United Parish of Bowie
United in Christ – Our Mission: To Serve
Presbyterian Church (USA) and United Church of Christ
The Journey Toward Sunday
I hope things are going well for you during this Advent Season. Someone reminded me this week of a Christmas poem I wrote (with the help of Dr. Seuss) way back when I first started doing these weekly announcements... I thought I'd reprint it the night before we do our Christmas decorating at church as an invitation to come decorate tomorrow morning!
To set the scene… the Grinch had stolen all of the gifts and festive décor from the good little Whos in Whoville in hopes of destroying their Christmas merriment. He was just about to finish the deed by pushing the sleigh with the loot over the edge of Mt. Crumpet… When he paused for a moment to listen for the misery of the Whos who were without presents on Christmas Day, this is what follows:
" "he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then in started to Grow…
But the sound wasn't sad!
Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn't be so!
But it was merry, very!
…
Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small
Was singing without any presents at all!
He hadn't stopped Christmas from coming!
It came!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?"
"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!"
"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."
"Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!""
He was right, I might add, Christmas surely means more
Than what can be bought in a mall or a store
Yet, the Who-celebration as good as it was
Still left something missing, or wanting because:
The child in the manger was nowhere around
The BEST news of Christmas was not to be found.
Not in decorations, not in the feast
Not near the Grinch as he cut the roast beast
So I thought to myself, that this story might
Be nearly perfect as a way to invite
Come to church, celebrate this Sunday Morn
As we sing and we tell of the Christ child born
Come decorate, celebrate, give thanks and proclaim
The season has reason we all know his name
The BEST news of Christmas, we strive to know well:
Jesus Christ is God with us —Emmanuel!
This Sunday in worship we'll be reading Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 and Luke 1:46-55 in worship this week and I'd encourage you to spend some time praying with the passages to prepare yourselves for Sunday.
After church on Sunday there will be a congregational meeting to elect two new board members. And then the dress rehearsal of the Christmas program...
And, the following Sunday (the 18th) will be the presentation of Carriers of the Light during the worship service. Plan to come and begin the celebration of the birth of the Christ!
This Wednesday is the final Advent M,M, &M for the year (Meals, Music and Memories). Come enjoy each other's company for dinner, singing and remembrances of Christmases and sharing traditions. Dinner's at 6:00 and we're done at about 7:15.
And also, This coming week will be my last week at the United Parish. My last worship service will be on the 18th. I am and always will be grateful for my time here, the learning that's gone on and the relationships that have been built! I will miss you and I trust that God will continue to do great things in and through the United Parish!
Many Blessings and Merry Christmas!
Pastor Dan
Office phone: 301-249-6411
Email: pastordan@unitedparishbowie.org
On the web: www.unitedparishbowie.org
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