THE CENTERPIECE
December, 2003
The Newsletter of the
Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind
535 North Neville Street
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213
PHONE: (417) 682-1800
Bob Mates, Director
Sherri Crum, Assistant
The Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind seeks to reach out to the visually
impaired of Pittsburgh, feeling their needs, and touching them with the love of
Jesus, so that they may reach out and touch others with the love of Jesus.
THE CENTERPIECE is available in the following formats: Braille, large print,
audio cassette, and E-mail. You may also read the newsletter on the World
Wide Web, by going to: www.firsttrinity.net
and clicking on the "Center for the blind" link.
Terri Watson, Editor
FROM THE EDITOR
When a new soul recently arrived in heaven, Saint Peter took that soul on
the grade-A tour. The first stop was an area where many angels could be
seen working busily. When the new soul asked what these hard-working
angels were doing, Saint Peter explained that they were sorting papers on which
were written prayer petitions from people throughout the world. When this
guided tour progressed to yet another work station, the new soul observed that
this group of angels was also very busy. "This work station is where
all of the prayer requests are read and processed," Saint Peter informed
the new arrival. The third and final phase of the tour took the soul to a
corner of heaven where a single angel sat idly doing nothing. When the
confused soul asked the saint/guide what the reason was for this lone angel's
idleness, Saint Peter answered sadly by saying, "There is no work for this
angel because so few people whose prayers have been answered bother to write
back to say "Tha!
nk you"."
As our Advent preparations for the Lord are completed and we joyfully
receive our Christmas rose of reconciliation, let us learn from the Samaritan
who returned to say Thank you. Thank You, God, for Your Son's divinity,
enlightenment, compassion, eternal life, many graces, blessings, endless love
and redemption. May IMMANUEL (God with us), be with you during this holy
season and throughout a Happy New Year!
NOVEMBER's MONTHLY MEAL
On Saturday, November 22nd, many members of Pittsburgh's blind community and
dedicated sighted volunteers enjoyed fellowship, food and prayer. At 5:00
PM, Lutheran Center Director Bob Mates welcomed everyone and Pastor Spittel gave
the blessing. The sumptuous meal which followed consisted of tossed salad,
a choice of three dressings, rolls and butter, pasta fazule with meat, pasta
fazule without meat, cake, coffee, regular pop, diet pop and after-dinner mints.
(A great big THANK YOU goes out to Gene Rossi for his excellent preparation of
the pasta fazule which was enthusiastically devoured. The meal was
followed by a devotion from Director Mates, Bob's reminder of the vesper service
with which the evening would conclude and requests for prayers of petition and
thanksgiving. Busy Bob, our dashing director then introduced regular meal
attendee Sam Willard whose excellent and informative presentation included a
discussion of self defense techniques which can be used effect!
ively by the blind and vision-impaired, and a one-on-one demonstration of those
techniques. Because everyone found the presentation so informative, Sam
will be discussing and demonstrating self defense again, with a date still to be
decided. This special evening was ended perfectly with Pastor Spittel's
leading of Vespers. In conclusion, the following people attended
November's meal: Ayn Apelman, Lois Briggs, Sherri Crum, Maggie Fagliano, Ellie
Goldfon, Helen (a new attendee), Georgiana, a new volunteer, Bob Mates (who the
heck is he), Mike O'Connor, Cindy Perseo, John Perseo, Milette Reid, Chuck
Ridley, Gene Rossi, Norma Jean Rossi, Jane Royal, Leigh Spittel, Pastor Spittel,
Regis Sullivan, Bob Taylor, Carol Taylor, Gerry Vacco, Terri Watson, Cathy
Weber, Sam Willard and Jim Winaught. (Maggie Fagliano was also a newcomer
to be welcomed warmly.)
PERSONAL PROFILE
Although many, if not all of our "regulars" know Cindy Perseo, what
you may not know is that, thanks to Cindy's generous offer, the plan for an
audio edition of CENTERPIECE will now be a reality. (Thanks, Cindy, for
making CENTERPIECE more accessible.) If you would like to be featured in
Personal Profile, a regular column of this newsletter, please contact Bob Mates
at 412-682-1800 or Terri Watson at 412-683-9935.
