Greetings From Pastor Lyn
Happy December Sisters and Brothers!
So much happens in December. Are you ready? In the church, the new liturgical year is upon us! I read somewhere and mentioned in a recent sermon that perhaps December 3 – the first Sunday in Advent– is a more appropriate day to make “new year resolutions,” particularly those geared toward personal spirituality.
We acknowledge Advent using an old and dear custom – the Advent wreath. The practice of lighting candles amid the growing darkness of winter strengthens our resolve to stay awake in anticipation of Christ’s return. The unbroken circle of pine/greens is an image of everlasting life and the crown of Christ. We use the wreath to remember that Christ reaches into our time and leads us by His light. The four candles mark the progress of the four weeks of Advent and the increasing light of Christ. Hope is lit first, then Peace, Joy follows, and the Love candle pulls them all together defining the Christian life. The Christ candle in the middle is lit on Christmas Eve to symbolize Jesus’ birth – “behold, our Light has come!”
Light is the theme for Advent at Emanuel this year. Specifically, the Light of Grace articulated through the words of the hymn Amazing Grace. This hymn turned 250 years old in 2023, so as we near the end of the year, it is kind of nice to honor the hymn but more, to honor our Lord, to whom the hymn was written from a grateful soul. I recently saw a Peanuts cartoon where Schroder was playing Amazing Grace on his piano and his want-a-be girlfriend Lucy, with stars in her eyes says, “that tune warms my heart.” So true. This hymn has warmed the heart of many over its 250 years and I pray it will continue to offer blessing for many more hundreds of years.
Light will be emphasized through the light of old-fashioned lanterns. Additional lanterns will be added throughout the season. Lanterns may be old-fashioned but have never really gone out of style, so it hasn’t been too difficult to find loaners for our Advent. Thank you to everyone who has loaned their lantern! If you remember, the lectionary texts leading up to Advent called us to “let our lights shine.” Keep the image of light in your heart and let it reflect the One who resides in your heart throughout Advent and into Christmas.
Someone who has always let her light shine is our beloved organist, Barbara Vukich. Barbara will be retiring at the end of December after serving the Music Ministry at Emanuel for 36 years. She has been a shining example of faithful and committed service. A reception in her honor will be held on December 17 following worship. Everyone is welcome. There will be a basket for cards. Barbara will be missed but we wish her all the best in retirement!
December 24 is both the 4th Sunday in Advent and Christmas Eve. At the morning service (9:30 am) we will still be in Advent and then switch gears for Christmas Eve service at 5:00 pm. Please invite your family, friends, and neighbors to this candlelight communion service….and all other services too!
Arise, Shine, Your Light Has Come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. (Isaiah 60:1)
Advent blessings dear people and Christmas Joy!
Pastor Lyn
So much happens in December. Are you ready? In the church, the new liturgical year is upon us! I read somewhere and mentioned in a recent sermon that perhaps December 3 – the first Sunday in Advent– is a more appropriate day to make “new year resolutions,” particularly those geared toward personal spirituality.
We acknowledge Advent using an old and dear custom – the Advent wreath. The practice of lighting candles amid the growing darkness of winter strengthens our resolve to stay awake in anticipation of Christ’s return. The unbroken circle of pine/greens is an image of everlasting life and the crown of Christ. We use the wreath to remember that Christ reaches into our time and leads us by His light. The four candles mark the progress of the four weeks of Advent and the increasing light of Christ. Hope is lit first, then Peace, Joy follows, and the Love candle pulls them all together defining the Christian life. The Christ candle in the middle is lit on Christmas Eve to symbolize Jesus’ birth – “behold, our Light has come!”
Light is the theme for Advent at Emanuel this year. Specifically, the Light of Grace articulated through the words of the hymn Amazing Grace. This hymn turned 250 years old in 2023, so as we near the end of the year, it is kind of nice to honor the hymn but more, to honor our Lord, to whom the hymn was written from a grateful soul. I recently saw a Peanuts cartoon where Schroder was playing Amazing Grace on his piano and his want-a-be girlfriend Lucy, with stars in her eyes says, “that tune warms my heart.” So true. This hymn has warmed the heart of many over its 250 years and I pray it will continue to offer blessing for many more hundreds of years.
Light will be emphasized through the light of old-fashioned lanterns. Additional lanterns will be added throughout the season. Lanterns may be old-fashioned but have never really gone out of style, so it hasn’t been too difficult to find loaners for our Advent. Thank you to everyone who has loaned their lantern! If you remember, the lectionary texts leading up to Advent called us to “let our lights shine.” Keep the image of light in your heart and let it reflect the One who resides in your heart throughout Advent and into Christmas.
Someone who has always let her light shine is our beloved organist, Barbara Vukich. Barbara will be retiring at the end of December after serving the Music Ministry at Emanuel for 36 years. She has been a shining example of faithful and committed service. A reception in her honor will be held on December 17 following worship. Everyone is welcome. There will be a basket for cards. Barbara will be missed but we wish her all the best in retirement!
December 24 is both the 4th Sunday in Advent and Christmas Eve. At the morning service (9:30 am) we will still be in Advent and then switch gears for Christmas Eve service at 5:00 pm. Please invite your family, friends, and neighbors to this candlelight communion service….and all other services too!
Arise, Shine, Your Light Has Come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. (Isaiah 60:1)
Advent blessings dear people and Christmas Joy!
Pastor Lyn