Dec 2006
Do You See?
12/24/06
Christmas Eve 2006
Luke 2:1-20
Dear friends in Christ,
Of all the church services held throughout the year, Christmas Eve is for me, the most peaceful and comforting. Easter is the most triumphant, God’s victory over death and the grave. But Christmas is the more reflective as we pause to ponder what it means for God to come to earth as a baby, one of us. Read More...
Luke 2:1-20
Dear friends in Christ,
Of all the church services held throughout the year, Christmas Eve is for me, the most peaceful and comforting. Easter is the most triumphant, God’s victory over death and the grave. But Christmas is the more reflective as we pause to ponder what it means for God to come to earth as a baby, one of us. Read More...
Anticipating Christ- With Us Today
12/17/06
Advent 3
Philippians 4:4-7
Dear friends in Christ,
The past couple of weeks we have been moving through the season of Advent, looking forward to Christmas, with Christmas Eve now just one week away. Advent means coming, and in Advent we think about the ways Jesus comes to us. Two weeks ago we looked at the promise of his second Advent, his coming to bring final redemption at the end of time. It is not a time to be feared, but a time to rejoice that God’s work will finally be completed. Last week we focused on the first Advent, the birth of the savior at Bethlehem. We listened to the words of John the Baptist who called the people to repent and repair their lives in preparation for the savior. The gospel lesson today has John again calling the people to live lives worthy of receiving the promised Messiah, words worth hearing this final week before Christmas. There’s still time to do some act of service or giving that reflects our love and appreciation for the savior. Read More...
Philippians 4:4-7
Dear friends in Christ,
The past couple of weeks we have been moving through the season of Advent, looking forward to Christmas, with Christmas Eve now just one week away. Advent means coming, and in Advent we think about the ways Jesus comes to us. Two weeks ago we looked at the promise of his second Advent, his coming to bring final redemption at the end of time. It is not a time to be feared, but a time to rejoice that God’s work will finally be completed. Last week we focused on the first Advent, the birth of the savior at Bethlehem. We listened to the words of John the Baptist who called the people to repent and repair their lives in preparation for the savior. The gospel lesson today has John again calling the people to live lives worthy of receiving the promised Messiah, words worth hearing this final week before Christmas. There’s still time to do some act of service or giving that reflects our love and appreciation for the savior. Read More...
Anticipating Christ- His Birth Among Us
12/10/06
Advent 2
Luke 3:1-6
Dear Friends in Christ,
The city of Chicago has the year 2016 in its sights. Hoping to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the leaders of the city are busy building their case to be presented to the Olympic Committee, who will ultimately decide between Chicago, Tokyo and San Francisco. Chicago Olympic committee chairperson Patrick Ryan says the new plan will be submitted to the Olympic Committee and announced in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2009. Read More...
Luke 3:1-6
Dear Friends in Christ,
The city of Chicago has the year 2016 in its sights. Hoping to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the leaders of the city are busy building their case to be presented to the Olympic Committee, who will ultimately decide between Chicago, Tokyo and San Francisco. Chicago Olympic committee chairperson Patrick Ryan says the new plan will be submitted to the Olympic Committee and announced in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2009. Read More...
Anticipating Jesus-At the End of Time
12/03/06
Advent 1
Luke 21:25-36
Dear friends in Christ,
Last week I had preschool chapel with the children of All God’s Children preschool. We sang our chapel songs and then I began to talk with them about the next great holiday we celebrate, Christmas. I asked them, how many of you like Christmas? Boy did their eyes light up and smiles come across their little faces. They love Christmas. And then I asked why they loved it so much and, as you might expect, they talked about receiving presents. They can’t wait for Christmas so they can open presents and see what Santa brings them. Read More...
Luke 21:25-36
Dear friends in Christ,
Last week I had preschool chapel with the children of All God’s Children preschool. We sang our chapel songs and then I began to talk with them about the next great holiday we celebrate, Christmas. I asked them, how many of you like Christmas? Boy did their eyes light up and smiles come across their little faces. They love Christmas. And then I asked why they loved it so much and, as you might expect, they talked about receiving presents. They can’t wait for Christmas so they can open presents and see what Santa brings them. Read More...