Pastor Al Paulauski, From Your Pal Pastor Al, Fair Haven Assembly of God Church

Pastor Al Paulauski

From Your Pal December 2006

Christmas! Can you believe that it's almost here? Christmas has to be one of my favorite times of the year. I know that I said at church a few weeks ago that I don't like the Christmas season but I really do. It's the hustle and bustle, the shopping, and the pressure to conform to how the world sees Christmas that really bothers me. I have always told Lana that I start to enjoy the Christmas season about a week before Christmas. But Christmas really is a great time.
For many of us, the holiday season is a time that is anticipated with both joy and anxiety. Sure, we love the celebrations, the family traditions, and we cherish the memories of holidays gone by; but along with them, we add the stresses of preparation, expectations and the fear of letdowns, or family conflicts that we've experienced in the past. So, in order to help get you ready for an enjoyable, meaningful holiday season I have found some tips that can be helpful to you.
1. Set manageable expectations. Understand that you can't do everything! Set realistic and manageable expectations for your holiday season. Make a priority list of your most important events and activities for you and your family. Then, pace yourself.
2. Acknowledge the past, but look toward the future. Life brings changes. Each season of life is different. Determine to enjoy this holiday season for what it is. Acknowledging the past, whether good or bad, is appropriate. But, if you find that this year has been a rough one and you don't anticipate having the best holiday season ever, try not to set yourself up by comparing today with the "good old days."
3. Do something for somebody else. One of the ways we can demonstrate that we are grateful to God for his many blessings is to help others. To get more out of this holiday season, try getting involved in serving others.
4. Enjoy activities that are cheap or free. There are good holiday-related activities that will add to your family's enjoyment, such as driving around to look at holiday decorations (ex. Hines Drive), baking Christmas cookies, going window shopping, and playing in the snow.
5. Enjoy a family holiday tradition. Traditions provide opportunities to keep your family's legacy going. They create meaningful memories. So, from the silly to the sentimental, if your family has some holiday traditions, if possible, be sure to include them in your holiday activity plans.
6. Try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way. You may just create a new tradition that will keep you going for generations.
7. Spend money responsibly. The holiday season brings with it a bit of temptation to spend money beyond our means and to rack up significant credit card debt, especially when it comes to purchasing Christmas gifts for your family. Just say no! While your family may be thrilled by your gifts on Christmas Day, don't forget that come springtime your kids may well have laid aside or forgotten those gifts, even while you're struggling to make the payments. Decide how to be financially responsible this holiday season.
8. Carve out some time for yourself. Don't take on all the responsibilities of your family's holiday celebrations by yourself. Share the load. Create some space during the holidays for you to recharge your own batteries.
December Highlights
1. Grocery store gift cards. Gift cards for Kroger & Farmer Jack will again be available for purchase on Sunday, December 3rd after service. By you participating in a program like this we can earn 5% of your purchases towards missions. Remember, it's free money. Please make sure (if you have a Kroger card) that you are recharging your card before your purchase. Fair Haven is also now enrolled in "Meijer Community Rewards." If you will simply sign up with Meijer for a "rewards card" (it's not a credit card) through us, they will give a percentage of your monthly spendings to us. So far you have helped us earn over $800 for missions this year. Come by the table and see us for details.
2. Youth Christmas Party. The annual youth Christmas party will by on Sun., Dec.10th from 4-9 pm. It will be a progressive dinner with a "White Elephant" gift exchange (no more than $5). We will be going to three different homes for three different meals (appetizers, main meal, and desserts). If you are a parent of a student in the student ministry program, would you consider opening up your home for about an hour and a half? If so, please see Pastor Al as soon as you get a chance.
3. Ministry Project: On Sat., Dec. 16th the student ministry program will be doing a ministry project. We will be joining the "Downtown Outreach" group to go and help those who are less fortunate. We will be feeding, handing out clothing and gifts, and much more. We would love to see every student participate in an event that takes their focus off themselves and puts it on others. All who are participating must be at the church by 11:30 am. For more questions please see Pastor Al.