December 11, 2024
Dear Beloved Community,
The Christmas party this past Saturday filled me with so much joy. It is always a blessing to witness people share their lives in a variety of ways, especially during the talent show. And of course anytime we get a chance to break food together, it is a profound experience. Sharing a meal with one another will always be a bridge that connects us with one another and others. It is a source of joy that nourishes both body and soul. What an incredible time we had together. Thank you all for showing up in the ways you do for the life of the church.
Now this Sunday, on the third week of Advent, I will reflect on Luke 3:7-18 where I will focus on the question, “What then should we do?” That question is asked of John three times. The crowds ask it. The tax collectors ask it. The soldiers ask it. And, I believe it's a question many of us are asking these days. It’s the question we ask when life is complicated and difficult, and the world has gone mad. We will reflect on what’s behind that question and what it's really about.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, and as always I do hope each one of you is having a great week so far. See you Sunday!
Peace and blessings!
-Jorge
December's Giving Sunday offering is for the Christmas Fund UCC. The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years, providing emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks each December to our lower-income retirees. Thanks for always being so generous with your gifts.
The Church Council recently clarified what monies in the collection plate go to our Giving Sunday recipient each month. On the first Sunday of the month (the "Giving Sunday"), the whole plate goes to the designated nonprofit. Any other time during the month you can contribute by way of a check with the name of the nonprofit in the memo line.
Recent sermons
Check out our YouTube page to see recent sermons. Go to our archive of slides to see bulletins and slides used during recent services.
Recordings of our Taize services are also on the YouTube page.
Upcoming services and events
Caroling the Neighborhood: Wednesday, Dec 18, 6 pm. Bring your friends and family and join us for an hour or so of singing for our neighbors. Finish up back at church with mulled cider and cookies.
Borg Discussion Group: Thursday, Jan 9, 7pm on Zoom. Read Chapter 9 of “Reading the Bible Again for the First Time” by Marcus Borg.
Book Group: Sunday, Jan 26, 7pm, on Zoom. "Parable of the Sower" was such an impactful book that we decided to read the sequel, "Parable of the Talents." Octavia Butler was quite an author.
Links and resources
Masterworks Chorale's Christmas concerts are coming up, Dec 14 and 15, both at 4pm at CSSM (aka "the downtown church"). Saturday is especially for kids, with stories and cookies; Sunday is the grown-up concert. The music is beautiful either way. Info and tickets here.
Listen to “We are the Ones” by Sweet Honey in the Rock
Listen to Patty Griffin’s “Mary”
Quote of the week
“The land knows you, even when you are lost.” - Robin Wall Kimmerer
from Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
Weekly events
• Meditation group: Wednesdays at 7:30 am
In person at the church building.
• Sunday worship: 10 am
In person at the church building.
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