Sunday, March 30, 2025

The season of Lent raises directly the question of repentance. What does it mean? What does it look like? On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit a wide swath of the Gulf Coast of the United States, causing unprecedented havoc. In particular, the devastation in New Orleans was horrific, largely because the system of levies and flood walls failed. Over 1000 died as nearly eighty percent of the city was underwater. Many responded in courageous and helpful ways to this calamity, but there was a collection of voices that came from the Christian community that suggested that this damage and loss of life occurred because of God’s punishment of sinfulness in the New Orleans community. This damaging false narrative failed to acknowledge or explain that destruction occurred in other communities. Instead, it relied on a centuries old tactic of suggesting that the cause of harm is divine retribution on human refusal to repent.

Jesus dealt with such theology head on. When discussing people who suffered under persecution by the Roman Governor Pilate, or who died when a tower fell on them, he asks directly if people thought this happened because the victims were “worse sinners”. Rather, Jesus levels the playing field by noting that unless his hearers repent, they will all likewise perish. What could Jesus mean by that? He answers this implied question by telling a parable of a fig tree. If it bears fruit, leave it. If it has not, give it a greater opportunity. In other words, Jesus says that repentance is not a guilt and fear ridden change of behavior, but instead, an arrangement of life to become more fruitful. So, if repentance is not simply being regret, or changing behavior to avoid consequences, what does a fruitful repentance look like.

That is the question of the morning on Sunday at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, as we consider the sermon, titled, “Coming Alive Through a Deeper Understanding of Repentance.” It arises from Isaiah 55: 1-9, to be read by Mary Beth Hannah-Hansen, and Luke 13: 1-9, to be read by Cheryl Crouch. We’ll be led musically by the Chancel Choir, led by Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs. We’ll have a moment for children and pray and sing together. There will also be a moment by James Thomas, representing our Appalachia Service Project Team. We hope to see you this Sunday!

Sunday, March 23, 2025

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is likely familiar to many. Barbara Brown Taylor suggests that “one reason the parable remains lively, after some two thousand years of interpretation, is because it is so amoral.” A man has two sons. After squandering his father’s money, the younger son returns home, not because of missing his family, but because he was dying of hunger. Yet, his father welcomes him back with open arms, and forgives him before he ever gets out a word of apology.

However, the older brother is made out to be ungrateful, “when the fact is that his baby brother has come to live on his (the elder brother’s) share of what’s left of the family fortune.” This may challenge some of our feelings of “fairness,” and perhaps some of our own experiences with family dynamics and sibling rivalry.

On this third Sunday of Lent, the scripture passages invite us to reflect on what this might mean for us in our context today: in our relationships with one another, in our families, in our communities and our world. In what ways is God calling us to live, as people of faith, hope, love and grace in this Lenten season? To help guide us, our first scripture reading will be read by Liz McDaniel, and arises from Psalm 32. The Gospel reading arises from Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, and will be read by Lisa Miller Maidi.

In our time of worship, we will first greet one another. All children are invited to ring us into worship, with the bells. The Chancel Choir, directed by Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Lois Leong, will lead us in music. We will pray and reflect, and sing together. The sermon is titled "Coming Alive by Embracing the Dance of Confession, Repentance and Reconciliation."

Sunday, March 16, 2025

In 1958, David Mech was a graduate student studying wildlife ecology at Purdue University. He became deeply curious about relational behavior within the social culture of wolves. Following earlier research, in a book Mech wrote in 1980, he postulated the existence of the “alpha male” who would dominate and determine relationships in the pack, and prey upon the more vulnerable members of the group. But something did not sit well with Mech, as he observed that the behavior of the pack was much more like that of a family of guiding parents and children. Mech tried to persuade publishers to stop printing the book, a request they finally agreed to in 2022. But the phrase “alpha male” had already become engrained in human discourse. Some dominance-oriented dog trainers use the “alpha” concept to argue that the dog’s owner must become alpha in the pack. We also see influencers and others currently seek to promote the notion that healthy masculinity must be based on dominant leadership, rather than affiliative connection.

