2012 is already off to an amazing start and we are excited about all that is happening around our community. If you haven’t already, you should click through our new website. Kyle Isenhower has done an amazing job reconfiguring our web presence to be more creative, effective, and user-friendly. Go to www.theparksa.org

“Remember where you came from. If not for the grace of God, where would any of us be?” Last week’s message from Titus 3:1-7 is still ringing through my head and heart. If you missed it, you can listen to it online on our website. Messages are posted within a week or two. I highly encourage you to take a listen if you missed it.

It has been great to see so many new faces on Sundays! If you are one of those new faces please know we are excited to have you. And if you aren’t a new face I have a challenge for you: go meet someone new. Community is a core value of The Park and it’s one of the many things I love about our church. Thanks for making it an amazing place to be!

We look forward to seeing you at Oak Meadow at 10am!

Chris

Announcements:

Current Preaching Topic – We are studying through the book of Titus. Read chapter 3 this weekend!

2011 End of Year Giving - Letters for 2011 giving went out a few days ago. If you gave in 2011 and haven’t received a donation letter by next week please let us know. Thank you for your financial gifts to The Park!

Serving the Servants – Mark it on your calendar: on February 18th we will be serving local police officers by taking delicious food items to a few stations around San Antonio. Stay tuned for more information!

Lunch after Church – on Sunday, February 12th a few people will be going out to eat after the service. The location is still TBD but mark it down as a great chance to meet a few people and enjoy some great conversation!

Contact:

Prayer : prayer@theparksa.org

Preaching & Vision : scott@theparksa.org

Family Ministry : jen@theparksa.org

Media & Sound : kyle@theparksa.org

Community & Mission : chris@theparksa.org

We are excited to be launching into our 3rd year as a community of faith here in San Antonio. What better way to celebrate the prior two years than having cake at church?! We hope you will join us this Sunday after service for a time of celebration for all that God has done.

“Ready for Good Works” – a study of Titus:

If you haven’t been tracking with us through the letter to Titus you can catch up by reading the letter (all 3 chapters) before Sunday. We will be starting on chapter 2 this week so come ready to process the living and active scriptures. There’s great gains made in our hearts when we have already read and studied the scriptures before hearing the message on Sundays. So, study hard!

Announcements:

Starting Point – Sunday, January 22nd

Join us if you are curious to find out more about the Park, have questions, or just want more information about our community. We will meet right after service. For more info contact Chris at chris@theparksa.org

Serving the Servants – Saturday, January 28th

This month we will re-visit our local SAFD servants.  Our plan is to visit the city’s top 3 stations by call volume.  We’ll plan on meeting at the school (Oak Meadows) and then split up and go from there.  These men and women are very busy each and every shift, and could use some TLC.  So come one, and come all and show these service people how much we appreciate what they do for us.  Remember baked goods, or store bought – they’ll love it all!!! For more info contact Brandon Griffin 210.865.9232

School of Theology – Starts on February 1st and runs for 6 weeks

We are excited to be launching our School of Theology. Together we will dive deep into specific topics of study lead by our faith community. The School of Theology runs for six weeks from February 1st to March 7. Classes are two hours in length, Wednesday nights from 6-8. We will be meeting at Oak Meadow United Methodist. Dinner will not be provided but you are welcome to bring a meal. The classes, by design, are in depth so prepare for homework and lively discussion.

To sign up for a course go to  http://t.co/5coiIJGt

Have a great weekend and we look forward to seeing you Sunday at 10am at the Park!

Chris

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:11-12

Growing up, my family had quite the elaborate Christmas tradition. Every Christmas Eve, our neighborhood lights up the night with luminarias, so we got alot of traffic and walkers out to see those lights. Each year, my family would host a live nativity scene, in our front yard. It wasn’t advertised, it wasn’t affiliated with a church, we weren’t raising money. My parents just thought it would be meaningful to stand out in the cold for 2 hours with all the friends we could recruit, dress up in Bible clothes and stand around a manger. My mother, having a drama background, had shepherd, angel, and wise men costumes for all ages that she had collected and made over the years. My father even borrowed sheep, and one year, a goat from a local farmer to make our scene that much more authentic. This tradition started when I was in grade school, but continued even into high school. Being one of three girls, I’ve acted all the roles, from shepherd to wise man.  And as a rule, you could not be the same character 2 years in a row, because of course, the sisters all fought to be Mary and hold the baby doll. I remember even in my teen years, thinking that wearing a wise man beard, crown and purple shawl, may not be the coolest thing to be doing on Christmas Eve. So of course, I made all my best friends participate so that they couldn’t mock me.

