FAITH AND LIFE
Once per week or so, Fallon’s faith leaders offer their thoughts on faith and life. Any church or faith community of any kind is welcome and encouraged to participate. If you have ideas for topics we should write about, or if you or your pastor or faith leader would like to participate, please call Pastor Dawn Blundell at Epworth UMC, 775-423-4714.
If you’d like to talk more about anything you read here, or if you would like prayer or a listening ear, we hope you will reach out to one of us. If you don’t already have a church home, you are invited to join us for worship, too! You’ll find contact information and worship times below.
WHY I BELIEVE THE CHRISTMAS STORY
Mark Hyde, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Institute Teacher
For more info, please call 775-742-9040 or visit www.churchofjesuschrist.org
More than six decades ago, Aunt Bertie said, “Shh. Listen. Can you hear Santa’s sleigh bells?” I heard the bells! My mind raced with fantastic imaginations. Those sleigh bells hang in my office. They remind me of childhood fantasy. On the opposite wall is a picture of Jesus Christ. The story of His birth engenders love and gratitude. The gift of His divine grace has lifted me from discouragement, made weaknesses strengths, healed me from sin, changed my heart to look more outward and to love more as He loved. Although this Christmas story is more thantwo millennia old, He is here now in real time. None of my childhood imaginations compare to this:
“... Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
Dawn Blundell, Epworth United Methodist Church
Senior Pastor
Worship Sunday mornings online at 9:30am on Facebook Live and KVLV AM980
For more info, please call 775-423-4714 or visit www.epworthfallon.org
I can tell a thousand stories about hearts and lives changed when the power of God’s love really hits deep, and becomes real. But honestly, there is no real way to know if the details of the Christmas story all happened exactly the way we are told. The thing I stake my life on is that God’s love for us is so real that God chose to experience all of the wonder and sorrow of human life, together with us; and that in the end, God in Jesus was willing to endure the worst human beings can do to each other, to defeat it. To restore, renew, and heal us, and show us a better way. He is the Light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness will never overcome it.
Celeste Buswell, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Licensed Worship Leader and Homilist
In-person worship services suspended for the month of December.
Prayer services via Zoom Sunday morning at 8:30am, Tues and Thurs at 6:00pm
For more info or to join the Zoom prayer services, please call 775-423-3551
Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances, my Mom never knew the exact date of her birth. She had a choice of three dates, so she picked one and a tradition was born. We don't know the exact date of Jesus' birth, yet we celebrate his birth every year on December 25. Another tradition born. We sing the same traditional songs, whether it be “Happy Birthday” or our traditional birthday carols to celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We open presents to continue the tradition of the Magi bringing the infant Jesus gift. We gather in fellowship to celebrate the birthdays of loved ones and to rejoice in the birth of Jesus. This is why I believe in the Christmas story. It is steeped in tradition founded on faith and love.
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