This Sunday is a doubleheader, so to speak—at the morning service, we celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent, and in the evening we we celebrate Christmas Eve, the birth of Jesus the Christ. This happens once every seven years, as Christmas Eve cycles through the days of the week.

This week our image is Angels—the messengers of God. They appear several times in the Christmas story—to John’s father, Zechariah; to Mary, inviting her to become Jesus’ mother; to Joseph, reassuring him that Mary’s pregnancy is blessed by God, to the shepherds announcing Jesus; birth; and to the wise ones, warning them to go another way home. Angels are probably the most popular image, or symbol, of Christmas, next to the star itself—which is our image for the Christmas Eve service. 



Messengers of God. They carry the requests, the reassurance, the blessing of God to individuals. We can be angels—we can reassure, comfort, share—we can be angels. Not only can we be angels, we’re surrounded by angels—if we only recognize them.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE - DECEMBER 24TH AT 7 PM

Our 7 pm service on December 24 will be a shared service of readings and Christmas carols with AChurch4Me, with Communion, and closing with a candlelight singing of Silent Night.

• Sage meets every Friday at 1 PM. Check here for the church calendar for the link.



• No parking on Sundays on east side of Maple Ave when there is 2" of snow.

• Sunday morning worship on December 24th at 10am.

• Christmas Eve service at 7:00 pm with AChurch4Me.



• Thrive with Pride small group on 1/4 at 7pm

Giving Needed Weekly

(5 WEEKS) $936

The monthly difference is -$1,243

Our bills are listed for the month of December 2023.

Your generosity helps us pay the bills. Any amount helps us meet our obligations.

If you would like to pay one of the bills,

please designate that in your donation. 

With Thanksgiving behind us, preparations for Christmas begin! Here are some movies and books that not only celebrate Christmas but lead us to ponder on the deeper meanings of Christmas.

A Christmas Carol: There are several wonderful movie adaptations available (my two favorites are the 1954 Alistair Sims version and The Muppets Christmas Carol with Michael Caine). If you haven't already, find and read Charles Dickens' novella on which they are all based. While Dickens celebrates the festive aspects of Christmas--the feast, the punch, the games--he makes the point that our well-being is not based on our bank ledger, but our love and care (or lack thereof) for others.

It's a Wonderful Life--an old favorite for the holidays, and again focusing on the value of friendship over worldly possessions. Who doesn't want to live in Bedford Falls when George Bailey is around?

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever--What happens when the "wildest kids in town" want to be part of the church Christmas pageant, even though they don't know much about Jesus? The questions they ask make the adults around them question themselves--and maybe their hearts grow a bit too.

Speaking of hearts growing,

I'll close with another Christmas classic--How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Of course, the Grinch didn't steal Christmas, did he? Which is the point of this wonderful Dr. Suess story, which has contributed to our Christmas vocabulary. "Don't be a Grinch!" we say, and my family still calls the main course at Christmas dinner "roast beast."

Yours Adventfully,

Rev. Martha

We mourn and pray for all the families who have suffered personal losses from gun violence at our schools, churches, and hospitals. public venues and other places.

Prayers for Laura & Patty's granddaughter as she gets over RSV.₂

Praises to God for Laura & Patty's sister, Vicki for restoring her eyesight.₂

Prayers for Laura for some relief from her arthritis.₂

Prayers for Carol S. & Gloria G. for speedy recovery from COVID.₂

Prayers for Barbara R's Pastor Dan's knee to heal after replacement surgery and for his wife Judy who is his caretaker.₂

Prayers for Lynda C. as she recovers from surgery and is in rehab.₃

Prayers that Barbara R's friend Joanne's hip replacement is successful, and she heals quickly.₃

Prayers for Jim U. as his Uncle Chuck transitioned on Thursday.₃

Prayers that Barbara R's nephew will be able to sell his house.₃

Prayers of thanksgiving that Roxann's Dad Mike had successful shoulder surgery.₃

Prayers of healing for Roxann and Colin who have COVID, Kim, Karen, Cheryl and Noemi.₃

Prayers for Tony P. still recovering from heart surgery, Gio P, Jim's mom and Lucille M. who are all sick.₃

Prayers for Laura and Patti's friends John, Joanne, Layla, Ellen, Tiana, Bernadette and for Laura's daughter, Renee to find a good job.₃

Prayers for Donna, Artis and Bryan who recently had their beloved pittie Pebbles go over the Rainbow Bridge.₃

Prayers for those with harden hearts that feel the need to deface places of worship.

Prayers and strength for Ukraine, for those who are relocating, and to end the war and unnecessary deaths.

Prayers for all our first responders that they stay safe while helping others.

Prayers that God will provide for those who are hungry, unemployed, and homeless,

or in financial difficulties.

All those affected by HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, COVID-19, and other life-threatening illnesses.

All communities of faith.