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2020 CONGREGATIONAL WATCHWORD: “GOD HIGHLY EXALTED CHRIST AND GAVE HIM THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, SO THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BEND, IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH. PHILIPPIANS 2:9-10

O F F I C I A L N E W S L E T T E R O F L A N C A S T E R M O R A V I A N C H U R C H

THOSE WHO DREAM When Lent came this year, we were in the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic. We didn’t really have enough time to even think about what do to with worship for Lent and Easter. I scrambled and threw stuff together, praying that I would say or do something that would be meaningful in some way. To be honest, I know we got through it, but I don’t remember much. It is a giant blur. It probably wasn’t until October that I really came to grips with the fact that and were going to provide the same struggles.

Clergy cohort groups started getting together and sharing ideas and resources. Creativity abounded in these groups. Some of what we are going to be doing this year is stolen from colleagues (with permission). This type of collaboration has been a bright spot for me during these challenging times. One of them mentioned using Sanctified Art. I had never heard of it before, but when I saw their 2020 curriculum for Advent and Christmas, I fell in love. I heard the song written for the program and have been singing it since. The lyrics are:

There’s so much sorrow here, so much shame and hurt and fear. And there’s grief. Feels like the ache is never ending. Don’t have the words to pray, there’s no comfort, no joy today. Where is Love? We long to see a new beginning.

The night is long, can’t find sleep. Where has peace gone, it’s so hard to breathe. It’s time to dream fierce dreams like Mary did, brave dreams, like Joseph did, new dreams, like Jesus did, ‘cause those who dream change everything.

Seeds grow in the dark. Hope is born in the dark. Dreams start in the dark. So don’t give up. Those who dream change everything.

~ continued on page 2 ~ As I listened and watched the video with the images of COVID, and protests, and hurting, juxtaposed with images of Mary and Joseph holding Jesus, Anna’s hands holding him up at his blessing, Elizabeth and Mary embracing, I wept. So much is happening and changing around us. And it is indeed time to dream dreams. What changes to we want to see? How can the world me made better? Where are our dreams taking us? It’s time to dream fierce, brave, and new dreams!

This advent season we are going to start by lamenting our losses, grieving the changes that came with little to know warning. And after we have allowed ourselves to grieve, then, and only then, we are going to talk about what peace looks like in our dreams. How can we multiply joy? And if we believe that Love is strong enough to change the world, what does that look like? It’s time to dream and to bring into reality fierce, brave and new visions.

We will follow this theme of Those Who dream from November 29th through to January 3, 2021 with the following key points:

November 29th – Those who dream keep awake. December 6th – Those who dream prepare the way. December 13th – Those who dream sow joy. December 20th – Those who dream are not alone. December 24th – We are those who dream. December 27th – Those who dream will not keep silent. January 3, 2021 – Those who dream persevere.

During these weeks we will look at the dreams of the prophets, the psalmists, John the Baptist, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, Anna, Simeon, the shepherds, and the magi. “They were all dreamers. They received, discovered, and responded to God’s dreams for the world. In Advent, we step into the mystery and awe of God’s dreams and pray they shape our reality.”

Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity, Founder and Creative Director for Sanctified Art says this:

“As we begin a new church year, this Advent will mark the end of an extremely tumultuous calendar year. COVID-19, our current civil rights revolution, the US presidential elections, these events among others, are disrupting and reorienting our lives. In the midst of great loss and hardship, new possibilities and realities are being revealed to us. Often, our dreams are wildly disorienting – they don’t always make sense. They throw us off kilter. Sometimes they are deeply disturbing, and sometimes they help us uncover our deepest knowings. Similarly, Advent is a season of trusting that God’s deep wisdom will guide us from disorientation toward wonder, awe, and praise. As we journey together this season, I pray that we will not only dream of a better world, but bring it forth through our choices and actions, our rituals and practices.”

Amen, Amen, be it so!

Advent Blessings! Pastor Mandy UPCOMING EVENTS Advent Readings – Led by Without Walls - Zoom - Mondays – 7PM

A group of Moravian clergy decided to put together a series of Advent readings, similar to the traditional Holy Week readings that are done in Moravian Churches each year. Join these gatherings on Zoom each week to hear the Advent passages anew, read by Moravian clergy from across the province. (Zoom link still to come!)