You know why I think the front yard live nativity scene lasted for 10+ years?  Besides my enthusiastic father, I think it was the reaction we would get from the shocked viewers driving by.  The people who were out driving and walking in the neighborhood expected to see the luminarias and that’s it.  Most people who happened upon our live nativity would shout out in shocked delight, “Merry Christmas!” “Wow!” or “Thanks so much!”  Alot of people got out of their cars to pet the sheep and to see if baby Jesus was real. We even got plenty of on lookers come back 30 minutes later and bring us home baked goodies. Funny how surprised people were to see a simple manger scene on Christmas Eve. Even if a front yard nativity is a little odd, looking back I can appreciate it. Dressed as an angel with wings, shivering in a tree, I couldn’t help but meditate on how amazing God coming to earth as a baby really was.

Your family traditions may not be as extreme as mine, but what can you do to make this Advent season meaningful?

by Chris Nikkel

“I am restless, I run like the ocean to find your shore, I’m looking for you” ~ From the song “Restless” by Switchfoot.

I can only picture what the journey to see the newborn Jesus must have been like. It was long and tiring. They had obviously been actually awaiting this event and were committed to making the journey to see the newborn King.

The thing that is most amazing is what happens when they arrive. We see in Matthew 2:11, “And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”  They worshipped. All that they had journeyed to see did not disappoint upon their arrival. So much so that they “fell down and worshipped him”. It speaks to the truth that perspective is critical. If you think about it, one’s perspective of Christ and his birth should be both telling and defining.

To the wisemen on that day we see they saw a baby as the Messiah and gave him worship, honor, and praise.  Advent is all about Jesus. May we look to the Savior. May we fall down and worship Jesus.

“31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 

Luke 1:31-33

It is not often that on a birth announcement the eternal fate of the child is stated. This statement was the initial notification given to a young woman that she was pregnant and going to have a son.

When we found out we were going to have a son, I can remember thoughts running through my head of what he would be like and picturing playing baseball and cars with him. Even that seemed overwhelming as a new parent, so I cannot imagine being told not only of a new unexpected pregnancy but also that he would forever reign over Israel and the world.

Mary was told of Jesus’ presence in the same moment as his eternal importance. The first coming of Christ is always to point us the future fulfillment of his return when he will take the throne that was promised to him. Although he comes at Christmas gently as a baby the time is quickly approaching when he will establish his Kingdom on earth. When he returns he will come in a much different manner:

“15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Rev. 10:15-16

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, let’s also remember that he will come again and prepare for that day as well.

by John Wright

Whenever we see the lights of Christmas, let’s let them remind us that Christ is our true light.  Sometimes we feel that our troubles and sorrows will never end; all we see is gloom and despair and none of the wonderful gifts of God all around us. There is, however, a great light that we presently may not see but is always shining.  hat light is the Messiah, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. He is the one that came to give us life and that more abundantly.

When we focus on Him rather than on ourselves we are not only able to see through the darkness but our path will be lit (Ps. 119:105).We can take comfort in that certainty and that although the Lord may not always take us around our troubles, if we follow wholeheartedly, He will lead us safely through them.

by Jeff and Jana Galt

Our eldest daughter is expecting her first child – and our first grandchild – in a few months.  At this stage each trip to the doctor results in a new sonogram proudly produced by the prospective Father at a moments’ notice.  The technology is a miracle that allows us to witness what only God had seen before – the knitting of us in our mother’s womb!

Naturally, plans are well underway.  The nursery is being outfitted; colors chosen; shopping lists created.  Our baby will be welcomed into the world with all the aucourtrements available.  There’s already talk about what schools he/she (only the doctor knows at this point) will attend.  The parents chose their house because of the elementary school just across the street, but even colleges have been discussed (UT is high on the list!).

Did you ever wonder why God sent His Son to earth as a baby?  There were plenty of alternatives, all of which would have inspired awe and wonder.  There are instances in which spiritual figures arrived on the scene full grown (consider the man who wrestled with Jacob, or the visitors who stayed with Lot).  Jesus could have arrived on the scene as a bright young Rabbi with a mysterious background.  He could have come riding a cloud or out of a puff of smoke.

