Merry Christmas! Also, TWO WAY STREET in Baltimore with Project Connect...

For those of you who still have exams -- good luck!  I hope you are getting rest, eating well, and taking care of yourselves and those around you.

Christmas is just around the corner.  I love how subversive it is -- that God would begin the reconciliation of the world to God-self through the birth of a baby in a feeding trough for animals, out behind of a full inn -- because his parents are far from home.

Jesus didn't come into the world as part of a family with wealth.  They couldn't buy their way to better lodging in an overcrowded town.  That hints to me that we shouldn't make Christmas about having lots of money and stuff -- or about needing whatever is cool or what everyone else has.

I'm a fan of celebrating Christmas with family or friends, focusing on relationships and caring for people -- especially those we meet who might not have family or friends with whom they can share Christmas.

Dear Lord, help us to celebrate Christmas in ways that get to the meaning of the season even though it is so counter to the culture around us.  Dwell with us, and help us to bless those around us in ways we might not expect.  In Jesus we pray, AMEN.

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FYI: I'm not going to have access to Internet or phone for most of the rest of the month. If you leave me a message, I'll try to get to it in early January.

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TWO-WAY STREET RETREAT in Baltimore -- January 2-7, 2011.  Start your year off with a winter break exploring faith and service with other young adults!  (Open to ages 18-30.)  This will be a fantastic "serve and be served" week with wonderful people -- don't miss it!  I heard great  things about this from those who went last year.  Cost is only $25 (let us know if you need help with that...)  For details, email don@projectconnect.org or janet@projectconnect.org -- and check out the brochure at:
http://projectconnect.org/images/uploads/baltimore-service-ministry-jan2011-brochure.pdf


Other than that opportunity, we are on break until worship on Wed. 1/26 at 7:47pm in JC meeting room B.  Have a great break, and may it nourish you and recharge you for the coming semester!

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We are starting to look ahead to lots of exciting opportunities next semester.

Join the Facebook group & invite your friends: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=19907586200
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Grace and peace,
Ben
--
Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University
www.LCMGMU.org
http://facebook.com/LCMGMU
http://twitter.com/LCMGMU
http://GMU747.org
MSN 2C7; SUB 1 room 207; Fairfax, VA 22030
703-829-0220

Labyrinth + Worship + Good luck on final exams!

In the midst of this busy week of deadlines and exams, remember that God is with you -- and you are loved for who you are no matter what your grades are.  Also, please remember to take time to breathe, eat well, and get some sleep!  If you are looking for a study break, check out one of the events below -- specifically planned as a time for you to recharge during this stressful week.

God Almighty, thank you for your loving presence in our lives, and for the gift of your son into the world.  Each day, help us to follow in the way of Jesus, in whose name we pray. AMEN.

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Please feel free to share these emails with a friend -- many people won't know that we exist without your help. If you don't want to receive these emails, just reply and let us know.  We don't want to spam anyone.
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Prayer Labyrinth: Tue. 12/13, 2pm-6pm: JC mtg rm D. Drop in for 15 minutes or more to spend some time seeking peace and centering yourself in prayerful meditation during the reading day before final exams.

 

747 Creative Christian Worship: Join us for a celebration of Advent on Wednesday 12/15 at 7:47pm in JC mtg rm ***C*** (3rd floor, ask the info desk or call/TXT 703-829-0220 for help finding us).  This will be a special time!  ALL are welcome!  http://GMU747.org

Winner of a Starbucks gift card: Yuri Lopez.  Email/call/TXT us within one week to claim your prize. (Subscribers to our email list will periodically be chosen to win a prize -- so watch this space!)

 

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We are starting to look ahead to lots of exciting opportunities next semester.

Join the Facebook group & invite your friends: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=19907586200
+++++++

 

Grace and peace,
Ben
--
Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University
www.LCMGMU.org
http://facebook.com/LCMGMU
http://twitter.com/LCMGMU
http://GMU747.org
MSN 2C7; SUB 1 room 207; Fairfax, VA 22030
703-829-0220

THEOLOGY PUB + Worship + GAME NIGHT + much more!

At the root of Christmas is a scandalous revelation that Christ's birth changed the world, and continues to change the world!  It is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.  Over many years, this celebration has become co-opted by commercialism, and become a stressful experience of spending lots of money to buy lots of gifts -- and often families end up digging themselves deeper into debt.  This is a near polar opposite to the model of Jesus, who emphasized not material stuff, but relationships.

For the past several years, there has been a growing movement of Christians who seek to restore worship to the season, to spend less money, to give presence -- actually committing to spend more quality time with the people they care about, and to share love.  One growing campaign for this is the Advent Conspiracy.  Check out http://www.adventconspiracy.org/

Watch the video there, and think about how you can join the Advent Conspiracy.  For example, one side of my family has completely done away with giving gifts for Christmas.  Last year, instead of exchanging packages, we spent time singing carols and reading the Christmas story from the Bible.  Consider donating some of the money you save toward a cause that helps people living in extreme poverty or another cause through which your donation can help you express God's love for the world.

Lord God, it is mind-boggling to think that you transformed the world with the birth of a child.  Help us to remember this special event with a season of love and caring.  In the name of Jesus the Christ, AMEN.

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Please feel free to share these emails with a friend -- many people won't know that we exist without your help. If you don't want to receive these emails, just reply and let us know.  We don't want to spam anyone.
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747 Creative Christian Worship: Join us for a celebration of Advent on Wednesdays (12/8, & 12/15) at 7:47pm in JC meeting room ***C*** (3rd floor, ask the info desk or call/TXT 703-829-0220 for help finding us).  This will be a special time!  ALL are welcome!  http://GMU747.org

Theology Pub: Tue. 12/7, 5pm-7pm in the Mason Rathskeller (lower level of SUB1) -- join Pastor Meredith Keseley and a group of students to discuss God, theology, faith, life, and how they intersect over food and drink.  We welcome questions, doubts, and differences of opinion.  :-)   Facebook event.

 

Game Night: Fri. 12/10, 6pm-9pm in JC mtg rm D: Celebrate the end of classes by taking a study-break to play games, eat snacks, and listen to music.  

 
Angel Tree Gift Distribution:  We'll join United College Ministries in helping prepare for the Angel Tree gift distribution at Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church, 8220 Russell Road, Alexandria, VA 22309 (just off Route 1).  Meet Pete Fontneau on campus to carpool from Sandy Creek Circle on Sat. 12/11 at 12:15pm sharp to get to Rising Hope at 1pm (return to campus before 4pm).  The gifts will be distributed at the worship at Rising Hope the next day.

Prayer Labyrinth: Tue. 12/13, 2pm-6pm: JC mtg rm D. Spend some time seeking peace and centering yourself in prayerful meditation during the reading day before final exams.

 

Winner of an iPod Touch: Amanda Myers.  Email/call/TXT us within one week to claim your prize. (Subscribers to our email list will periodically be chosen to win  a prize, with one winner getting an iPod Touch -- so watch this space!)

 

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We are starting to look ahead to lots of exciting opportunities next semster.

Join the Facebook group & invite your friends: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=19907586200
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Grace and peace,
Ben
--
Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University
www.LCMGMU.org
http://facebook.com/LCMGMU
http://twitter.com/LCMGMU
http://GMU747.org
MSN 2C7; SUB 1 room 207; Fairfax, VA 22030
703-829-0220