The same value laden tension exists in the Christian communities, with some arguing for alpha-like leadership, while others support a more emphatically oriented approach. So what do we see in Jesus? In the Gospel lesson for Sunday, Jesus’ disciples warn him that Herod the ruler wants to kill him. Jesus refuses to submit to the dominance behavior that would seek to frighten and intimidate him. Rather, he likens himself to a mother hen, who would gather her chicks under her wings for shelter and protection. Jesus would rather gather them all, oppressor and oppressed, under the loving wings of his care. But this power has no weaponry or political power, just empathic compassion and strong love.

During this Lenten season, we are asking how we “come alive” in our spiritual journey. In this service, we’ll note that that enlivening comes, in part, from resisting the fearful assault, and remaining true in love. The sermon is titled “Coming Alive in Resisting Evil in All Its Forms”. It arises from Psalm 121, which will be read by Marcia Lloyd, and Luke 13: 31-35, which will be read by Malcolm Webb. Stephanie Conklin will offer a Mission Moment in support of Chords for Care, a musical program on the afternoon of March 30 in support of the Cancer Support Community of South Central Indiana. Patrick Conklin will sing “A Simple Song” from Bernstein as a prelude. The Chancel Choir, directed by Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will sing “The Weeping Tree.” We’ll have a moment for children, and Mary Beth Morgan will offer the pastoral prayer. We’d love for you to join us.

Sunday, March 9, 2025

In worship, a couple weeks back, we reflected a bit about the life, legacy and courage of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. This included his commitment to bring people together, especially during the fraught and turbulent times of apartheid. During this period, it was against the law for people with “white” skin color and those with “black” skin color to interact with one another. Punishment for breaking this law, or advocating against it, could be severe.

Nelson Mandela, who many years later became the first black President of South Africa, spent 27 years in prison. He was forced to spend 18 of those years breaking larger rocks into smaller ones, on Robbin Island. The glare from the white stone significantly damaged his sight. Mandela went into jail angry. Yet, while he was incarcerated, he became an instrument of good. Tutu writes. “Much of Mandela’s anger was replaced with forgiveness. In fact, Mandela invited his former jailer to be a VIP guest at his inauguration.”

As we gather together for worship, on this first Sunday of Lent, we will reflect upon what it might mean to come alive in times of struggle. How might we embrace what is true, brave and inspiring in our challenging times, as individuals, in our relationships, and in the current state of our country and world?

The scripture passages for this Sunday invite us to reflect on this, in our time, place and context. The first lesson arises from the Hebrew Scriptures (based on Psalm 91: 1-2, 9-16), and will be read by Eleanor Lahr. The second lesson, from the Gospels (based on Luke 4:1-13), will be read by Grace Hillman. Reverend Chuck Foster will offer our Pastoral Prayer.

In worship, we will first gather and greet one another. All children are invited to ring us into worship, with the bells. The Chancel Ringers, directed by Lois Leong, will offer our prelude this week. The Chancel Choir, directed by Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us in music. There will also be a Children’s Moment. We will pray and reflect. The sermon title is from a quote from Desmond Tutu, “Coming Alive in Times of Struggle, by Embracing what is True, Brave and Inspiring."

Remember this is Time Change Sunday; Spring Ahead!

To connect to our livestream worship Sunday morning, click the link on our website www.smumc.church. The service starts at 10:30am. Livestream starts at 10:25am.

Sunday, March 2, 2025

Words sometimes fail us, don’t they? There are experiences we have that are just too profound to be easily, or even possibly, described. Do you recall the first time you held your child? Can you recall that trip to a stunningly breathtaking nature scene? Can you remember that conversation you had that turned your world upside down? Have you witnessed an act of costly compassion that moved you to the point of tear”? Has someone told you a story about your life, or theirs, that you never will forget? Consider those things, and then ask yourself: Have I ever been able to describe any of these experiences to anyone in such a way that they grasped the depth and breadth of any of them? Likely, the answer is no.

The biblical story of the transfiguration must be read in this light. In Luke’s Gospel (it is recorded in Matthew and Luke as well) Jesus took his disciples Peter, James and John, up a mountain to pray. While there, Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, and Jesus’ face and clothing become radiant. Peter, taken with the wonder of the event, suggests building tabernacles for all three, hoping that that can help sustain this holy moment. But sooner rather than later, it is all over, and they are left with Jesus, who directs them back down to the valley. There they encounter a family with a child who a troubled and troubling spirit. The father of the child said he had asked the disciples to help, but they could do nothing. Jesus heals the child, and then speaks to the disciples, noting the challenge of working with such troubled spirits. The two stories form a stark contrast: glory in the mountains, troubie in the valley.

