How was church today?

[revjohn]

Was up early to blow out the last of our first blizzard before I left for Church.

Was just outside of the city limits when the call came in over my bluetooth that nobody in Brigus-Cupids-Georgetown were able to get out of their driveways (bit of an exaggeration but probably true for most parishioners) and the one who was able to get out of his driveway went over to open the Church to find that sometime in the night the furnace had quit (apparently the problems were bigger than we were told by service people called twice in the last month).

So, the wisdom from the ground was for me to turn around and not take any further chances on the road. The TCH wasn't bad driving no idea what Veteran's Memorial or Roaches Line would have been like.

Not happy to cancel services but that was what my lay Leadership thought was safest so I trusted them to make those calls.

On the way home I had a Mother moose and calf think about crossing the road in front of me. Then they rethought it and turned around. I wasn't in position to get many good pictures since the phone is tucked away to ensure hands freedom. Did fish it out for an awkward series of photos that resulted in only one decent pic. Included below.

 

[Luce NDs]

Something to muse about as the experience stirs within ...

 

[Tabitha]

church yesterday was good. The topic was joy and lots of people spoke about joy. We have been having different congregation members add an ornament keeping with the theme to our tree. This week a lady in her 90's brought in a treble clef ornament and talked about the joy music has been in her life.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

The last two Sundays were about John the Baptist. That is new to me at Advent, I think.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

Yesterday was also contrasting John the Baptist with Elijah.

I wanted to hear about Mary and Joseph. I wanted to be thinking about Mary.

 

[BetteTheRed]

We had no sermon this week, which is fine, as long as it's not all the time. The rev always says that if she's got a choice between ditching the sermon and children's time, the sermon goes, every time. We had our choir's cantata - and it was very well done. Old music, new music, nice narrated bits over some lovely piano arrangements. My bio son came with me, because he was here visiting for a day or so (I took him home to C___wood today), then we enjoyed the peace labyrinth.

 

[You just never know]

How long did each of the Revs speak for?

Probably around 8 to 10 minutes each. Service was a typical length.

 

[Seeler]

Freezing rain last night made a beautiful winter wonderland of ice glistening in the sunlight this morning. Everything - trees, streets, driveways, steps, cars covered with 1/2 inch of ice. But the trucks had been around at 4:00 am with salt and sand. Seelerman got the car door open and started it running so that he could scrape off the windshield and we made it to church in time to Greet at the Door. I also read scripture. Good turn-out despite the driving/walking conditions. Seelergirl arrived from her home outside the city - her crescent was like a skating rink she said.
The worship service was pleasant. The minister treated it as the fourth Sunday of Advent (we will have Christmas services at 4:00 (young children), 7:00 (family) and 11:00 (communion). This morning she spoke of Love, as well as Hope, Peace, and Joy, referring to Luke's writing about Mary and Elizabeth.

 

[Jaebius]

Church was great. Smaller crowd then usual. Received compliments on my sermon. Music and sermon fit really well together - I give God the glory. Afterwards, friends took a group of us to Swss Chlt for lunch.

 

[Tabitha]

at 10 am I did sunday school. My 2 sons came to 7pm service and set up more chairs at the start. Lovely service-it spoke to my heart.

 

[Nancy]

I attended my own church, sang in the choir, and gave hugs to various people whom I have not seen for a long time. It was a carols and scripture service...no sermon. But the church was packed. Maybe the 'no sermon' thing attracts people????

 

[Jaebius]

I attended my own church, sang in the choir, and gave hugs to various people whom I have not seen for a long time. It was a carols and scripture service...no sermon. But the church was packed. Maybe the 'no sermon' thing attracts people????

Maybe...? However, I do feel that having a sermon is best. It is an opportunity for the pastor to speak God's word into the life of the congregation.

Did someone do a Bible reading?

 

[BetteTheRed]

We had the Advent love service in the a.m., and there was a message with that one. Last night there were two services - I attended the first, at 7 p.m., after minding the labyrinth for an hour. It was a live nativity. I had noises to make from my seat as a participatory type of nativity script. Then we lit candles (and I was one of a team of candle-lighters and passers) and sang a couple of carols. No sermon, although a few readings in addition to the pageant. It was very well done, as usual. You'd never have known that my poor minister spent the afternoon at the hospital with her 100 year old mother...

 

[Luce NDs]

Are ministers and wand abies inclined towards sermon I'z ... or Simonizing?

 

[Seeler]

Maybe...? However, I do feel that having a sermon is best. It is an opportunity for the pastor to speak God's word into the life of the congregation.

Did someone do a Bible reading?

I think that you are responding to 'carols and scripture.' What do you think scripture means?

 

[Jaebius]

I think that you are responding to 'carols and scripture.' What do you think scripture means?

My bad. I missed that. I am human.

Glad that Scripture was read. God's word is so vital to the Christian walk. It is a means of Grace through which God fortifies the faith of believers, and gives the gift of faith to others.

 

[BetteTheRed]

My bad. I missed that. I am human.

Glad that Scripture was read. God's word is so vital to the Christian walk. It is a means of Grace through which God fortifies the faith of believers, and gives the gift of faith to others.

Maybe that is so in your walk. Not necessarily so in other's walks.

 

[Jaebius]

Maybe that is so in your walk. Not necessarily so in other's walks.

It is not up to me to make God's word an effectual means of grace. It just is.

 

[Nancy]

We had the Advent love service in the a.m., and there was a message with that one. Last night there were two services - I attended the first, at 7 p.m., after minding the labyrinth for an hour. It was a live nativity. I had noises to make from my seat as a participatory type of nativity script. Then we lit candles (and I was one of a team of candle-lighters and passers) and sang a couple of carols. No sermon, although a few readings in addition to the pageant. It was very well done, as usual. You'd never have known that my poor minister spent the afternoon at the hospital with her 100 year old mother...

Sounds like a good service...wondering what noises you made? Sorry to hear about your minister though. Tough to be front and center leading a service when your mind/heart might be lingering elsewhere.

 

[Luce NDs]

Sounds like a good service...wondering what noises you made? Sorry to hear about your minister though. Tough to be front and center leading a service when your mind/heart might be lingering elsewhere.

Illustrates diversity to the mean and narrow minded ... perhaps integral lack thereof ... a living wreck/rack ... thus the image of a great stag ... Deire Mei! Did drink it's fill and went over the h*isle --- Lucie Maude ...