Why Come to Church this Sunday--Christmas Day (and Christmas Eve!) For Light!!

Why Come to Church This Sunday? Christmas, 2011

Weekly Meditation Text: The light shines in the darkness. (John 1:5)

A very special opportunity—the peace light* from Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity will lighten our sanctuary on Christmas Eve! You may bring candles or lanterns to take the flame home.

If you come to worship on Christmas Eve (6:00 p.m.), you’ll receive light (literally) and learn about how the light of faith is trust; it’s a family service, and we’ll do some dancing, too. At 9:00 p.m. we’ll talk about the light of wonder and peace and ask: Who are we? Who is God? What is our life’s purpose? How does Christ’s light nourish our lives and give courage and meaning?

Worship at 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day gives us a beautiful space to feel the light of joy!

Come, nourish your souls in the presence of the love and light of Christ.

Blessings on your Christmas!

Pr. Nancy

*The history of the flame: “Peace Light”

“Each year, a child from Upper Austria fetches the light from the grotto in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The light is carried in two blast proof miners lamps on an Austrian Airlines jet from Tel Aviv Israel to Vienna  Austria from where it is distributed at a Service of Dedication to delegations from across Europe who take it back, with a message of Peace, to their own countries. Austrian Airlines then flies the miners lamps containing the Peace Light from Bethlehem to New York City and beyond.”  (see www.peacelight.org)

Why Come to Church this Sunday? December 18, 2011

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Attributed to Sandro Botticelli Sandro Botticelli (painter) Italian, 1446 - 1510 Madonna and Child with Angels, 1465/1470 oil and tempera on panel overall: 86.7 x 57.8 cm (34 1/8 x 22 3/4 in.) overall (with edge strips): 89.2 x 60 cm (35 1/8 x 23 5/8 in.) framed: 137.2 x 101.6 cm (54 x 40 in.) Samuel H. Kress Collection 1943.4.47 On View

Why come to church this Sunday?

Is your life scattered these days? Do you know where to look for what is good, purposeful, and meaningful? Find some answers!

Come to Ascension Lutheran Church this Sunday. At the 8:00 a.m. Service of the Word we’ll talk about how God’s love is not just an idea but can become so real that it will change us, for the better! This is good news. If we are open, God will energize and love us and make you more loving and compassionate for a world in need! Leave refreshed and energized.

Or, stay for a time of contemplative prayer, at 9:15 a.m. We pray using the simple time-honored method of a word, or mantra, used to center our thoughts. (see http://www.wccm.org/ for more information, which includes fascinating information on meditation and children).

And/or come to Ascension for the 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion service, which includes a Christmas pageant. As in the Middle Ages, this pageant play, in which we relive the birth of Jesus, will have both adults and children who have lines and planned roles to play. But each of us has a part: All of us will participate emotionally and spiritually in the pageant of welcoming the Christ Child this Sunday.

The verse for this week from the Sunday scriptures to meditate on, learn from, and repeat often is:

“I have been with you wherever you went.” (2 Samuel 7:9)

See you in church!

Pr. Nancy

Why Come to Church this Sunday? December 11, 2011

Come to a beautiful service at 10:30 a.m. We will hang the greens (that means put the wreath on the front door, bring in and decorate the Christmas tree, bring in the crèche) while we learn about, why we do this? Why have Christians found meaning in these traditions for a long time?

But, we can’t really worship without asking, what meaning do these traditions have for us?  What traditions do you and your family have for Advent/Christmas? How do these traditions help you to be a disciple of Jesus? How do they help you grow in your spiritual life? Holy Communion and short sermon will be part of the service. As usual, an Advent service of the Word will be held at 8:00 a.m. with a sermon focused on faith sharing and the ancient tradition of soul friendship (Anam Cara, Gaelic for soul friend, if you wish to learn more).

ALSO, reminder, Parent’s Night out this Friday, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. You can drop or your child, help cook, come to practice the Christmas pageant, decorate cookies, oversee fun and games. All ages welcome; you will find your place!

Blessings to you this second week of Advent,

Pr. Nancy