The last painting of the great artist Rapheal seeks to capture these two stories. The story of the transfigured is portrayed in bright tones, with the disciples having fallen to their faces in the presence of such glory. The story of the possessed child is larger, darker, and full of pathos. In both cases, the artist makes clear that the experiences are too powerful to be easily conveyed by description. In our world, both the suffering and the goodness, the brokenness and the healing, must be deeply engaged before they can be deeply known. They cannot be simply portrayed. But what is clear in this story is that the power of the radiance transforms the pain of the broken.

We’ll talk about this Sunday in worship, as the sermon is titled, “The Greatest Story Never Told.” It arises from Exodus 34: 29-35, to be read by Sue Sgambelluri, and Luke 9: 28-36, to be read by Lisa Kurz. We’ll have a Mission Moment by Maria Schmidt, who will discuss a unique path to greater connection in our church community. The Chancel Choir, led by Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us musically. We’ll celebrate Holy Communion, sing, pray and have a time for children. We hope you are able to join us.

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Long years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Cosmic Cavern in Arkansas, one of the largest “show caves” in the United States. Cosmic Cavern is absolutely huge, with several very large and expansive “rooms”, the largest of which is four thousand feet long, six hundred feet wide, and almost three hundred feet tall. We were guided into that room while it was still dark, and when all of us were in the room, the lights were turned on. The vastness and the beauty of the room was stunning to experience. My mind turned to this tour this week when I read Franco-Swiss explorer Christian Clot’s description of an experiment he and fourteen partners undertook. They chose to live for forty days inside a similarly large cave in the French Pyrenees. His described how, in this unusual and daunting space, he learned to pay attention to his own internal clock, as well as the intriguing social interactions with his group, especially after they began getting on each other’s nerves. The group found that what happened in the cave could shape how they lived in their larger world.

The Gospel of Luke has a passage that is sometimes called Jesus’ “Teaching on the Hill” or “Sermon on the Plain”, which corresponds to Matthew’s “Sermon on the Mount. In it, Jesus flips the script. Many expect that goals of life should include being wealthy, well fed and well liked. Jesus, on the other hand, says we are blessed when we are poor, hungry, and hated. In a sense, he calls us to a faith which is a virtual exploration of a spiritually subterranean zone. In that cave like space, we are called to experience transformation. What does that transformation look like? Can it sustain us in these truly challenging times in which we live? These questions call us to find a kindness and compassion that seem to be under siege currently.

The sermon in Sunday’s service is called “Deep Sources of Sacred Compassion.” The sermon arises from Jeremiah 17: 5-10, to be read by Chris Haynes, and Luke 6:17-26, which will be read by Claire Tafoya. We’ll have a moment for mission by Nina Taylor and Linda Crawford in which they will offer some recognitions of those in congregation who have lived and served well. We will be led musically by the Chancel Choir, directed by Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Lois Leong. There will be a moment for children, prayers and hymns.

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Reverend Otis Moss III is a third-generation civil & human rights activist, and serves as senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, in Chicago. He is also an inspiring speaker and writer. Moss shared a story about his grandfather, who was a sharecropper in Georgia. In the 1940s, his grandfather tried to vote- especially to remove white supremacist, Eugene Talmadge, from office. Talmadge ran on a platform of denying African Americans the right to vote. Moss’s grandfather undertook a brave and risky trek across rural Georgia, walking 20 miles only to be illegally denied his voting rights, at multiple polling stations. He would eventually pass away without ever getting the chance to cast a ballot.

The suggested Gospel lesson for this Sunday (based on Luke 5: 1-11) will be read by Sue Sgambelluri, Like the experience of Otis Moss’s grandfather, and the first disciples that Jesus called, not all journeys are easy, and not all stories find the happy ending that we envision. However, there may also be unexpected gifts of wisdom, possibility and hope that present themselves when we least expect them. They may even shape our lives in ways we could ever imagine.

