And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Luke 1:46-47
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Our theme this Advent is “joy!” We are reflecting on joy in worship, in music and in study. Christmas lights and decorations, excitement of children, anticipation of various celebrations, and feasts for our senses at every turn will make December a joyful month for sure! We make preparations for it, we anticipate it, we wait for it.
In spite of all of our preparations and hopes for joy, we often settle for glimpses of joy and wonder if that is as good as it gets. We are too immersed in the mundane, ordinary, everyday circumstances of life to see anything except what is right before us and that doesn’t seem like joy. Are we missing something?
Circumstances were difficult and far from perfect for Mary, Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth. They were surely in survival mode much of the time. Yet, they chose to respond with joy. They believed they were chosen to a part of the fulfillment of the ancient prophecy for a Messiah to come and redeem God’s people, but they had no idea what that would look like. God did! And they trusted in God. Can you imagine God’s joy in surprising these faithful people to be a part of his redemptive plan? They believed in and responded to God’s joyful gift with joy!
Joy is truly a gift of Christmas, and like those closest in time and place to the Christmas story, we can choose joy! Unlike those in the Christmas story, we know what God’s redemptive plan looks like for us through Jesus. God so loved the world that he gave us joy!
Joy in our hearts is the gift of Christmas, the gift which life’s circumstances cannot alter. Christmas joy is the abiding gift and presence of Christ, our Savior! This Christmas let’s receive and share this as the greatest gift.
God, our Savior, help us to look beyond our circumstances to see joy as the greatest gift this Christmas!
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This month's devotion was written by Deacon Kathy Paisley. Besides leading women’s ministries and the new member process, Kathy is currently serving in an interim role in Care and Visitation ministry. She is a Spiritual Director. She is married to Ben and together they enjoy time with their family, especially their three young grandchildren, Kane, Vayda and Kai.
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Messages of Advent: Listening for Joy
Wednesdays, Dec. 7 & 14; 6:30pm; Chapel; OR
Thursdays, Dec. 8 & 15; 9:30am; Zoom
God's words of promise and hope fell very differently on each person within the couples of Zechariah and Elizabeth and Mary and Joseph. As we explore their response to God, we can gain insight into our own openness as God speaks to us. Join us for a reflective look at these two couples and how we ourselves listen for joy and hope in this season of Advent. Led by Deacon Kathy Paisley, Julie Hestermann and Anne Kubr.
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SOLOS in December
Sun., Dec. 11; 4-5:15pm; First Plymouth
SOLOS will attend A Thrill of Hope: Christmas with Abendmusik. Meet in the lobby at First Plymouth, 2000 D St. at 3:45pm. Following the concert we will enjoy dinner together at Granite City. RSVP by contacting Kathy.
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A Women's Christmas: Discussion Group
Thursdays, Jan. 5, 12 & 19; 9:30-10:30am; Zoom
There is an Irish custom of celebrating Epiphany (Jan. 6) as "Women's Christmas." It originated as a day when the women, who often carried the domestic responsibilities all year, took Epiphany Day as an occasion to celebrate together at the end of the holidays, leaving hearth and home to the men for a few hours.
Whether your domestic commitments are many or few, Women’s Christmas offers a timely opportunity to pause and step back from whatever has kept you busy and hurried in the holiday season. As the Christmas season comes to a close, this is an occasion both to celebrate with friends and also to spend time in reflection before diving into the responsibilities of this new year.
Consider this an invitation to rest, to reflect, to contemplate where you are in your unfolding path. At the threshold of a new year, take time to consider how you want the path through this year to look. Mindful of those Wise Ones who traveled to welcome the Christ child, we will turn our attention toward questions about our own journey. As we look at the landscape of our life, where and how do we want to travel through this year? What distinctive gift are we called to offer, that no one else can? What do we need to receive in order to do this?
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Women's Book Discussion
Wed., Feb. 8; 6:30-7:30pm
The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip has been chosen for our next book discussion. Author Sara Brunsvold will virtually join us with her insights into this story. Books are available in OneSent for $16 + tax.
Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment than the fluff pieces she's been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who's just entered hospice care. But there's more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian may be dying, but she's not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young reporter into her life for a reason. And if it's a story Aidyn Kelley wants, that's just what Mrs. Kip will give her—but she's going to have to work for it. This emotional multigenerational story shows that the very best life is made up of thousands of little deaths to self. You'll want to be just like Mrs. Kip when you grow up!
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