Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

COOKIES!

On December 15th the ladies of the church held their annual cookie exchange here at the home of the Pond family. We always have fun and end up with lots of yummy goodies to enjoy throughout the holidays.

This year we were blessed to have our Pastor Counterman's mother in town for the event, and she graciously consented to share her heart with us that night. Her challenge to us was to slow down and remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas. It is always so easy to get caught up in everything that the world has added to Christmas, but it's vital that we don't lose sight of God's gift to us and what the birth of Jesus really means.

Our pastor's wife, Liesl, and her mother-in-law, Jo Ellen.


Jo Ellen challenging hearts.


After the devotion and snacks, some of the ladies participated in a little craft project that we had planned for the evening. We made a photo calendar for the new year. It was a fun project and I think everyone enjoyed it...at least I hope they did.

The finished product

All in all, it was a very enjoyable evening. It was warm inside in spite of the freezing (literally) cold outside. The food was wonderful, the devotion challenging, and the fellowship was oh so sweet!

Christmas 2008

We had a rich Christmas Eve service at Messiah Baptist Church. Families and members of the congregation volunteered to sing, read, play, and two very young brothers gave us a memorized flannel graph presentation of the Christmas Story.

And what Christmas Eve service could be complete without a candlelight singing of Silent Night?

Glory to God in the highest!

Christie, Susan, and Bethany Stevens


Christie and Caleb Stevens in trio with Corbin Matamoros


"Away in a Manger" to melt your heart with Papa, Elijah, Cana and Eden Counterman


Brady and Mason Shine tell the Christmas Story

Friday, December 28, 2007

Christmas Pageant

Never a more handsome and lovely Joseph and Mary.
The Happy Carolers :-)
Tim, Mason, Cameron, Bradey, and Sarah--the family sharing the Christmas story
Some angels :-)
Don't forget the shepherds because they were unforgettable :-P
First Children's Christmas Pageant at Messiah

"The Unopened Gift"

The children did a wonderful job!