In worship, we will first gather and greet one another. All children are invited to ring us into worship. The Chancel Choir, directed by Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us in music. There will also be a Children’s Moment. We will pray and reflect. Jonathan Michaelsen will read our Lesson from the Prophets. The sermon title is Beloved and Called. If you are joining worship in-person or by livestream, we look forward to connect on Sunday.

To connect to our livestream worship Sunday morning, click the link on our website www.smumc.church. The service starts at 10:30am. Livestream starts at 10:25am.

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Sometimes it is easy to feel like you are invisible, that no one notices you at all. That can be a lonely and desolating experience. At other times, we opt for invisibility, because those who notice us scrutinize us unfairly, or even cause us physical harm. The tension around how to be faithfully visible is at the heart of faith. Jesus told us, in what some see as a contradiction, to do some things secretly, and at the same time, to publicly let our light shine before others. How do we choose the right kind of faithful visibility? However we answer that, hiding is not an option. It was Dietrich Bonhoeffer who said, “To flee into invisibility is to deny the call. Any community of Jesus which wants to be invisible is no longer a community that follows Jesus.”

Sunday’s service at St. Mark’s will ask us how our faith may be visible when pressures around us favor our invisibility. Two Biblical stories press this matter. The call of Jeremiah to be a prophet is found in Jeremiah 1: 4-10, which will be read by Brenda Bailey Hughes. Jeremiah’s invisibility was, at least in part, self-imposed, for as he would say, “Ah, Lord GOD. I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” Still, he receives divine assurance: “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you.” In Luke 4: 21-30, to be read by the Mooradian family, we see the continuation of last week’s Gospel lesson, where Jesus continues to develop the Jubilee theme in his sermon at his home town. He notes that the widow whom Elijah miraculously feeds, and the Syrian general, Namaan, whom Elisha heals of leprosy, were of a different ethnicity and religion. Noting that these two more invisible souls were recipients of divine favor were enough to put Jesus in the crowd’s crosshairs. In their minds, Jesus has joined the clan of invisible nobodies, for “No prophet is without honor except in their own hometown.”

Sunday’s sermon notes that all of us are called to move from the invisible to the visible, where we have something to say that can make a difference. The sermon is titled, “Invisible Nobodies: Does My Voice Matter?” We will be led musically by the Chancel Choir, accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, and directed by Gerry Sousa. We will have a moment for children, sing together, and celebrate Holy Communion.

To connect to our livestream worship Sunday morning, click the link on our website www.smumc.church. The service starts at 10:30am. Livestream starts at 10:25am.

Sunday, January 26, 2025

There was a strong aim in in my childhood Southern Baptist church to teach children to find their way around the Bible. One way to promote this was the use of “sword drills”, named after the scriptural phrase that the Word was like a “two edged sword.” Students would form a line with each holding a Bible. A leader would then announce a biblical text, and the first child to accurately find it would step forward and read the verses. This was a frequent practice in my church, no doubt contributing to a certain familiarity I have with the Holy Book. These days, however, as I move toward retirement, this practice functions as a metaphor in and of itself, inviting me to know that the Word finds us, calling us to step up to the situation at hand.

Interestingly, the two lectionary passages for this Sunday center around the public reading of Scripture. In Nehemiah 8: 1-10, to be read by Lisa Kurz, the priest and scribe, Ezra, reads the Law to those who have just returned from a long exile in Babylon. The hearers, eager for the sound of Scripture being read, prevail upon Ezra to read the words in a public space, rather than in the temple. The change in venue allowed all, including women and children, to hear. These, just fresh back from their detention, stood for nearly six hours to quench their thirst for the hearing of the ancient story. Luke 4:14-21, to be read by Maria Schmidt, tells the story of Jesus’ return to his hometown of Nazareth. He went to synagogue worship, and stood to read the lection for the day, which was a selection from the Book of Isaiah. The passage he read proclaimed the commencing of the year of Jubilee. Every fiftieth year, non-commercial debts were to be forgiven, indentured servants were to be released, debts forgiven, and individuals would return to the family’s original lands. By reading this, Jesus is appropriating this powerful symbol to shape his own ministry. He is the one, Jesus would say, who will bring tremendous personal and social change to reality.

