December 11, 2016
Theme: The Life of Christmas Present
Scriptures: Isaiah 35:3-7, Matthew 11:2-10
Sermon: “Fully Present” by Rev. Heather Giffen
To continue our sermon series on Dickenson’s A Christmas Carol, this week, we focus on the ghost of Christmas present. This ghost takes Scrooge to the home of his only employee, Bob Cratchit. Here, we meet his family celebrating a small feast on Christmas Day. We are drawn toward the plight of Tiny Tim, Bob’s crippled son which moves Scrooge to pity. The ghost attempts to move Scrooge to look beyond his own situation, to look at none other than those who are immediately affected by his actions. In many ways, the coming of the Christ child does the same. Jesus comes to us not as a strong and powerful being, but as a poor baby, a stranger in his own land, living on the margins of society. Like Scrooge, we can be too caught up in our own world to notice those who are in the greatest need and must be reminded through the coming of Christ the larger picture of our present.
Prayer: Dear loving God, we are more distracted than ever these days with the goings on of the holidays and events of the world. Help us to be fully present with you as the reason for this time of year. Help us to look around and see outside of our own wants and expectations of the season. Help us to be still, and to be aware of your life-giving spirit that surrounds us. Amen.
Sunday’s Music:
9:15 Service - Apostles Bells; Apostles Choir; Dennis Eyrich, drums
10:45 Service – Apostles Bells; Apostles Choir
December 11 Sunday
8:15 am Apostles Choir—9:15 Service
9:00 am Nursery Care
9:15 am Worship with Children’s Sermon
9:15 am Redemption of Scrooge—Parlor
9:30 am Children’s Sunday School
10:15 am Children’s Library
10:45 am Worship Service
4:00 pm Youth Choir
5:30 pm Youth Group
Upcoming Events:
December 12 Monday
8:00 am Meditation Monday
7:00 pm Commission Meetings
December 13 Tuesday
2:00 pm Book Club
6:30 pm Committee on Ministry
6:45 pm Apostles Bells
December 14 Wednesday
5:15 pm Choir Parents Dinner
6:00 pm Education Commission
6:00 pm Cherub Choir
6:30 pm Carol Choir
7:00 pm Apostles Choir—10:45 Service
December 15 Thursday
7:00 pm Stewardship Meeting
December 17 Saturday
2:00 pm Rev. Robert Achtermann—Memorial Service
December 18 Sunday
8:15 am Apostles Choir—9:15 Service
9:00 am Nursery Care
9:15 am Worship with Children’s Sermon
9:15 am Redemption of Scrooge—Parlor
9:30 am Children’s Sunday School
10:00 am Preschool Christmas Program Preview
10:15 am Children’s Library
10:45 am Worship Service
12:00 pm Lunch with Pastors
Blessings & Peace -
Rev. Kathryn L. Kuhn
Church of the Apostles UCC
1850 Marietta Ave.
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 392-5718 x115
~ Sharing Christ and His Love with All People ~
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