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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The Joy Lady: What kind of promises does a God like ours deserve?
I should have known better. I did everything I could to make sure it didn’t happen, but it did anyway. I trusted someone — and when that someone didn’t do as promised, I was disappointed. I felt betrayed. How dare they not do what they said they would do?
- Church briefs: June 15, 2013
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Sister Jeanne Knoerle, former president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, has died
Sister Jeanne Knoerle, former president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, died early this morning at her home in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, it is being reported on the Sisters of Providence Facebook site.
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A night of prayer
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to another Taizé prayer event at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to reflect on the joys and wonders of the river through prayer at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: June 8, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Pull your wheels out of the Sunday morning rut
Go about five miles west of Guernsey, Wy., and you might fall into some ruts. During the Oregon Trail years, so many wagons traveled through the soft sandstone there that deep ruts were formed—some as deep as four to six feet.
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‘Prayer Warrior Mom’ author at Open Door Bookstore June 3
Author and speaker Marla Alupoaicei will sign copies of her new book “Prayer Warrior Mom” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, June 3, in The Open Door Christian Bookstore at 3125 S. Third Place, behind Honey Creek Mall.
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THE JOY LADY: Because Vacation Bible School is that important!
It’s that time of year again — Vacation Bible School time. Frazzled VBS directors are begging for teachers, song leaders and kitchen helpers. For VBS directors everywhere, let me offer some words of truth and encouragement.
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‘The Conscience Monologues’ at St. Mary-of-the-Woods
There is something moving and powerful in hearing a woman recount her story of faith and courage in today’s world. Plan now to attend a dramatic telling of more than 10 such stories during “The Conscience Monologues: Women’s Stories of Conscience within the Catholic Church” from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 22 in Reilly Auditorium, Owens Hall, at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: June 1, 2013
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South Vigo Congregational Christian plans memorial service
The South Vigo Congregational Christian Church and the South Vigo Cemetery will stage an annual memorial service at 2 p.m. on June 2 in the church at 6499 Darwin Road, West Terre Haute.
The public is invited to attend and share a poem, song or other sentiment. - RELIGION BRIEFS: May 24, 2013
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Get in touch with prayer at Body Prayer workshop
Could your prayer life use some invigorating? If so, the Body Prayer workshop offered by White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, may be for you.
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THE JOY LADY: We are not in charge. God is. Get over it, already.
If I were in charge of the world, I would run things a bit differently.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 25, 2013
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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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