The Candy Cane Story A candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would remind people of the true meaning of Christmas; so he made the candy cane to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and the firmness of the promises of God. The candymaker then shaped his cane into the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to the earth as Savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down to to reclaim the fallen lambs who, like sheep, have gone astray. Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by

John 3:16 Our Pastor posed this question to us on Sunday.  "Why Should Jesus'Mission Matter to Me?" Take a moment to reflect on this.  Many of us jump in with all the "church"talk, but what does this question really mean to me, to you? If I want to be like Jesus then my life mission shoud include His life mission.  John 17:18 Our first mission is to God's people (Ezekiel Ch 3) Mission is not an option for a Christian. If I am a Christian I have a Mission.  As the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus sends you. Bible references from Sunday: Psalm 82 Matthew 28 Mark 16:15 Luke 24:46-47 Acts 1:8 Isaiah 59:2ff 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 John 3:6-7 John 17:18 Ezekiel ch 3 1 Corinthians 9:16-27 John 20:21 (posted by Admin)

Bible readings from Sunday 16th January Message: Acts 17:26-27 Galations 6:7 Genesis Chapter 1:1 Eccelesiates Chapter 3 Romans 2:14-15 Ecclesiates 2:18 1 Corinthians chapter 13 Matthew 5:1-12 10 Commandments - Exodus chapter 20:1-17 We want the world to be fair, but it isn't.  Our view of what is fair may be different from another's view of what is fair.  People deny the existence of God, but that does not mean God does not exist.  Walk through Israel and surrounding areas to see historical evidence.  Look at creation.  Genesis chapter one verse 1 says "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." We don't know from one day to the next what will happen but God is our constant.  We are not here to build "castles" but to proclaim the Message and when we're done we take the Father's hand and go home. The following story shows us the voice of experience - we can learn a lot from a child's perspective... Sandcastles by

 http://www.freefoto.com/  Christmas is a special time for families to come together and celebrate.  What do you celebrate as a family?  Another year completed?  A time to remember special events or just being together? As we celebrate Christmas in 2010, take a few moments to remember the reason for Christmas.  You can find the story in the Bible in Luke chapters 1 and 2. This Christmas why not read the story as a family and remember that God love you so much. Tolga Community Church service time:  Sunday 26th December 2010 at 10.30 am.  You're very welcome to come and join us.