CONTRIBUTOR's CORNER
NOTE: the following was contributed by Ayn Apelman. If you have something
to contribute, let either Terri Watson or Bob Mates know, and we'll tell you how
to get it published.
MY TRIP TO THE ACB CONVENTION By Ayn Apelman
On a Monday morning in July, I had the opportunity of attending the
convention for the American Council of the Blind, helt for the first time in
Pittsburgh, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown.
Though I'm not a member of this organization, I had wanted to go, just for one
day, to tour the exhibits and see hands-on demonstrations of any new computer
technology made available for blind people. I had no idea how I was going
to get there, but I felt that, if I could spend just an hour walking around, it
would be worth my consideration.
Well, my wish came true. K. C. Nahemow, one of our
members, stopped into the clubhouse to say hello; I happened to be there.
She said she was volunteering for those attending the convention-reading hotel
menues, guiding people to and from bathrooms, and other forms of visual
assistance. She asked me if I wanted to spend some time there, and I said
"yes." So, we walked around for an hour-checking out the various
exhibits.
The exhibits took up the whole first floor of the Convention Center;
there must have been 50 of them. We started with the Aurora
Society--formerly Bible Aliance-an organization which distributes tapes of the
Bible-free of charge. They were handing out Scripture cookies-fortune
cookies with verses of Scripture in them. I had encountered them once
before and gotten what I needed from them. So, we moved on.
The next thing we came to was Athena Computing-a Bridgeville-based
company, which features customized computer hardware and software for blind and
visually-impaired people. The booth was being manned by Louise Chuha,
totally blind, and someone I knew personally. She was demonstrating
Focus-a new Braille display from Freedom Scientific-formerly HenterstJoyce.
Braille displays are electronic devices that sit on top of the computer keyboard
and enable blind people to translate the computer screen into refreshable
Braille as they type into them. Some people prefer Braille displays to
synthetic speech software. I find them very sensitive when bumped
accidentally and frightfully expensive-starting from $1,000. And, unless
you have a job that requires its use, the State will not pay for one. I
figure, if they have to cost that much money, then, it isn't important enough to
own one.
The next booth we saw was the Navigator-a system of audible traffic
signals. These signals are installed at corners of main intersections to
let blind people know when it's safe to cross the street. With the push of
a button, the system produces a tone, and the traffic stops at all four corners.
The Navigator is voice-activated. It gives the name of the intersection,
"walk", or "don't walk". They have some Navigators
downtown, but I find them very impractical. The voice on them is very low.
If there' s a lot of traffic during the day, you can't hear it! The light could
change, and you wouldn't know it!
Then, we came to Independent Living Aides. They showed a wide
variety of talking clocks and watches in all shapes and sizes. I liked
this one talking clock that was made of wood and shaped like a cube, but they
said I would have to buy it. The man joked with me to "remember
Christmas morning."
Then, we stopped by the American Foundation booth. They had Braille
bookmarkers that read "I'm buggy for Braille." Then, the man running
it handed me a cassette explaining Descriptive Video Services.
Then, we stopped by the Matilda Ziegler Magazine booth. Matilda
Ziegler was a blind woman who lived in the 1900's. She was very wealthy
and left an endowment, so that blind people could receive her magazine free of
charge. I picked up a sample copy of the magazine and will subscribe to
it, starting September.
The next booth we saw was the Lutheran Braille Workers. These women
are a group of volunteers who produce Christian tracts and periodicals in
Braille and large print. I told them about my involvement with the
Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind, and they knew about the one in St.
Louis. I picked up some brailled sermons from their churches across the
country.
Before we left, we stopped at the Laser Canes booth and saw Ella Lipchik.
I wasn't interested in buying a laser cane. So, we didn't hang around.
Then, it was time for lunch, and we headed back to the clubhouse. I said
goodbye to K. C. and thanked her for a nice day out.
As many of you know, Kathy Susany writes a timely health column which she
appropriately calls, "In Sickness and in Health." It is due to a time
constraint on the editor's part that Kathy's column failed to make it into
November's CENTERPIECE. Kathy's column should make its reappearance in
January, 2004. Contributions that will definitely be yours for the reading
this month, however, are the following from Bob Mates: Monthly Devotion, A
Little Humor ... Very Little and Calendar. So, here's Bob!
