Christmas Scenes
Christmas, as with all truly significant events, is almost impossible to explain–it needs to be experienced. Preachers use a lot of words to make sense of the birth of Jesus, but it is better to just help people do something in response to the coming of the Christ. Then Christmas is truly known in our lives. This past Sunday we had people live some true Christmas spirit.
Sunday began with our annual "Twelve Gifts of Christmas" worship service. This music-centered service allows us to enter into the feelings of Christmas through the many varied musical settings of the Christmas stories. Thank you to our music director, Brian Heveron-Smith for putting together this beautiful service. And thanks to all the people who participated in the adult choir, bell choir, children choir and instrumentalists!
In the afternoon the children of our church school went caroling at the Carillon nursing home. The walked the halls singing in patients' rooms where they brightened many people's day. Thanks to the children who went: Dylan and Mary Kate Fitzsimmons, Madalyn and Cassidy Mooers, Henry Rudaitis, and Luke Short. And to the adults who accompanied them: Brian, Jen Fitzsimmons, Marlena Mooers, Ron Rudaitis, Carrie Short, and Jean and Jim Uhl.
At about the same time as that group was at Carillon, members of the Pilgrim Fellowship youth group were buying gifts for their adopt-a-family. They then returned to the church and wrapped all the presents, Thank you to Linda Sheldon who again led the project and to our shoppers: Allie Bigelow, Riley Fitzsimmons, Carter Mooers, Ben Shea, Ella Short-Eigenbrod, and Terrence Sheldon.
The music of the day, the giving of our congregation and the service of these children–this brings Christmas to me. May you be as touched by the spirit of the season.
See you in church,
Pastor Mark
