TERRE HAUTE —
It’s Christmas. That means … fudge … Santa … cookies … shopping … candy canes … overspending … chocolate-covered cherries.
Well, maybe not the chocolate-covered cherries. Not since that Christmas Eve when my sister and I overdosed on them. Long about bed time, we were feeling the effects of too much chocolate, syrup and candied cherries. We were two very green, very sick young ladies. I don’t know how many trips to the bathroom we made, nor how many sets of sheets we went through. All I know is that when your sister is sick and upchucking, you don’t want her to be in the bunk bed above you. To this day, I dislike chocolate covered cherries.
I also dislike parking at the mall between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Or should I say, “non-parking” at the mall? Remember the parking lot scene in “Fried Green Tomatoes”? Two young hip ladies whip into the parking spot Evelyn Couch had spied. When they shouted to Evelyn that it didn’t matter they took the spot from her because they were younger and faster, Evelyn cracked. She backed up and rammed their VW with her station wagon. Six times in all. When they rushed out to yell at her, she smiled, “Face it, ladies. I’m older and I have more insurance.” We can laugh because we understand Evelyn. I can do without the crowded parking lot scene at Christmas.
And while we are on the subject of what we could do without, what about the endless variations and mutilations of our favorite Christmas carols? I mean, they are favorites for a reason — they are just fine the way they are. “Jingle Bells” and “Joy to the World” cannot be improved on, so don’t try. (However, if you want to take the sticks away from that repetitious “Little Drummer Boy,” I would not object.)
I could also do without Christmas leftovers. We should not even pretend we are going to eat them. Feed the gravy to the dog Christmas afternoon. If you don’t, next week you will unsuspectingly open the margarine tub seeking to discover its contents. For quite a while you will stare at a mass of a congealed brown gelatinous substance with a crack in the center of it before you remember it is leftover Christmas gravy and end up feeding it to the dog, anyway. Why not give it to Rover while it is still warm and he can enjoy it more?
At this time of the year, it’s good to remember what a gift we were given. Jesus is the greatest gift to mankind. It was He who said, in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus shines brighter than the brightest light on the biggest tree. He is a gift we can never get too much of. We never have to hunt for a place with him, for in John 14:2, Jesus tells us “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
No one will ever be able to present to us a better gift.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: At this season of distractions, let’s remember the greatest gift
- Religion
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Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
- Church briefs: May 18, 2013
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The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
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Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
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Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
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THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 11, 2013
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Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
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THE JOY LADY: When awe leaves us, we leave room for doubt
In any given gathering of grade-schoolers or even a gaggle of teenagers, in all likelihood, you will hear certain words over and over:
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
- RELIGION BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
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Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
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Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
The concert is free and open to the public. -
THE JOY LADY: Christ is coming again. Are you ready for that?
An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 27, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Let us pray that our hearts be blessed by God
Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my uncle and his family in Florida.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 20, 2013
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: You can learn a lot from a box of crayons
Denis Omar is a handsome third-grader in Ocotillo, Honduras. The last time I was in his home, his colored chalk drawings decorated the concrete block walls. His mother said when she got tired of one drawing, she’d wash the wall and have Denis draw another.
- RELIGION BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
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BBQ fundraiser April 13 at Allen Chapel
Historic Allen Chapel’s annual barbecue dinner fundraiser is Saturday, April 13, in the Chapel at Third and Crawford streets. Serving will be from noon to 6 p.m. with a full-line of dinner, sandwiches, sides and desserts available. Chef Stephen Miller, formerly owner of the Black Skillet and now a caterer in Cincinnati, will again prepare the barbecue.
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THE JOY LADY: Most complaints tend to be pretty selfish
Complainers never think they are in the wrong. How could they be when they know everyone else is so wrong?
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Church briefs: April 6, 2013
What's going on this week at area churches.
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THE JOY LADY: Our attendance in worship services encourages other worshippers
There are all kinds of church attendees. Some attend church services once or twice a month, some once or twice a year. Some attend only Sunday morning worship.
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African children’s choir to perform at Mount Pleasant
The Watoto Children’s Choir, traveling from Africa, began its five-month eastern U.S. tour in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on Oct. 6 and are continuing the tour through Terre Haute, Lebanon, Indianapolis, Peru, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville and Vevay, from April 16 to May 1. All performances are free and open to the public.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 30, 2013
- Religion briefs: March 30, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Is it time to change your habits, attitudes?
I’m usually introduced to people as “the preacher’s wife.” No name, just “the preacher’s wife.” But I’d prefer being known by what I call my “I am” statements. For instance, I am a wife. I am a speaker, I am a writer. I am a mother, I am a mother-in-law, I am a grandmother.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 23, 2013
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Public invited to explore Guerin’s connection to nature
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to St. Mary-of-the-Woods on April 6 to explore Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her connection to nature.
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Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
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