PEACE AND GOOD WILL?
by Bob Mates
8: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by night. 9: And, lo, the angel of the Lord came
upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore
afraid. 10: And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring
you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11: For unto
you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12: And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13: And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14: Glory to
God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (LUKE:
2.8-14. KJV)
That's what the shepherds heard that night. They heard the angels
say that the Messiah had come, bringing peace and good will to earth. But,
did that really happen? Was there, for instance, good will, on Herod's part,
when he ordered the murder of every male child under two years of age, because
he was so jealous of this "king" that was supposed to have been born?
And what about the Pharisees? Were they showing good will, when they threw the
formerly-blind man out of the synagogue, just because he disagreed with their
analysis, that Jesus was a sinner? Or the people who subjected Jesus to a
"kangaroo court?" And as far as peace is concerned, how much peace was
there, when the Romans destroyed the temple, in Jerusalem, in 70 A.D..?
And how about today? Is there peace in Iraq? Or Israel? Or Northern Ireland? Or
North Korea? And, how can we even think of good will, in the face of road rage,
marital break-ups, racial prejudice, drug-related violence, Etc., Etc., Etc.?
What happened that night? Were those angels mis-informed, or were they just
carried away by the excitement of the moment? Were they being overly optimistic?
Were they just plain wrong? I maintain that the answer to these questions is a
firm, unequivocal NO!! They weren't wrong; they were right on target.
Here's why.
First, we have to understand exactly what the Messianic purpose was. It
was a twofold one: to redeem the world, and usher in the kingdom of God.
Now this second purpose, i.e., the ushering in of God's kingdom, confused a lot
of folks back then. They were expecting a national leader, who would break
the chains of Roman bondage, and restore Israel back to its former glory.
They were hoping for, if you will, a Jewish Ho Chi-Minh. But, alas! that
wasn't Christ's mission! He clearly said: "My kingdom is not of this
world.". Of course, that was not at all what the people, including,
sadly, His disciples wanted to hear. As far as the majority of the people
was concerned, if he wasn't going to lead them into freedom, he wasn't of any
use to them. And, with all of that crazy talk of His about being before
Abraham, And God being His father, he was not only useless; he was a useless
crackpot! Crucify him!!!
And that's exactly what they did, and thank God! For, if Jesus hadn't died, the
world would never have been redeemed, and we'd never have peace, and good will
toward men, as we do today.
"But, wait a minute," you say. "At the beginning of your
piece, you mentioned all of these things, none of which has a darned thing to do
with either peace or good will! So, what are you saying, Bob?"
First, let me say that, as long as we live in this sinful, fallen world, there
will always be war, prejudice, poverty, and every kind of tragic circumstance.
It's an outgrowth of our depraved nature. That's another way of saying
that, when you get right down to it, every one of us is a mean, nasty individual
at heart. There's nothing you can do about it; I'm that way, and so are
you. Now, because we're that way, we're now in a rather bad position, in
terms of our relationship with God. Because God is holy and righteous, He
can't abide sin. therefore, we, as sinners, become His enemies. As
His enemies, we all deserve death. But, fortunately, our God is a God who
is rich in mercy. Instead of killing us, He sent Jesus, both God and man,
to take our place. That's really what His birth was all about.
Now, when we receive Christ, and God's Spirit is in us, and we receive His
grace, something wonderful happens to us. Whereas, before, we were God's
enemies, now, we're His children; we can call him Abba, daddy. Now, we're
reconciled to God, and He loves us with an agape love--a warm, caring concern,
in which Have has good will--yes good will--toward us, and wants only what is
good for us.
"Okay, Bob, but what about peace?" Well, I'm not talking about the
world's peace, but God's. Jesus said: "Peace, I leave with you; my
peace, I give to you." It's a peace which, as St. Paul says,
"passes all understanding." It's a peace which lets you know that,
because He overcame the world, you can, too, because greater is He that is in
you, than he that is in the world. It's serenity; it's comfort; it's
assurance; it's hope.
