This morning, under heavy moist clouds
a wedge of pink sky topped the trees.
This evening, again pink covers over thick white clouds,
but between cloud and trees the sky is azure.
Snow heavy on firs, deep over all the earth.
This mix of color stops us.
We put down what we are doing and turn to this light.
We call to each other: “Come see! Come see!”
Such beauty is not to be missed and must be shared.
Dear God, after a day of Christmas shopping,
filled with gaudy imitations of your loveliness,
the bustle, push, inflated prices, elbowing shoppers,
only a few yards away from a homeless shelter,
dear God, this gift of sky colors is the All,
the blessing and the joy I will hold onto
when I remember this day.
Thank you,
December 9, 2006
Dear Friends, Happy December!
I wrote the above poem 5 years ago and it is a mix of what has stayed the same in our lives and what changes have happened. As I write this letter our Halloween and pre-Thanksgiving snows have melted and we delight in warm, fall like days. No snow on the firs today, but maybe by the end of December, when you may come upon this letter, there will be snow again. I hope so. I love a white Christmas.
Our skies are still and rosy against white cloudy skies and nature’s beauty still wins over any decorations in any shop. But with our tough time economy people are buying, maybe not as they were in 2006. “Black Friday” brought many rushing to stores for huge sales, people pushed, elbowed and some were hurt in the rush to get bargain priced items for their loved ones. Scarcity and hard financial times have not brought out the best in all.
The numbers of people standing in food lines, going to food pantries, filling out job applications, trying to heat their homes, and, yes, seeking shelter in homeless shelters has grown since 2006.
But the true meaning of Advent and Christmas has not changed. The journey towards the birth of Jesus remembered: worship services, plays, Live Nativities, carols, prayers, and Scripture has not changed. Each week, as our Sunday School children take turns lighting our Advent Wreath candles of Hope, Love, Joy, Peace and the Jesus candle (on Christmas Eve), we enjoy their excitement, we soften as our music director sings, we melt into the trueness of Christmas, rebirth fills our hearts with warmth.
We invite you to stop in some Sunday morning at 11:00 and be in good fellowship with us at Ellsworth United Methodist Church where all are welcome. Here’s our schedule for this December:
12/4: Introit: “Toda la Tera (All the World is Waiting)”, Psalm # 85, Opening Hymn “The Gift of Love”, During Time for the Young at Heart singing of verses 1-4 of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, Hymn of Preparation “Lift Up Your hands Ye Mighty Gates” , Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8, Anthem “Wild and Lone Prophet’s Voice”, Holy Communion, Closing Hymn “Grace Alone”. We will enjoy a pot luck lunch then decorate the Sanctuary.
12/11 Introit: “Gather Us In” Psalm # 126, Opening Hymn “O For A Thousand Tongues”, Hymn of Preparation: “To A Maid Engaged to Joseph”, Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1-11, Luke 1:39-55, Anthem “O Lord, Your Tenderness”, Closing Hymn “God Be With You Until We Meet Again”
12/18 Introit: “Loving Spirit”, Psalm 89, Opening Hymn “Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming” Time for Young at Heart: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (all verses), Hymn of Preparation: “In the Bleak Midwinter”, Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Anthem “Star Child”, Closing Hymn “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”
Christmas Eve, from 6:00-6:45 p.m. we will have a Live Nativity (weather permitting) outside in front of the church.
7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols.
No Worship on Christmas, but we will have worship on January 1, lots of coffee will be provided as it is each week, along with baked goodies.
May your December be filled with beauty, friendship, new beginnings, and the Joy of God’s blessed beauty just waiting for us to awaken our lives and be part of.
See you in 2012? I Hope so!
Yours,
Pastor Susan Yaruta-Young ( Pastor Y-Y)
Subscribe
