In just a few more days we will mark the coming of one we wait for: Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. I’m sure some of us will spend that day with a lot of activity. Maybe you’ll be with family or friends. There might we gifts and special meals. There might be grief over who isn’t with you this year, or the tension of family who don’t quite get you, or with whom you struggle to connect. There might be worry over finances, health concerns or events happening in our world. There might be joy over new positive developments in your life, or simply the beauty of season.
However you will meet Christmas morning, I pray that you will find a quiet moment, to pause, be still and take in how much God loves you. I pray that you will experience wonder as you remember that Jesus, the Messiah, comes to you as a vulnerable infant which the power to make all things new.
SONGS & SCRIPTURES of the SEASON, Saturday, December 20 at 5:00pm.
This Saturday each of you are warmly invited to prepare your heart for Christmas by worshiping in community – specifically a shared community of folks from Gathering Delco and St. Stephen’s congregations. We will be led from people, young and old, from both congregations. We’ll sing songs of Advent and reflect on the scriptures which point to the coming King. If you are in town, I hope you and your family can join us. And if it will be fun for you, please bring your favorite holiday cookie or snack to share.
INVITE. Another way to help with the worship gathering is for you to invite friends or family. You could do this in person, via text, or like or share our instagram or Facebook posts about the service.
CHRISTMAS EVE’S EVE Church in Amy’s parent’s Living Room. Join us from northern Michigan on Zoom on Dec. 23, at 7:00pm to celebrate the night that change the world. Feel free to log in and show off your holiday pjs, or a funny Christmas sweater. We’ll tell the story of the birth of Jesus and do a hymn sing. (a hymn sing is where you call our at song title and I’ll play it on the piano for all to sing along) The vibe will be to show you all a bit of our family tradition, and the sing-a-long is definitely that. My parents are excited to host us from their living room this year!
GIVE. We are ending the year with many things to celebrate. Each of you and your faithfulness is a big part of that. I encourage all of us to join with our family in giving tithes and offerings as a regular spiritual practice as we build Gathering Delco. As always, you can give on Venmo @GatheringDelcoGives, or send a check made payable to Gathering Delco Community Church.
PRAY. Join me in praying for the ministry of our church, for all who come to worship with us, for those who have been a part in the church plant at any point along this journey and for those God will direct us to gather in 2026. And please continue to pray for my student who is recovering from brain surgery, and for a family friend in ICU.
THANKS: I sincerely count each of you, your God stories, and your friendship as a sweet consolation as I seek to lead our church. It’s a honor to follow Jesus alongside you and gain strength and encouragement from you.
May God dwell with you today and throughout this Holy season.
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