December 7, 2016

Vol. 3, Issue 45
Page 1

Broadway
Blast

Explore the Way with Broadway

I am the WAY the truth and the life. (Jn. 14:6)

Poinsett...
Euphorbia pulcherrima. (Say that three times fast.)

Euphorbia refers to a Greek physician named Euphorbus who lived around the time of Christ. King
Iuba of Numibia was fascinated by botany and he named the plant after his physician, Euphorbus,
because of the medicinal qualities of this genus of plants. Pulcherrima is Latin meaning the greatest
or the most beautiful. Its bright petals are actually leaves, and
its a plant not a flower. Beyond its scientific name, we call it the
poinsettia.

Sunday Worship
December 4, 2016

The are a number of fanciful legends

8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. attempting to explain the origin of the
ADVENT III
3,000 is the New 30
Isaiah 11:1-10
Romans 15:4, 9-13
Rev. Rob Hughes

poinsettia as an image of Christmas. The

real story is more straightforward.

Poinsettias are native to Mexico and

Central America. In the 1600s, Catholic
missionaries in Mexico used the plants to
decorate their chapels during Christmas.
The shape of the plant reminded them of the Star of Bethlehem,
and the red color of the shed blood of Christ. In 1828, our U.S.
ambassador to Mexico (who was also a physician, botanist,
politician, Secretary of War under Martin Van Buren, and
cofounder of what became the Smithsonian Institute & Museum)
first introduced the poinsettia to America. His name: Joel
Poinsett. He had become enamored with the plant while
traveling and serving in Mexico, and within several years the
plant became known by his name.
As it did for the missionaries back in the 1600s, may the
poinsettia be a reminder to you of the Star of Bethlehem leading
to the true and timeless meaning of Christmas. Poinsettias add such beautiful decoration to the
Christmas season - maybe even the most beautiful. Except, nothing is more beautiful than the birth
of a child, and the birth of the Christ Child is the most beautiful of all.
See you in worship on Sunday and at 4 p.m. on Sunday for our Christmas on Broadway music event
and reception. Invite a friend and join us as we celebrate Advent!

Pastor Rob

Broadway Blast is a weekly publication of Broadway Presbyterian Church

Page 2

Christmas on Broadway
music & arts celebration
December 11
4:00 p.m.
Reception afterward

Christmas
Choir Cantata
December 18
10:30 a.m.
New members received

5:30 p.m.

Join us for Communion and Baptism!

Christmas Day worship will be at 10:30 a.m.
Please dress casual...new slippers or Christmas sweaters are optional!

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Birthdays
1 Jean Green
Arden Schupp
2 Molly Needy
3 Susan Callis
4 Robert Hayden
5 Courtney Taylor
Mason Baslee
6 Lowell Hesterlee
Phil Jamison
8 Ronnie Boeschen
10 Rufus Gautier
Chloe Foster Lowman
Reagan Sneed
11 Kim Moore
12 Mick Moore
Keith Swanson
Jared Gautier
14 Mary McCarty

16 Louie Elgin
17 Stephanie Kolasky
Michelle Lowman
Marcia Winnie
19 Chris Hughes
20 Tom Knaus
21 John Joy
Angie Ledgerwood
22 Norm Bell
John Cowen
23 Bill Lemke
24 Kennedy Michael
25 Paul Bassett
26 Luke Taylor
27 Rylee Ditzfeld
29 Patty Estes
30 Emily Mitchell
31 Marsha Boeschen
Sarah Fowler

December
Anniversaries
11
15
20
22
29

Stephanie & Tyler Callis-5

Alice & Carl Clopton-54
Lynn & Mike Robinson-46
Ruth Anne & Ed Cook-70
Abby & Kris Schondelmeyer-3