December '22

December 1

It is December!

I like this responsive prayer that we used in worship last night:

RESPONSIVE PRAYER

Our world stumbles blindly toward chaos—

come and be our Wisdom.

What we imagine to be strength is really weakness—

come and be our mighty Lord.

We yearn for a standard to look up to—

come and be our Root of Jesse.

We languish in prisons of mind and spirit—

come and be our Key of David.

The darkness grows thick around us—

come and be our Light of day.

We are scattered, lacking a sure leader—

come and be our King of peace.

We need to know that God is with us—

come and be our Emmanuel,

that we may rejoice in you.

Amen.

Blessings to you, Pastor Phil

December 2

Jesus called his disciples

Luke 6:13a

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God

to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph,

of the house of David.

The virgin’s name was Mary.

And he came to her and said,

“Greetings, favored one!

The Lord is with you.”

But she was much perplexed by his words

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Luke 1:26-29

In the Bible, when God calls a person, they often object. I liked how preaching professor; Alyce McKenzie reflected on this. She wrote:

In the entire Bible,

God never listens to someone's objection

and says,

"You're right.

You've convinced me

that you're not as qualified as I thought.

I'll keep looking."

The prophets were not chosen

because they were ready to be chosen,

because they felt confident in their abilities

and it was a good time for them

to clear their calendars of other commitments

so they could be prophets.

They were called

when God was ready to call them.

I suspect the same may well be true for you. God is calling you, whether or not you think you are worthy or capable or qualified. You have the capacity to love, and God sends you to fulfill God’s mission of loving those around you.

Blessings, Pastor Phil

December 3

Tomorrow, for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, we will continue with the story form the First chapter of Luke. The visit of the angel Gabriel to Mary.

Here is a prayer that goes with this text:

O God of Elizabeth and Mary,

you visited your servants with news of the world's redemption

in the coming of the Savior.

Make our hearts leap with joy,

and fill our mouths with songs of praise,

that we may announce glad tidings of peace,

and welcome the Christ in our midst. Amen.

I hope to see you in worship tomorrow; 8:30 and 11:00

Pastor Phil

Second Sunday of Advent

December 4

A blessed 2nd Sunday of Advent to you.

The service will be posted online.

The Prayer of the Day

Stir up our hearts, Lord God,

to prepare the way of your only Son.

By his coming

nurture our growth

as people of repentance and peace;

through Jesus Christ,

our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you

and

the Holy Spirit,

one God,

now

and

forever.

Amen.

December 5

After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived,

and for five months she remained in seclusion.

Luke 1:24

I don’t know about you, but I am not very good at waiting. There are wise theologians who can help us to see that our waiting is a holy thing. They will point ahead, and help us understand that we will find that God is present in the waiting, and, on the far side of that waiting, God fulfills promises…

Here is a reflection on Advent waiting from Dietrich Bonhoeffer…

Celebrating Advent means learning how to wait.…

Not all can wait –

certainly not those who are satisfied, contented,

and feel that they live in the best of all possible worlds!

Those who learn to wait

are uneasy about their way of life,

but yet have seen a vision of greatness

in the world of the future

and are patiently expecting its fulfillment.

The celebration of Advent is possible

only to those who are troubled in soul,

who know themselves to be poor and imperfect,

and who look forward to something greater to come.

For these, it is enough to wait in humble fear

until the Holy One himself comes down to us,

God in the child in the manger.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Blessings to you today, Pastor Phil

December 6

“He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High…”

Luke 1:32a

On Sunday, we sang a hymn that can be a bit difficult. I almost mentioned in worship that I knew it wasn’t all that easy, but it was worth the work. The hymn was #248 “People, Look East”. We talked about that a bit in the Sunday School class between services… and I like to think that everyone agreed with me. (Don’t set me straight, I like my illusions!)

As we spoke about Advent hymns, one person pointed out the beautiful lyrics of hymn #252; “Each Winter As the Year Grows Older”.

The poetry invites us to look to the Christ Child as the one of promise and renewal.

EACH WINTER AS THE YEAR GROWS OLDER

Text by William Gay & Tune by Annabeth Gay

Each winter as the year grows older,

We each grow older too.

The chill sets in a little colder;

The verities we knew

Seem shaken and untrue.

When race and class cry out for treason,

When sirens call for war,

They overshout the voice of reason

And scream till we ignore

All we held dear before.

Yet I believe beyond believing,

That life can spring from death:

That growth can flower from our grieving;

That we can catch our breath

And turn transfixed by faith.

