Joy to the World

Lesson: Light all previous candles plus the white candle. The white candle is the Christ candle. Today we recognize that Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, is born.

Scripture: Luke 2:15-20

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Prayer: Most Holy Lord, today you have given us the Christ Child, born of Mary, he is the hope of the earth and the joy of heaven. As we celebrate this day with carols and prayers, gifts and feasting, may we open our hearts to receive your Son. Come Incarnate Love, and rejuvenate us in body, mind, and spirit. Amen.

Hymn: Joy to the World

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Lesson: Light all three purple and the pink candle. This is the Angel's candle or the candle of hope. As we light this candle we anticipate Christ's second advent and focus on his salvation.


Scripture: Luke 2:13-14


Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."


Prayer: Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal. Amen.


Hymn: Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Twelve Days of Christmas

O Come All Ye Faithful

Lesson: Light two purple candles and one pink candle. Originally, the season of Advent was a season of fasting and penitance much like Lent. The rose candle lit on Gaudete Sunday (today) signified the midway point of the season and a time for rejoicing and celebration. This candle is the Shepherd's candle; it reminds us that we, like the shepherds must come to Christ, believe in him, and go rejoicing, telling the good news of Jesus' advent to others.

Scripture: Luke 2: 8-12

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Prayer: Lord God, we light this candle to thank you for your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. We who have sat in darkness have seen a great light, the light of Jesus Christ, our salvation. Amen.

Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful

Born in Bethlehem

Lesson: On this second Sunday of Advent we light two purple candles. This second candle is the Bethlehem candle; it points to the wondrous mystery of the incarnation. That is, of Christ becoming a man in Bethlehem.

Scripture: Luke 2:4-7

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Prayer: Loving God, we thank you for the peace you have given us through Jesus Christ. Prepare our hearts to receive him, bless our worship, and guide us in all that we say and do. In the name of the one born in Bethlehem, Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Lesson: Today is the first Sunday of Advent. In this season of expectation, we anticipate the birth of the Christ child by lighting candles of symbolic significance.

Today we light one purple candle, also known as the prophecy candle on our advent wreath. The candle is a reminder that God lovingly revealed Christ’s advent through the prophets hundreds of years before he was born. The color purple symbolizes penitence and royalty to remind us to prepare our hearts to receive our King.

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Prayer: Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation, give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen

Hymn: O Come O Come Emmanuel

We Gather Together

Do you remember this song? We sang it every year at our elementary school assembly.


We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;

He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.

Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,

Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;

So from the beginning the fight we were winning;

Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,

And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.

Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;

Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

Buen Viaje

Every ninety days it is necessary for the CINCEL students to leave Costa Rica for at least three days since we do not have residency visas. Therefore this past Thursday, we left Costa Rica and headed to Panama for a long weekend.

We left San Jose around 10:30 am and stopped for lunch at about 2:00 pm.

It was dark before we made it to Panama.

But the pool was very nice the next day.

Stuart spotted a cultural festival going on downtown.

We did a little shopping around the square.

We ate at TGIFridays on Friday . . . por supuesto.

We passed a bit of a mishap on the way home.

Now we get to wait in line on the Panama side . . .

and wait in line some more . . .

and wait in a longer line on the Costa Rican side.

Until next time.

Lasting Impressions

Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression. ~Dr. Haim Ginott

I remember a field trip as a child to Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. The park offered us the opportunity to take home an impression of a dinosaur track providing we brought the Plaster of Paris for the mold. I recall the final mold being absurdly huge; then again, I was a scrawny little kid so my recollections may be tainted. How interesting though, that such a relatively insignificant act could leave such a lasting impression after so many years.

Stuart and I had the wonderful privilege of directing New Vision Children’s Home in Christiana, Jamaica for three years. During that relatively short amount of time, we hosted dozens of missions and medical teams, painted every building on our compound, finished the first floor of the new boys dorm (including a new kitchen and dining hall) and updated a few rooms in the old dorms. We built more than our fair share of retaining walls, a chicken coop, and a playground.

As wonderful and necessary as those projects were what really left an impression upon our hearts and minds were the children and staff at New Vision and the students at the Assemblies of God Bible College. We laughed at the birthday parties, shared the delight of Christmas, beamed with pride at graduations, cried with joy at salvations and baptisms, and grieved with those suffering from loss, rejection, and disappointment.

Life is short and I suppose all of us desire to leave a lasting impression to validate our existence and make a difference in our world. Some wish to build monuments or a name for themselves, but such things hold no importance for us. In the years to come, it will not be the buildings that we remember fondly but rather the people we shared life with in Jamaica: the teams that we connected with in ministry, the students that we taught, the children that we cared for, and the staff that we loved.

My dinosaur mold lasted for a few years until eventually it was broken and tossed away. That physical impression may be gone, but the memories of that day remain.

In Jamaica, we left no footprints so to speak; no lasting physical impression as a reminder of our time there. However, every smile, every tear, every peal of laughter, prayer of thanks, and loving embrace we shared and received has left an indelible impression upon our hearts and minds.

Thank you for your continued support during this time of transition. We trust that the Lord guides our steps and we appreciate your partnership in spreading the gospel.

Please continue to pray for us as we learn Spanish, adjust to a new culture, and eagerly anticipate ministering to the orphans and students of Mexico.

A Punny Papaya

The market lady used a little creativity to sell her papayas today. Although, in Costa Rica they do have what we Americans consider pumpkins, papayas would definately be a less expensive option for carving.

Trick or Treat

What do you expect in your trick-or-treat bag this year? We got brown sugar, pepperoni, and Advil!
So thankful for fellow Indiana missionary Rebecca Johnson's mom, Jeanine for sharing the love.

Que Dios lo Bendiga

The adventure continues in Costa Rica. Our family spent three productive years in Jamaica directing New Vision City of Refuge Children's Home and teaching at the Assemblies of God Bible College. But now, God has directed our steps to be missionaries in Mexico, reaching the orphans and the students there.

Currently, we are in San Jose, Costa Rica at CINCEL Language School, learning Spanish and engaging in cultural studies. Our children, Olivia, Wesley, and Sophia attend Sojourn Academy and are also learning Spanish. Much has happened in the brief six weeks we have been here; our Spanish is progressing nicely, our circle of friends has widened, and we are experiencing and appreciating yet another culture.

Often you will hear, "Que Dios lo bendiga" when parting company. It is an expression offering God's blessing upon your life. Although, our place of ministry has changed, the presence of God has not. He continually guides and directs us wherever we may be. Que Dios lo bendiga.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139:9-10