, and, you guessed it, there’s no music.

Interestingly, a few years ago a study was made about those who send messages (senders) and those who receive them (receivers). The study centered on being able to “tap” out a song and having the receiver guess the tune. Many thought this would be easy, but less than 2% were able to recognize the song. The study revealed an amazing finding. Those who tapped out the song apparently could not tap the song without hearing the tune and words in their mind. The receiver, however, only heard unconnected taps.

As I consider this, I can’t help but think of how we are privileged to “tap” out the message of Christ during this Christmas season. Is it possible that we hear the words and tune of the songs, but those around us experience nothing but noise?

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