So even as the sun is turning

To journey to the north,

The living flame, in secret burning,

Can kindle on the earth

And bring God's love to birth.

O Child of ecstasy and sorrows,

O Prince of peace and pain,

Brighten today's world by tomorrow's,

Renew our lives again;

Lord Jesus, come and reign!

December 7

“Be on guard

so that your hearts are not weighed down with…

the worries of this life,

and that day does not catch you unexpectedly,

like a trap.

For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth.

Be alert at all times…

Luke 21:34-36a

Today, at our Noon Class, we will listen again to the visit of the angel Gabriel to Mary. We are going to ask about how it is that God meets us, our own experiences, where we might want to look for God, what God might do when God appears…

I like this reflection from Gather Magazine on waiting as a place where God appears to you in various ways:

There are gifts to be found in the liminal spaces of waiting and not knowing. Instead of just slogging through some of the mundane waiting times of life, we could practice looking for God in tiny ways. The next time you are sitting at a stoplight or on hold, try to welcome the time as a moment to pray for a friend, connect with your own breath, or simply be still. As you [do so], God is there.

God is always there, meeting you in the moment.

God promised to meet Mary as she waited for the birth of Jesus –

and God did. God promises to meet us all as we wait

for big and small things in our lives –

and God does, again and again.

We don’t always know how or when or where,

but God shows up for us in the waiting times.

This message is excerpted from “The Waiting Place” by Jordan Miller-Stubbendick in the December 2019 Gather magazine.

I pray that as you see God at work in your life, you may give thanks, and reach out…

Peace, Pastor Phil

Worship tonight at 7:00

I hope you will consider taking some time out for prayer and song.

December 8

Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,

and grant us your salvation.

Psalm 85:7

Last night at the Evening Prayer service, we sang part of Martin Luther’s hymn "From Heaven Above." It sings out the Christmas story in 14 stanzas, and it is much like a lullaby.

The first stanza speaks of the Angel coming from heaven, to tell the good news to the shepherds.

In Luther’s sweet poetry, there is a great emphasis on the lowliness of Jesus’ birth. It is a wonderful insight, that God has entered our human story, not in splendor and might, but in weakness and love.

This is the great power of the Gospel, that God should work God’s love and life in such mysterious ways!

Blessings to you, Pastor Phil

December 9

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

all you who wait for the LORD.

Psalm 31:24

I just learned about a nice Advent resource. It was prepared by Kate Bowler. She is a theologian and professor at Duke University. Dr. Bowler is a cancer survivor, diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at age 35. She has written with great insight into how faith serves us in the difficulties of our lives, and she has a podcast that is quite popular.

I liked this prayer that she included in her Advent devotional; which has the great title: “The Season of Waiting (And Waiting… And Waiting…)

This prayer is from “Service of Prayer for Healing, The Iona Abbey Worship Book.”

God of compassion and love,

we offer you all our suffering and pain.

Give us strength to bear our weakness,

healing even when there is no cure,

peace in the midst of turmoil,

and love to fill the spaces in our lives.

Amen.

May God grant you “strength to bear your weakness”. Pastor Phil

December 10

In those days

Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country,

where she entered the house of Zechariah

and greeted Elizabeth.

Luke 1:39-40

Tomorrow we will consider Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, listening in as they praise God for their miraculous pregnancies, and look ahead with hope inspired by God’s promises…

I hope to see you in worship, Pastor Phil

A prayer:

O God of Elizabeth and Mary,

you visited your servants with news of the world's redemption

in the coming of the Savior.

Make our hearts leap with joy,

and fill our mouths with songs of praise,

that we may announce glad tidings of peace,

and welcome the Christ in our midst. Amen.

Reproduced from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers

3rd Sunday of Advent

December 11

Worship today at 8:30 and 11:00

Next Sunday, December 18th, the choir leads worship at the 8:30 service, our Sunday School program will be at the 11:00 service

The service will be posted online.

The Prayer of the Day:

Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God,

and strengthen our faith in your coming,

that, transformed by grace,

we may walk in your way;

through Jesus Christ,

our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen

December 12

"My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.”

Luke 1:46-49

I mentioned yesterday that Martin Luther wrote an important devotional or commentary on the Magnificat in 1521. When I was a student, I was quite surprised to learn this.

Martin Luther has this to say in his comments on the opening lines of the Magnificat:

When the Holy Virgin

experienced

what great things God wrought in her,

notwithstanding she was

so poor, meek, despised,

and of low degree,

the Holy Spirit taught her

this precious knowledge and wisdom,

that God is a Lord

whose work consists

but in this -

to exalt them of low degree,

to put down the mighty

from their seats,

in short,

to break

whatever is whole

and make whole

whatever is broken.

