February 23, 2012

On the 28th Day of Advent…

Shout Christmas Magic from dailydevotion.org (First Radio Parish Church of America with UCC Pastor Peter Panagore)   Chatting like chick-a-dees Clustered at a feeder Twenty children congregated nearby A not-yet-burning bonfire Rosy cheeks puffed up by grins, Bundled tightly in winter parkas, Hands mittened and necks scarved, and all Willing, wide-eyed and waiting For they’d

On the 27th Day of Advent

Happy Christmas Eve Eve to you …   Hope you can join us for worship on Christmas Eve at 4:30pm… the Christmas story with brief reflections for all ages, plenty of carols, songleaders-pianist-cellist, candlelight and Silent Night around the sanctuary   or   at 7:30pm…. organ and flute prelude beginning at 7:15pm… The Christmas story

On the 26th Day of Advent…

Read this Christmas Gospel a few times. What jumps off the page at you?  What words are you hearing in a new way this year?  Is there a phrase that will stay with you for the next few days?  Does any of this make you think of other scripture texts? Are there parts of this

On the 25th Day of Advent

Interruptions…. by Martin B. Copenhaver   “And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.’” – Luke 1:46-47   For the most part, I don’t like interruptions.  I would rather plan my day and plan my life.  So usually I begin the day by surveying all the things

On the 24th Day of Advent…

Dear sister and brother travelers and followers of the way – With you I share the joy of anticipation of even greater joy: It is the joy that comes in the assurance of God’s love for us and God’s eternal presence with us. In the coming days we will celebrate God’s desire and initiative to

On the 22nd Day of Advent…

Christmas is just a week away. Here are some ideas of what you might do these next days ……   Breathe… Clear your mind, and focus on the task at hand. Concentrate on one thing at a time.   Pray …Remember the reason for the season.  Who is Jesus to you?  Why did God give

On the 23rd Day of Advent…

As of yesterday morning, the four candles on our Advent Wreath are now aglow – hope, peace, joy and love.  The Christ Candle in the center will be lit on Christmas Eve.   Hope. Peace. Joy. Love.   Which of these do you feel you have the most of this season?  Are there people in

On the 21st Day of Advent…

Mary is the star in this Sunday’s Gospel lesson. Protestants are never quite sure what to do about Mary. The Protestant Reformers reacted very strongly to the ways in which the Roman Catholic Church had elevated Mary, more often addressing their prayers to her than to God. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, Mary often is

On the 19th Day of Advent…

This central text for Advent/Christmas gives us several images to ponder and pray about.  Focusing on one of them, light …..What darkness have you known in the past?  How did you break free of it?  What iis your light today?  How do you reflect light to others?   {If you are in some darkness today, reach

On the 20th Day of Advent

It is a time of nostalgia. Many people spend a fair amount of time thinking about the past during Advent.  We recall days of childhood and tradition, family gatherings and gifts given and received. Along with these thoughts come some grieving for people and situations of yesterday.  Tomorrow at PUCC we will celebrate the life