Greetings to all!
Last Sunday we entered the season of Advent, anticipating the "advent" of
the Christ. Kathleen Norris recalls a First Sunday of Advent at a trappist
monastery where she was invited to read the scripture for the morning
service.
My text that morning was from Isaiah and, as always, when I am granted the
great privilege of reading him aloud in worship, I am grateful. Grateful that
such poetry exists, that it tastes so good in the mouth, grateful that my messy,
stormy life has led to this calm sea. Being a lector is a unique experience;
it feels nothing like reading poems, my own or anyone else's, to an audience.
And it's certainly not a performance; no emoting, or the monks would have my
hide. The Liturgy of the Word is prayer. You pray the scriptures with, and for,
the people assembled, and the words go out to them, touching them in ways
only God can imagine. The words are all that matter, and you send them out
as prayer, hoping to become invisible behind them.
The words on that first Sunday of Advent were from Isaiah 63: "Why do you
let us wander, O God, from your ways, and harden our hearts so that we fear
you not?" The passage is an honest rendering of the human condition, a
desperate prayer for God's presence, a recognition that we fall apart, and our
world falls apart, when God is absent from our hearts. Why are our hearts so
hard? Can God rend them, like the heavens, and change us for the good?
(from The Cloister Walk)
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, December 5, the 2nd Sunday of Advent:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12
The Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, December 5, 10am, in Trinity
Hall. We will continue our four Sunday series, Isaiah: The Prophet of Advent.
The text for the day, Isaiah 11:1-10. Feel free to enjoy a cup of coffee, join the
conversation, or just listen in.
Children's Choir practice continues this Sunday, December 5, 10:15am,
as the children prepare for their Christmas season presentation. All children
through elementary age are invited to participate. Look for the choir in Trinity Hall.
(For adults attending Sunday Conversations, supervision for children will be
available in the Nursery beginning at 10am. They will be escorted to Children's Choir
at 10:15.)
Pageant Rehearsal - Children and youth are requested to be present on Sunday,
December 5, during the 11am (Sunday School) hour for a pageant rehearsal.
The Women's Christmas Luncheon will be held on Thursday, December 9,
Noon, at the Idle Hour Country Club. Cost is $24/person. Reservations are
required. Reservation deadline is today, December 1. Use reply email or
contact the church office (263-5304) to make your reservation.
Two Holiday Season Traditions:
*Sunday, December 5 - Christmas Potluck, after worship,
Trinity Hall, for all ages. Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert.
*Sunday, December 12 - Christmas Party, 3pm, at 1202
Delong Place, for adults. Bring an hors d'oeuvre item.
The Giving Tree is up in Trinity Hall and full of "ornaments," each containing a gift
suggestion for a child or adult. This season Walnut Hill will be providing gifts for
two families, a total of seven children and three adults. Take an ornament.
Purchase the gift. Return the gift and ornament by December 19. Thanks to the
Talbott family for preparing this year's "Giving Tree" ornaments.
Poinsettias - It's almost time to decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas.
Poinsettias are available for adoption at $15/plant. You may use reply email
or talk to Lee Tucker on Sunday to adopt a plant, which you will then be welcome
to take home and enjoy after the Christmas holiday.
Thanks, news...
*Thanks to...Monta Rae Cook, Heather Hale, Stephanie Prewitt, and Derek
Vaughan for their work with the children and youth this past Sunday; Stephen
Trail, the Cornett Family, Chris and Barbara Bohmer, and Brian and Susan
Gillispie for their leadership and assistance during worship; Charlie and Julia
Snow for providing our after worship refreshments.
*Walnut Hill will be the site for a regional Alcoholics Anonymous event this
Friday and Saturday, December 3 and 4.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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