Greetings; may the grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord be with you all.

Well, we are rapidly approaching Christmas time. I know this because the turkey has become soup, there are lights popping up on the houses in the neighborhood, and the children want to write letters to a big man up North. I like this time of the year; yes it’s very busy, but also very exciting.

There has always been something wonderful about this time of the year. It’s in the way we see people treating each other. The children know instinctively that they better start behaving nice and less naughty. Adults begin regaining the joy of their childhood, and everyone it seems is seeking to be more interested in the plight of others. What is it about Christmas time? It must be something to do with the culture around us. As much as we are frustrated with the directions the culture around the church appears to be taking, it always seems to turn back to the lessons of our faith around this time of the year. Love, it seems, is back on the minds of the world.

This occurred to me the other day listening to the radio, when the Zombies’ classic, “Time of the Season” started playing. For many people Christmas is “the time of the season for loving.” We need to be thankful for people’s return to the ideals of love. All the heart-warming songs and movies are great, and contribute a great deal to the softening of people’s hearts. However, with apologies to the Zombies, we must remember that there is so much more to this season than just loving. In deed it should always be the season for loving.

Each of us must remember and take the time to dwell on the real miracle of Christmas, the Incarnation. For the Incarnation is the fullest measure of the love we experience in the season around Christmas. Even in the church we allow ourselves to get so wrapped up in the birth of Jesus and the background story of the Nativity that we sometimes forget that Incarnation, God becoming “one of us,” is the real miracle and mystery.

A few years ago there was a popular song that asked, “what if God was one of us?” Well, we need to be reminded that God was one of us. In Jesus Christ, God lowered himself to take on our humanity and experience life just as we do. What an amazing thing to comprehend, to become less for the purpose of serving us. Our theology teaches us that it was necessary so that we might be saved. Our Scripture reminds us that God did so, because he “so loved the world (us).” And our hearts tell us that it is real. But how much time have you spent really trying to feel it? What does it mean to you, that God loved you enough to become like you? How does it feel to know that he came to suffer and die so that you might live?

A little bit of guilt would be natural, but perhaps in-appropriate. For this love for you that caused God to take such a graphic course of action should stir within you the same love for others and in time the most exceeding joy! For truly, everyday, we should shout, “Joy to the world!” for in the birth of the child in Bethlehem, the Lord has come to save us. Let this thought brighten your life and warm your heart beyond anything else that this wonderful season offers. Pray about it, meditate on it, and find someone to share it with. Let this exciting time of the year and the incarnation, the coming of God into your heart, bring a change in you that is beyond even that of Ebenezer Scrooge. The real reason behind the season is the Incarnation and the love that caused it to happen, don’t let yourself, or anyone else over-look it. “And as Tiny Tim would say, ‘God bless us, everyone.’”

Yours in Christ,

Mitchell Lee Miller

SPIRITUALITY MATTERS! (Now more than ever)

The Spirituality group is reforming! And you are all invited. Once a month, for about 18 months a group of people gathered after church to share a meal, pray, and discuss some writings in the area of spirituality, among other things. It was a time for each of us to spend both alone and together in the presence of God as we sought to grow in our faith and relationship with Jesus Christ.

There are no pre-requisites, no experience is necessary; we don’t even care if you don’t finish the reading assignments. But if you are interested in a deepening of your spiritual life and sharing the journey of faith with a few others, we invite you to join us.

We will kick off our new journey on December 16, after church, and begin meeting in earnest in January. If you would like to join us or have any questions please contact Rev. Miller or Judy Hebert. If you are interested in participating, but can’t make it this month, please let Rev. Miller know. There is no reading assigned for December, but we will begin reading another book for January.

If you remember Bill Fiala, check out his website http://7engine7.com and see what he's been up to!

MISSIONS

Focus Donation for December
Canned meats and/or canned soups
for the Harford Community Action Agency’s food pantry

Thank You!!!

Something new at the Christmas Bazaar!!!