A New Way of Being – Led by Members of the Racial Justice Task Force – Zoom – Wednesdays – 7PM

The Provincial Racial Justice Team is providing resources for the Advent Season in the form of a series called “A New Way of Being.” We are offering four sessions that feature a video story shared by a Moravian who has been impacted by racism. The session will also incorporate the Revised Common Lectionary Text from Sundays in Advent, a short written reflection and discussion questions. Each week will be led by a different member of the Racial Justice Task force. You have each also received the packet from these devotions if you’d like to follow along at home. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84451864419?pwd=MEhwR2ZzQ1ZXOENLeWlRakdBdkY1QT09

Thinking of You Thursdays – Every Thursday in December – at your leisure

Our Unified Board reminded me at a recent UB meeting that during this time of COVID, the most important thing for us to focus on is our relationships, both with God and with one another. With this in mind, I am encouraging us to consider calling (or sending a card to) at least one congregation member we have not seen or connected with in a while each Thursday during the month of December (or longer if you’d like). Just knowing that someone is thinking of us is often a meaningful gift!

Those Who Dream Devotional – In your advent packet

“A Sanctified Art” is a program that puts together beautiful resources of all kinds for the church year. This year, their advent program is called “Those who Dream.” We will use pieces of their curriculum for day Worship, but they also have created a beautiful Advent Devotional which you can use on your own each day to reflect and prepare for the year ahead.

Coloring Sheets and crayons – in your advent packet

For some, coloring can be a spiritual practice in which you find a clear head to pray while you think about the moments that mean so much to us about the Advent and Christmas season. Use these coloring sheets at your leisure.

Sunday Worship – Sundays at 9:30AM on Zoom & Outdoors at 11AM weather permitting

If by Friday afternoon of any given week the temperature forecast for Sunday at 11AM is going to be above 40 degrees without precipitation, we will also gather for outdoor worship. We will focus on Laments and Hope for Advent 1, and Peace, Joy and Love, each of the following weeks. December 27th will be our lessons and carols service.

Cocktails, Conversations, and Carols – Zoom - Friday December 4th at 7PM

An added twist to our monthly social gatherings. We will invite folks to lead us in singing some of our favorite Christmas tunes.

Christmas Game and Trivia Night – Zoom – Friday December 18, 2020 at 7PM

Our monthly game night will have a special theme this month. Christmas!

Longest Night Service – Led by Northern Province Clergy – Zoom – Sunday December 20th – 7PM

While for many Advent and Christmas are times of joy, for many others this is a time of sorrow and loss. We will take some time during this prayer service to honor and reflect on those losses. This service has been put together by a group of clergy across the province, including Pastor Mandy. (Zoom link to come soon) in a Box and Service – Pick up 4-5PM ;outdoor service 5PM ; Zoom service at 6PM.

Drive through the Vision Corps parking lot between 4 and 5PM on Christmas Eve to collect your Lovefeast Candlelight Christmas Eve Service in a box and feel free to stay for a brief outdoor service including the reading of the Christmas Story, the Lighting of the Christ Candle, and a prayer of Gratitude. We will also have a zoom Christmas Eve service at 6pm.

Epiphany Walk and Zoom Service

On Sunday January 3rd we will have our regular Zoom service at 9:30AM. At 11 am, regardless of temperature, folks are invited to join us in front of the church to begin an walk (or drive if you are unable to walk with us) to a nearby site that provides resources to homeless individuals. We will participate in an Epiphany Liturgy remembering that Jesus was homeless, and acknowledging the magi bringing him gifts. We will take with us items that we have collected (More info to come).

There are many opportunities for you to get involved this Advent season, whether it be in personal reflection, in small group gatherings and/or worship with friends and congregation members, or in larger more widespread groups across the province. Pick the combination that feels right for you! Whatever it is you choose to do; I pray that God blesses you richly during this time of preparation for Christ’s coming. As always if you have any questions or needs please let me know. Advent Blessings to you all!

Pastor Mandy MORAVIAN WOMEN Moravian Women will meet on Thursday December 3, at 1 PM. We will be meeting on Zoom.

This month we will be continuing with our study of Esther in "Lead Me, Lord". Our lesson this month is on "Character". We will look at character traits of Esther and how she was chosen because of them.

Our mission study will look at "Peace" and how the spirit gives us the ability to live in peace with one another as a part of a much greater whole. We will also look at the fruit filled life of Fernando Garcia from Honduras.

