We have officially entered my favorite time of the year— Christmas! I love the decora- tions. I love singing Christmas carols. I love giving gifts (and receiving them!). And I love the general “good cheer” that is in the air. But what moves me the most is the birth of hope that stands at the center of the season. In the birth of a little child, the hope was kindled that there is something more available to us. We easily settle for a life that lacks meaning and signifi- cance, just going through the motions to get through another day. With the birth of Jesus, imaginations were enlivened and the spark of faith took hold that there can be more to life. This gift of hope contin- ues to be offered to all of us. It is ours to unwrap and see what possibilities await us. The force of this usually hits me when the final Christmas Eve service has finished, we blow out the last candle, and I begin my walk home. Even when the weather is cold and the snow is blowing; even when sirens are blaring and cars are honking their horns; for me, it is always a “Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright.” No matter what is going on around me, I stroll along filled with hope because “Christ the savior is born.” No matter what is happening around you, may the hope of Christ be within you as we celebrate that “something more” that is offered to all. -Pastor Michael Waiting in Light by Pastor Jes As the seasonal decorations light up the city, I feel both the joy of this season along with the longing for hope in this broken world. The season of Advent is a time in which we prepare for the coming of Christ. We light candles and sing songs that express our hopes for a world where God’s kingdom come is actualized in every person, in every place. The deep purple of this season, not unlike Lent, represents the longing for a world made right by the reign of Jesus. In Advent we confess and we cry out for all to be made right. In Advent we dare to believe that the light shines in the darkness, and the dark- ness will not overcome the light. This season, join us as we proclaim the promise of the light of Christ. Each Sunday we experience this light and experience the grace of God to then share this with the world around us. A world that is in need of a word of grace and hope. Advent light to each of you – Pastor Jes Newsletter Title 1— Worship, 4 p.m. Soup Kitchen, 4:30 p.m. Meditation Circle, 7:15 p.m. AA, 7:30 p.m. 2 — Men’s Group, 7:30 a.m. Yoga, 6:30 p.m. Taizé, 7 p.m. AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m. 3 — MADD, 6:30 p.m. 4 — Decorating Party, 6 p.m. 5 — Supper Center, 12:30 p.m. 6 — Adult Christian Ed, 10 a.m. Worship, 11 a.m. 8 — Worship, 4 p.m. Soup Kitchen, 4:30 p.m. Community Carol Sing, 7 p.m. Meditation Circle, 7:15 p.m. AA, 7:30 p.m. 9 — Yoga, 6:30 p.m. AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m. Taizé, 7 p.m. 11 — Pageant Rehearsal, 6 p.m. Book Club, 7 p.m. 12 — Supper Center, 12:30 p.m. 13 — Adult Christian Ed, 10 a.m. Worship, 11 a.m. 15 — Worship, 4 p.m. Soup Kitchen, 4:30 p.m. Meditation Circle, 7:15 p.m. AA, 7:30 p.m. 16 — Yoga, 6:30 p.m. Taizé, 7 p.m. AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m. Pub Theology, 8 p.m. 18 — Pageant Rehearsal, 6 p.m. 19 — Supper Center, 12:30 p.m. 20 — Adult Christian Ed, 10 a.m. Worship, 11 a.m. [Service of Poetry & Carols] 22 — Worship, 4 p.m. Soup Kitchen, 4:30 p.m. Meditation Circle, 7:15 p.m. AA, 7:30 p.m. 23 — Yoga, 6:30 p.m. No Taizé AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m. 24 — Children’s Pageant, 6:30 p.m. Candlelight Service, 9 p.m. 25 — Building & Office Closed Merry Christmas! 26 — No Saturday Center 27 — No Adult Christian Ed Worship, 11 a.m. 28 — Building & Office Closed 29 — Worship, 4 p.m. Soup Kitchen, 4:30 p.m. AA, 7:30 p.m. 30 — AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m. 31 — New Year’s Eve December 2015 The Best Part of Christmas by Pastor Michael
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Waiting in Light by Pastor Jes The Best Part of Christmas by Pastor ...
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