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Hello St. John’s Family,
Sunday, December 17 was a wonderful day in the life of St. John’s! From the opening note of our first worship service to the closing note of the Festival of Carols, Sunday was marked by powerful offerings of music that lifted our souls. It felt so good to sing, laugh, and be together as beautiful music filled our day, all while pointing to the source of the true hope we share during the Advent and Christmas seasons. I am so thankful for all our choir and bell choir members, and all the musicians who offer their time and gifts to God while leading us in worship. Sunday reminded us how we are blessed by the outstanding leadership Roy Nelson, Alissa Nelson, Brian Barber, and Nanette Lutz provide for our Music ministries; I want to thank them for the dedication and excellence that marks their service to God here. In a world marked by news of division, violence, hate, and war, Sunday radiated God’s goodness and light – and it was great to experience that together.
As I look back and reflect on Sunday, I sense the most powerful aspect of the day was how every facet of our time together was based on giving. Yes, we were blessed by receiving the gift of powerful and uplifting music; yet that gift was an offering of praise given by so many. Those of us who attended – Sunday, and throughout this Advent season – have generously offered of ourselves as well. Offerings of non-perishable food items paired with a free-will offering at the Festival of Carols will help alleviate food insecurity in our community. Offerings of over 90 bags of good, clean used clothing given throughout Advent will help Broad Street Ministries address significant need in Philadelphia. Offerings given to our Angel Tree will help over 90 children and families at the Eastwick UMC Mission House in Philadelphia experience God’s love this Christmas. Offerings of Christmas cookies, delivered with love to first responders and convenience store workers on Christmas Eve, will bless those often overlooked by extending the Light of Christ at Christmas. Our Advent Mission Offering will be an amazing blessing to the Bright Future Academy and El Mesias UMC in Kensington, helping complete the transformation of a rat-infested lot into a safe and welcoming play space for vulnerable children. And your gifts and offerings to St. John’s at this critical time enable us to offer meaningful Children’s and Youth ministry, Music ministry, vibrant worship, small group offerings… all the meaningful work we do in the name of Christ. This past Sunday, during the Advent season, and throughout the year you do an amazing job of living out what it means to be Open Arms and Serving Hands, Transforming Lives Through Christ. Thank you for your giving hearts, for your faithfulness, and for your willingness to extend the hope of Christ in tangible ways to anyone and everyone!
Tonight, on this longest night of the year, we’ll be offering a meaningful opportunity for all to come as they are and be reminded that a Light shines in the darkness, and darkness can never overcome that Light. I hope you’ll pray for our Blue Christmas Service and all who attend. May the Light of Christ shine hope into the heavy and dark places in our lives.
I pray you’ll also plan on worshipping with us this Sunday, Christmas Eve. We’ll have one morning worship service at 10:30 am, where our children will offer a Christmas Pageant they conceived and designed. Later, we’ll offer 2 Christmas Eve Communion and Candlelight Services (at 3pm and 7pm). I hope you’ll join us as we worship Christ at His birth!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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