Sunday service asks us to consider how we are being called to step forward in our day. In a time of deep social tension, global crises and personal tragedy, when many are vulnerable and alone, how do we hear the Word calling to us? The sermon is titled, “The Call to Step Up”, and flows from the texts mentioned above. We’ll be led musically by our Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Lois Leong. We will sing together, have a moment for children, and pray together. We hope you join us.

Sunday, January 19, 2025

From the moment we come into the world, we become a part of it. Events, and the people who enter our lives, help form us in subtle or overt ways, even before we hold them in conscious memory. Yet, they become part of our story, and part of our being. In my teaching life, I would sometimes invite students to research what was happening in their community, and in the world, on the day/year they were born.

On the day I was born, in Chicago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was engaged in non-violent demonstrations and marches in the city, advocating for fair housing for black residents. I was two-days old, on the day Dr. King declared as “Freedom Sunday” at Chicago’s Soldier’s Field. It drew a crowd of 45,000 people. Not long after, bottles and bricks were thrown at black non-violent marchers in a white neighborhood. Dr. King had a rock thrown at his head. He was injured, but he continued on. He was strengthened by his faith, and leaned into the example of Moses and others, who knew what it was to be in the crucible of doubt and fear, while holding on to courage and hope.

On this Second Sunday of Epiphany, we also recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and invite all who are able to participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on this coming Monday, January 20th. Our scripture readings for Sunday remind us that it wasn’t easy for Moses, and others, to answer God’s call’ or for us to embrace Jesus’ reminder that the greatest commandments to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We will reflect on this together.

We will also share a Children’s Moment, pray and reflect, and sing hymns. The Chancel Choir, directed by Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Lois Leong, will lead us in music. The Bell Choir will also share a piece. Eric Metzler will offer our first scripture reading based on Exodus 3:7-12. Jonathan Michaelsen will share our second scripture reading based on Mark 12:28-31.

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream.

To connect to our livestream worship Sunday morning, click the link on our website www.smumc.church. The service starts at 10:30am. Livestream starts at 10:25am.

Sunday, January 12, 2025

I wonder how many of us remember our baptism. Some of us will have a difficult time of that, as we were tiny babies when our families took us to church, and the sacred words were spoken and dripping water was placed on us. Others of us were baptized when we were old enough to remember. But what does it even mean to remember? Memory is a powerful practice and spiritual grace in our faith tradition. When people of faith were first taught to observe the Passover, they were not to simply mentally recall the event. They were to remember it as though actually there. 

After my mother died, my sister and her husband worked hard to empty our house, and put it on the market. It sold quickly. Some years after, I was visiting with my sister, she brought to me a box of memorabilia she wanted me to have. It contained pictures of our family, letters and cards, a ring my father had made from a mortar shell, and uniform rank patches from his military career. What surprised me most, though, was the scent that hit me in the face when she opened box. It was the very smell of our home. Until that moment, I hadn’t realized our house had a smell. In those seconds, pieces of my life I had so fully forgotten that I did not know they existed came rushing back to me. Deep memory is like that.

In service on Sunday, we’ll recall the story of Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan River. That text will invite us to remember the once-for- all experience of being baptized. We’ll ask what it meant for us then, and what it means to us now. The sermon is titled, “Precious Child of God, Beautiful to Behold.” It flows from Isaiah 43: 1-7, to be read by Malcolm Webb, and Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22, to be read by Mollie Lemon. We’ll celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and observe a ritual of the remembrance of Baptism. We will be led musically by the Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa, and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs. We’ll have a moment for children, pray and sing together. We hope you join us in the sanctuary at 10:30.

To connect to our livestream worship Sunday morning,

click the link on our website www.smumc.church.

The service starts at 10:30am. Livestream starts at 10:25am.

Sunday, January 5, 2025

The scripture passage this Sunday (based on Luke 2:22-40) tells us that Mary and Joseph, devout Jews, were raising Jesus in the traditions, beliefs and practices of their faith. This included traveling many miles, with their infant child Jesus, for his Presentation at the Temple. In the Temple, they meet a devout man. Simeon, and the prophet Anna. To Anna and Simeon, pious and righteous people, who longed to for peace in the world, God revealed the Messiah. They had waited for many years, for the birth of this child that God had promised.

