Martha: Avoiding Holiday Burnout

 Pastor’s Pen,

This Sunday: Martha: Avoiding Holiday Burnout                                                       Luke 10:38-42  

How many times has someone ask you are you ready for Christmas? Usually what that means is, how are you doing on your to-do list? Just think of all the things that need to be done. Baking, sending Christmas cards, buying and wrapping presents, hiding presents from the children, preparing for company, or packing for travel. The list could go on and on.


The song says it's the most wonderful time of the year, but in many ways it's the most stressful. That's why like to direct our attention to a woman named Martha, a close friend of the Lord Jesus, and her encounter with the Savior when she had invited the Lord and his 12 disciples to have dinner with them. Like many of us she had much to do, and very little help.

*****


We appreciate those who help sanitize our facilities for services each Saturday morning in in in in in in in in in in in preparation for Sunday worship as well as those who make it possible for us to ‘live-stream’ on Facebook at 10:45 each Sunday morning, and to post each Sunday’s message on our website (www.fccwylie.org) on Sunday afternoons. 


When you enter the sanctuary Sunday, after you are given a bulletin, stop by the communion table where the offering plates are located in the rear of the worship center and pick up your disposable communion cup. Then following the service, please dispose of it in the trash can. (Mark 10:45) 


We continue to hold our Sunday services with all safety protocols and pre-service sanitizing in place. No Sunday school yet, and the nursery is not available.  We are now following the latest CDC guidelines which allow fully vaccinated individuals to go without masks. We use bulletins printed untouched by human hands, with songs, etc. printed therein, and pre-packaged communion elements. Offering plates are located at the rear, or giving can be done online at www.fccwylie.org.


If you still feel uncomfortable attending, feel free to join our live stream on Facebook, at 10:45 AM, which includes communion and the worship hymns. Or the message is available each Sunday afternoon on our website. (www.fccwylie.org)


Martha: Avoiding Holiday Burnout                                                                   Luke 10:38-42  

  • Martha’s problems  
    • She wanted to be in control 
    • She was competitive  
    • She was task - oriented 
    • She was an advice-giver
    • She struggled with anger issues
    • She felt anxiety and inner turmoil
    • Her priorities were out of focus
  • Jesus’ perspective   
    • “Martha, you aren't paying attention to me”
    • “Martha, you have too many irons in the fire” 
    • “Martha, you're neglecting what matters most and is best

Conclusion: 

We can find ourselves dominated by what's urgent 

Or, we can focus on what is important 

And He, the Christ of Christmas, is of greatest importance




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

PRAYER ITEMS: Please check the Prayer list on the Bulletin!

Bruce Moilan—recovery, continued progress dealing with multiple health issues: Also, grandson Lucas and son Drew, recovering from surgery. Drew’s eye surgery will be in January .

Joanne Simmons, recovering from surgery, A B will need another Mohs procedure

Kim Ramsey-upcoming surgery December 14 

John Royal’s father: John sends thanks to the anonymous church member who reached out to him last week!

Rbeda’s brother-in-law—spiritual 

Darla: health issues; she and other healthcare workers; educators, students

Mike’s son Jesse

Shirley’s cousin: lost his wife, heart surgery upcoming

William Martin-colon cancer

Kay Holley: Daughter Stacy, bleeding ulcer

In the aftermath of COVID, many are asking hard questions about what will happen to their families and loved ones if they were to pass away. Roxane Indermuehle of HisFaithfulStewards.com joins host Don Hawkins with compassionate insight and practical encouragement, this weekend on Encouragement Live.

Encouragement Live can be heard Saturday at 7:05 PM central time on American Family Radio (90.9 FM) or (www.afr.net) and on theworshipchannel.org.  Re-broadcast Sunday 9 pm on The Worship Channel. 

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