“Into this silent night
as we make our weary way
we know not where,
just when the night becomes its darkest
and we cannot see our path,
just then
is when the angels rush in,
their hands full of stars.”
From “Kneeling in Bethlehem” Ann Weems
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audion 7pm service 1224 –
Stidents in the Sunday School class were creating Christmas cards for members of the congregation, including those members and friends and neighbors in the community. When I was addressing the cards, loving every moment of reading them and ‘ooohing and aahing’ over all the creativity, there was one card that stoo out. A drawing of a Christmas Tree on the front and words that were handwritten by this child read, “Mary Christmas. I love you. God loves you.” Priceless.
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 12/18 –
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xMJOee1xRiwce4dkSaUVas6-4Hgrs7-3/view?usp=sharing
On this third Sunday of Advent when tradiitonally we light the candle of joy on the Advent wreath, we are blessed with a little bit of snow. I like to see a little snow this time of year. Some may agree with me; some may not. A little snow is just right for most of us. Not enough to build a snowman or to go sledding, but enough to fill your heart with joy!
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 12.11 –
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kPxmt7ObMZKdBlpI0YjzFk_keQrdxXZx/view?usp=sharing
Earlier in the week, as I was preparing our worship space for today, something unexpected happened. I gently arranged all the pieces of the Nativity in their traditionally places – except one: Baby Jesus.
I looked everywhere – in the box it was stored in, in the closet where the box was stored, on the floor. I went to all our storage areas and pulled out every Nativity set the church ever possessed. The search was futile. Every set had its own Baby Jesus – except the one in the sanctuary.
I made the congregation aware of this, and after worship, many people offered to bring a Baby Jesus from home to complete the scene in church. Some thought I was kidding and that was the children’s message for the day. Some thought I was simply making a joke.
No joke. Baby Jesus is missing in the stable in our sanctuary. But I do hope, Jesus is not missing from our hearts!
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 12/4 –
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TKjneHAyLss7xpWoggCX2DOfEQIZaCfJ/view?usp=sharing
The reading of the gospel of Matthew 24 today…Jesus speaks of that day and hour no one knows…
It is more than being asked the question, “Where were you on Sept. 11th ?”
The day and the hour, my grandmother told me she had cancer.
The day and the hour I stood by the grace of our baby girl.
The day and the hour hands were laid upon me and I was ordained as a pastor in the United Church of Christ.
The day and the hour when I was told I was legally blind.
Advent, friends….New day, new beginnings, new opportunities, new possibilities…May our hearts and minds be open to these things.
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem, worship audio 11/27 –
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10wqwkc-odUoXs2Th_nI6YDbVeO6Q-XC5/view?usp=sharing
Life is confusing, hectic, chaotic. Long lists of ‘to do’s’ a mile long. Now that the clocks have been turned back, it means shorter days. Work, traffic, schedules – trying to keep up. Trying to figure out how to get along with others, how to stand in line with others, how to live with, work with, shop with, drive our roads with…challenges most days that exhaust us.
On a recent walk one late afternoon, where the backroad seemed to turn into a race track (in other words, more traffic than I expected), I came across this scene. It was a picture of peace. A sense of calm washed over me. If you look hard enough, you will be able to see the moon rising. The cattle don’t seem to have a care in the world, oblivious to the busy world around them. Peace.
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 11/6 –
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PLqkzjc9GkxqYhjLuCyoNhmMHDmJZrFz/view?usp=sharing
Here we are on October 30th and roses are still blooming! They are gentle symbols of grace, love, and beauty!
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 10/30 –
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lcq-p7T562pW13AoiVPnSgRmm4iNepQR/view?usp=sharing
I was proud of myself, helping with leaf removal in our backyard, walks and driveway. I raked awhile, but when it came to the driveway, I switched to using a leaf blower. I was fairly successful, except when I turned to look at my work, there were still a good number of leaves clinging to the asphalt. Hmmm, I thought. I will try again. After several more attempts, I gave up. I believe they are strill there!
Later, I was thinking about this and thought how we, too, can sometimes be stubborn and persistent; especially when we should let go but find ourselves continuing to hold on, to cling (to whatever it is). Funny, I never thought of myself resembling a leaf. What is it you need to let go?
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 10/16 –
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BdndkgL-36wbbxY31rYtX6L1vaLj5Rb1/view?usp=sharing
St. Thomas UCC, 902 E. Macada Road, Bethlehem – 18th Annual Craft Fair
Saturday, October 22 9-1
Spaces still available. Spaces are 8×6, $15 per space or $25 per space with table supplied by church. To register, call the church office at 610-868-9167 or email stthomasunited.church ofchrist@rcn.com
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you God for the blessing of this beautiful autumn day! (We should always remember our manners!)
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 10/9 –
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HZcbRVn90SrHahp6P54a4RvZlEOmOIur/view?usp=sharing
In plain sight 