GATHERING
ENTRANCE
REFLECTION
Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead, love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and neighbor, love for plea and gift and sign.
Christina Rossetti
The Stompers are keeping the flame of American stringband music alive in the Washington, D.C., area.
Lulu’s Fate trio blends virtuosic instrumentals with lush three-part vocal harmonies to create new interpretations of traditional tunes.
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….Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him….”This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed --- and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
….At that moment Anna came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
In our text for today, two elders stand at the gateway of a new liturgical year. Anna and Simeon make this brief appearance – and they are never seen again. So why did Luke include these two unknown elders in his account of Jesus’ birth?
With the help and guidance of Marcia, John, and Roy, (and some technical assistance from Glen) the children brought the Christmas story to life with drama, costumes, and song. The worship space was arranged as if for theater-in-the-round, and the entire congregation became part of the pageant as the various characters in the story walked around and among us. All the children participated, even those who were just visiting for the day. …
Several times each year, Seekers Church takes time out from its regular preaching schedule for a service of chant, prayer and reflection modeled on the worship of the Taizé Community in France. This Sunday was one such time. Repeating the chants together until they die away into the silence provides rest for our world-weary spirits as well as an opportunity for individual reflection on our faith journeys. As we joined in spirit with the monks at Taizé, we were nourished by their faithfulness as well as by their music.…