"Come now, O Prince of Peace..."

As we await the Advent of the Prince of Peace, CLC friend Zaiga Alksnitis has introduced to us the Bethlehem Peace Light, a movement begun in Austria in 1986 to spread peace throughout the world. Each year a child lights a flame from the grotto in Bethlehem where Jesus is said to have been born, and the light is transported and shared in churches, homeless shelters, hospitals-anywhere that peace is sought and welcomed.

On Sunday we will receive this light from Zaiga with the words, "We gladly receive this light as a sign of our willingness to be channels of peace, by our words and actions." May this brief ritual encourage each and all of us to prepare our hearts and lives for Christ's presence among us.

For more information about the Bethlehem Peace Light, click here: http://peacelight.org/faq/default.html .

This evening at 6:15 we gather for Advent mid-week meditation, contemplating through art and Scripture what can wait-and what can't. A pot of soup will be on the stove. Help yourself!

Tomorrow Night: Wass-Ale!   Join CLC friends at the Morse Tavern on E. Central Street Wednesday evening at 7:00 for some public singing of carols both secular and sacred. It's a great event for inviting folk!

 

Hello, CLC youth and families and all!

Here's a reminder that our annual Christmas carol sing-along is happening THIS WEDNESDAY, 12/18!

Please come to Morse Tavern at 7:00 and sing and play your instruments and eat and drink and so on.  Wass-Ale is always a great time.

Hope to see you there! Yr. Youth & Fam. Coord.,  Gail

ADULT FORUM

                                     

CLC BOOK GROUP January 6, 2020, 7:30 p.m.

Set in suburban Shaker Heights, Ohio, this novel explores the relationships between the comfortable, established Richardson family and a mother-daughter duo who rent a house from them. The pending adoption of a Chinese-American baby pits the two leading characters against one another and exposes the delusion of a post-racial America.

A provocative novel that helps you think differently about humanity and the current state of affairs in the U.S.

There is no CLC@the Movies this busy month. Join us in January on the third Sunday of the month.

As you're making your plans for Christmas worship, please consider stepping up to fill an extra role so that we can be sure our congregation is as welcoming as possible to friends, family, and visitors. In particular, we're looking for a few people to prepare and arrange luminaria along the sidewalk and parking lot on Christmas Eve. It's not difficult, and takes about half an hour. Please speak with Pr. Bourret or Joyce Simon if you're able to contribute in this way.

 

As announced in the Reporter, the Christmas Eve jazz service at 4:30 will include a "Las Posadas" ritual, as the Holy Family travels door to door seeking shelter. Later, children will have the chance to break a star-shaped piñata. Be sure to invite the youngsters in your life.                                             

After worship on Sunday we green the church, making the nave festive for Christmas services, trimming the tree, hanging swags, and placing candles in the windows. Please plan to stay for a bit for this joyous seasonal task!

                                           

January will come like a rush after Christmas, and it will soon be time for our mid-winter retreat at Calumet. Watch the Reporter for a registration form, and sign up early for the best selection of housing options.

                                                 

                                                    

READINGS FOR THIS WEEK - Fourth Sunday in Advent

December 22, 2019  

Today Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew's account of the annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel, God-with-us. During these final days of Advent we pray, "O come, O come, Emmanuel," a beloved hymn based on the O Antiphons, ancient prayers appointed for the seven days preceding Christmas. On this final Sunday of Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us from the power of sin and death.

            First Reading                          Psalm                     Second Reading                     Gospel

Sing For Joy

Enhance your understanding of the weekly scripture readings by listening to Sing For Joy http://www.stolaf.edu/singforjoy/ from St. Olaf College.  The Sing For Joy radio program, produced by St. Olaf College , has a simple mission: to explore the weekly themes of Christian worship by providing the best in sacred choral music and thoughtful commentary. The musical performances eloquently "do the talking," while the concise remarks from host Pastor Bruce Benson illuminate the meaning of the texts.