FPW is excited to present our first Alternative Christmas Gift Market at the Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 1^st. “This year, instead of giving more things, give more meaning” by honoring friends and loved ones with donations made to the following charitable groups: Heifer International, Medical Benevolence Foundation, Church World Service, Harford Habitat for Humanity, and FCCAU. For each donation you make, you will be given a card which you will give to your friend or loved one. Checks must be made out to FPW. We will send each organization one check along with a listing of donors and any special programs individual donors wish to support.

Special Offering: Christmas Joy Offering

The last special offering of the year is the Christmas Joy Offering. The receipts from this offering are distributed equally to the Board of Pensions for assistance programs that benefit retired church workers and their surviving spouses and to the National Ministries of the General Assembly Council to support Presbyterian racial ethnic education by awarding scholarships to deserving students as well as by providing help to the colleges with basic operating costs.

We will be receiving the Christmas Joy Offering at the services held on December 23 and December 24.

MAGNOLIA ELEMENTARY
The Pony Pal mentoring program is starting up this week at Magnolia. Names are given to the guidance counselor by teacher recommendation for students who need an adult mentor. I am quite excited about this because I enjoy helping young students and encouraging them to do their homework, give them help when they need it, plus be a friend to them if they need someone to talk to. I started with one 5th grader, who really needed a Pony Pal. The Guidance Counselor put an
email out to the staff that there were several students that needed Pony Pals, and there were not enough Mentors. Well, as of today, I am up to 5 boys. Those of you that know me pretty well will find it funny that even in this program, I can't get a girl. I enjoy this program so much because you check on these students as often as you can to make sure they are okay and guide them whenever you can, give them gifts at the different holidays and just be their friend. What a good way for me spend the 2007/2008 year at Magnolia.

Also, the basket is always there if you would like to continue to drop off any school supplies that you would happen to find on sale. The students go through tons of glue sticks and pencils.

Thanks so much for your support of the students at Magnolia.             ~Wendy

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
With this being the time for breast cancer awareness and the recent walk for the cure in October, I have been asked to make a few prayer shawls for women who have discovered they have breast cancer. I make the shawls in different shades of pink, and, of course, a prayer goes with it in a wooden frame. I hope the shawl gives comfort, a sense of peace and a closensess to God for the women who receive one.

The mission of making scarves for the homeless has been amazing. I am currently at 45 scarves with several more being made out in the community. When I talk to people about what I am doing, everyone thinks it is such a wonderful idea because scarves can be used to keep hands warm, feet warm, plus your neck warm. I certainly appreciate all the help that has been given by all the knitters that have left scarves for me. I hope you all know how much they will be appreciated and put to good use.         ~Wendy

HEALTH for the BODY and SOUL
December 2007
Debbie Glenn, BSN

All the people tried to touch him, for power was going out from him and healing them all. (Luke 6:19)

Holiday Stress and Depression

The holidays are full of joy for most, but can also be a source of stress and even depression.

There are three triggers that can cause holiday stress or depression: relationships, finances and physical demands.

To combat these, be realistic about family relationships. The holidays will not likely change family interactions and will probably exacerbate any negative feelings.

Finances can be stressful at any time of the year, but holiday spending adds extra concern for most people. Set a budget and stick to it. That may mean cutting down on giving, entertaining or holiday excursions. Choice one special gift or give an hour of your time for a special outing after the holidays.

Get enough sleep and exercise to combat fatigue. Set aside a day for shopping rather than trying to fit it in after a full work day.

When all else fails, remember that this season is about the birth of our Savior and that will put everything else into perspective.

Nursing Shortage

We have been hearing for years about the nursing shortage. It is real and in Maryland alone, the vacancy rate for hospital nursing is near 13%. By 2016, there is a predicted deficit of 10,000 nurses in Maryland. And, the average age of a bedside nurse is predicted to be 50 by 2010. With a growing population in Maryland and an increasing number of older adults, some nursing administrators and academics are predicting a public health crisis if the nursing shortage continues. Hospitals and nursing schools are taking measures to entice even middle school students to consider careers in nursing. From a personal standpoint, nursing is a career that offers a variety of areas in which to work and financial security. Most rewarding is a great deal of personal satisfaction, knowing you can make a difference in a person’s life.

