"Christmas, according to the liturgical calendar, isn’t just a day, but a season. Many Christians know the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” or recall that Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is about the last night of Christmas. But what defines the Christmas season? The 12 days of Christmas are a reversal of the season of Advent. Traditionally, Christians have fasted during Advent as we await the celebration of the birth of our Savior. The period from Christmas Day to the day before Epiphany (the celebration of the magi visiting Jesus, the baptism of Jesus and the beginning of his earthly ministry) is a period of daily feasting. This is surprising, given the reason for celebrating several of the

Melanie (our Music Director) and Carla (one of our Bell Choir members) work on music for Christmas morning.

Pastor Char from the United Methodist Church of Antioch brought over a contingent of menfolk to join with us at this month's Men's Breakfast. Had about a dozen of us in attendance, though only one table is pictured here. Great food and fellowship, discussion based on the Scripture for tomorrow (2nd Sunday in Advent), and a brief exploration of possibly participating in a joint community activity. Next month we're on THEIR turf!

ELCA Good Gifts are a creative, meaningful way to support the ministries of the ELCA that mean the most to you and your loved ones. These gifts are real examples from projects currently supported through ELCA churchwide ministries, including: the ELCA Fund for Leaders, ELCA Global Church Sponsorship, ELCA New Congregations, ELCA Vision for Mission, ELCA World Hunger, Disability Ministries... and Lutheran Disaster Response. The fundraising and administrative costs are kept to a minimum. More than 90 percent of your gifts directly support our programs; less than 10 percent is used for administration and fundraising. Because of ELCA's long-standing, local partnerships around the world, adminis

Today marks the beginning of the season of Advent, the First Sunday in Advent in particular. According to the article ADVENT 101 (from the Lutheran website Higher Things): "The church year in the West begins with with a preparatory season called “Advent.” The word “advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning “appearing” or “coming,” referring to the appearing of a great king or even a god. In Christian usage, it refers to the appearing of Jesus Christ in two ways - His first appearing as the Child born of the Virgin Mary and His second appearing in glory on the Last Day to judge the living and the dead. You see, Advent isn’t only about getting ready for Christmas; it’s also about get

Why!!? It’s a good question. It is, in fact, one of the first questions we learn to ask as children. “Why?” is how children learn about who they are and the world around them. For a church congregation, asking “Why?” can help us get at deeper, more helpful information about who we are as a church and the world around us as we seek to clarify our identity and mission. … Why are we here? Why do we gather together? Why are we different? Why come? Why ask others to join us? Good questions! Until ANY organization, church or otherwise, can define their “Why?” they are going to struggle. And as the Christian church if our “Why?” doesn’t flow from our passionate faith and belief in God’s merciful l