For we who so often find ourselves broken, this is Good News worthy of a song.

May you sing out God’s love for you and all the world today.

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

December 13

"My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.”

Luke 1:46-49

I like to think of the Magnificat as Mary’s song, sung in response to the great Good News of the promise of the Messiah. I think that makes it the first Christmas carol.

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”

This is beautiful poetry, rich theology, and a wonderful song.

As we approach the celebration of Christmas, we might well become more and more aware of the mystery of this wonderful gift.

Here is a short poem by Madeleine L’Engle

“After the Annunciation,” by Madeleine L’Engle:

This is the irrational season

when love blooms bright and wild.

Had Mary been filled with reason

there’d have been no room for the child.

May you, too, find room for the child.

Peace, Pastor Phil

December 14

I like this Advent reflection from Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber - she has a wonderful way of proclaiming God’s loving grace and its great claim on us.

“Without higher-quality material to work with,

God resorts to working

through us for others

and upon us

through others.

Those are some weirdly restorative,

disconcerting shenanigans

to be caught up in:

God forcing God’s people

to see themselves as God sees them,

to do stuff they know they are incapable of doing,

so that God might make use of them,

and make them to be both humble recipients

and generous

givers of grace,

so that they may be part

of God’s big project on earth,

so that they themselves

might find unexpected joy

through surprising situations.”

― Nadia Bolz-Weber, Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People, p. 40

May you join in God’s unexpected and mysterious ways of love in the world!

Blessings, Pastor Phil

December 15

In those days

Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country,

where she entered the house of Zechariah

and greeted Elizabeth.

Luke 1:39-40

Another prayer grounded in the Magnificat:

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah.

Mary,

a quiet, demurring handmaiden,

cried out in raucous joy,

extolling God,

singing a radical song of promise.

Spirit of God,

let us join with Mary

and declare your greatness,

and with whole heart’s delight pray with her

that you give hope to the lowly, that they be lifted up,

a wealth of good food for the hungry

and your mercy for

all people in

all times.

Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.

December 16

Professor Kate Bowler is quite an interesting speaker and writer. She has a book coming out this spring: “The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessing for Imperfect Days”

This is a blessing for “When You’re Tired of Broken Systems.” It has an ‘Advent waiting’ feeling to it.

The last few paragraphs read:

Oh God, how blessed are we who cry out to you:

empower us to see and name what is broken,

what is ours to restore,

guide us to find coherent and beautiful alternatives

that foster life, hope, and peace.

Help us use our gifts with one another in unity.

Blessed are we who choose to live in anticipation,

our eyes scanning the horizon,

for signs of your kingdom—

heaven-come-down—

as we wait in hope

and act with courage.

Blessings to you, Pastor Phil

December 17

By the tender mercy of our God,

the dawn from on high will break upon us,

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Luke 1:78-79

Reflecting on Zechariah’s words from Luke 1; "By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” here is a prayer for peace.

Gracious and holy God, lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Peace to you! Pastor Phil

4th Sunday of Advent

December 18

The Prayer of the Day today:

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come.

With your abundant grace and might,

free us from the sin that hinders our faith,

that eagerly we may receive your promises,

for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Today we will have the Choir present their Christmas program at the 8:30 service, and at the 11:00 service the Trinity Sunday School will present the Sunday School Christmas Program (my favorite telling of the story each year). I encourage you to consider attending both services - I believe they will both be a gift to you.

Advent Blessings to you today, Pastor Phil

December 19

By the tender mercy of our God,

the dawn from on high will break upon us,

to give light to those who sit in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Luke 1:78-79

What a promise - light for those in darkness, and a pathway of peace!

A blessed 4th week of Advent to you.

Pastor Phil

December 20

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,

and in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord

more than those who watch for the morning,

more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the LORD!

For with the LORD there is steadfast love,

and with him is great power to redeem.

Psalm 130:5-7

Advent is a season of waiting and expectation, a season of preparing and hoping. I have a suspicion that it would be wise to nurture and develop a spirit of watchfulness.

May your waiting and watching lead to a revealing of the presence of God in your day!

Here is a nice table prayer from the daily devotional “Bread for the Day” - (I suspect there are a few more copies of the 2023 issue of Bread for the Day available in the office.)

Table Prayer for Advent

Blessed are you, O Lord our God,

the one who is, who was, and who is to come.

At this table you fill us with good things.