As we celebrate Advent, we hear the account of the Nativity, and, in it, the
song which the shepherds heard. And, hearing it, we can rejoice, in the
knowledge that Jesus Christ's birth did, indeed, bring peace, and good will
toward men.
Now, from all of your friends, at the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind,
and the congregation of First Trinity Lutheran church, comes a wish and a prayer
that you would have a blessed and merry Christmas!
Amen.
GETTING
to the MEAL
We devote a lot of space, in this newsletter, to the monthly meal. There's
a good reason for this; our monthly meals are some of the most exciting times we
have at the center. In this issue, I'd like to talk about getting to the
meals.
Simply put, our policy is that we don't provide transportation. The reason
for this is simple: there are just too many people coming to the meals, and too
few volunteers. To ask a volunteer to stop what he or she is doing, and
pick up folks, is to take that person away from another task, such as cooking,
or set-up, or watching the entrances, so as to help people into the building.
When one volunteer is tied up, driving people to and from their homes to the
dinners, the other volunteers have to work that much harder, and that isn't
fair.
There's another important point, and that's this: as blind folks, we need to
take responsibility for our lives. We're so used to passing that
responsibility on to others, that we just take it for granted that someone else
will take care of the situation, whatever the situation is. The more we do
for ourselves, the better off we are. Now, I realize that everyone doesn't
have the same ability to travel. However, we all have the ability to make
arrangements to get to where we need to go. We ask that you do that.
Unfortunately, we have to strictly enforce this policy, with no exceptions.
The reason, of course, is that, once you make an exception for one person,
everyone else says "Hey! What about me?". Of course, you can't
blame them; however, it makes for an impossible situation.
Therefore, we would ask you to make your arrangements, either for paratransit,
or some alternate form of transportation, on your own. If you don't use
paratransit, but know of someone who's coming, call that person, and arrange to
go with him or her. If you live close to the center, are walking to the
dinner, and feel comfortable guiding someone else, that's great! We want you to
be here, but you have to get here on your own.
In closing, let me say that, in the three or four years that this policy has
been in place, we've really had no trouble. I've written this for the
benefit of newer attenders, and because it doesn't hurt to remind people of
existing policy.
Thanks for reading this, and taking it to heart. We'll see you at the
meal.
IMPORTANT RECALL NOTICE
NOTE: Our thanks to Dee Wilson, for sending us this important notice. We
print it as a public service
IMPORTANT RECALL NOTICE! The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units
manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to the serious defect in the
primary and central component of the heart. This is due
to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve,
resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.
This defect has been technically termed, "Sub-sequential Internal
Non-morality", or more commonly known as SIN, as it is primarily expressed.
Some other symptoms: a) loss of direction, but) lack of peace and joy, can)
depression or confusion in the mental component, do) foul
vocal emissions, every) selfish, violent behavior, from) amnesia of origin, go)
fearfulness, and have) rebellion. The Manufacturer, who
is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory authorized
repair and service free of charge to correct this SIN defect. The Repair
Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to !
bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is
no additional fee required! The number to call for repair in all areas is
P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected please upload your burden of SIN through the
REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician,
Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN
defect is, Jesus will replace it with a) love, but) joy, can) peace, do)
kindness, every) goodness, from) faithfulness, go) gentleness, have) patience,
and i) self-control. Please see the operating manual, HOLY BIBLE, for
further details on the use of these fixes. As an added upgrade, the
Manufacturer has made available to all repaired units a facility enabling direct
monitoring and assistance from the resident Maintenance Technician: the Holy
Ghost. Repaired units need only make Him welcome and He will take up
residence on the premises. WARNING! Continuing to operate the human being
unit without corrections!
voids the Manufacturer's warranty, exposing the unit to dangers and
problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being
permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on JESUS.
DANGER! Those human being units not responding to this recall action will have
to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to
enter Heaven, so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Please
assist where possible by notifying others of this important
recall notice. . .
A LITTLE
HUMOR: VERY LITTLE
There's no question, but that we shamelessly pander special groups. You're
about to read two examples of this: one, for dog users, and the other, for
computer geeks. (Some of you may belong to both groups.) Even if you don't
belong to either group, though, I think you'll enjoy these!