Osteoporosis

When post-menopausal women have a yearly physical, osteoporosis should be added to the list of screenings along with high pressure, cancer and heart disease.

30% of Caucasian post-menopausal women in the US are afflicted and 54% have osteopenia which is a less advanced form of bone loss. These percentages increase with age and a woman over the age of 60 has a surprisingly high risk. By the time a woman reaches the age of 80, she has about a 70% chance of having the condition.

Men who have certain gland disorders or who take steroids (like prednisone) for prolonged periods can also be at risk for osteoporosis.

A DXA scan is considered the gold standard for diagnosing bone mass. Your doctor can determine if you have the risk factors that merit a DXA scan and prescribe treatment if bone loss is present.

…he said, “healthy people don’t need a doctor--sick people do.” Matthew 9:12

Peanut Pumpkin Soup

2 Tbsp. Promise (or other low fat margarine or butter if you aren’t worried about calories, fat and healthy eating!)

½ cup peanut low fat or low sugar peanut butter

1 (14 ounce) can pumpkin

1 cup cooked mashed sweet potato

18 ounces fat free chicken broth

Fresh ground pepper

¼ tsp. cinnamon

Pinch nutmeg

1 tsp. brown sugar Splenda

Snipped fresh chives for garnish

Sour cream for garnish

Melt Promise in soup pot. Stir in the pumpkin, sweet potato and peanut butter.

Add broth and seasonings, stir well until smooth. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Garnish with snipped chives and a dollop of sour cream before serving.

Non Healing Wounds

For most people, wound healing is a natural, uneventful process. For others, it can be a complex medical problem. A person with a chronic condition such as diabetes or poor circulation, wound healing may require specialized care and treatment.

The cost for treatment is a staggering $15 billion per year. The greater cost however is seen in the personal losses of mobility, independence and sometimes a limb.

These personal losses can be avoided if care is sought early. Consider treatment at a specialized Wound Center if your wound does not show significant improvement in four weeks, hasn’t completed the healing process in eight weeks, pain has increased or you show signs of a fever or infection.

Wound Centers have great success in wound healing and limb salvage, but many people rely on a primary care physician to manage wounds. Be your own advocate and seek further treatment if there is any question that a wound is not healing properly.

“…my health is broken because of my sins” Psalm 38:3

Recently, we have heard a lot in the news about MRSA in the community and the panic surrounding the deaths of young people from the infection.

Staph infections have been around for many years. In fact about 30% of the population carries the bacteria either on the skin or in nasal passages and never become ill. MRSA has been a threat in hospitals for decades and derives it name from the staph infection being resistant to methicillin and related antibiotics.

In the community, staph is spread by skin to skin contact. The bacteria from an infected person enters the system of another person through a break in the skin, skin to skin contact (such as wrestling and football) and even sharing sweaty towels. In areas of close contact such as locker rooms, schools, military camps and prisons, MRSA can be spread.

Children can be more susceptible to the infection because their immune systems are immature.

Some common sense practices can prevent the spread of MRSA. Do not to share towels, clothes, razors or uniforms. Any boil or infected hair follicle should not be squeezed and should be treated by a physician for incision and drainage under sterile technique. Any open cuts or abrasions should be kept clean and covered, especially in athletes and children during gym classes. Avoid skin to skin contact with another person who has a cut or abrasion.

As with any other bacteria, the best prevention is thorough hand washing (teach children to wash their hands while singing “Happy Birthday” twice). Hands should be vigorously scrubbed for 15 seconds, dried with a paper towel; use another paper towel to turn off the faucet. If you do not have access to soap and water, use a hand sanitizer that is at least 62% alcohol (Purell is good).

A surge of surface cleaning has taken place in schools. However, a quick spray and wipe down will not kill MRSA. The cleansing solution needs to remain on the surface for at least 3 minutes. The bacteria can live on clothing and hard surfaces for up to 90 minutes. So, again, thorough hand washing and prevention are the greatest weapons against MRSA.