December 3, 2021
Dear Prairie Avenue Family,
With temperatures nearing sixty degrees today, it is hard to believe we are at least in meteorological winter (Astronomical winter begins December 21). Many are taking advantage of this late autumn weather to start (or finish) their yard decorations and set up their lights. Probably since "Black Friday," you can encounter seasonal Christmas music anywhere across the radio dial. I know I heard White Christmas in Culvers in October!
Perhaps you have heard Andy Williams' effervescent crooning of The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. You may or may not agree with his sentiments as you are consumed by expectations and obligations in this last month of the year.
We still live in a world impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as news (and uncertainty) spreads with a new variant. I have my Moderna booster shot scheduled for this Saturday afternoon, and have heard others have been "boosted." Recent Macon County Health Department weekday reports have shown a steady rise in confirmed cases and hospitalizations. Please take whatever precautions and measures you are comfortable with to prevent the spread and contract this still deadly viral menace.
In a world where additional treatments and vaccines are available, we can safely host two Christmas eve services in-person, at 7 and 9 pm. It will also be available online. Recognizing that not all is joyous or wonderful about the season, we will also host an online-only worship service for Longest Night/Blue Christmas on Sunday, December 19.
For those nearly frozen by attending in-person worship the last couple of Sundays, I can confirm that our sanctuary boiler issues have been diagnosed, and fortunately do not require hard-to-find parts or supply chain difficulties, but just a few valve replacements and balancing the system by releasing air from the hot water lines throughout the sanctuary building. Replacement and repair are expected to be completed today. Fortunately, the Sunday weather forecast is nearly 56 degrees, too!
Worship This Sunday:
The Heart That Grew Three Sizes:
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?
It's the most wonderful time of the year! When I hear these words I cannot help but hear the Christmas Classic in my head (and now too often on the radio!). The lyrics are filled with season festivities: toasting marshmallows, caroling, party hosting, and more! For most of us, it is an apt description of what we feel and do at this time of year.
Yet, when honesty is expected, there are a few things of the season I am not as fond of. Egg nog. Chocolate-covered cherries. The hymn There's a Song in the Air! I would not say "hate" for any of these items, rather I dislike them. But I would not forbid those who find joy from receiving them.
We continue our faith lessons based on Dr. Seuss' classic Christmas story How the Grinch Stole Christmas! this Sunday. In spite of our best efforts to decorate, participate, or facilitate, the realities of suffering and sin do not disappear at any time of the year. The decorations may be beautiful, our Advent blue paraments and seasonal banners a welcome sight in our often complimented sanctuary, but when everything is going wrong, even our time-honored carols seem too loud and the tree too bright.
As we were told last week, there is no explanation for the Grinch's hatred of Christmas. My dislike of egg nog, chocolate-covered cherries or There's a Song in the Air! has no reasonable explanation or justification, other than personal preferences. But hate in even its least form transforms something beautiful into something seen as ugly. Often when something is known to be hated, others use it as a means to get at the person who disclosed their dislike or disapproval. The Grinch's hate for the Whose meant that the only solution that would satisfy his small heart would be to take what they love, use it as a weapon, and forever mar their memory. Hence, his wonderful, awful idea.
We might think that hate is a "bad word," but our scripture reading of Amos has God speaking of hate against Israel's continued injustice and arrogance. Hate may depend on its context more than we thought. I doubt many of us love evil and hate good.
Approaching the shortest day of the year we find it natural to seek as much light as we can find. Light is timeless, neither aging nor decaying (unless disconnected from its source). Light is also powerful, dispelling darkness and our associated fears. But it is also passive, illuminating spaces rather than seeking our attention (staring into light makes us blind!). Light can also communicate, as seen in fiber optic cables, morse code, and a personal favorite, "Light the beacons of Gondor, so that Rohan will come to our aid."
Christ is the light of the world because Christ is our eternal and constant guide. Christ is the light of the world because Christ is powerful and passive. Christ is the light of the world because Christ communicates the reality and will of God. If we stare at the light, we will become blind, failing to see others.
And it also offers peace. When we seek to love our neighbors as ourselves, we must also seek peace with them. Peace can be a tricky thing. True peace is not a lack of conflict or the absence of war. That is the way the world (and its rulers) choose to enforce its power, control, and oppression. This holy peace is a true reconciliation between God and humanity, and neighbor to neighbor. It is being at peace with one's self even when all the toys have been put away and the decorations removed. This kind of peace is something the Grinch cannot steal.
Peace brings us into hope and that hope shows us everlasting peace.
The Cost of Discipleship Study Group
Sundays following 9:30 am Worship
We have had an interesting conversation with Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Cost of Discipleship, his classic work on the Sermon on the Mount and the meaning of discipleship. This Sunday we will discuss the lessons of the Sermon on the Mount and its implications on discipleship.
Christmas Eve @ Prairie Avenue
Friday, December 24
7 pm & 9 pm In-person
& Online
I am pleased to announce that there will be two opportunities to join us in-person for this meaningful service to welcome the newborn king. Indoor mask mandates remain in effect if you cannot keep social distancing, and you are encouraged to sit and participate with your family members.
We will have Facebook Live premiere at 7 pm and it will be posted on our website online worship channel at 9 pm..
OTHER NEWS THIS WEEK
Christmas Special Offering
Sundays December 12 & 19
The Disciples Special Christmas Offering supports our regional church staff and programming. It provides support for the School of Ministry, an alternative to traditional seminary coursework to provide a certificate of pastoral ministry to serve as Commissioned Ministers. It helps maintain our regional campground at Camp Walter Scott in Effingham. 100% of offering receipts remain in the region. Please consider your generosity for these important ministries.
Longest Night Service
Sunday, December 19
7 pm Facebook LIVE
People have experienced losses this past year. Family and friends have succumbed to death in this ongoing pandemic, economic uncertainties, or loss of employment, and businesses they built over a lifetime. We grieve at the continued disruptions of our beloved rhythms of life that felt familiar and gave our lives the richness of gatherings and adventure. And we can name so many losses related to hatred and violence. Each of the candles will represent some aspect of loss, while the white candle represents Christ in the midst of our losses. During this meaningful service, we will recognize the loss of life, livelihood, love, and liveliness. We hope this worship service will provide presence and purpose to those who may find it difficult to join in the joy of the festivities of this season.
