The Carillon United Church of Christ, Congregational (585) 492-4530 Editor: Kathy May
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The Carillon United Church of Christ, Congregational (585) 492-4530 Editor: Kathy May December 2016/January 2017 Advent and Christmas, perhaps more than any other Jesus’ birth, the shepherds, the angels, and wise men. seasons of the year, are just jam packed with symbols - We sing a few carols and think we've celebrated things like candles, wreaths, holly, lights, trees, and Christmas. That's because we're not moving away from don’t forget the mistletoe (and surely the list goes on the past. and on) that have different meanings for different The Incarnation is also a mystery of the present people. For instance, a Christmas tree all magically because we believe that God is with us right now decorated with colorful balls, shimmering lights and through the Holy Spirit. This is a mystery indeed! We tinsel reminds me of family and friends, and of gifts to are a Trinitarian Church, believing (though we cannot in give and to receive. For some folk, though, a Christmas any way prove) that God is of three essences, Father, tree has a different meaning. One of the first funerals I Son and Holy Spirit - or Creator, Redeemer and ever conducted was for a man who died on Christmas Sustainer. We believe the words of Jesus as he tells us Eve. Even now, his son probably sees a Christmas tree in John’s Gospel that we will never be left alone – that and remembers his Dad. And the Christmas tree all God will send God’s Spirit to us as an advocate in the adorned becomes a reminder of loss. The wide array of here and now of our lives. the symbols of Advent and Christmas remind us (for the The Incarnation is also a mystery of the future. We most part) of the events surrounding Jesus' one-of-a- remember the first coming of God in human form kind birth and point us to a mystery: the mystery of the (Jesus) so that we can anticipate the second coming. Incarnation; the mystery that God became a human We believe that God-in-the-flesh will someday come being and lived among us. again and bring all of creation together, and for we who As if that mystery is not enough to make us step believe, that will be a great time. back and ponder, even the word "mystery" has a Advent is not Christmas - it is a time of preparation. different meaning in Christianity than in our secular The church sets aside the four weeks before Christmas usage. When we say mystery, we think about solving a so that we can prepare ourselves for the puzzle or a crime. Those of us who like mystery novels commemoration of the Christ’s coming and to think try to figure out "who dunnit." But in the Bible, a about the mystery we call the Incarnation. This Christian mystery is something that we can see, but don't time of preparation isn't intended to give us time to buy understand and will probably never fully understand. gifts and decorate the tree, or go to a variety of parties The event (that is the birth of a baby, even though it is and over-indulge ourselves in gastronomic recorded as a spectacular birth) is clear enough to us, extravaganzas, although we don't frown on those but the meaning is not. The Incarnation (that is, God activities. The Christian time of preparation is not about taking on human form) is such a mystery. We can read doing and being incessantly busy; it’s about stopping— about it and experience it in our hearts, but we don't stopping our often times hectic lives long enough to see fully understand it nor make it reasonable in our minds. what Christmas is really about; it’s a time to think Why did God become human? What does that mean to about our lives and open our hearts to receive the Lord us? Those are questions that we can never fully Jesus Christ; it’s about waiting for the Lord, waiting and answer. watching for what the Lord is doing all around us; it’s As we have begun this 2016 season of Advent and about being quiet to hear God's voice still speaking to Christmas, it’s important to remember that the us in prayer, scripture, and familiar carols. Incarnation is a mystery in three different aspects. We remember, first, the Incarnation in the past as described in the Bible. Unfortunately, that's too often (Continued on next page) the only thing we celebrate in Christmas. We remember (Continued from first page) December Worship Coordinators The symbols of Advent and Christmas are important 4 Bev Giles 18 Wally Lowth because they point us toward truths that we see, but 11 Shirley Kriedeman 25 Nathan Tillinghast will never fully understand: the truths that God