Christmas Week Notes

TONIGHT December 14 at 7 pm. is the Blue Christmas Service. Reflective, meditative service focusing on the darkness we often feel during the midst of holly jolly holidays.  Music by Pat Koh will be soulful, mournful and reflective, yet hopeful.  Readings and prayers will be led by Rev. Pam Everhart. Join us.


Scripture for Dec 20: Psalm 98

December 20 at 10:20 sharp is our choir cantata "The Winter Rose," directed by Dave Marvin. We look forward to the joyous message of Christ's birth in song. Following the service, there will be a farewell reception for Dave. We are grateful for his time here as our music director, and will miss his talent and his energy.

Scriptures for Dec 24: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7, Isaiah 11:1-6, Luke 2:1-20, John 1:1-14

Thursday, December 24 at 7 pm is our Christmas Candlelighting Service.  The sermon is entitled "The bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe" and is based upon Luke 2 and The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. Here are some notes:

Once the little boy receives 'the first gift of Christmas,' the bell from Santa's sleigh, he promptly loses it, but then gets it back again through the magic of Santa.  The message that is driven home for him is how important it is to believe. Things may not always go your way, but believing is key.

Just like Mary... who must have had to use every ounce of belief  in God's plan for her to think that birthing a baby away from the comforts of home...
Just like Joseph... who must have found it hard to believe Mary... and later the voice of God through the angel... in telling him that he was called to raise "Emmanuel. God with us."
Just like the shepherds... who probably were a bit dazed and confused by the lights and voices in the sky above leading them to a stable... and to a King.
Just like the Wise Men... following Herod's advice and the star, but trusting in the angel who tells them to go home by a different way.

How could this story have ever happened (no matter how it all actually happened) without the convictions of the principal players?  Without their trust and belief in the God who sent his Son to be our King.

Scriptures for Dec 27: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6

December 27 at 10:20 is Christmas Sunday.... and a Christmas Carol Sing-a-long that you don't want to miss!

Come be part of his joyful season.  We will all explore together the message once again of the Birth of Christ and consider how life can be transformed if we only believe.