First Presbyterian Church December 2023
Managing Christmas Stress
Angelic visits often start with the pronouncement, “Do not be afraid,” “Fear not,” or something to that effect. In Luke 2:10, this is said to the shepherds and it is followed by, “I am bringing you good news of great joy,” and the prediction of Jesus’ birth. When the angel Gabriel gives a similar announcement to Mary (Luke 1:26), he also has to reassure her to allay her fears. Granted, he had to explain the whole virgin birth concept to her (which was somewhat stressful for Mary), but I find it interesting how overwhelming angels and their messages tend to be.
The English word “gospel” is based on the Greek word Euaggalion, which literally means “good news”. I try to be positive and encouraging in my sermon messages each Sunday and have some good news to tell in them. Even so, there is much bad news out there, and even good news can be stressful when one does not know what to expect from it. For example, when the shepherds left their flocks at night in order to meet Jesus, it was probably stressful for them not to mention the sheep themselves.
Anxiety, even over good developments, has a way of increasing when there is uncertainty. So how does one manage it? Well, let’s take a look at Mary and how she dealt with her first Christmas stress. The first thing that she does is to gather information about what Gabriel had just told her. She does this by asking him a question, “How can this be?” He goes on to explain further until she finally understands and accepts his message by saying, “let it be with me according to your word.”
Mary does not simply wait around after Gabriel leaves for events to unfold though. She visits her cousin Elizabeth and shares with her what has happened, which is perhaps also a way of protecting herself from the stigma of being an unwed mother. Joseph has yet not been visited by the Angel Gabriel, who will later explain to him why he should not break off his engagement with Mary. Incidentally, Elizabeth was thought to be barren but was made miraculously pregnant with Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist at about the same time. When they meet, both women rejoice together about what God has done for them and will someday do in the lives of their children.
This last part reminds me of the importance of “living in the moment” and how this too can be a form of faith. While it is good to plan ahead, not worrying about tomorrow’s problems today is a very good way to manage anxiety. This is particularly true for potential problems that may or may not happen, especially if we do not have any control over their occurrence. I cannot tell you how much time I have wasted worrying about things that never happened, so I am really preaching to myself here. Good news invariably brings change, and change will always have some stress or anxiety associated with it. Still, for this Christmas, may we learn to live in the moment once again of Christ’s birth and the world changing spiritual revolution that it set in motion. For he is our Emmanuel, “God who is with us”.
Rev. Walter Stuber
First Presbyterian Church
11988 W. Main St., Wolcott, NY 14590
585-217-6030 stuberman1@yahoo.com
www.wolcottpresbyterian.com
Deacons’ Christmas Envelopes
There are Deacon Christmas envelopes in the Narthex. Your donations will help some elderly people this year!
Christmas Concert
The Christmas in Wolcott Concert sponsored by Lyons National Bank will be on Sunday, December 10that 3 p.m. at the Wolcott Presbyterian Church. Admission is free. All cash donations will benefit the regional food pantry. Refreshments will be served this year. We will need cookies so if you are able to help out, that would be great.
Youth Christmas Pageant
On Sunday, December 17th the children and youth of the church will do a Christmas pageant. Just show up at 9:30 a.m. for Sunday School that day, and they can pick what part they do for the 10:30 a.m. service.
Christmas Boxes
The Christmas Boxes will be distributed on Tuesday, December 19.
Pop-Up Choir
There will be a pop-up choir on the morning of December 24.
Christmas Eve Service
There will be an ecumenical Christmas Eve Service at our church this year at
7 p.m. Ecumenical choir practices will be held on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. on December 5, 12, and 19.
Steps of Faith Dance Studio Recital
Steps of Faith Dance Studio will be having a recital at our church on January 27th at
5 p.m. Upcoming Events
Sunday, December 10th: 3 p.m. Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 17th: Youth Christmas Pageant
Tuesday, December 19th: Community Christmas Boxes
Saturday, December 24th: 7 p.m. Ecumenical Christmas Eve Service
Financial Report
Contact Walter for Numbers
In Our Thoughts
Perhaps you would like to send a Christmas card to the following people in our church family:
Valerie Cahoon: c/o of William Cahoon, 12341 Bovee Road, Wolcott, NY 14590
Joyce Granger: Seneca Nursing & Rehab. Ctr., 200 Douglas Drive, Waterloo, NY 13165
Edith Hutchings: Wayne County Nursing Home, Garden Valley Room 171, 1529 Nye Rd., Lyons, NY 14489
Maxine Pankratz: Sunset Nursing and Rehab. Ctr., 232 Academy Street, Boonville, NY 13309-1397
Eleanor Stevenson: Newark Manor, 222 W. Pearl Street, Newark, NY 14513
Bob Strong: c/o Stuart Strong, 3636 Estate Circle, Larkspur, CO 80118
Arlene Youngman: Wayne County Nursing Home, 1529 Nye Rd., Lyons, NY 14489..
December Anniversaries
Bill & Cheryl Gilbert 12/31/67
Randy & Marti Ann Gillette 12/28/73
Mike & Laurie Johnson12/27/14
Richard & Izetta Younglove12/22/71
December Birthdays
Tammy Vezzose12/18
Henry Felker12/11
Chris Kenyon12/4
Jackie Lockwood12/18
Michael Lockwood12/8
Maxine Pankratz12/9
Rich Steves12/25
Dan Tatum12/27
Noel Tyler12/25
Luna Vezzose12/25
Marissa Vezzose12/22
Izetta Younglove12/31