Pastor Al Paulauski, From Your Pal Pastor Al

Pastor Al Paulauski

From Your Pal December 2007

From Your Pal
Make the most of Christmas

     It is again that time of year! Believe it or not the Holiday season is officially on us. For many of us Christmas time is a time to celebrate. But for many parents, just the thought of the Holiday season makes them want to SCREAM, "Bah hum-bug!" Why? Well, if you're like me, it's because I often see the holidays as hectic (with all the shopping and parties), heartbreaking (many times with my extended family), and just plain hard to deal with. Many times it's just one BIG HASSLE! As a matter of fact, I've told Lana that only when it gets to be about a week before Christmas do I really start to enjoy it.
      However, this month I would like to give you some good news. I think I have found the remedy for getting past the "Bah hum-bug!" Just recently I read an article that stated if we can reduce our family's stress level, than we can make the most of our family's Christmas. When I read that I was hooked. In the article I read, the author shared four things, that if done, could lower our family's stress level. I want to share them with you this month.
     1. Refresh: It may be time to revisit some old family traditions that you haven't enjoyed for a while. Or maybe it's time to create some new ones this year. As I reflect on my generation as compared to my parents/grandparents' I see that they did a way better job at this than mine has. Traditions are important for families because they provide opportunities to keep your family legacy going. From the simple to the silly to the sentimental, traditions can create meaningful memories. As a parent, one of our jobs is to look for ways to promote special moments and traditions for our family - ones that will create special family memories that our kids will keep forever.
     2. Restore: Christmas time is a great time to reestablish connections with friends and family members with whom you have lost touch. Now, I realize that this is a common goal during the holidays. But sometimes I fear we come to that realization too soon, and then don't follow through on trying to reconnect. Make a goal of restoring connection with at least one person or family this year. If conflict has been an issue, don't ignore it, but rather take the first step forward toward addressing the issue and make your desire for reconciliation known.
     3. Relax: There are only so many hours in the day, so much money at your discretion, and only so much of "you" to go around. If you're like me, you have probably be invited to more gatherings than you can attend, so you may wind up feeling as though you need to spend more on the presents you'll buy for your family in order to compensate. Well, it is my privilege to give you permission to NOT attend every Christmas party, event, etc. And when you've maxed out your gift purchasing budget, please know that it's perfectly okay to say, "Enough! Our shopping is through!"
     4. Rejoice: Thankfulness is an important trait to build into your family - especially at the holiday season. Thankfulness is the key that unlocks your depressive emotions. You CAN NOT be both thankful and depressed at the same time. We can make an intentional choice to be thankful. We're giving thanks to God for allowing us to live in this great nation of ours. We're celebrating the birth of our Savior - our whole reason for living! What kind of message do we send to an unbelieving world if we're cranky, hassled, and sad during the holiday season? Of all people, we should be the ones leading the celebrations.

December Highlights

1. Kroger gift cards. Gift cards will again be available for purchase Sunday, Dec. 2nd after morning service. They are now sold in INCREMENTS OF $5 ONLY and then can be recharged each and every time you visit Kroger's. This also makes it easier when you purchase them as they are only $5 a piece. Why buy a gift card? Because Kroger will donate 5% of our total purchase (after reloads) to us, which, in turn we will give to Speed The Light.

2. December "Main Event": On Sunday, Dec. 9th from 4-9pm we will be having our annual Christmas Party. It will again be a progressive dinner (in which we go to three homes: appetizer, main meal, and dessert) with a "White Elephant" gift exchange at our last house. We are again looking for three host homes to make this happen. If you're a parent of a teenager and would like to host one of the three meals at your home, please see Pastor Al as soon as possible.

3. "Ministry Project" Downtown Outreach: On Saturday, December 15th from 11:30-4 pm the students from 876 Student Ministries will be teaming up with the Downtown outreach group for our December ministry project. We will again be handing out clothes and gifts along with serving food. If your teenager is interested please have them sign up with Pastor Al

4. Winter Escape '08: Friday-Sunday February 1st-3rd
876 Student Ministries will be conducting its first "Winter Escape" in Hillsdale, Michigan. Students will spend a weekend learning to go deeper with God while having a great time. There will be volleyball, basketball, a climbing wall, tubing and much more. The cost for this year's event is $90 per student and it includes everything. If your teenager is going we need to get a deposit of $30 A.S.A.P. For more details see Pastor Al.