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Love Became Flesh, CFC Christmas happenings, and more...
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Love Became Flesh


<<First Name>>,

I'm. Dreaming. Of a white. Christmas. 

I'm dreaming tonight of a place I love...

Later on we'll conspire, as we dream by the fire...

Make my wish come true. Baby, all I want for Christmas...is you.

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

We wish you a merry Christmas...


Many Christmas songs express dreams, wishes, and hopes, revealing our desires for some kind of future for ourselves and/or others.

For the serenity of snow (serene at least for those who don't have to drive far or who have a warm place to sleep!). For "home," whether a structure, a location, or a group of people. For future plans that we hope to "face unafraid." For closeness with someone we love. For the "everlasting light," coming into the world and shining in the darkness. For others to experience a Christmas more "merry" than somber. 

Jesus spoke frequently of the Kingdom of God and its impending arrival. Our religious language can often be a bit peculiar to others not "in the community." There is both upside and downside to this. I often use "Kingdom language," because I think it's important to understand why Jesus said what he said in the way he said it. But I think finding other language that captures the spirit of Jesus's vision in a way that might more fittingly speak to our experience is important, too.

For example, at some point along the way I heard someone suggest alternative language for God's Kingdom: "God's dream." That is, God's dream for creation. The coming to be of God's deepest hopes for what God loves. I kind of like that. Jesus, then, in what he taught, did, and embodied, is something like God's dream coming true. The Word become flesh. Imagine God saying to God's heavenly buddies (angels?), "ok, check it out, I have this idea, this is my dream..."

And then, a Savior is born, in the city of David, who is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:11)

-Matt
THIS WEEK'S CONTENT
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Project Holiday Hope

 
Thanks to all who participated! We still have four unclaimed tags left, so please email Kendra (office@camasfriends.org) if interested and she can communicate with you about the nature of the gifts still needing to be purchased. Gifts should be brought to the meetinghouse by December 16th. Please return your gifts to the church with the tag taped to your donation. Please do not gift wrap. All donations are tax-deductible. For more details email: projectholidayhope@gmail.com 

From Nominating Committee


Nominating Committee will meet this Sunday to consider recommendations for our CFC committees and church officers. As they prayerfully consider the participatory needs of the Meeting, it will be helpful for Nominating Committee to know your interests, gifts, talents, and skills (thank you, of course, to those who filled out the survey on Sunday). Please contact Carolyn Myers (carolynmmy7@q.com) to express interest or ask questions about possible opportunities for participation.

Text of the Week


John 1:1-14 (NRSV): The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Christmas Youth Gathering: Saturday the 15th


All 5th-12th graders (families are welcome too!) are invited to an evening of games, snacks, and Christmas caroling at the Fazios’ house (708 NE 2nd Avenue; Camas) from 3pm to 5:30pm.

Contact Heather (503-908-2676) for more information.

Boswells' Open House: Sunday the 16th


Stop by the Boswells' (706 NW 7th Ave, Camas) between 4:30pm to 6:30pm this coming Sunday for some snacks, beverages, and a cozy holiday vibe!

Clara will be facilitating "Clara's workshop," an interactive art experience for all ages! :)

Contact Matt (matt@camasfriends.org) for more information.

Christmas Program:
Dec 23rd 
(during Sunday worship


Our kids have been preparing for this for several weeks and are eager to charm us and lead us in a musical reflection on the Christmas story. Please join us! 

Christmas Potluck: Dec 23rd (after Sunday worship)


Join us after the Christmas program for a festive potluck! If you would like to contribute food or assistance, please sign up HERE.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service


Join us at the meetinghouse on Christmas Eve for a contemplative gathering with scripture, song, silence, and, of course, candles, slowly lit to celebrate the coming of the Light of Christ into the world.

CFC Book Discussion Group tonight


We are discussing Matt's book, The Way to Love. Tonight we will discuss Chapter Four (You and Me: The Self that Grows). Following tonight, we will meet on the 19th, take two weeks off (no meeting on Dec 26 or Jan 2), then resume meeting on Jan 9.

Thank you from recent Safe Park guests


A message from Cody and Phoebe, our guests from early October to late November:

Dear Camas Friends,

Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness letting us and our family stay at your church!  It's always a struggle to find a safe place to sleep and having a haven for the month or so while Cody was working in the area was an absolute treasure.  We wish you all the very best and wonderful holidays!

Many blessings,
Phoebe and Cody
(And Cheech, Oddette, Lil Bibs, and Lil Bum!)

Office Hours

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 1pm-3:30pm

Sunday Sermons

Did you miss a Sunday? You can find messages from past weeks below. 
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