Christmas Mass will be celebrated on Sunday at 10:30 am

Bring your friends and family to celebrate the joy of Christmas. (No 12:30 pm service.) See upcoming Mass schedule at end of this bulletin.

Reflection from Tom Moos,

Chair, Social Justice Ministry --

From our December 18th Mass

In the Star Trek universe of television and film, the Kobayashi Maru is a “no win” training exercise in which a Starfleet cadet encounters a damaged civilian spacecraft in dangerous territory. The cadet must decide whether to attempt a rescue while facing an insurmountable enemy capable of destroying the cadet’s ship and crew, or, to flee leaving the damaged vessel to its own demise. Without a favorable outcome, the test reveals much about the cadet’s readiness to be a Starfleet captain.

Our Social Justice causes sometime feel like no-win scenarios, our own “Kobayashi Marus”. We are called to be prophets: to speak truth to power, challenge hypocrisy, and demonstrate hospitality even at great personal cost. How do we love the oppressor while effectively voicing outrage against the offense? How do we educate, act, and react to ugly truths about racial and gender inequalities especially amid hostile and opposite views? How do we persevere without emotionally spiraling into cynicism or despondency when the progress of dismantling unjust and oppressive systems seems so small?

During Advent, we have examined ways to prepare our minds, bodies and hearts for a birthing of Christ Consciousness. This 4th Sunday, we concentrate on preparing our spirits. Because Christmas falls on a Sunday, we have a full week to focus on our spirits. Here are some suggestions.

First, take a moment each day this week to identify and deeply feel gratitude for a blessing in your life. Share your gratitude with someone, perhaps during a meal or via a phone call.

Second, in the madness of Christmas prep, slow down and create some quiet time. Go for a walk or bask in contemplative prayer. So what if one present goes under the tree unwrapped or one less cookie recipe gets baked. Excuse a missed holiday expectation for the sake of renewing your spirit!

Third, remember, really remember, that God loves you, fully and unconditionally. Think about what that means!

Fourth, reflect mindfully on what you can and cannot do - opportunities for outreach are with us always. Mindfully prepare yourself to respond. And finally, let’s not be shy about inviting God to renew our spirits and world: “O God, send out Your Spirit and renew the face of the earth”.

Celebrating as a Community - Share your Christmas pictures!!

For Christmas Day Mass, we’d like to again share how our community members celebrate Christmas through a brief video to be played at the beginning of the Mass.

We’d like to especially invite new members, those who have not participated previously, or pages needing correction/adjustment, to send high resolution images to Tom Moos (tjmoos@aol.com) by end of day today, Wednesday, Dec 21, for inclusion in this year’s video.

The 2021 Christmas video

can be seen here.

Our First Regional Synod?

The ECC Rocky Mountain Region is planning a one-day Regional Synod for the weekend of April 22 – 23, 2023.

Thank you Joan Chapman-Smith, Bill Smith, Mother Rosean Amaral, Reverend Jane Reina and Tom Moos for volunteering to help plan this first Synod of the Rocky Mountain Region.

If you are interested in helping plan this Synod please let us know via this email. The next planning meeting to explore these components in detail is scheduled for Wednesday, January 18 at 6:30. Zoom details will be forthcoming.

Annual 301 Faith Partners

Live Nativity UPDATE - December 22 and 23

It’s going to be ve-e-e-ery frosty out on Thursday & Friday between 4:30 and 6:30 pm.

We are bringing the Live Nativity into the church building so that everyone is warm while they enjoy the live tableau of the Holy Family, make a Christmas ornament, and have some hot chocolate.

Please come, and bring your family, friends, and neighbors. It’s a wonderful opportunity for a little celebratory time with your 301 church family “in the bleak midwinter”.

Do you have a Passion for Social Justice?

The combined 301 Faith Partners Social and Eco-Justice Team is looking for a new leader for the Eco-Justice sub-team. TLC member, Wally Jacobson has been serving in that role for 18 years and has decided to step down. However, Wally is willing to train and consult his replacement. If interested, please contact Tom Moos at this email.

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

The Giving Tree

The giving tree is up!

This year we are asking for gift cards (in various denominations) to King Soopers, Safeway, Walmart, and Target for those in need in our local neighborhood.

Take an ornament off the tree with your preferred price and return the gift card(s) with the ornament to the gift box either by the giving tree or the one in the office. The tree will be up through Epiphany weekend, January 8.

Request for Prayers

Praying for peace, health and well-being through challenging times

+ Peter, friend of Sharon Troyer

+ Erin McDonald and Jeff Akkerman

+ Susan Wagner-White,

sister of Co-Pastor Jane

+ Sarah Reveron and her daughter, Aliana - niece and grandniece of Rev. Jane Reina

+ Uriah - grandson of Mother Rosean

+ Joanne Gallagher - member

+ Edward for healing and Marge for hope, relatives of Ruth Conley, member

+ Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother

+ Suzanne King - member-

+ Harry, 11 year canine companion to Gray La Fond.

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A blessed and peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the friends and families.

+ Lee Yeazell, brother of Bruce Yeazell, member

+ Miles, young friend of Ted (nephew of the Devlin's, members)

+ Sherry Shead, wife of Tim Shead, administrator at Light of Christ

+Steve Muzikar, cousin of Co Pastor Jane

+Wendell Schwarz, brother of Sr. Mary Colleen, OSB

+ John Hynes - father of Rev. Jane's children

+ Mother of Bishop Kae Madden

+ Dennis Snyder. brother-in-law of Ruth Alexander, member

+ John Crowfoot, friend of Jean Christen, member

Please send prayer requests to marymagdalafc@gmail.com. Prayers will be listed for one month unless requested for longer. Prayers for the repose of souls will be listed for six months unless requested for a longer time.

Service Recordings and More

Sunday Dec 18 2022 - Fourth Sunday in Advent, Preparing our Heart and Soul

A video recording of the readings and the homily given by Rev. Jane Reina are available here.

Links and information for Concluding the Week in Advent

Advent Reflections - Reflection hosted for the advent booklet. Meets via this link on Zoom on Thursdays at 10:00 am and at 8:00 pm
Shared Prayer for Peace - Monday, 9:00 am via this Zoom link - whether two or 20 join in.
Alternative Giving - Consider an Advent donation to suggested charities. Click here for the link.
Reverse Advent Calendar - Stock the Little Pantry throughout Advent. Suggested items here
Soup Supper Song and Prayer - Thursday night, Soup Supper at 5:45 in the Fellowship Hall, and Holden Prayer at 6:30 in the Sanctuary. A 20 minute session of song and prayer, live and on this Zoom link.
Live Nativity - INSIDE - Dec. 22 & 23 from 4:30-6:30 pm. hot chocolate, cookies, and Christmas inspired crafts for children

Mass and Service Schedule

See Advent and Christmas Calendar here.

Wednesday December 21 - 11:00 am

In the Fireside Room
No Zoom available

Christmas Day December 25 10:30 am

Morning Mass at 10:30 am
No afternoon or evening Mass

Wednesday December 28 - 11:00 am

Canceled
Have a wonderful Christmas week

Sunday January 1 12:30 pm

Mass at 12:30 pm (no 5pm Mass)

Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’

Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.

The 301 Faith Partners--Mary of Magdala, Trinity Lutheran, St Paul's Episcopal --have a Vision, Mission and Values statement that guides our relationships, interactions, and shared projects and ministries.

Read about our Mission, Core Values and Covenant here.

Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal

What are our partners in ministry up to? Click here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin.