Wednesday, November 26, 2008

One Candle

Advent Candles


Light one candle for love, one bright candle for love,

he brings love to every heart. He comes, he comes.

Light one candle for peace, one bright candle for peace,

he brings peace to every heart. He somes, he comes.

Light one candle for joy, one bright candle for joy,

every nation will find salvation in Bethlehem's baby boy.

Light one candle for love, one bright candle for love,

he brings love to every heart,. He comes, he comes.



Leonard Sweet has observed, "Images come as close as human beings will get to a universal language." As candles are lit in this Advent season, let us observe them and receive the strong message. Light shines in darkness and darkness does not overcome it.

Light beckons, warms, welcomes, embraces, radiates, envelops, proclaims. Know this for sure: lighting a candle is an act of faith and hope and joy and love.

As the Advent candles burn brightly, may our hearts be warmed with the hope of the coming of Christ this Christmas.

With gratitude for the community we share in Jesus Christ,

Hope

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

ePistle October 6, 2008

The sea is so wide and my boat is so small

I am like a child in my mother’s arms. . .

Psalm 131

October 6th is the 80th observance of National Child Health Day in the United States. It is the right time for parents, caregivers, teachers, pastors and all adults who care about children to grapple with a serious health issue: childhood overweight and obesity. This year, the focus of this day are three key messages:

Help kids stay active

Encourage healthy eating habits

Promote healthy choices

A place to forward your ministries in this area is the National Child Health Day website. To actively participate, consider the Surgeon General’s Pledge to prevent childhood overweight and obesity.

Children’s Sabbath, the annual observance focusing on the needs of children, is October 17-19.

I urge every church in the Mississippi Conference to highlight the needs of children in worship and in your programming sometime during the month of October.

As our African friends remind us, the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The next best time is today.

What will you do today for the children of Mississippi?


Blessings in this ministry near to the heart of Jesus,

Hope

Monday, September 8, 2008

More People... More Younger People... More Diverse People...

We want to hear from you about your goals and plans for the future. The Mississippi Annual Conference is moving forward and living out our mission for connecting to More People... More Younger People... and More Diverse People. Let us know how God is working in your life, your community and your congregtation.