VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
LIVING STREAM CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, you can take part in Living Stream’s Virtual Christmas Bazaar, by shopping online at SERRV. It is an online fundraiser for Living Stream CoB, while supporting a fair trade market – and getting yourself or your loved ones great gifts.
Just go to: http://serrv.org/?a=lscobxmas
|
|
|
|
Longest Night Retreat
7:30-9:30 pm Eastern / 4:30-6:30 pm Pacific Time
Saturday, December 21
The holidays are a difficult time for many people, especially those of us who are grieving a lost loved one or an estranged relationship, or who do not have the means to celebrate in the contemporary fashion of our culture. Entering into the shortest days of the year can also be challenging for those of us who are energized by sunshine and warmth. Yet there is a wisdom also in the darkness: the tomb is also a womb of resurrection and rebirth. We will gather to reach out to one another across the miles and hold each other tight through the darkness, praying and reflecting together with scripture, poetry, images, and music. Both pain and joy are part of the story of Incarnation, and we will be present to and make room for both. Join us in this tender time led by Pastor Bobbi.
Image credit: Vincent van Gogh, Starry Night over the Rhône, 1888, oil on canvas, Musée d'Orsay, Paris
|
|
Without Exception
BMC/SCN statement of response to the creation of the Covenant Brethren Church
On November 16, 2019, a group of discontented Brethren gathered in Virginia to organize a new denomination called Covenant Brethren Church. This split represents a frustration that several decades of attempts to mold the Church of the Brethren into a more fundamentalist and lgbtq exclusive denomination have not been more successful.
At this time, the number of congregations that will elect to leave the Church of the Brethren in order to affiliate with this new denomination is unknown. The COB Leadership Team and District Executives will work to facilitate the departure.
Not surprisingly, a foundational tenet of this new church is a clear rejection of lgbtq people. As pastors and members of congregations that have been blessed by the full participation and gifts of lgbtq members, we lament the harm that is inflicted by policies and practices of exclusion and condemnation. As these congregations depart, we will continue to bear witness to the goodness and resiliency of lgbtq people and embrace with open arms those who are excluded or spiritually harmed. BMC will provide resources and support for lgbtq people and their families regardless of their denominational affiliation.
In her newest book, The Lost Art of Scripture, author Karen Armstrong reminds us that religion is an art form that pulls us to ponder the mysteries and possibilities of life and the divine. At its best, religion calls us into the world with a compassion that “treats everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equality and respect.”
In Jesus, we witness a way of life that affirms the sacred worth of each individual and moves us towards acts of peacemaking, service, compassion and justice. In rejecting the temptations of a self-assured legalism, the Jesus of the gospels invites us into a deeper understanding of the richness of the complexities and ambiguities of life. By embracing Jesus’ call to inclusion, our communities are strengthened and blessed.
We are grateful for the many ways that our Brethren tradition has guided us in this way of Jesus. The best of our Brethren heritage, belief and practice holds respect for conscience, recognizes the blessing of all of God’s children, embraces the love of Christ, and calls us to be open to the Spirit. It has led us to the margins, where we greet the living Christ in the messiness and joys of human life. In the words of Christian author Sarah Bessey, “the margins are our center.”
We wish our siblings in the Covenant Brethren Church peace in their journey. In these uncertain times as a denomination, we as SCN congregations will continue to affirm the dynamic and expansive love of God for all people, and move with hope and anticipation into an abundant future.
Supportive Congregations Network Steering Committee:
Kurt Borgmann, North Manchester COB
Susan Boyer, La Verne COB
Enten Eller, Ambler COB, Living Stream COB
Brian Flory, Beacon Heights COB
Sarah Kinsel, Portland Peace COB
Bonnie Kline Smeltzer, State College University Baptist and Brethren Church
Zandra Wagoner, University of La Verne
Joanna Willoughby, Common Spirit Grand Rapids COB
Carol Wise, Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBTQ Interests
Chris Zepp, Bridgewater COB
|
|
Advent theme
Christians around the world continue to observe the season of Advent - the coming of Jesus into the world. Our pastoral team has selected as a theme for the four Sundays of Advent "God is Faithful Throughout Time."
We invite and challenge you in your own prayer time to reflect on the meaning for you of these words: "God is Faithful Throughout Time."
|
|
|
|
|
|
UPCOMING WORSHIP with LIVING STREAM
December 15
3rd Sunday of Advent
Pastor Debbie
Saturday, Dec. 21
Longest Night Retreat
See article above
December 22
Pastor Debbie
December 24
Christmas Eve
Broadcast from
Ambler, PA CoB
You can revisit any of our previous worship services by visiting our archives.
|
|
|
|
Living Stream Church of the Brethren affirms the image of God in all persons – of every age, gender identity and expression, race, ability, ethnicity, nationality, class, and sexual orientation – and celebrates each person’s call to serve the world and the church.
|
|
Offerings and donations made to Living Stream CoB are always welcome by mail:
Living Stream CoB
500 N Emerson Ave Apt 413
Wenatchee, WA 98801-6638
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you to all whose donations keep us streaming!
Recent Donations:
September - $917.00
October - $992.00
November - $712.00
Dec. to date - $212.00
Monthly Budget: $1,300
Attendance
Date |
Chat |
Live |
Total
Views |
Nov 10 |
22 |
40 |
129 |
Nov 17 |
31 |
40 |
121 |
Nov 24 |
21 |
27 |
78 |
Dec 1 |
29 |
37 |
82 |
(These statistics refer to the number of devices and may represent more than one person on a device. "Total views" includes archive views as well as drops and reconnects.)
|
|
|
|
|
Participation in Living Stream Church of the Brethren for 2020
It is our practice in this online congregation to renew our participation annually. In this way, we allow participants the flexibility to come and go, and we can celebrate those who intentionally and actively choose to be on this journey of faith together year by year. You are invited to indicate your desire to participate with Living Stream COB by completing the following online form: Living Stream Participation for 2020. Thank you for being a part of the Living Stream Church of the Brethren!
|
|
INVITATION FROM YOUR PASTORAL TEAM
Contact your pastoral team -- Pastors@LivingStreamCoB.org -- to volunteer to share your gift in worship -- be it a reading, a video, a gift of song, or a message. It is your willingness to share your gifts that makes our worship more meaningful and helps us to know each other better across the many miles.
|
|
YOUR STREAM TEAM
Contact your pastors with any questions, concerns, suggestions, or to get involved in helping lead worship!
All pastors together: Pastors@LivingStreamCoB.org
Bobbi Dykema: Bobbi@LivingStreamCoB.org
Debbie Eisenbise: Debbie@LivingStreamCoB.org
Enten Eller: Enten@LivingStreamCoB.org
Pastor for Nurture and Newsletter Editor, Bruce Rosenberger: Bruce@LivingStreamCoB.org
Technology Issues? Contact Enten the Technology Deacon: Tech@LivingStreamCoB.org
Prayer requests? Email your prayer concerns: Pray@LivingStreamCoB.org
|
|
|
|
|
|