Making Room for Jesus
Father Casey
The story of the birth of Jesus has been portrayed so many times, in art and nativities and church pageants, that most of us feel a deep familiarity with it. The problem is that the scene most of us imagine is entirely wrong. You know the scene I’m talking about: Mary labors to deliver the child in a lonely barn outside of Bethlehem, with only Joseph and a few livestock present, because they had been turned away by all the inns in town. If that’s more or less the scene that comes to mind, I hope you’ll reconsider it.
The problems with our Christmas fantasy are several. First of all, remember that Joseph’s family was originally from Bethlehem, so it is hard to imagine there being no one who could take them in. Second, a pregnant woman clearly nearing the time of labor would have received considerable sympathy, even if she was a stranger. And third, Mary’s relatives Elizabeth and Zechariah – who she visited just a few months earlier – lived only a few miles away in a neighboring village and would presumably have welcomed them in. So, the image of the lonely barn outside of town doesn’t hold up when you really think about it.
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You Belong Here Survey
We are looking to get some input on how parishioners experience the Fig and ask that everyone take a moment to answer our three-question survey. Let us know how you first knew you belonged at the Fig.
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Final Advent in Narnia this Sunday!
Join in this Sunday for our final session of Advent in Narnia: Conversations in Community on the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. We are grateful to Robert Patten and Roy Heller for their insights and contributions on this topic. The class will take place during the formation hour in Roper Hall and via Zoom.
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The Longest Night: A Service of Remembrance, Consolation,
and Assurance
Many in this season are not ready to sing “Joy to the World.” For some of us this is the first Christmas without someone we love. Others are hurting or still mourning losses from long ago. Join us December 22 at the 6 p.m. Holy Eucharist as we gather to shed tears and cry out together “How long, O Lord?”
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Schedule of Christmas Services
We will gather together this Christmas season to share insacred acts of worship, including gorgeous music, a beautifully greened church, the Nativity gospel,
and Holy Communion.
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Christmas Eve (Friday, December 24)
Musical prelude starts 30mins before each service begins.
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3:00pm* - Holy Eucharist & Children's Christmas Pageant
5:00pm* - Holy Eucharist for families,
featuring Canticle & Youth Choirs
8:00pm* - Holy Eucharist
featuring Transfiguration Choir & instruments
(this service will be livestreamed beginning
at 7:30pm with the prelude)
10:30pm - Holy Eucharist (with incense)
featuring Transfiguration Choir & instruments
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Christmas Day (Saturday, December 25)
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10:00am - Holy Eucharist featuring Octet & Instruments
(No service at 5:30pm)
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First Sunday after Christmas (Sunday, December 26)
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10:00am* - Holy Eucharist with Christmas Lessons & Carols
featuring Transfiguration Choir & Instruments
(No formation classes)
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*Childcare is available by our professional, fully-vaccinated nursery staff
for infants through 4-year olds.
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Blessing the Baby Jesus
Those planning to attend either the 3:00pm or 5:00pm Christmas Eve services are encouraged to bring baby Jesus from their home nativity sets for a special blessing. This new tradition is a way for families to connect their Nativity scene at home to the celebration of Christmas at Transfiguration.
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Bringing Christmas Joy Caroling
"Calling all Members" - If you love to sing Carols and would like the fellowship of Caroling with others, join us on January 2nd in the Fig parking lot by the Portico at 3:00pm. We’ll plan to spend from 3:00 - 5:00pm together for this fun caroling afternoon!
Register here and more information will be sent to the group soon!
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Feast of the Epiphany
On January 6 at 7:00pm in the church, Christmastide concludes with a celebration of the Light that came into the world. The sermon will be preached by Daniel Shroyer and concludes with the Burning of the Greens and a festive outdoor reception.
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Stations of the Nativity
Journey through the Nativity story along a beautifully lighted outdoor path. Ten stations will feature art, scripture, a short reflection, and prayer. Bring a smart device to experience a narrated version that includes music.
Appropriate for all ages. Open December 19 through January 5.
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The Church Cracked Open
How does a denomination like ours historically connected to establishment and empire become a church that loves Jesus, lives in solidarity with the oppressed, and seeks the flourishing of all of God’s children? This is the question taken up in Stephanie Speller’s book, The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community. In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Transfiguration’s Racial Justice Ministry invites all members to join the Anti-Racism Reading Group in January for a discussion of this important book and its implications for our life together. Copies of Spellers’ book are available in our bookstore. Participants are encouraged to read the book before January 18 in order to participate fully in the conversation. Please register for this event in Realm to receive Zoom details for this online meeting.
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Sharing Our Story
Over the past year we've shared videos from members of the Fig family sharing stories of our history and some of the stand-out aspects of our campus that you may not have heard before. If you have not taken the opportunity to watch these, we encourage you to take the time this holiday season to dive into this miniseries celebrating how we got here. A playlist of the videos may be found here.
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Please Consider an End-of-year Donation to Support our Mission and Ministry
To make an end-of-year donation or fulfill your 2021 pledge click here
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Office Closures
The church offices will be closed December 24 & 27 for the Christmas holiday and again at noon on December 31 for New Years' Eve.
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Bookstore Corner
Visit the bookstore for last-minute gift ideas!
All proceeds benefit St. Hilda's Guild and our church's ministries.
Store Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sundays from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
For questions about books or gifts, contact Carolyn by phone at (972) 231-1634.
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