This Sunday, we will learn more of their story, and of the Holy Family. We will also pray and reflect, and sing hymns. Due to the incoming inclement weather, we encourage you to make your decision to participate in worship, either in-person or on livestream, based on your safety and comfort. Safety is most important. Instead of this Sunday, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion next week.

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream.

To connect to our livestream worship Sunday morning,

click the link on our website www.smumc.church.

The service starts at 10:30am. Livestream starts at 10:25am.

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Merry Christmas from St. Mark’s United Methodist Church! We are looking forward to sharing in at least one of our Christmas Eve services with many of you, either in person or online. The 10:30 AM service will include Biblical readings of the Christmas story, carols, a sermon, a choral anthem, a time for children, and Holy Communion. Mary Beth’s sermon istitled, “Wending Our Way to Bethlehem,” borrowing from former St. Mark’s pastor, Rev.David Owen’s book, Wending Our Way.At 4:00 PM, we will have our Christmas pageant, in which our children will act out the Christmas story in delightfully imaginative ways. We’ll conclude that service, as we will all three, with the lighting of candles and the singing of Silent Night.At 11:00 PM, we’ll gather for our candlelight service of lessons and carols. We will movetogether through the Christmas story, alternating carols and biblical passages. Jimmy’s sermon is titled, “Mary Treasured These Words: the Christmas Search for a SpaciousHeart.” We’ll include the service with the lighting of the Christ Candle, and the changing ofthe paraments, then sing Silent Night by candlelight.All three services will be livestreamed. To connect with us online, visit www.smumc.church and click on the Live Stream Banner.

Sunday, December 22, 2024

One of my favorite contemporary poets is Naomi Shihab Nye. Her most well-known poem, titled “Kindness”, had an intriguing origin. She and her husband were honeymooning in Columbia in 1978, a country they realized was plagued by drug smugglers. Naomi and her husband, in a display of optimism, believed they would make their way safely through. Unfortunately, they were robbed on a bus in the middle of the night, losing passports, tickets, cameras and all of their money. Someone else on the bus was killed, and they feared they could be next. Though they were unsettled, they got back on the bus when the scary guys had departed. Naomi and her husband decided that she would stay in a small town, and her husband would hitchhike to a city large enough for him to get their travelers checks reinstated. As she waited with no money, or no food, she said down in the plaza of the center of the town. The only possessions she had left were a small notepad and a pencil she had kept in her back pocket. As she wrote about what she needed, the poem “Kindness” came to her. She said that as she was writing, the sense of hope and openness replaced her fear and despair. Naomi realized she would need help finding a little food and a place to sleep. As she describes it, a group of “ragamuffins” basically allowed her to join their group, and gave her small bits of bread when they realized she had nothing of her own. The poem, which helped save her, begins with the lines, “Before you know what kindness really is you must lose things, feel the future dissolve in a moment like salt in a weakened broth.” The poem goes on the tell the story of her learning that “it is only kindness that makes sense anymore.”

At the heart of the Christmas experience is the story of two parents, with a tiny baby, finding shelter when the expected places of finding lodging and help offered nothing. The deep scriptural message of offering hospitality to the stranger finds profound expression in the story of the nativity, and is one of the reasons it forms the center of this powerful holiday season. We’ll talk about that in worship, as the sermon is titled, “No Room in the Inn: The Advent Grace of Hospitality.” It will flow from Isaiah 58: 5-12, to be read by Glenda Murray, and Luke 2: 1-7, to be read by Sue Sgambelluri. The Call to Worship and the Lighting of the Advent Candle will be led by Evan, Angela, Ethan and Ben Martin. Caitlin and Ryan Keller will present a duet on flute, and Grant Keller will play a piano solo for the Prelude. The Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Lois Leong, will present the anthem. We will also sing the carols that have been selected by congregational vote in the “Carol Clash.”

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

With much struggle going on in the world, Advent presents an opportunity for centering deeply in the resources of our faith. You are invited to a special time of contemplative worship as we gather for an Advent Taizé Vesper service. Join us in the sanctuary at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, December 18th for this time of calm and peace.

The service will include prayer, readings from Scripture and other meaningful texts, and music rooted in the monastic and ecumenical Taizé community tradition of southern France. Come and breathe deeply and experience the healing grace of community.