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
'Twas the night before Christmas and the kennels were still, with most
dogs now asleep having eaten their fill. The Labradors sprawled out, quite
snug in their beds, while visions of ANYTHING edible danced in their heads.
And the Goldens and Shepherds curled up on the floor, some twitched in their
sleep and some even did snore. The dog food was stacked in the feed room
with care, in hopes that a trainer soon would be there. On the window
ledge, one of the kennel cats lay, surveying the lawn at the end of this day.
Something was different, that little cat knew. Tonight something would
happen, it had to be true. For that day as the workers had left to go
home, They'd wished Merry Christmas! before starting to roam. The dogs had
noticed it during this past week's walks, the trainers seemed just that much
happier and eager to talk. In the mall where they worked through the maze
of people and stores, there were decorations and music and distractions galore!
Most dogs p!
ranced along without worry or fear, but some balked at the man on the sleigh and
those fake looking deer. The cat was almost asleep when he first heard the
sound, a whoosh through the air and a jingle around. It reminded him of a
dog's collar when the animal shook, but this sound kept on growing. He'd
better go look. From the ceiling there came a faint sort of thunk, as the
kennel cat climbed to the highest pile of junk. Once before people had
worked on the roof, and come down through the trap door to a chorus of "Woooof!"
But the dogs still were quiet, all sleeping so sound, as this man dressed in red
made his way right on down. He patted the cat as he climbed past his spot,
then made his way right to the trainers' coffee pot. A shepherd sat up,
not fully awake, then a Golden followed her with a mighty loud shake. That
did it! All the dogs sprang to life with loud noise. In spite of the din,
the old man kept his poise. aHe filled the pot full and it started to bre!
w, then he pulled up a chair and took in the view. Dogs all around him, so
carefully bred, he knew well their jobs, the blind people they led. Some
had stopped barking and looked at him now, while others delighted in their own
deafening howl. Laying a finger in front of his lips, the jolly old man
silenced the excitable yips. "You all may not know me, but I'm Santa
Claus," the old man smiled and took a short pause, While he filled up his
mug with hot liquid and cream, "I've always wanted to stop here. It's
been one of my dreams." The cat had climbed down and was exploring Santa's
sack. "Yes, little kitty, that's an empty pack." Santa smiled as
he drank and looked at those eyes, deep brown ones and gold ones held wide in
surprise. Some of these dogs, he'd seen just last year, He'd seen the
effects of a pup on the tree, but now they were here at the school, just waiting
to be. "I didn't bring you presents or bones just to chew. I'll
tell you something better, what you!
are going to do." "You all will work hard and the trainers will
share, both praise and correction, gentle and fair." "You'll go lots
of places and face big scary things. You'll ride buses and subways and
hear fire sirens ring." "Cars will drive at you but you will stand
strong, not moving into danger, not moving toward wrong." "And then
just when you think that this trainer's the best, the kindest, and funnest
person, toss away all the rest," "That trainer will begin to ignore
you and give you away, handing your leash over despite your dismay."
"Now the person who pets you and feeds you will be a blind person.
That's a person who can't see." his This man or this woman may see just a
tad, but their view's missing parts or the focus is bad." "So you,
well trained dogs, will act as their eyes. You will work as a team and
discover the size" "Of this great world we live in, because you will
go a million new places with this person, you know." Santa sipped at his
coffee and lo!
oked over the brood, knowing what he had to say next might sound kind of rude.
"Not all of you will make it and become canine guides. Your time here
isn't wasted though. You won't be cast aside." "Some of you will
be drug dogs and some will find bombs. Some will become pets in a home
with a dad and a mom." "All these things are important. People
wait on long lists, to receive such good dogs as you, the school folks
insist." The last drop of coffee had gone into his cup as Santa turned,
smiling at each wide eyed pup. "The best gift of all is to give
something back. That's why there's nothing for you all inside of my
pack." Draining his mug, Santa went to each pen, and petted and scratched
each dog again and again. "Now next year and many more years after
that, you all will give gifts wherever you're at." "You might lick a
hand that's had a bad day, Or notice a car and step out of the way."
