Monday, December 24, 2018

Song for Sunday (Belated): O Come, O Come Emmanuel

My church didn't sing "O Come, O Come Emmanuel this year." It's my favorite advent hymn-- a wonderful melody and a message of hope and reassurance.

So I share it with you, linking to a version sung by the Pentatonix. May God bless you through it and give you a joyous Christmas holiday!!




Monday, December 17, 2018

Belated (again) Song for Sunday

Hopefully, I'll get back on track with Sunday posts soon.

I heard about this arrangement yesterday. As I am fan of both Labyrinth and White Christmas, I am not sure why I wasn't aware of it before, but there it is.

I hope you enjoy it.




Thursday, December 13, 2018

Patience

Tomorrow

That's when they will start moving the rubble away from the site of the church building.

"We have to be patient" 

That's been the refrain of the members of the congregation. And we have been, though it's been hard to see the pile of wood, stone, metal, glass, and plastic sitting there for six weeks. Finally, it looks like things will start to happen. It'll be weeks before they are done.

So we will have more of a chance to practice the spiritual gift of patience.

We hope they find our bell, our time capsule, our two safes. We look forward to having an empty lot rather than the remains of the building.

In the meantime, we are grateful: grateful to the community that surrounds, to the church that took us in, to the fire, police, and DPW, to God. No one was hurt; we remain a church. A lot to be thankful for.

For those who don't know the story, here are links to what happened.


Painting Survives Fire
The Day After

I will post updates as we move forward, with patience.


Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Jordan's Creche 2018



My son uses his imagination to create unique manger scenes. Over the years, some have been extraordinarily fanciful, stepping outside of the story. Others have added creative bits within the overarching theme of Christmas.  This year's has a new wrinkle. It's one that it is possible to relate to, if you engage your playful side. 




The animals who live in the barn have gathered around a roman soldier seated in front of his horse. They have chosen the soldier because they figure his authority carries weight with other people. They are asking the soldier to tell the innkeeper to find room for the humans in the Inn so that they can have their sleeping areas and feeding trough back.









The soldier simply looks "bored and oh so done with this." Perhaps he realizes that the city has had such an influx of people that there are no more spaces anywhere for humans, never mind animals. You really don't know who to feel sorry for, the animals or the soldier. 





Mary and Joseph are there in the stable, awaiting the birth. The Shepherds and Angels are in their places. All is well. Unless you live in that barn full time.

What is your creche like?


If you are curious about Jordan's other creches, check these out. I wasn't blogging the year Jesus got stolen though.

Jordan's Strange Creche
A Broken World ... Seeking Peace
Jordan's Creche for this Year 
Creche 2014 Edition
Jordan's Creche 2015 Edition

Monday, December 10, 2018

Song for Sunday (Belated) Mary's Lullaby


 I tried to post yesterday, but had trouble with my computer.

This is the advent week dedicated to peace. What could be more peaceful than a lullaby?




What holiday song song speaks "peace" to you? 

Sunday, December 2, 2018

New Start

Been a long time since I mused about anything here. But this is the day I often re-start. The first day of Advent. So, time to give it another go.

I'll have my traditional post about Jordan's creche set this week. And I have some memes to comment on and many posts about youth ministry.

I'll also blog about my church's recovery from a devastating fire.
We have hope; that is the focus of the First Sunday of Advent.

For now, I'll just say. I'm back!  and



Happy New Year!!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...

              1 Peter 1:3