"A Welcome 'Welcome Home'" - Sermon for December 15, 2019

"You can't go home again." This may be a sad saying for many people, but God's ways are about creating all things new - new blessings for a new generation of God's people. In today's sermon, Rev. Tom describes how Israel received a blessing of restoration from captivity in Babylon. They received not just freedom, but the means to recreate the Temple and altar of God, to bring back worship in Jerusalem. However, this restoration was painful to many older people, who remembered the glory of the first Temple. Rev. Tom relates this to the Christmas story - how the young couple of Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem in expectation of a new beginning for God's people. This was not just the restoration of the Kingdom of David, but "good news for all people". This Christmas, may we all find a new "Welcome home" - one that expands the blessings of God, welcoming ones who might have never seen such blessings before.

(Bible Reading - Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4, 10-13)

Service for Wholeness & Healing, Advent Vespers - Wednesday, December 18, 7 PM, Chapel. If you are you feeling loss, lost, harried, or harrowed this holiday season and “jolly” isn’t part of your holiday spirit, this service for wholeness and healing is a respite to feed your soul and still your mind.

Angel Tree: Our annual Angel Tree is up in the Rotunda. Once again, we will provide gifts for people who are clients of Glenwood Life, a non-profit drug treatment center in Woodbourne-McCabe. Clients collect tokens throughout the year, for things such as participating in programs and reaching certain milestones, which they can use to “buy” gifts for their family members. Bring gifts by December 19th.

Gift Shopping & Wrapping at Glenwood Life - December 20, 10 AM to 5 PM: Mission Council is looking for volunteers to help folks shop at Glenwood and wrap presents. We are looking for gently used gift bags, wrapping paper, bows, etc. as well.

Please join us for the annual fellowship tradition of decorating the church for the season. Saturday, December 21 at 9 AM meet in Sanctuary to place poinsettias. Contact Janet Short ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

Children's Christmas Eve Preludes: Children who play an instrument or sing are invited to contribute their musical gifts during the 5 PM family Christmas Eve service. Children are encouraged to select music that celebrates the birth of our Savior. (i.e. no Frosty or Santa) Please fill out the online form to register your child. Children should arrive in the sanctuary at 4 PM on Christmas Eve.

Pecans: Schermer Pecans is a 73-year-old family-run Georgia company. This year’s crop will be available for sale each Sunday from 10 to 11 AM in the Coffee Café.

Guitar by Olivier Hecho