by Amy Norton, December 27, 2022
Dear Ones, As we mark the halfway point of Christmastide, we also straddle the year that lies behind us and the year that stands before us. In our secular culture, New Year’s Day carries themes of renewal, hope, commitment, and change…sound familiar? The Advent season marked the renewal of the Christian year, and now we look with hope toward the newly born Christ Child to usher in the renewal and change that our world has been yearning for down the centuries. On Sunday, we will sing some carols to celebrate the 8th day of Christmas, and hear our liturgist proclaim… Read More
by Kent French, December 22, 2022
For the first time in three years, we will gather in person in our sanctuary for Christmas Eve. We will hear the familiar lessons, sing the carols, take in the anthems and music that Susan and all our musicians have lovingly prepared, and re-light the candles. It will be a joyous re-gathering. One that we can no longer take for granted as par for the course. One we can savor even more deeply. I look forward to re-telling this story with you, remembering its radicalness, the ways that God and angels moved among ordinary people, startling them with a crazy… Read More
by Kent French, December 15, 2022
This Advent, we are following the series From Generation to Generation from A Sanctified Art. Recalling Mary’s words in the Magnificat: Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; God’s mercy is for those who fear God from generation to generation. (Luke 1:48b, 50) Throughout our lives, you and I are part of many conversations: some short, some long, some perfunctory and everyday, some soul-stirring and life-changing. On Sunday, we’re going to listen in again to a conversation between two expectant mothers, women whose pregnancies and motherhood would change the course of human history (Luke 1:39-58). It’s a conversation of surprise, of joy, of… Read More
by Amy Norton, December 08, 2022
This Advent, we are following the series From Generation to Generation from A Sanctified Art. Recalling Mary’s words in the Magnificat: Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; God’s mercy is for those who fear God from generation to generation. (Luke 1:48b, 50) On Sunday, we’ll re-read the story of when an angel visits Joseph, encouraging him to step into his role as Jesus’ father and Mary’s husband, despite his hurt and confusion (Matthew 1:18-25). Our Advent curriculum reminds us, “As far as Joseph knows, his new wife has been unfaithful to him and broken their marriage contract. And yet, instead of punishment, he… Read More
