This Week @ LPC

Service Time

Sunday Worship - 10 am

Sunday School

Children & Youth - 10:30 am | Adults - 11 am

A note from Pastor Joy...

The angels’ proclamation on the night of Jesus’ birth was in direct opposition to the proclamation of Rome at the time. In Scot McKnight’s book, The Real Mary he says, “The gospel story out of Rome was this: Caesar Augustus, son of god [aka his father Julius Caesar], our savior, has brought peace to the whole world. The gospel that the angels announced to Mary and to the shepherds was the good news that Jesus, the Son of God, was the Savior. That could only mean one thing: Caesar Augustus was not.”

God has always had competition- people, and powers, and egos telling us that God is really quite insufficient and certainly unnecessary.  The packaging that God’s competitors use is always nice, but when we look around at the world – looking for peace, looking for wholeness, looking for love – I believe that we find that the competition hasn’t really delivered as promised. 

This season as we read the story in the Scriptures, as we hear it proclaimed in song, as we see it dramatized in plays and pageants, the proclamation is as bold and clear as it was the night that the angels first proclaimed it: Jesus, the Son of God, is the Savior of the world. That can only mean one thing: rulers and politicians, money, human goodness, psychology, science, and religion are not.

This is a season of rejoicing as our faith is renewed in God’s provision for His people and a world in need. It is a season for doing away with allegiances to false saviors and renewing our allegiance to the one who really is the Savior. It is a season of commitment to doing the work of the King and the Kingdom that opposes the kingdoms of this world.  It is a season of hope as we place our trust in God. 

May the season of Advent and your Christmas celebrations be filled with blessings and joy.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Joy 

Music Corner

Carl Marucci, Director of Music & Organist

Along with the exciting energy of the Advent and Christmas Season, one thing that I long for are the "sounds" of the season. Gone from the radio are the traditional carols, and music streaming services seem to interpret "traditional Christmas music" as Bing Crosby and Mariah Carey. Although entertaining, don't we long for the treasured sounds that we grew up with and have been part of our celebration for centuries?

If this resonates with YOU, then MARK YOUR CALENDARS! . . . .

Christmas Cantata

More than 40 singers will participate in this year's Christmas Cantata & Festival of Carols on Sunday, December 17th at our regularly scheduled 10:00AM service. This expanded choral group will be joined by our LPC Chancel Choir, a full brass quintet, timpani (kettle drums) and organ. The program will feature the favorite carols of the season set in rich and creative arrangements, many of which have been featured by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. And, most fun, the Cantata is not a spectator sport! The congregation/audience plays an important role, since they will lend their own voices to these favored treasures. What a wonderful opportunity to bring family and friends to experience these marvelous pieces, and to get a taste of our friendly and welcoming LPC Community.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

The choir, brass quintet and timpanist will return again on Christmas Eve to support our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, featuring the traditional sounds of the season in a candlelit evening service. Pre-service carols begin at 7:30PM followed by the Service at 8:00PM. Our LPC choir has worked hard to prepare this special music for our Christmas celebrations. Welcoming your friends, family and neighbors is a wonderful way for them to be nourished by the sights, sounds and message of our Saviour's birth. Be sure to make this an annual Christmas tradition in your home!

Christmas Eve Family Service

Of course, who wouldn't want to experience the tradition of our 5:00PM Christmas Eve Family Service, featuring our LPC Praise Band, Christmas Pageant with the little ones, and the outdoor live Nativity with a herd of animals. Such a treasured LPC tradition, not to be missed.

Until then, just a reminder that we are so deeply loved by our God, that he sent his son to heal, redeem and save us. Christmas reminds us that God is not "up there in the heavens," but closer than our heartbeat and nearer than our very breath.