"You might help catch a crook or discover some loot, Or just bring some joy
to !
a tired old man in a funny red suit." "Your master will love you and
treat you with care. In return, your training and trust will always be
there." After the last dog had been petted and soothed, Santa put away the
coffee pot and made ready to move. Up the ladder he rose to the door high
above, with a smile and a wave as he slipped on his gloves. And all the
dog ears were pricked as he disappeared out of sight. "merry
Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!"
Jingle Gates
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature
was stirring, except Papa's mouse. The computer was humming, the icons
were hopping, As Papa did last-minute Internet shopping. The stockings
were hung by the modem with care In hope that St. Nicholas would
bring new software. The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of computer games danced in their heads.
Dark Forces for Billy, and Doom II for Dan, And Carmen SAN Diego for
Pamela Ann. The letters to Santa had been sent out by Mom, To santaclaus@toyshop.northpole.com
- Which has now been re-routed to Washington State Because
Santa's workshop has been bought by Bill Gates. All the elves and reindeer
have had to skedaddle To flashy new quarters in suburban
Seattle. After centuries of a life that was simple and spare, St.
Nicholas is suddenly a new billionaire, With a shiny red Porsche in the place of
his sleigh, And a house on Lake Washington that's just do!
wn the way From where Bill has his mansion. The
old fellow preens In black Gucci boots and red Calvin Klein jeans.
The elves have stock options and desks with a view, Where they
write computer code for Johnny and Sue. No more dolls or
toy soldiers or little toy drums (ahem -- pardon me) No more dolls or tin
soldiers or little toy drums Will be under the tree, only compact disk
ROMS With the Microsoft label. So spin up your drive, From now on
Christmas runs only on Windows 95. More rapid than eagles the competitors
came, And Bill whistled, and shouted, and called them by name.
"Now, ADOBE! now, CLARIS! now, INTUIT! too, Now, APPLE!
and NETSCAPE! you are all of you through, It is Microsoft's SANTA that the kids
can't resist, It's the ultimate software with a
traditional twist -- Recommended by no less than the jolly old elf,
And on the package, a picture of Santa himself. Get 'em young, keep 'em
long, is Microsoft's scheme, And a merger with San!
ta is a merketer's dream. To the top of the NASDAQ! to the top of
the Dow! Now dash away! dash away! dash away -- wow!" And Mama in her
'kerchief and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap, When
out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, The whirr and the hum of our
satellite platter, As it turned toward that new Christmas star
in the sky, The SANTALITE owned by the Microsoft guy. As
I sprang from my bed and was turning around, My computer
turned on with a Jingle-Bells sound. And there on the screen was a smiling
Bill Gates Next to jolly old Santa, two arm-in-arm mates. And I heard them
exclaim in voice so bright, Have a MICROSOFT CHRISTMAS, and TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.
JESUS VS. SANTA
Want a good comparison between Jesus and Santa? Here it is!
ininWhy Jesus is better than Santa Claus:
Santa lives at the North Pole--comJesus is everywhere
Santa comes but once a year--comJesus is an ever present help
Santa fills your stocking with goodies--comJesus supplies all your needs
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited--comJesus stands at your door and
knocks, and then enters your heart
You wait in line to see Santa--comJesus is as close as the mention of His name
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi, little boy or girl,
what's your name??--comJesus knows our name before we did. Not only does
He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and
future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads
All Santa says is "you better not cry"--comJesus says "Cast
all your cares on me for I care for you"
Santa's little helpers make toys--comJesus makes new lives, mends wounded
hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions
Santa may make you chuckle--Jesus gives you joy that is your strength
While Santa puts gifts under your tree--comJesus became our gift and died
ON the tree
PRAYER REQUESTS
1. For quick and comfortable recoveries for Cindy Perseo and Carol
Taylor: Cindy will be having a hernia repaired and Carol will be having a knee
replaced. 2. Thanks be to God for all who are a part of the Lutheran
Center for the Blind in any way. 3. That all who grieve the loss of
loved ones this Christmas will feel embraced by God's comforting presence.
4. That Ayn Apelman's mother will be strengthened and uplifted as she
continues to cope with diminishing eyesight. 5. For Christmas joy
and New Year's blessings as only Christ, with His constant compassion, can
provide.
THE END