so loved the world that he gave his only son; the truth that God December Birthdays became human and lived among us; the truth that Christ taught us about God and about a way of living 3 Randy Lutz 16 Sheila Vrenna that he called, "the Kingdom of God;" the truth that the 6 Diana Stiles 17 Stacey Lund Holy Spirit is present with us right now; the truth that 11 George Norton 22 Davis Garlapo the earth doesn't just run out of gas someday, but that God created it for a purpose and toward an end. And in the end, God wins over evil, sin, and death. The great story of Christmas is not about us, but it is for us. Christ came into the world for us. Christ is present for us. Christ will someday redeem all creation for us. And the truth of the Christmas story is the Incarnation – God personified in Jesus the Christ! Shalom, Pastor Bob December Bible Readings If you or someone you know would like to receive the 4 Isa 11:1-10 18 Isa 7:10-16 Sacrament of Holy Communion at Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 home, please let Kathy in the Rom 15:4-13 Rom 1:1-17 church office know. You may reach Matt 3:1-12 Matt 1:18-25 the church office at 585-492-4530 or via email at [email protected]. 11 Isa 35:1-10 25 Isa 9:2-7 Psalm 146:5-10 Psalm 96 Anyone from 9th grade up is invited James 5:7-10 Titus 2:11-14 to share with us in our music Matt 11:2-11 Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) ministry. Rehearsal is at 8:45am on Sunday mornings and Wednesday WORSHIP IN DECEMBER: evenings at 6:00pm. Dec ember 4: 2nd Sunday of Advent December Greeters Scripture: Luke 1:39-45 Sermon: The Touch of Christmas 4 Jim & Sheila Vrenna 18 Randy & Debi Lutz December 11: 3rd Sunday of Advent 11 Sharon Koch & 25 John & Carol Abel Youth Christmas Program Molly Holland December 18: 4th Sunday of Advent Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18 December Readers Sermon: The Sounds of Christmas December 24: Christmas Eve 4 Lary Schaefer 18 Jeff Mason December 25: Christmas Day 11 Children’s Program 25 Debi Lutz Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 A Birthday Party for Jesus! December Nursery Schedule 4 Shannon King 18 Denielle Romance 11 Children’s Program 25 Pastor’s Discretionary Fund January Birthdays 1 Karen Czesak 24 Dirk Norwich During the month of November contributions for the 8 Katelyn Rogers 24 Sharon Hawley Pastor’s Discretionary Fund have been given by: Martha 9 Jim Vrenna 26 Mike Pokigo and Gary Bray, Bill Hall, Ken and Grace Lingenfelter and 17 Paul Sanio 27 Gordon Comstock Pastor Bob. 18 Sue Kasprzyk 29 Lloyd Knose This fund is used in helping area folk in times of 19 Aaron Czesak 31 Shirley Kriedeman need. Your donations are greatly appreciated and may 23 Marilyn Pirdy be given to Pastor or mailed to the church, indicated for the Pastor’s Fund. January Bible Readings: Bell Ringers Needed! 1 Eccl 3:1-13 22 Isa 9:1-4 It is that time of year once again when we look Psalm 8 Psalm 27:1, 4-9 ahead to Advent and Christmas. We are searching for Rev 21:1-6a 1 Cor 1:10-18 Eager Bell Ringers for the Annual Salvation Army Bell Matt 25:31-46 Matt 4:12-23 Ringing Campaign. Help us spread the word and look for volunteers to 8 Isa 42:1-9 29 Micah 6:1-8 assist us in our efforts this upcoming season and then Psalm 29 Psalm 15 give your name(s) to Pastor Bob and he will forward Acts 10:34-43 1 Cor 1:18-31 them to the appropriate person for scheduling. Thank you! Matt 3:13-17 Matt 5:1-12 15 Isa 49:1-7 January Greeters Psalm 40:1-11 1 Margaret Homan & 22 The Tillinghast Family 1 Cor 1:1-9 Shirley Kriedeman John 1:29-42 8 Mike Tanner & 29 Harv Roll & Dirk Norwich Penny Rutledge WORSHIP IN JANUARY: 15 Suzanne Norton & Helen Knose January 1: New Year’s Day The Sacrament of Holy Communion January Readers Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-18 1 Bev Giles 22 Mike Tanner Matthew 2:13-23 8 Rich Vogt 29 Tom Scott Sermon: Let’s Keep Herod in Christmas! 15 Skip Tillinghast January 8: 1st Sunday after Epiphany The Baptism of Christ Sunday Scripture: Acts 10:34-43 January Nursery Schedule Matthew 3:13-17 1 Kathy May 22 Shannon King Sermon: Wonder Water 8 Amy Tillinghast 29 Denielle Romance January 15: 2nd Sunday after Epiphany 15 Sheila Vrenna Scripture: Psalm 40:1-11 John 1:35-42 January Worship Coordinators Sermon: The Happiness of Being Dirty 1 Ryan Bechdel 22 Wally Lowth January 22: 3rd Sunday after Epiphany 8 Bev Giles 29 Jo Sixt Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 15 Shirley Kriedeman Matthew 4:12-23 Sermon: The Run Flat Church January Anniversaries January 29: 4th Sunday after Epiphany 1 Lary & Barbara Schaefer – 34 yrs.