Christmas comes but once a year.

The birthday of a child that we hold dear.

A time of giving, a time to share,

A time to show others that we care.

Who is this Christ child? You might ask.

Born so long ago, so far in the past.

He is the King!  He is the One!

Born a man, but also God's Son.

He was from the beginning, He is to the end.

Won't you share this knowledge with a friend?

His birth we celebrate on this day.

Who is the Christ child?  You might say.

Isn't Christmas presents, toys, and good things to eat?

The only gift worth giving is the one laid at the Savior's feet.

So on this day, please remember Him.

The one who died for your very sin.

Born to die, so that we might live.

Don't you have antyhing you would like to give

To the Christ child who paved the way?

Won't you remmber HIM this Christmas day.

In life's hardest moment and you want to run

Don't give up now, the battle's just begun.

Think of Elijah in his cave of despair --

In the still small voice he found God there.

Not in the mighty wind, the earthquake or fire;

And you'll find Him too as you seek and inquire.

For it's His promise, we shall find when we seek--

His strength will hold you up when you are so weak.

God told Elijah to "go, there's more to be done;

I have others to help you till the battle is won."

So if you find yourself discouraged and full of fear,

Remember His promises for He is ever near.



(by Lucy Johnson)

1 Kings 19:9-18; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

When you were younger

Did you imagine you'd turn out this way

Did you know you'd be so important

To us all in these days

Your knowledge and instruction

Has increased throughout the years

So when I'm low and lost

I can turn to you with open ears

You can bring a joy and wisdom

The ones right above me cannot bring

Thank our great God

For our senior saints

I know God has put angels on Earth

Just to help us through

I know because when I asked for one

He led me straight to you



Written by Amber Waltz, age 15

Senior Saints Day, May 2006

When I say... "I am a Christian"

I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'." 

I'm whispering "I was lost, 

Now I'm found and forgiven." 



When I say... "I am a Christian" 

I don't speak of this with pride. 

I'm confessing that I stumble 

and need Christ to be my guide. 



When I say... "I am a Christian" 

I'm not trying to be strong. 

I'm professing that I'm weak 

And need His strength to carry on. 



When I say... "I am a Christian" 

I'm not bragging of success. 

I'm admitting I have failed 

And need God to clean my mess. 



When I say... "I am a Christian" 

I'm not claiming to be perfect, 

My flaws are far too visible 

But, God believes I am worth it. 



When I say... "I am a Christian" 

I still feel the sting of pain. 

I have my share of heartaches 

So I call upon His name. 



When I say... "I am a Christian" 

I'm not holier than thou, 

I'm just a simple sinner 

Who received God's good grace, somehow!

You say you want to know about my God?  Pull up a chair,

I would love to share.

Just be prepared to sit awhile.

There's a lot to say, but it will make you smile.

He is the perfect precious lamb

He is the almighty great "I AM"

He is BIG when I am small

My God, He is my all and all

He is strong when I am weak

When I am dumb he helps me speak

He is my joy He makes me sing

My God? He is my everything

He never changes He is always the same

He opened the Book of Life and wrote my name

He sent his son to die for me

So I could praise Him for eternity

In the dark He is my light

He is my comforter in the night

God always holds me in His hand

He is the Rock on which I stand

When I am broken He makes me whole

To be like Him is my goal

If you want to know more about my Lord

You only have to say the word

Open your heart to Him today

Ask Him in as you pray

He wants to be your Savior and friend

to give you life that will never end

You simply need to call His name 

and you will never be the same


~copied~

There's work to do, deadlines to meet; 

You've got no time to spare, 

But as you hurry and scurry- 

ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER 



In the midst of family chaos, 

"Quality time" is rare. 

Do your best; let God do the rest- 

ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER. 



It may seem like your worries 

Are more than you can bear. 

S low down and take a breather- 

ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER 



God knows how stressful life is; 

He wants to ease our cares, 

And He'll respond to all your needs 

A.S.A.P. - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.



~copied~

'Twas the night Jesus came and all through the house,

not a person was praying, not one in the house..

