Retelling the Good News of Christmas
Today a group of us at EMUC concluded our Advent reflections on Handel's Messiah Part 1. After reading a portion of Luke's nativity gospel (Luke 2:1-14) we listened to the Messiah selections that lift up those biblical texts. In the discussion that followed we noted that God's presence is experienced not only in the words of the message, but also in the manner and the context in which the message is delivered.
For in Luke's nativity, the angelic message of the birth of a messiah is delivered in a pastoral setting far from the centres of power and prestige. And the first to hear the message are not kings and queens and political powerbrokers, but rather shepherds - a bunch of nobodies. And not only that, this messiah isn't born in a royal bed in a palace, but rather in manger in a stable. If you take time to read the nativity story, you'll notice that Luke doesn't use a lot of adjectives to describe the qualities or priorities of this newborn messiah. The setting alone tells us that this messiah; this chosen one of God, has come to pay attention to the peoples and places that often get overlooked and neglected. This messiah will have an affinity with the humble, the poor and the marginalized.
Like the gospel writer, we too can tell the good news of God's love in the birth of Jesus by paying attention to the contexts and settings where the story can come alive to people of our time and place. Sometimes that may mean breaking away from the traditional re-enactment of the nativity pageant.
Sometimes that may mean taking lyrics and music of traditional carols and re-imagining them for a different generation.
Sometimes we get so caught up in nostalgic memories of Christmases of the past that we become rigid in our traditions. We need to remember that our primary reason for singing carols of Christ's birth and retelling the story of the nativity is not to revive feelings of nostalgia. We sing about and tell the story of Christ's birth so that in today's world, God's message of love and peace on earth makes meaning again and is made real again for people, particularly the humble, poor and marginalized in the world.
I invite you to look at these links where the music of the Advent/Christmas season and the telling of the nativity are reimagined. Perhaps there's someone you know who might find one of these links helpful as they try to find meaning in the Christmas message today.
In addition, the EMUC Advent reflection group watched a wonderful BBC production that tells the story of the relationship between Handel's Messiah and the very first orphanage (Foundling Hospital) in London England. It is an inspiring story of the way that the arts can help to foster works of charity and justice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBT5ulfSz5M
Here are the other links:
This is the last Friday message for 2015. The Friday Message returns on January 8, 2016.
May you experience anew the good news of God's love and peace during this Christmas Season.
Peace, Kathy Toivanen.
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This Week at EMUC
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Saturday at 10:30 am: Pageant Practice
Sunday at 10 am: Worship for the 4th Sunday of Advent with lighting the Advent Wreath, carol singing, and special music.
Wednesday at 6:45 pm: Prayers and Communion is cancelled
Thursday is Christmas Eve!
Christmas Eve Services
4:00 pm A Service of Remembrance, Hope and Healing
This is a service offered particularly for those who look for an opportunity for a meditative worship service that acknowledges the variety of emotions that can be experienced in this season because of grief, sorrow, separation and personal circumstances. Candle lighting, communion, music, and prayers are part of this reflective service. A reception with light refreshments follows hosted by the Membership & Pastoral Care Committee
Contact Kathy Toivanen kathy@emuc.ca or 905-820-9466 to inquire further.
6:30 pm Nativity Pageant
This year, the actors in the pageant will be folk of all ages. Come and hear again the timeless story of Jesus' birth. Sing familiar carols as we light the Christ Candle in the Advent Wreath.
10:00 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Communion.
Join us by candlelight to sing carols to the Christ Child, to hear again the wonderful Christmas Gospel and its message to us today. The Chancel choir will offer inspirational anthems.
College & university students are particularly welcome.
Lighting the Christ Candle in all services.
Christmas Day: The church will be closed
EMUC Christmas Office Hours
The church office will be closed from Wednesday December 23rd at noon and will be open again on Tuesday December 29, 30, 31 from 9 am to noon only.
Regular office hours resume on Tuesday January 5th 2016
Kathy Toivanen will be away from the office from December 25th - January 2nd inclusive. For pastoral emergencies during her holidays, please call the church office 905-820-9466 X 22 - messages will be checked regularly
Sunday December 27 at 10 am: Worship with leadership by Deb Siertsema
Visit www.emuc.ca for the current and past editions of Communique and a calendar of current events.
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Upcoming Events
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Christmas Offerings
Special Christmas Envelopes will be mailed this week to EMUC participants and will be available at the church for pick up as well. As you celebrate the God's gifts in this season, you can support Erin Mills United to share Christ's love by your Christmas offering. All offerings are tax deductible. EMUC closes its books on December 31st, so please ensure that your offerings are contributed by year end.
Gifts with Vision
Give a Christmas Gift that gives twice by choosing to support the humanitarian projects of the United Church of Canada both here at home and in many parts of the globe. Pick up a 'Gifts With Vision' catalogue at EMUC or go to
http://www.giftswithvision.ca/
Deacon's Cupboard
Located at St. Peter's Anglican Church at the corner of Dundas and Mississauga Rd., and supported by area churches, including EMUC, the Deacon's Cupboard is open every Wednesday from 9:30 am - 1 pm to provide hospitality and food to those in need. You can support the Cupboard by contributing nonperishable food or through financial contributions. Food and cheques for the Cupboard are collected at EMUC. During December you are eencouraged to donate vegetable oil
Refugee Sponsorship
Erin Mills United Church is in the process of partnering with Erindale United and Streetsville United to sponsor a refugee family under the guidance and direction of the United Church of Canada.. While the three churches have committed to raising a total of $40,000, the portion committed to by Erin Mills United is $15,000. An appeal will be officially launched in January 2016 to raise this amount. Although the appeal is not formally launched yet, anyone wishing to donate in December will be able to receive a charitable receipt for 2015. If you choose to do so, please make the cheque payable to Erin Mills United Church and clearly indicate that it is for refugee sponsorship.
If anyone has any questions on the refugee sponsorship, please contact a member of the Refugee Sponsorship task force: Hermine Bingham, Muriel Hamdani, Debby Sturgeon, Dianne Hope, Catharine Watts or Lorraine Brignall.
To learn more about what is involved in refugee sponsorship go to this link at the website of the United Church of Canada.
http://www.united-church.ca/humanrights/refugees/faq
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About EMUC
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Vision:
EMUC is a thriving Spirit-filled congregation: Diverse, inclusive,and engaged with the community and creation
Mission:
The mission of Erin Mills United Church is to offer opportunities for all persons to experience the love of God through Jesus Christ.
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Contact Us
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Peter Kiteley Erin Mills United Church
Erin Mills United Church
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Friday Message
