Living Waters Ministries Monthly Quote
"Let us have music for Christmas...Sound the trumpet of joy and rebirth; Let each of us try with a song in our hearts, to bring peace to men on earth."
Mildred L. Jarrell
Inspiration
Good Tidings of Comfort and Joy
By: Jennifer L Smalls
"God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
when we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy"
The news of the birth of Christ brought great expectations, it was pleasing and good news. This news brought joy and an anticipated peace.
In Luke chapter 2 we find the Shepherds in the fields keeping watch over their flock during the night when an angel appears to bring them this good news.
"And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'"
The birth of Christ is good news because prior to Jesus' arrival on earth men had rebelled against God. When God created Adam and Eve, he intended for them and their offspring to live in perfect harmony with Him, free from sin, pain and suffering and live a life of pure joy. However, here is where the rebellion begin, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command to not eat the fruit of one tree. This rebellion introduced the world to the negative consequences we experience today; pain, suffering, broken relationships, lack of peace, and death. The birth of Christ signaled restoration, a new hope for peace and joy on earth.
"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." The Message Bible says "His names shall be: Amazing, Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father Prince of Wholeness...There will be no limits to the wholeness he brings." Isaiah 9:6
Awesome news indeed! In spite of us God loved us so much that he created a way to rescue us and gave us a way of escape through the birth of his son Jesus Christ here on earth. Through Christ Jesus we can have hope, joy, peace, everlasting love, all these things makes us complete/whole and there is no limit to the wholeness He brings. Good news indeed!
So even though some of us are faced with some difficult times (and we all go through them and if you haven't you will); we've all suffered loneliness, heart break and or heartache, sickness, we've all experienced someone leaving us by walking out on us or by death, The birth of Christ gives us the power to overcome all these things by virtue of His goodness and love for us. Jesus was born to save us all. That is good news indeed!
So as you prepare to celebrate this season, as you're putting up your decorations, listening the festive music, shopping and enjoying family and friends do it with joy in your hearts and whatever is not right or whatever it is that is going on around you be not dismayed remember Christ was born on Christmas day to save us and bring us hope, joy and peace. And the peace and wholeness He brings is limitless, it never runs out just like His mercy endures forever and His love is everlasting the peace He brings has no limits.
Good news indeed!
Happy Holidays!
News from Living Waters Ministries
Happenings Around St. Augustine
Nights of Lights
According to US News St. Augustine Nights of Lights is amongst the “23 Best Christmas Light Displays in the U.S.” Approximately three million lights are on display in the historic downtown of the City of St. Augustine for two months
Click here for more information about parking and Nights of Lights events.
St. Augustine Glory Basketball
The Nation's Oldest City first and only professional basketball team, "The St. Augustine Glory" is back on the court. The season opener was November 19th, the next home game is December 11th, at Flagler College. Click the following link for SAG's schedule https://saglory.com/schedule/
Gullah Geeche Heritage Festival
9th Annual SEA (Spuds, Elkton, Armstrong) Community Gullah Geeche Heritage Festival will happen on December 3rd in Elkton, Florida beginning at 12 noon. This festival celebrates 450 years of West African cultural influences in St. Johns County. Free family educational fun. Click the link for more information on this event https://www.visitstaugustine.com/event/gullah-geechee-heritage-festival
Toys for Tots
Saturday, December 17, 2022 9:00 am - 12:00 noon. Gifts for newborn through age 12. registration deadline is December 3rd. To register please contact:
Debie Nantz at (386) 287-1422 or by email at st.augustine.toysfortots@gmail.com
News For Us By Us
Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York makes history as the first African American party leader in Congress. Rep Jeffries was chosen to succeed Speaker Nancy Pelosi as leader of the Democratic Party in the chamber, becoming the first black person to lead one of the two major parties. Jeffries succeeds 82 year old Nancy Pelosi who also made history becoming the first woman to hold position of Speaker of the House in 2007. Pelosi was the highest ranking elected female in US history until Kamala Harris made history becoming the first African American female Vice President. Sen. Majority leader Chuck Schumer noted the election of new leadership as "momentous and historic", stating "Hakeem Jefferies' elevation as House Democratic Leader is a turning point in the history of the United States Congress. Never before has an African American leader - or any leader of color - held the top position for either party in either chamber."
Congratulations Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. #representationmatters
Detroit Governor, Gretchen Whitmer has appointed the first black woman to the state of Michigan's Supreme Court.
State Representative Kyra Harris Bolden (D-Southfield) will become the sixth black person to serve. In a speech given at an event in Lansing Michigan Tuesday, Bolden said "for years, a Black woman's experiences and perspectives have been absent from our state's highest court. To the countless Black women upon whose shoulders I stand, who, like my own mother and grandmother, instill in our community the core responsibilities of honesty, empathy and justice, I promise that I will honor our experience from this new vantage point"
Congratulations Justice Kyra Harris Bolden #represntationmatters
All eyes are on Georgia as early voting has started in the hotly contested run-off to represent Georgia in the Senate. Incumbent Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock and Republican candidate Herschel Walker are in a battle for the seat.
Early voting started Monday, November 28th, according to Georgia's Secretary of State some 300,588 voters early voted on Tuesday surpassing Monday's number of 303,166. Younger voters (50 and under) are showing up and showing out. Many are reporting long lines but standing and staying the course to make their votes count. For Democrats a Warnock victory would secure the Senate Majority that will not have to rely on Vice President Kamala Harris to give a tie-breaking vote.
A Look Back
November was active and busy for Living Waters Ministries. We had a "Pride in the Westside" event continuing to do our part to restore and enhance pride and beauty in our community. Helping to ensure that no family in our community goes without on Thanksgiving, we delivered approximately 60 boxes of food to include turkeys to families within our community. We also took out some time out to have fun, singing, dancing and praising with Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin on the "Kingdom Tour". What a time we had! here are a few pictures from November.
Living Water Ministries Upcoming Events
December 2: Living Waters Ministries Christmas Social
Holiday Inn World Golf Village
December 4: Communion Sunday; Sermon Topic "Being Confident"
December 5: Annual Church Business Meeting
December 17: King's Daughters Christmas Nursing Home Outreach
December 25: Christmas Church Service "O Come Let Us Adore Him"
December 31: "Iron Sharpens Iron" (Leadership Development Workshop"
St. Augustine Monthly Weather
LWM Blogspot is awwsome!!!