Advent Devotion from Society of St. Andrew "Advent Devotions 2016" of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Tuesday, November 29, 2016 "Great Joy" with Scripture: Luke 2:10

Advent Devotion from Society of St. Andrew "Advent Devotions 2016" of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Tuesday, November 29, 2016 "Great Joy" with Scripture: Luke 2:10
Luke 2:10 but the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I am here announcing to you Good News that will bring great joy to all the people.
Who among us has not waited, anxiously, in a doctor’s office or hospital room, for a medical diagnosis? Minutes seem to stretch into hours, as stress levels rise and imagination runs wild.
On those occasions, I have been hopeful, but full of dread and, yes, very afraid. I really, really wanted to hear the words that the shepherds heard, all those centuries ago. “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.” Even without the great joy part, good tidings are always welcome. And “fear not”—well, those words bring a measure of comfort and reassurance, when it’s needed most.
Of course, it’s human nature to pray for good tidings. But maybe, just maybe we should be praying for help with our response to tidings—good or not so good. We know that fear isn’t going to disappear. However, it will have less control over us, when our reactions have been turned over to the One who knows how to handle them.
Prayer: Lord, remind us to ask for your help, when we are overcome by fear. We sometimes forget that you are just a prayer away. Amen. [Carolyn Maness, Lynchburg, Virginia]
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Please Help Feed the Hungry on Giving Tuesday - Tomorrow from Church Programs / Society of St. Andrew of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Monday, 28 November 2016
Your gift to the Society of St. Andrew, made TOMORROW, on #GivingTuesday, is so important!

You will do the most good all year when you give on November 29, because your gift will be matched! Every dollar you give will be matched by an in-kind donation of 10 pounds of potatoes - feeding even more hungry people.
Take this opportunity to give, and make a real difference in the lives of people in greatest need this winter!
Give online, at EndHunger.org. Call us at 800-333-4597, or write a check dated or postmarked November 29*. However you choose to give, tell us it’s for Giving Tuesday, so your gift will help us claim the matching potatoes, so generously pledged by farmers.

Give, so others may eat this winter—and give TOMORROW, on November 29, so your gift will go even further when it is matched!
Remember, every dollar you give will be matched by an in-kind donation of 10 pounds of potatoes on #GivingTuesday!
Thank you for caring and for giving.
*Mail checks to:
Society of St. Andrew

3383 Sweet Hollow Road

Big Island, Virginia 24526, United States -------
The Society of St. Andrew is a national nonprofit hunger-relief ministry that rescues 25-30 million pounds of fresh, nutritious, excess produce each year that would otherwise go to waste for various marketing reasons. This food is then distributed to critical feeding agencies across the country at no cost to the agencies or the hungry people they serve. More information about the Society of St. Andrew and its hunger-relief programs - Gleaning Network, Potato & Produce Project, and Harvest of Hope is available online at EndHunger.org.
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sosapr@endhunger.org
3383 Sweet Hollow Road

Big Island, Virginia 24526, United States

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