Dear Church Family:
Greetings to you on this first day of winter, the shortest day of the year—and just 4 days before Christmas.  Each year in this season I love reading from poet Ann Weems collection Kneeling in Bethlehem.  “Godburst” captures the excitement of  God entering our world—and our lives:
                                             When the Holy Child is born into our hearts
                                               there is a rain of stars
                                                  a rushing of angels
                                                     a blaze of candles
                                                this God burst into our lives.
                                             Love is running through the streets.
 
Here is the schedule of services for Christmastide:
            Saturday, December 24 at 7:30 p.m.  Traditional reading of the Christmas story, a brief sermon titled “A Storybook Christmas,” and the passing of the light from the Christ candle throughout the congregation. 
            Sunday, December 25, at 10 a.m. A very casual service with lots of singing and reflection on Christmas traditions.
            Sunday, January 1, at 10 a.m. Epiphany Sunday. We’ll look at the story of the three kings in Matthew 2:1-12, hear a sermon on “Acknowledging God’s Reign in a Messy World,” and celebrate communion, a fitting way to begin the new year. 
 
Lynn and I will be away during next week, visiting family, so there will be no “Good Word.”
We wish you all a very joyous Christmas.
 
Peace and Joy,
Rich