In this morning service before Christmas Eve festivities, we continue to ponder where we see Amazing Grace in the Advent and Christmas scriptures. We think about what is often called the Annunciation, or the announcement by angels to Mary about the miraculous pregnancy she is about to experience. Her response is one of fear, joy and wonder! How do we respond to unexpected news or to things that look like scary challenges? How do we agree each day to bear love into a hurting world? And furthermore, Mary is given this honored role because the angel tells her that God “favors” her. What does that mean? How do we get God’s favor? What makes God point to a person and call them blessed? Maybe favor does not look like what we imagine. Maybe it is even better!

We are almost to Christmas! Join us on the journey!

Link to readable sermon PDF

This Sunday is a very special and festive day filled with the music of the season! It is our annual Christmas Cantata, led by our amazing Music Director (of 37 years!!) Diana Martin and featuring participants from our Sanctuary Choir, Bell Choir, Contemporary Band and even several guest musicians you will not want to miss!! (Hint, hint: some of them used to work here!)

This Sunday never fails to fill us with joy (the theme of Advent Week 3) and help our hearts to prepare for the coming of Christ Jesus.

Blessings and Peace!

This week, we focus on the candle lit for PEACE in Advent. But we also continue on in our Advent sermon series “Light of Grace” celebrating 250 years of the beloved hymn  “Amazing Grace”. We consider where we see grace in this build up to Christmas. This week, we look at Jesus’ family tree. Where is grace present in that long list of names and in those complicated stories of imperfect people? How does God’s plan unfold even across generations? Maybe it is hard for us to see peace and grace in our own family (or in the larger human family), but this week we will be reminded of God at work among us, especially in unexpected places and unexpected people.

Link to readable sermon PDF

This week, we begin our Advent sermon series:

Light of Grace: Reflecting on 250 Years of the Beloved Hymn
It may be a season of favorite Christmas carols, but this year also marks the 250th anniversary of one of the most beloved Christian songs of all time: “Amazing Grace”. During this short Advent season, we will focus our attention on the extravagant free gift of God’s Son, Jesus; born as one of us. What does grace look like at Christmastime, and what will it look like for the whole year?

This week, we explore the story behind the hymn and consider what it holds in common with how our church remembers the announcement of Jesus coming into the world. Before the quaint and nostalgic nativity image, every year Advent begins with the wild and unpredictable prophet John the Baptist preaching repentance out in the wilderness. Where is the grace there? How can grace be found in places that seem so stark and harsh and challenging? Dive in with us together! Grace is at the heart of the Advent / Christmas season!

Link to readable sermon PDF

On this very special Sunday, there is a spirit of joy and anticipation! It is the new year’s eve of the Church! It is the last Sunday before Advent, known as Christ the King Sunday. It is a Sunday where we reflect on the reign and lordship of Jesus. Jesus is a radically different kind of ruler from any ruler in our world, and yet Jesus is Lord of every time and season: the seasons which feel warm and full of life and the seasons that may feel cold or barren.

In this special service, we will read and sing our way through each of the Church seasons from Advent to Ordinary Time, considering how each one can contribute to our spiritual growth on the journey with Christ.

Link to readable PDF of lessons about the church seasons