Deck the halls…Christmas time is here…I want a hippopotamus for Christmas…All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.
The parsonage "Alexa" has been joyfully playing a range of Christmas songs – from all the traditional carols to the silly songs that used to play on the record player while decorating cookies at my Grandma's house as a child, a tradition that carried well into my young adult years with my closest cousins. I wonder, what is your favorite Christmas tradition? As years have gone by, I still enjoy preparing sour cream cut out cookies, but decorating isn't the same without a group of people to join in the festivities, with the obnoxious music in the background. This
season floods my senses with memories of old through the many sights and sounds, some more beloved than others, all of which bring meaning into this season, and a reminder that we were brought in this world to journey together. It has been a busy six months that we have traveled together, church! It's time to pause though and make room for Christ the Lord as we prepare for his birth. My Advent Calendar is ordered, and I am looking forward to my morning tea with Jesus by Christmas tree light. My Advent wreath will make its way out of the totes as I continue to decorate the house for the Parsonage Open House on December 12th from 4-7. I hope you will join me. If you need the address, please contact the office. The season of Advent is a time to slow down, to prepare your heart for the season, without getting lost in the hustle of shopping lists, hard work before taking time off, cookies and treat baking for all the events of the month. Take the time to assess where God is calling you to wait in anticipation as we celebrate the birth of our King Jesus.
As you look through the rest of the Chimes, there are many things to jot down on your calendar. On December 1st I'll begin an Advent Bible Study at 6:30 via Zoom, "Light of the World: A Beginners Guide to Advent" by Amy-Jill Levine. I'll send the link in the weekly email so that you can attend. If you signed up, I have ordered your book! If you haven't signed up but plan to attend, do your best to get your hands on a book by next Sunday! I hope you note that we will have Communion on December 1st. The Christmas Music Spectacular on December 8th will be full of musical pieces, including Bells, Young People Music and other special pieces, followed by the Camp Bake Sale. On December 15th, you are invited to dress in all your festive (some might say…"ugly") Christmas attire as we seek a little extra joy on "Joy Sunday." I'm working on a prize for who comes most joyfully dressed – get creative, I'm looking forward to celebrating joyfully with you! Finally, we will have two different Christmas Eve Services. The 7pm service will be a Family Friendly Service (meaning, it might be a little "noisier" with more active participation from the congregation, you've been warned 😊). The 11pm will be a Traditional Service with communion. Both services will conclude with the sharing of the Christ Light as we sing "Silent Night." We will also take a special offering on Christmas Eve that will go to UMCOR, National Response – Bishop Bard's Appeal for our Conference, as several states will be in long-term disaster recovery for years to come. Each dollar contributed will help bring hope and light to a home that has been impacted by natural disaster. I would be amiss to not share my gratitude for each of your commitments to the ministry we will do together in 2025, to date, we have received about $210,000 in pledges. Your faithfulness and dedication to God and the ministry of the church will help us be an Oasis of hope as we look toward a new year together. Thank you!
As we prepare for the sermon series in December, you will note that it is titled "Gift Exchange." Many moments weigh us down and lead us to experiencing despair, anxiety, sorry, darkness and meaninglessness. Even in the difficult moments, God gifts us hope, peace, joy, love, light and purpose. Will you join us this Advent as we exchange the heavy feelings for gifts from God that lead us toward a more meaningful and impactful faith journey? I hope to see you this December!
Together in Christ,
Pastor Kayla
