The Twelve Days of Christmas begins on Christmas Day, the birth of Jesus Christ and goes to the Epiphany, the acknowledgment by the magi that Jesus Christ is the Savior, Son of God.
Our classic twelve days song is theorized to have a fundamental relationship to the religious based twelve days of Christmas in the following manner:
Partridge in a Pear Tree – Jesus Christ;
Two Turtle Doves – The Old and New Testaments;
Three French Hens – The three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity;
Four Calling Birds – Four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John;
Five Golden Rings – First five books of the Old Testament;
Six Geese-a-Laying – Six days of creation before God’s rest on the seventh day;
Seven Swans-a-Swimming – Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit;
Eight Maids-a-Milking – Eight Beatitudes;
Nine Ladies Dancing – Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit;
Ten Lords-a-Leaping – Ten Commandments;
Eleven Pipers Piping – Eleven faithful disciples;
Twelve Drummers Drumming – Twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.
Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Faith, Hope, Love, Joy, Peace
Faith, Hope, Love, Joy, Peace
Come join Spirit of Peace Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus in the Free Faith Hope Love Joy Peace Series Presentation
Preparing for Christmas 2018
In this liturgical life change presentation series, we focus on five qualities of character: Faith, Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace.
All Are Welcome to join us in this presentation. If you are so inclined, we accept invitations to come to your location for presentation and discussion.
We justify these qualities of character by reading and applying Scripture.
But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22.
Faith
We exercise our quality of Faith by trusting in Jesus Christ and reliance in His Word.
We walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7.
Hope
We experience Hope through expectation of good in our lives.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13.
Love
We practice Love through our readiness to assist the good of others.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10.
Joy
We engage Joy as an experience in goodness.
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:10-11.
Peace
We come to know Peace as assurance that aspirations turn out well.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27.
Advent
Advent, derived from Latin, defined, is the arrival of a notable person.
We await the coming of Jesus Christ in the Nativity on Christmas Day and His Return in the Second Coming of Christ. In our case, this and every Liturgical Season of Advent will bring us the celebratory arrival of the Christ Child on Christmas Day.
Church Celebration Services
Every week of these four weeks of Advent we will reflect upon, and practice in our lives, building one upon the next, Faith, Hope, Love and Joy. In formal prayer and reflection, we will cover each one of these qualities of character in our liturgical services as we progress through Advent and become prepared on Christmas Day for the Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7.
Pastor Michael Hanus, Spirit of Peace Missional Community
Spirit of Peace Celebrates Thanksgiving Day Environment Preparation Volunteers
There is so much to do in order to organize and present a successful event!
Spirit of Peace is blessed to have helpful volunteers generous with time, energy and other resources. We do our best to show our appreciation for our fantastic generous volunteers.
Some of the environment volunteers are pictured here.
We Love Our Volunteers
Spirit of Peace celebrates and thanks every one of you!
Peace and Joy! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus
What: Free (Sweet!) Community Thanksgiving Day Meal
Who: You, Family, Friends, All Are Welcome!
When: November 22, 2018 Noon – 3:00 pm Thanksgiving Day
Where: 111 East Front Street, Valley, Nebraska 68064
Why: Share Our Blessings and Thanks with the Community!
All Participants Are Welcome. Bring Yourself, Family and Friends!
All Volunteers Are Welcome!
All Donations Are Appreciated!
Sponsored By Spirit of Peace Missional Community
Questions? Call, Text or eMail Pastors Michael or Cathy Hanus
Phone or Text: 402-541-7019 eMail: Spirit.Peace@outlook.com
SpiritofPeace.us
Free Thanksgiving Day MealPlease RSVP through EventBrite link!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-thanksgiving-day-meal-all-are-welcome-tickets-51971785008
PrayerMay the Lord extend His infinite love and assistance to all people affected by Hurricane Michael and its aftermath.
LCMC 2018 GatheringDiscussion
Presentation
Meditation Practices
Inhale Courage
Exhale Fear
Sugar added to our diets
Americans seem susceptible to anything with sugar added. Steve Darland, see Feature article about Balsamic Vinegar
Vitamin Deficiency
Spinach Greens Blend Salad
Meal
Salad
Greens, Spinach, Mizuna, Chard, Kale
Goat cheese
Hearts of Palm
Artichoke Hearts
Garden Red Cherry Tomato
Hemp Hearts, raw, shelled, hemp seeds
CRaisins, infused with Cherry juice
Salad Dressing, Balsamic Vinegar,
NB: check your Balsam! see https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradjaphe/2018/08/20/everything-you-never-knew-you-needed-to-know-about-balsamic-vinegar/#40b0812e49b3
Meat
Fresh Tuna
Vegetable
Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti Squash
Beverage
Blueberry Passion Smoothie
1 cup Homemade Greek yogurt
1 cup Fresh Garden Blueberries
1 Garden Delicious Apple
1 Organic Orange Citrus, fruit, rind, no peel
add Ice to suit
Double blended
Dessert
Red Table Grapes
Closing PrayerKindness
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law,” Galatians 5: 22-23.
Pray that you and your community will be filled with and known for kindness and compassion.
Father, I desire to display the fruit of kindness, yet sometimes I don’t know how to do so. Through Your Holy Spirit, please grow this fruit in me until it overflows into the lives around me. Prompt me with practical ideas to reach out and offer Your loving-kindness to those around me every day. When I am the one in need, help me to humbly open the door and allow the kindness of others into my life. Begin a movement of kindness in my community that catches and spreads. May we show kindness, not for recognition or a good feeling, but quietly, out of love and appreciation for the kindness You have shown us. Show us this week who needs a smile, a gesture, or a helping hand. Give us courage to act and not to expect anything in return. Amen.
Loving God, bless all those gathered here today as we come together in friendship and fellowship.
Thank you for the blessings of our individual and collective God-given gifts.
Place in our hearts the desire to make a difference to our families, to our community, to our country, and to the many cultures and peoples worldwide.
Give us balance in times of distraction and uncertainty.
Help us move towards our goals with determination and always with an abundant sense of humor.
Thank you for food in a world where many know only hunger; For our faith in a world where many know fear; For friends in a world where many know only loneliness.
Please bless this food we are about to share, those who prepared it, those who serve it, and those who have worked to make today the special occasion that it is.
A woman struggles to keep her faith and family intact after her husband is diagnosed with stage three brain cancer.
This Day Forward (2018)
Come visit with Pastor Michael as he leads us on an “mmm” movie meet-up, meal and mingling adventure in the missional community. This meet-up will take us to a special showing of a movie release prior to its west coast premier scheduled for this upcoming November. We will have a live opportunity to meet members of the cast and family story the movie was written about.
