Greetings From Pastor Lyn
Dear People,
Happy Advent! Can you believe it? The year passed so quickly and so much has happened at Emanuel and personally for each one of us. When I visited my dentist recently, they were playing Christmas music in the background. The hygienist explained it was because they felt a need for “a little Christmas” early this year. Don’t we all?
Everyone has their reasons for rushing the Christmas season, the season of peace and goodwill toward people. In the church the liturgical calendar says we are to spend four weeks preparing for the celebration of peace on earth. However, the readings in the lectionary assigned for each Sunday do not exactly provoke a warm rush of peace through one’s heart. The readings are meant to get us prepared to celebrate the King’s arrival, both his first and his longed-for second.
The readings do, however, evoke feelings associated with the candles that will be lit week-to-week. The first is the candle of Hope. That’s on purpose. Our hope lies in Jesus Christ; plain & simple. Hope holds us together as we move toward the second week and the candle of peace; the peace that passes all human understanding. Held in hope, infused by the Peace of Christ, Joy is possible. Joy is different than “happy.” One can be unhappy with circumstances yet able to know the joy of Jesus. Joy is the 3rd candle to be lit. With those three candles blazing brightly we will light the Love candle on the 4th Sunday of Advent. Hope, Peace, Joy, Love come together as the babe from Bethlehem is placed in the manger on Christmas Eve.
Dear people, we are so very blessed by a God who loves us enough to be born, live and die for us. We are so very blessed to be a congregation of strong determined faithful people who hold one another in those same attributes; hope, peace, joy, and love.
The future may be a bit uncertain at this moment in time but there is nothing uncertain about God and who God is for us.
Thank you again for your extraordinary generosity during this challenging time.
This December, come to church, stay for Advent soup lunches, be the community you have always been. We are stronger together! And the soup will boost your spirits and your immune system!
God of Hope, restore our hope in this time of watching and waiting. Give us a spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and reverent trembling in your presence. Reveal to us how our stories are woven together, encourage us that we will be healed and made whole, and gather us into the shelter of your righteousness. Amen (adapted from Sundays & Seasons)
In Gratitude and Praise to the One who makes all things new,
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Lyn
Happy Advent! Can you believe it? The year passed so quickly and so much has happened at Emanuel and personally for each one of us. When I visited my dentist recently, they were playing Christmas music in the background. The hygienist explained it was because they felt a need for “a little Christmas” early this year. Don’t we all?
Everyone has their reasons for rushing the Christmas season, the season of peace and goodwill toward people. In the church the liturgical calendar says we are to spend four weeks preparing for the celebration of peace on earth. However, the readings in the lectionary assigned for each Sunday do not exactly provoke a warm rush of peace through one’s heart. The readings are meant to get us prepared to celebrate the King’s arrival, both his first and his longed-for second.
The readings do, however, evoke feelings associated with the candles that will be lit week-to-week. The first is the candle of Hope. That’s on purpose. Our hope lies in Jesus Christ; plain & simple. Hope holds us together as we move toward the second week and the candle of peace; the peace that passes all human understanding. Held in hope, infused by the Peace of Christ, Joy is possible. Joy is different than “happy.” One can be unhappy with circumstances yet able to know the joy of Jesus. Joy is the 3rd candle to be lit. With those three candles blazing brightly we will light the Love candle on the 4th Sunday of Advent. Hope, Peace, Joy, Love come together as the babe from Bethlehem is placed in the manger on Christmas Eve.
Dear people, we are so very blessed by a God who loves us enough to be born, live and die for us. We are so very blessed to be a congregation of strong determined faithful people who hold one another in those same attributes; hope, peace, joy, and love.
The future may be a bit uncertain at this moment in time but there is nothing uncertain about God and who God is for us.
Thank you again for your extraordinary generosity during this challenging time.
This December, come to church, stay for Advent soup lunches, be the community you have always been. We are stronger together! And the soup will boost your spirits and your immune system!
God of Hope, restore our hope in this time of watching and waiting. Give us a spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and reverent trembling in your presence. Reveal to us how our stories are woven together, encourage us that we will be healed and made whole, and gather us into the shelter of your righteousness. Amen (adapted from Sundays & Seasons)
In Gratitude and Praise to the One who makes all things new,
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Lyn