From Joseph we learn the gift of Love
Reflection from our
Co-Pastors, Thursday December 16, 2021
This Sunday, the 4th Sunday in Advent, is the Sunday of Love. There was a number of choices for the 2nd reading. It was hard to choose one because they were all so beautiful, thanks to Kerrie Anderson.

So here is one that proposes a different view and is a good Christmas stimulus for reflection. This reflection by Madeleine L’Engle and Luci Shaw gives us a marital dance: Joseph and Mary as companions, spouses, along a journey full of unknowns.

If you would like to share your reflection with us pastors or our community, you may email your reflection to Marymagdalafc@gmail.com, or call MoM 970-493-9536 to reach a pastor. 

O Sapienta, from Wintersong,
by Madeleine L’Engle and Luci Shaw

“It was from Joseph first I learned
of love. Like me he was dismayed.
How easily he could have turned
me from his house; but, unafraid,
he put me not away from him
(O God-sent angel, pray for him).
Thus through his love was Love obeyed.
The Child’s first cry came like a bell:
God’s Word aloud, God’s Word in deed.
The angel spoke: so it befell,
and Joseph with me in my need.
O Child whose father came into heaven,
to you another gift was given,
your earthly father chosen well.

With Joseph I was always warmed
and cherished. Even in the stable
I knew that I would not be harmed.
And, though above the angels swarmed,
man’s love it was that made me able
to bear God’s love, wild, formidable, 
to bear God’s will through me performed.”
Oh, the beauty of being human!
This Week's Advent Schedule
301 Faith Partners
In church and live on Zoom where noted

Advent Compline – Wednesday, December 22 - at 8:00 pm. End your day with a 30-minute sung Compline service. Host, St. Paul's or join via this Zoom link. The passcode is 419433

Live Christmas Nativity – Dec 21, 22, 23 – from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
 Featuring Larimer Co. Chorale singing Christmas Favorites

Weekly Contemplative Time – In the Sanctuary only, Friday’s at 2:30-4:00 pm
No Zoom link, join us in the Sanctuary.

Christmas Services - In Church and on Zoom
  •  Dec 24 - 3:00 & 5:00 pm Christmas Eve- Trinity Lutheran
  • Join live via this link
  •  Dec 24 - 7:30 pm Christmas Eve - St. Paul’s Episcopal
  • Join live via this Zoom link. The passcode is 419433
  •  Dec 25 1o:00 am Christmas Day – Mary of Magdala, Ecumenical Catholic
  • Join live via this link
  •  Dec 25 5:00 pm Christmas Day – Trinity Lutheran
  • Join live via this link

For complete Calendar for Advent and Christmas visit our website here
Christmas Cookie Exchange
Cookie Exchange with the Hospitality Committee

Please join us after Mass on December 19th for some social gathering time together.

We’ll briefly meet to exchange some Christmas cheer, with masks….no eating, just sharing. Here are the details for the cookie exchange:

  • Bring a covered plate of 6-12 Christmas cookies, or whatever holiday treat you bake. Write the name of the baked good on the covered plate and if it is GF, DF, V, etc.
  • Plates should be plastic, paper or something you do not want returned. A good time to use the many Christmas tins you’ve acquired 
  • If you bring a plate, you take a plate home. Bring two and take two home.
  • If you have extra cookies, bring an additional plate for those who do not bake: we ‘ll label a table “Merry Christmas” for your treat donations.
  • If you don’t bake anymore, please stay to share time together and take home a plate from the “Merry Christmas” table.
 
Since we cannot have pizza or soup suppers, due to safety Covid restrictions, this will be a lovely alternative and allow us to gather after Mass.  
Help Madonna Hospital
Madonna Hospital urgently needs your help to replace a generator.

The chronically inconsistent electrical power supplied by the city of Umuahia has been even more inconsistent in the past few months. The hospital has relied on the old generator more and more. The generator stopped working and despite efforts to repair it, it is not functioning and needs to be replaced.
    A new 250kva generator is too expensive at a cost of 16 million Naira or $40,000. A used 250kva generator is more affordable at 8 million Naira or $20,000 and it can be purchased in Nigeria.

    Please consider making as generous of a donation as you are able by:
  •  visiting www.wadso.org click on “Donate Now” and specifying Madonna Hospital.
  • Mail a check made out to WADSO with “Madonna Hospital” in the memo line, to Kent Spangler, 501 Charrington Ct., Ft. Collins, CO 80525.
*donations are tax deductible

You can meet some of the staff of Madonna Hospital and see the hospital by viewing this short video created by Chris Cloyd.
Service Recordings
Sunday, December 12 - Recording, Third Sunday in Advent

View the readings, gospel and the homily by Mother Rosean Amaral. Here is the Sunday Worship Aid for you to print or view.
Past Recordings, Bulletins, and Announcements

For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during, visit our webpage. Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection with and for the community - marymagdalafc@gmail.com. And feel free to call the office at 970 493-9536.

Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal  
What are our partners in ministry up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
Who Are the 301 Faith Partners?
The 301 Faith Partners have a Vision,
Mission and Values statement that guides our relationships, interactions, and shared projects and ministries.
Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’
Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.
Read the Vision, Mission, Core Values and Covenant here.