Category: Pastor’s Page

Pastor’s Pen December 2017

Autumn has given away to Winter as we experienced the first snow last week. It won’t be long until hunting season is over and the cold temperatures set in.  Unlike my neighbors, we have not taken advantage of the somewhat warm temperatures to prepare for one of the highlights of this season, Christmas. For those of us in the north winter and Christmas go hand in hand. Even the songs tell us to wish for a white Christmas.  Though after living in Texas, I realize Christ’s Christmas would have been anything but white.

It’s easy to romanticize the cold of winter while sitting next to the fire with a soothing cup of hot chocolate. But the cold and snow are not romantic for everyone. Some have to work in it. Some even have to sleep in it. And for others it represents the change of traditions, of  rituals because the change in landscape of our lives.

On the one hand. . .on the other hand.  Life is always a little like that. The good and the bad. The romantic and the reality. The pain and the relief. The sorrow and the celebration. The light and the darkness. The manger and the cross. The cross and the empty tomb.

We are vulnerable creatures, subject to the realities of our lives. While some families       celebrate coming together for Christmas, some know the acute pain of separation. Our    Advent and Christmas observances are somehow of one piece, one complete woven fabric, with Good Friday and Easter. The manger is never very far from the cross. And the cross is seen in it’s fullness when we can also see in the three-day distance the empty tomb.

Christmas begins the story of God taking on our vulnerability, our pain, our sorrows, our joys, and our celebrations. The Word becoming flesh is God’s commitment to the inherent vulnerability of humanity, God’s commitment to the entirety of what it means to be human. The death of the Son of God is one location of that commitment. But so is womb of Mary, the stable, and the manger. This is what God chose. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The habitation of God with us brings us a life that is real life and a kingdom that is love and peace and freedom.

Regardless of how much things appear to be corrupt, corrosive, cruel, and confusing, there is another reality at work. God once again but in a different way has come among us. With that, God brings forth a new kingdom. A kingdom always focused on the four tenets of     Advent, faith, hope, peace and joy. The immaculately conceived Christ-child is conceived also in us so that we might be the ones who bring forth these attributes of God into our daily lives.

Whether or not Christmas is merry for you, may it bring blessing and hope.

Advent and Christmas Blessings,

Pastor Holly

 

Pastor’s Pen: March 2016

cecelia

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly John 10:10”

New Life. Certainly on the mind of my family lately.  Again, thank you for granting me family time at the birth of Cecelia.  It was nice to be able to enjoy the addition she has brought to our family.  As we have transitioned back into a regular schedule I have delighted once again in the joy that a baby can bring.  I enjoy watching Cecelia bring a smile to someone’s face and have been told repeatedly how much joy a baby can bring to a gray day.

I have concluded that babies are therapy.  I think God knew what he was doing when he let humans come into the world in the way they do.  They are a sign of hope, of forgiveness (she only cares about warm arms and doesn’t care about anyone’s past), of a good listener and of a gracious smiler.  In these past weeks I have been reminded through Cecelia how much we are drawn to life and how much we need life and need to have things or people who bring life into our lives.  I am also aware that babies certainly aren’t for everyone, and aren’t life giving for everyone.

Yet children do seem to be life giving. There is more life in our church when children are present.  It’s not only on the Sundays they sing, but the noise and presence of children signify life.  As we approach Easter I look for new life in the form of our children.  We also hope that you bring new life to us through your children.

Their joy and noise is welcome in our sanctuary. Their service is welcome in our sanctuary (who doesn’t like to receive a bulletin or put an envelope in the plate when it is a child).  Bring your children closer to the front, they want to be involved.  Let your children ask questions about what’s going on, and share those statements of curiosity with me.  Feel free to move a little in your seats when they play instruments at the end of service.  Let them give high fives during the sharing of the peace instead of shake hands.

Life comes in many ways. We celebrate those ways on Easter. In our church, let life be given through your children or receive life through other people’s children.  Know that they are welcome, that they give life, no matter the age.

Easter Blessings,

Pastor Holly