Share your light with someone today. There is a need.

St. Thomas UCC. Bethlehem worship 011021
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1avlGS_dPT3ClUFFi9IROl-TlYsnVhmU8/view?usp=sharing

At 4am this morning, someone texted me a photo of the sliver of the waxing Gibbous moon that was shining brightly in a midnight sky. There was a time when I would imagine that the arms of that slice of light in the sky cradled God’s peace.

But this morning, after watching the unfolding of events at the Capitol yesterday, my first thought was – those arms are God’s arms cradling us with comfort and love. In the light of another day dawning, we have an opportunity to write a new story; to begin to move forward to heal from our sorrow and pain. With God’s love and light, grace and mercy guiding us, leading us, illuminating a new path for us…we will be able to have the strength necessary to do this. May our prayers in the days ahead include our country, all leadership and all peoples in all circumstances, our neighbors and ourselves.

Hoping you were able to see the beauty of the snow this morning instead of seeing an inconvenience.

St. Thomas UCC worship 010321 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HFCf75nNjfSG1DiCh-xfxrynXLZwMv3G/view?usp=sharing

Friends, we sit poised on the doorstep of a new year. From the moment the new year begins, may you be guided by God’s light in every path of your life.

As a new year approaches, may the light and hope of the season reassure us of God’s presence in our lives.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship 122720: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DzPnRGqsTuG2oitjJ78O0EGwiEBKSLwr/view?usp=sharing

May you experience Christmas wonder on this holy evening and beyond.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship 122420

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TVK0ziUswPRLweCG-7mWt3oy_ijEyq1Q/view?usp=sharing

<p class="has-drop-cap has-large-font-size" value="<amp-fit-text layout="fixed-height" min-font-size="6" max-font-size="72" height="80">Walking along the wood-line in the snow on a quiet, but dreary afternoon, brings a blanket of peace to my soul. I can hear squirrels playing among the fallen branches, an occasional duet of birdsong, snapping twigs – likely deer feeding nearby…normal sounds in the woods.Walking along the wood-line in the snow on a quiet, but dreary afternoon, brings a blanket of peace to my soul. I can hear squirrels playing among the fallen branches, an occasional duet of birdsong, snapping twigs – likely deer feeding nearby…normal sounds in the woods.

Yet, there is nothing normal about our Advent journey this year. In spite of our collective sadness and grief, Advent Hope embraces us, setting our feet forward. Am thankful. Through our anxiety and fear, let’s hold Hope right back. The manger is in our sight. We’re almost there.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship link 122020

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-vuLPrxb1xo1uRZvv9x0zvwQUYFg6tXd/view?usp=sharing

The Third Sunday of Advent – Joy. It may be difficult for some of us to find joy lately, but 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-17a reminds us: Rejoice always,bpray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. As we begin this third week of Advent, my pray is you will find joy along the way. St. Thomas UCC worship 12/13/20:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EAhi7SIJEt_utTWhGaAR-IPaz_HUHKYo/view?usp=sharing

The first snow of the season always brings with it a sense of inner peace.

Remember playing Hide ‘n Seek as a kid? Today, the sun and clouds are playing hide ‘n seek, it seems. One minute we have lots of light; theno t disappears for awhile; what we are left with are shadows. But that’s alright. These words from Buddha:  We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. 

Find joy in the shadows today,

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship link =

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jhr6LPLobILmt5twYwjLFKIyHy_fnVzV/view?usp=sharing