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Dear MRC Family,

Advent blessings of hope, peace, joy, and love to you

It is curious

My Facebook algorithm has been serving up all manner of be still, wait, and embrace the season of winter. There have been posts of animals lying dormant in their tree nests, with legends of Celtic winter faeries keeping them company in the snow. These posts are continually reminding me that in Advent we are supposed to be snuggled in, enjoying a warm fire, being in the company of loved ones, not rushing about, and waiting. And so, I’ve been very intentional about doing just that.

As our Advent devotional has been reminding us it’s also a time to stop and look up to the stars.

To see the wonder. To behold beauty. To recognize that we are “star stuff,” made from the building blocks of the universe by our wonderful God.

Our devotional says, Stars, stars, stars. Signs of hope: for Frederick Douglass, Henry Bibb, and Harriet Tubman, heading north. Glimmers of peace: radiant reminders of the inspiring, reassuring, heartening beauty of creation. Cause for gladness: a heavenly host, proclaiming good news of great joy for all people. And invitations to love: to sing boldly of God’s love that turns the world upside down, and to set out on a great journey following a distant star, to find and praise the God of love made flesh, dwelling among us. Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. The Milky Way above, and Mary’s milk below. Prestigious scholars from the East, and anonymous shepherds from the nearby hills. And there at the heart of it all, lying in a manger, is a fragile, defenseless, ordinary baby, vulnerable and beautiful. The Prince of Peace. Wonderful Counselor. The One through whom the stars are made. 

My goodness

Such wonder, such vulnerability, such love is enough to take your breath away.

Beloved, if you’ve been away for a while or have been coming to church every Sunday, come to worship this Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Love and Wonder. Our children will delight us, as they always do every year with our Children’s Christmas Pageant, The Drowsy Shepherds written by Nancy Coffin. After worship, we will have a Christmas brunch and party with a special visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves. 

Plan now to come, and bring a friend, to our Christmas Eve Family Friendly and Traditional Candlelight worship at 6:30PM. The New Jericho Choir and Joyful Noise Adult Choir will be singing along with special music with Sarah Hanvey, vocals; Brian Kolins, percussion; Andrew Olenik, violin; Ahava Walpola, trumpet. We will also celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper on this most holy night. I am preaching from Luke 2.1-20 and my sermon title is The Weary World Rejoices. And, of course, we will light candles and sing “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World.”

Finally, in this season of waiting and wondering the Consistory and I would be grateful if you would consider giving a Christmas offering in addition to your regular offering this Sunday or Christmas Eve as a way to support the transformative reign of Christ ministries of God’s church. I am thankful for the way you responded to my Thanksgiving email regarding our budget deficit. We have narrowed it considerably! You may give in person, through the mail, or safely and securely online at www.mrchurch.us/give.

I offer this prayer from our devotional as we embrace the stillness of winter, the waiting of Advent and prepare ourselves to welcome the Christ Child: God of hope, peace, joy, and love, show us the way. Open our minds and hearts to you, and to our neighbors. This Christmas, this starry night, make us lanterns of your light: signs of hope, makers of peace, virtuosos of joy, lovers of kindness, doers of justice. Let our lights shine! Welcome, Jesus, Welcome! Amen 

Keep following and bothering Jesus, beloved. And a very Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

 

With gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,

Pastor Trish

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