Author: tbc

The Children lead us in worship as they share a Christmas Pageant.  Our Pastor’s sermon retells the story of a mighty willow oak that once stood near the corner of Grove and Meadow.

Our worship centers the theme of Joy.  Rev. Dan Schumacher, a member of our Pastoral Staff, focuses the sermon on 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Hannah’s Song is unexpected in many ways and yet the joy it exudes is powerful.  Special music in the service is offered by the Sanctuary Choir.

The second Sunday of the Advent Season was quite memorable as the service featured a baby dedication, communion led by Alec and Amanda Miller, and special music provided by the Sanctuary and Karen Choirs.  Thomas long says, “Forgiveness, human and divine, is the heartbeat of grace; it would be impossible to imagine the Christian faith without it.”  Forgiveness stands at the core of our faith and Joseph’s willingness to forgive his brothers models the release God offers when we learn to let go.

Our church year begins with an emphasis on the theme of hope. Dr. Tracy Hartman, our guest proclaimer, offers a sermon on Adam and Eve. They were people of the earth, called up from the same elements as all other things. They lived in a natural paradise, surrounded by lush greenery. The evergreens we use this season connect us to them and remind us of God’s constant care for all of life. Our first parents were fooled into believing that there was no limit to what they could do in the good creation. They (We) were wrong.   We are surrounded by God’s resources, yet we feel poor. In the company of our neighbors, we still feel lonely. With your gifts of life, death still brings us grief. We are empty and need to be filled. We begin advent asking God to bring us into silence so that we may watch and listen and ponder the hope that we have in the promised coming of Jesus, and all that his presence means.

Our worship centers on Luke 21:5-19, Jesus cautioning the Disciples about the imminent destruction of the temple. Worship leaders include: Barbara Spain, Chris/Kate Ayers, and Eunice Kim. Special music is provided by an Ensemble featuring Susan Sanford, Wade Severns on the piano, and also a Karen Trio featuring Say Wah Htoo, Klo Bay Say, and Way Thaw.

Our worship centers on the celebration of All Saints Sunday.  We recognize the Everyday Saints that died in the last 12 years and also celebrate their legacies. Communion is led by Rev. Eric Hasha and special music is provided by the Meadow Street Band and Sanctuary Choir.

The worship focuses on the Gospel Lesson, Luke 19:1-10.  Zacchaeus finds salvation the moment he climbs up the tree.  It is a gospel word for those of us climbing the mast looking for land, climbing the ladder only to find ourselves “alone at the top”, and climbing the pole to surrender the white flag.  Jesus will take this last face to face encounter to reiterate salvation is for all sinners, rich and poor alike.