Please join us for fellowship as we seek to enrich our lives through the reading of God"s word, and learning of others' life journeys.

Zoom sign in is 7276959529 Nancy Sturgis, President 717-569-7678

IN DECEMBER, BOOK CLUB WILL NOT BE MEETING. Book Club will resume in January at the regularly scheduled meeting date/time, on the 3rd thursday at 6:30 PM January 21st, 2021

Many of you have expressed an interest in learning some Spanish. To that end, each month I will be introducing a new Spanish Phrase in the LOGOS. However, this month we will revisit last year's December phrase:

“Happy Christmas" Feliz Navidad

PASTOR MANDY

Many thanks for your wonderful years of service to the Lord, to Lancaster Moravian Church, and to the ADS and Unified Boards. We bless you and give thanks for you as you now move on. May God go with you and keep you safe! Dave Herber Elaine Sturgis Michael Brauner Phil Woffindin

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YY.. 2020 INCOME & EXPENSES OCTOBER YTD

Operating Income $ 5,383 $ 60,938 Operating Expense $ 10,640 $122,973 Gain/ <$ 5,257 > < $ 62,035 >

OUTDOOR SERVICES

(in the attorneys’ parking lot across the street) 10 AM on Sundays B.Y.O.C. (bring your own chair)

December 9th—our day for: UNITY PRAYER WATCH

Please bear with us as we go through a newsletter metamorphosis, if you will. We are striving to more accurately express who we are and who we are becoming. Many thanks for your grace. 33RRDD FFLLOOOORR

BECOMING...... REALITY!! LOOK WHAT WE FOUND!!

The original LMC cornerstone dating from 1746 love, peace, and joy

And the LMC cemetery landmark on N. Prince St., behind Auntie Anne's, by the driveway NEXT LANCASTER COMMUNITY PRAYER WALK: Saturday, DECember 19th, 9:00 AM Come prepared for the weather, and meet outside the church entrance.

ve I C l Lo E N T Rea U T H & A U R E L S P F E E

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

none to report

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Fay Hill Dec. 24th Susie Evans Dec. 25th

** Member of the 90+ Club

WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON Zoom Service Sundays @ 9:30 AM Outdoor Sunday Service @ 11 AM (in the attorneys’ parking lot across the street)

Mondays @ 7 PM Advent Reading (Zoom) Wednesdays @ 7 PM A New Way of Being Current Events 11:00 AM Dec. 7th ADS Board Meeting 4:30 PM Dec. 10th Logos Articles/Pics due Dec. 14th Game Night (Zoom) 7:00 PM Dec. 18th Prayer Walk 9:00 AM Dec. 19th Longest Night (Zoom) 7:00 PM Dec. 20th Current Events (Zoom) 11:00 AM Dec. 21st ADS/UB meeting 3:00 PM Dec. 22nd Drive-thru/Outdoor/Zoom 4/5/6 PM Dec. 24th OFFICE CLOSED Dec. 25th Lessons & Carols 11:00 AM Dec. 27th Watchnight Service (Zoom) 6 PM Dec. 31st OFFICE CLOSED JAN. 1ST, 2021 *For more information, please check our website: www.lancastermoravian.org or check us out on Facebook.

LANCASTER MORAVIAN CHURCH

227 North Queen Street, 2nd Floor PO Box 1327, Lancaster, PA 17608 Phone: 717-397-9722 Website: www.lancastermoravian.org

Email:[email protected] (Rev. Mandy Mastros) office @lancastermoravian.org (Donna) [email protected] (Terry)

UNIFIED BOARD

Wayne Kautz (2021) Fay Hill (2021) Elaine Sturgis (2020) Addison Rymar (2021) David Herber (2021) Michael Brauner (2020) Joe Schulter (2021)

STAFF

Rev. Mandy Mastros — Pastor Donna Schilke - Admin Asst./Editor Terry Gott - Bookkeeper

Office Hours at Moravian Center Office is open: M-F, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM

Pastor’s office hours: Tuesday and Thursdays 9:30AM-12:30PM ~ other times by appointment ~

Articles and items appearing in the newsletter are due by the second Monday of every month. Material & comments should be submitted to the church office.

PRAYER CONCERNS Hedda, Stephen, Elaine, Priscilla, Eddie, Ashanti and Leslie, Kate

HOMEBOUND MEMBERS Bonnie Tshudy, Cindy Campbell, Charlotte Howell