The Bible was left on the shelf without care,

for no one thought Jesus would come there..

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,

not once ever kneeling or bowing their head..

And Mom in the rocking chair with babe on her lap,

was watching the Late Show as I took a nap..

When out of the east there rose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter..

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

tore open the shutters and lifted the sash..

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

but Angels proclaiming that Jesus was here..

The light of His face made me cover my head...

was Jesus returning just like He'd said..

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,

I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself..

In the Book of Life which he held in his hand,

was written the name of every saved man..

He spoke not a word as he searched for my name,

when He said "it's not here" My head hung in shame..

The people whose names had been written with love,

He gathered to take to his Father above..

With those who were ready He rose without sound,

while all of the others were left standing around...

I fell to my knees but it was too late,

I'd waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight,

Oh, if only I'd known that this was the night....

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear

the coming of Jesus is now drawing near...

There's only one life and when comes the last call,

We'll find out that the Bible was true after all...



B Basic

I Instruction

B Before

L Leaving

E Earth

You are just a woman, we know this is true.

Yet with God's help, we see all you do.

With head held high, and His Word in hand.

You dare to serve Christ, an example so grand.

You've become our friend, a partner in prayer;

Just when we need you most, we know you're there.

God's love in a hug and His peace in your smile.

We thank God for sending you our way for awhile.



By Lucy Johnson

April 25, 2001

("Written especially for my pastor's wife, Rebecca Orndorff")

Oh, Christian, be careful as you travel along life's way.

Don't try to serve all on your own or be careless in what you say.

Pay attention in your service and keep your eye on the final goal.

For selfish decisions are easily made when on your own you stroll.

These attitudes are Satan's arrows and they're aimed straight at you.

God says find a friend to go with for prayer, teaching and guidance true.

These are a Christian's "silver bullets" like the Lone Ranger was famous for

But he even had his Tonto to come alongside and even the score.

God has a gift of ministry just for you and a friend can help stir it up.

So keep in touch with your "Tonto" - Don't ever quit.  Never, never give up!

There was an old woman, she was wrinkled and gray.

She walked with a cane, didn't have much to say.

She had a twinkle in her eye, and a smile that was real.

She enjoyed going to rummage sales - said she like a good deal.

She'd look at everything but didn't buy much.

Said what she was looking for was pottery and such.

And when she found a kitchen crock or a clay pot that was cracked

She would inspect her treasure and thoughtfully say, "Tis a fact,

I'll be needing this - it's just what I wanted today."

She would pay the price, tap her cane, and limp away.

One day she found a clay vase that looked like a "practice mistake."

It was crooked and ugly but she said, "This one I'll take."

It was also quite heavy and she had a few blocks to walk

So I offered her a ride; she settled in and began to talk.

"I bet you'd like to know what I'll do with this now."

Her eye sparked mischief; I knew she'd tell her story somehow.

When we got to her house she said, "Come on in, and carry this, please."

She led me to a room down the hall; the door opened with ease.

The sight I beheld took my breath away -

My mind was in shock; what could I say?

For there was shelf after shelf, from ceiling to floor

And each filled with pottery - vases, urns, bowls and much more.

There I stood with her latest treasure and no place to set it down,

But this sweet saint pointed to a small table and said, "Don't frown.

This one gets a special place, for it's a vessel of honor, you see.

It was made to be used and not to be pretty - just like me!"

She chuckled at my surprise and pointed to a shelf up high.

"That one's too dainty, too beautiful to use," she spoke with a sigh.

As I left the old one's house her words burned deep in my heart.

'Designed to be useful, a vessel of honor,' - I understood in part.

I sat there in my car, with my head bowed in shame

For I remembered years ago my heart for serving did flame.

Was the Master Potter finished with me, or am I still usable to Him?

Lately I've done my own thing with my heart's mission grown dim.

Oh, precious promises - the Potter's still working; I know from His Word.

Please break me. Mold me. Use me now, a vessel to honor my Lord.