May these gifts strengthen us

to share with the hungry and all those in need,

as we wait and watch for your coming among us

in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Peace, Pastor Phil

December 21

The light shines in the darkness

John 1

Today is the shortest day of the year for us, and thus, also, the longest night. This evening there will be an ecumenical Longest Night Service held at the United Methodist Church.

The Longest Night service is also referred to as a “Blue Christmas” service. This is a time to take note of sorrows we bear in this season of happiness and celebration. Here is a beautiful poem for the Longest Night…

The Christmas Spirit

Is that hope

Which tenaciously clings

To the hearts of the faithful

And announces

In the face

Of any Herod the world can produce

And all the inn doors slammed in our faces

And all the dark nights of our souls

That with God

All things are possible,

That even now

Unto us

A child is born!

- Ann Weems, “Kneeling in Bethlehem” 1999, Westminster/John Knox Press

Indeed, a child is born. Hallelujah!

Pax, Pastor Phil

December 22

And it came to pass…

Luke 2:1 (KJV)

This prayer, or poem from the book "Guerrillas of Grace” is one we include on our Longest Night service bulletin.

Guerrillas of Grace is an entire book of prayers as poetry written by Methodist pastor, Ted Loder. Like a lot of poetry, I am not entirely sure what it “means” but I am learning that my “understanding” isn’t always that important.

May this prayer shape your reflection on God’s great gifts to you today…

Let the Star of Morning Rise

Lord God,

in the deepest night

there rises the star of morning,

of birth,

the herald of a new day you are making,

a day of great joy dawning

in yet faint shafts of light and love.

I hear whispers of peace in the stillness,

fresh breezes of promise

stirring,

winter sparrows

chirping of life,

a baby's cry

of need

and hope -

Christmas!

In the darkness I see the light

and find in it comfort,

confidence,

cause for celebration,

for the darkness cannot overcome it;

and I rejoice to nourish it

in myself,

in other people,

in the world

for the sake of him

in whom it was born

and shines forever,

even Jesus the Christ.

- Ted Loder "Guerrillas of Grace” 1984 Augsburg Fortress Press

May “whispers of peace in the stillness,” speak of God’s great love in sending the Christ Child for you. Peace, Pastor Phil

December 23

Blessings to you as we look ahead with anticipation to our Christmas celebrations. May you know the promised presence of God in the gift of the Christ Child.

You might want to use this "Christmas Eve Prayer" at any time during the 12 Days of Christmas. It is written by Kathleen Norris, a writer and theologian.

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

Christmas Eve Prayer

O God, who spoke all creation into being:

When you created human flesh,

we betrayed you by our disobedience.

When you led us out of slavery in Egypt,

we doubted and defied you.

Yet you chose to come among us through your Son, Jesus Christ,

who suffered death on our behalf,

putting an end to the power of sin and death.

For this great gift of your steadfast hope,

we give you thanks.

Help us, O Lord, to keep vigil this night.

Help us to watch for the signs of your coming into our midst,

not in the splendid palaces of power,

but in hearts humbled by need.

Help us to believe that the darkness of cruelty and sin

will never overcome the light, and the mercy, of Christ.

Help us to endure,

knowing that the evil and injustice of this world cannot

prevail against your Word.

We ask this in the name of your Word made flesh,

our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ written by Kathleen Norris

- posted on http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2007/12/Christmas-Eve-Vigil.aspx?p=2#57RMVwfsJk1bpjuW.99

December 24

The Christmas Gospel for our Christmas Eve worship is included below...

This beautiful story is our story, and I suspect that we can't hear it or read it too often.

Years ago, at the suggestion of my Father-in-law, I put together a reading of this text for Christmas Eve that uses some of the traditional King James language.

Christmas Peace, Pastor Phil

Christmas Eve Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; You shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

When the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us." And they went with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Christmas Day

Nativity of Our Lord

December 25

The Prayer of the Day today:

All-powerful and unseen God,

the coming of your light into our world

has brightened weary hearts with peace.

Call us out of darkness,

and empower us to proclaim

the birth of your Son,

Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God,

now and forever.

Amen

Christmas Blessings to you, Pastor Phil

December 26

And it came to pass…

Luke 2:1 (KJV)

Blessings to you today.

Martin Luther loved the Christmas story. I think he deeply understood how the humble birth in a stable spoke to God's desire to make each and every one of you a member of God's reign of love in the world.

Here are the lyrics to Luther's Christmas Carol, From Heaven Above.

From Heaven Above

From heav'n above to earth I come

To bring good news to ev'ryone!

