What comes to mind when you hear the word “remember”? I was studying the Bible recently, reading in Deuteronomy, and the word “remember” leapt off the page and caught my attention.

After more than 15 years of helping lead Communication in the Oregon Conference, Gary McLain announced last August that he was starting a new adventure. Just how much did Gary do? We're still learning that! Here's a glimpse into the difference Gary made in the Oregon Conference, and beyond.

The stable cave was smelly, like a hot barn should be on a cold night. A few Roman horses were stabled in the darkest corner, far away from the mangy animals owned by the locals. Reuben, a local who the centurion had charged with caring for the steeds, stood as the two soldiers approached.

It’s frustrating to be known not for what I do, but for what my wife does. In fact, I doubt most people know anything about my work. I'm just the husband of the midwife.

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My job is to talk with God. I describe what I see happening in the lives of His Bethlehem family and ask what I should be doing to help the people love Him more. Then I listen for His answers. Today was the first time I heard His voice.

When Abigail spoke those words, her eyes filled with tears and her voice cracked. Just a little, but enough so all the parents and friends felt the emotion of the moment with her. The school Christmas play was bringing Bethlehem’s manger to life on the church stage.

This past summer Rick Jordan accepted the call to join the Oregon Conference team as our new assistant director in the Ministerial Department, a job that that will enlist his experience, knowledge, and best of all, his love of connecting with, and supporting the pastors in our region.

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Worship from the couch is good, but it will be better if you purposefully let the messages sink in and think about how what you heard could deepen your experience as a follower of Jesus.

Join Dick Duerksen at PACS where he recently discovered it's a great place to shop for the holidays. The best part is knowing that every dollar spent there goes to help people in the community!

Need A Camel? Call Shirley! Need a palm tree, a manger scene, a backdrop that looks like Bethlehem, or almost anything else you can imagine? Call Shirley! She’s got ‘em all.

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