Instead He chose to experience the process of formation just like all of us.  And that meant he had a Mother and a Father like us too.

After the excitement surrounding the birth, the Bible is pretty silent about Jesus’ childhood.  The impression I get is that Mary and Joseph fell into the routines of daily life and Jesus was a member of the family just like everyone else.  The passage that gives us a glimpse into the workings of this family is in Luke, Chapter 2, versus 39-47:

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

⁴¹ Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. ⁴² When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. ⁴³ After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. ⁴⁴ Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple courts…. ⁴⁸ When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

No doubt this is an abridged version of the full exchange.  The fuller version may have gone something like this: “There you are!  Where have you been?  Your father and I have been looking all over for you!  We’ve been sick with worry that you might have been kidnapped, or worse!  Why didn’t you let us know where you were going?”

The episode must have been very emotional for Mary and Joseph.  For three long days they endured the agony of thinking their child was lost.  Then, after experiencing the joy of being reunited with their son, Jesus rebuked them by saying “Why were you searching for me?  Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

With that exchange, Mary and Joseph were reminded that Jesus wasn’t theirs.  He belonged to a different Father.  Their task had been to protect, nurture, and nourish this young man who had been dedicated to God years earlier (see Luke 2: 22-23).  We know Mary lived to witness the full implications of that reality – up to and including watching her son hung on a cross for crimes he did not commit.

The baby in that sonogram is no less a gift from God.  It’s tempting to think that baby belongs to me.  But the story of Mary and Joseph and their first-born son reveals a deeper truth.  That precious gift is ours for only a season.  He wants it back, a present we return to the sender, with faith, hope and love.

by Jeff and Jana Galt

One of our family’s favorite movies is Braveheart.  It is a story of a reluctant warrior who rose to become the leader of Scotland’s fight for independence.  Near the conclusion, William Wallace meets his end in a most horrific way.  Summoning all his strength his final act is a defiant cry of “Freedom!”

Freedom is our rallying cry too.  We Americans are blessed to live in a nation that cherishes freedom.   We enshrined it in our Constitution.   The freedoms to worship, to gather, to associate, to speak, to bear arms, etc.  We are considered – and we view ourselves – as a free people.

We consider Freedom to be an inherent human right.  Something with which our Creator endowed us as human beings.

So what do we make of Isaiah 42:1?  “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight…”  We Americans don’t tend to think very highly of servants.  Webster’s lists the following terms as synonyms of servant: domestic, flunky, lackey, menial, retainer, slavey and steward.  Most Americans wouldn’t consider this a list of admirable professions.  All of these roles require submission and that seems to be in direct conflict with our natural right to freedom.

Is this another example of Satan twisting what God intended to make it a stumbling block to our relationship with that same Creator who gave us the yearning to be free?  Christ modeled the balance.  He was free to accept or reject his calling, yet he chose to be his Father’s Servant even unto death – a death he did not deserve.  Through his obedience, he conquered death and showed us the path to everlasting life.

Freedom.  Submission.  Christ showed us a way to reconcile the two concepts while reconciling us to Him and His Father.

by Kyle Isenhower

And I will lead the blind
in a way that they do not know,
in paths that they have not known
I will guide them.
I will turn the darkness before them into light,
the rough places into level ground.
These are the things I do,
and I do not forsake them.

Isaiah 42:16

Throughout the Bible, there is certain imagery repeated that describes who God is. Of all of them, my favorite picture of God is that of light. He is the pillar of fire by night for the children of Israel. When Moses sees the back part of God on Mount Sinai, the light is so bright that it transfers to Moses. The children of Israel begged Moses to keep his face covered because the light was so blinding. In another prophecy of the coming of Jesus, Isaiah 9:2 says, “The people walking in darkness will see a great light;’. When the wise men saw a star, which very existence to us is in the form of light, they followed it to find Jesus.

Jesus came to change the way things were done. It has been interpreted that “the blind” referred to in these passage are the children of Israel. They had been following the law, but somehow missed the heart of God in the law. When Jesus came, he was coming to lead the blind, those who could see no light at all, into a place they didn’t even know.

This Christmas season, let all the light up decorations, candles, and stars on top of trees remind you of the ultimate light that came. Let it lead you to share the light and truth that the heart of God was not to stand back and let people stumble in darkness, but to send them a light so that they would know the right way to go.