Glad tidings of great joy I bring

to all the world and gladly sing:

2 To you this night is born a child

Of Mary chosen virgin mild;

This newborn child of lowly birth

Shall be the joy of all the earth.

3 This is the Christ, God's Son most high,

Who hears your sad and bitter cry;

He will himself your savior be

And from all sin will set you free.

4 The blessing which the Father planned

The Son holds in his infant hand,

That in his kingdom, bright and fair,

You may with us his glory share.

5 O dearest Jesus, holy child

Prepare a bed, soft, undefiled,

A holy shrine, within my heart

That you and I need never part.

ELW hymn #268

May you know that the Christ Child has come for you as well.

Peace, Pastor Phil

December 27

And it came to pass…

Luke 2:1 (KJV)

It's the 3rd Day of Christmas

Merry Christmas, still...

Here are two Christmas season prayers -

A CHRISTMAS TABLE PRAYER

Glory to God in the highest!

Peace to God's people on earth!

To you is born this day a Savior who is Christ the Lord.

O come, let us worship him.

With joy and gladness we feast upon your love, O God.

You have come among us in Jesus, your Son,

and your presence now graces this table.

May Christ dwell in us

that we might bear his love to all the world,

for he is Lord forever and ever. AMEN

A PRAYER FOR THE DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS

Almighty God, you enlighten the darkness with the true Light.

In the days ahead, help us walk in Christ's light,

and on the last day awaken us to the brightness of his glory.

AMEN

A blessed 3rd Day of Christmas to you! Pastor Phil

December 28

And suddenly

there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host,

praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will toward all.”

Luke 2:13-14

Christmas Carols often have beautiful poetry, and some point ahead to a promised day of peace that has yet to arrive. You might offer up the words of “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” as a prayer for God’s peace to reign in our hearts, in our lives and in our world.

A blessed 4th Day of Christmas to you, Pastor Phil

It Came upon the Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth

To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on earth, good will to all,

From heav'n's all gracious king."

The world in solemn stillness lay

And hear the angels sing!

2 And you, beneath life's crushing load,

Whose forms are bending low,

Who toil along the climbing way

With painful steps and slow;

Look now, for glad and golden hours

Come swiftly on the wing;

Oh, rest beside the weary road

To hear the angels sing.

3 For lo! The days are hast'ning on,

By prophets seen of old,

When with the ever-circling years

Shall come the time foretold,

When peace shall over all the earth

Its ancient splendors fling,

And all the world give back the song

Which now the angels sing.

December 29

She will bear a son,

and you are to name him Jesus,

for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21

On this 5th Day of Christmas, I thought I would share this litany composed by David Beswick, an Australian minister and writer..

Canticle of Praise for Christmas and Epiphany

Blessed are you, O Christ, our God;

you were before time began,

and came to the world to save us.

Blessed are you, Sun of righteousness;

you shine with the Father's love

and illumine the whole universe.

Blessed are you, Son of Mary;

born a child

you shared our humanity.

Blessed are you, son of David;

born to rule,

you received gifts from the wise men.

Blessed are you, Son of Man;

baptised by John,

you saved us from ourselves.

Blessed are you, heavenly King;

teaching and preaching, healing and comforting,

you proclaimed the kingdom.

With all the voices of heaven

we celebrate the coming of our Savior.

Let heaven and earth shout their praise.

With all the creatures on earth

we sing and dance at your birth.

Praise and glory to you, O Lord Jesus Christ.

- written by David Beswick, and posted on David Beswick’s Home Page.

Bless you today and always, Pastor Phil

December 30

She will bear a son,

and you are to name him Jesus,

for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21

I like this prayer for Christmas Eve…

As these words invite us to reflect on God shining a light in the night, we can also envision to light of Christ illuminating all darkness in our lives…

Almighty God,

you made this holy night shine

with the brightness of the true Light.

Grant that here on earth

we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence

and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory;

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God,

now and forever.

Amen.

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

December 31

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home of God is among mortals.

He will dwell with them;

they will be his peoples,

and God himself will be with them;

4he will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Death will be no more;

mourning and crying and pain will be no more,

for the first things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:3-4

A Blessed New Year’s Eve to you. I don’t know about you, but often we find ourselves celebrating the New Year when the ball drops in New York, and calling it good…

Here is a very nice prayer for New Year’s:

Eternal God,

you have placed us in a world of space and time,

and through the events of our lives you bless us with your love.

Grant that in the new year

we may know your presence,

see your love at work,

and live in the light of the event that gives us joy forever—

the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

May we “live in the light of the event that gives us joy forever” all year long, and forever, amen.

Happy New Year!

Pastor Phil