The Weekly View

Sunday, December 23, 2018

This Sunday ~ The Fourth Sunday in Advent  

There will be lessons and carols and special music this Sunday as we worship God and light the candle of hope.

Please come dwell in the Word of God and sing together carols that open our hearts and prepare us for the birth of Christ. 

Christmas Eve Services at St. Luke

4:00 pm ~ Children’s Wiggle Service
Children and toddlers are invited to bring nativity pieces to the creche as we present the traditional Christmas manger scene through story and song. 

Cider and Cookies between services.

5:30 pm ~ Candlelight Service
Our traditional Candlelight service of Lessons, Carols and music.
Childcare available.

Sunday, December 16, 2018

This Sunday 

Dear St Luke Community,

Not too long ago I was turning my car around in front of my home and facing the water. The morning sun was breaking through the clouds over the bay. Without thinking I said, I love you. The subtext was thank you. But somehow, for whatever reason, gratitude turned to an expression of love.

This Sunday we light the Advent candle of love. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:5) These are big words. But then so is the word love. There’s a lot of sad news in our lives. Some personal, some global. I take comfort in these words of John’s more than ever. John also tells us that the life that came into being through Christ is the light of all people. That’s you, that’s me. So how do we live our lives as a people of light? We begin with love. 

Christmas Comes by Ann Weems 

Christmas comes every time we see God in other persons.
The human and the holy meet in Bethlehem
or in Times Square,
For Christmas comes like a golden storm on its way
to Jerusalem -
Determinedly, inevitably…
Even now it comes
In the face of hatred and warring -
No atrocity too terrible to stop it,
No Herod strong enough,
No hurt deep enough,
No curse shocking enough,
No disaster shattering enough -
For someone on earth will see the star,
Someone will hear the angel voices,
Someone will run to Bethlehem,
Someone will know peace and goodwill:
The Christ will be born!

See You Sunday,
Nicole

P.S. Here is a link to our opening hymn which will be new for many of us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmcz2T5hCsY

Sunday, December 9, 2018

This Sunday 

The Advent theme this Sunday is Joy. Sometimes focusing on a word, one solitary word like joy, can do more for us than all the scripture analysis in the world. As I contemplate joy, I’m reminded once again of how it’s gifted to us by God. Like any gift, we need eyes to see it, ears to hear it and arms to embrace it. 

The Psalmist reminds us, Teach me your way, Lord, so that I can walk in your truth. Make my heart focused only on honoring your name. (86:11)

What a wonderful verse to pray each day this Advent. Christmas deserves our whole heart. And so Advent becomes a wonderful time to prepare our hearts to embrace all signs of light given for us.

Which brings us to our other scripture, which is one we usually don’t hear until Christmas Eve. Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night.-Luke 2: 8-20  

Can you imagine for a moment being a shepherd living in fields? These were not the sheep owners and definitely not the landowners. They are the hired help and life, in a nutshell, was not easy. There’s plenty of waiting in darkness. 

I was reminded of a personal favorite hymn this week. I share both a few of the lyrics and a link to listen to a beautiful choral rendition. Enjoy as you contemplate what it means to walk in truth and honor with your whole heart the name of God.

I want to walk as a child of light.
I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world. 
The star in my life is Jesus.

In Him there is no darkness at all.
The night and the day are both alike. 
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/i/w/a/iwanwalk.htm

REMINDER-This Sunday is our last chance to drop off toys and gifts for our Ritter Center Giving tree. If you don’t have a tag, simply purchased a gift for any aged/gender child and Ritter Center will make sure it finds a home. 

See you Sunday, with joy.
Nicole