December 17, 2019

Family,

Hope. Peace. Joy. And now we light the Candle of Love.

I don’t know why, perhaps it is because two of my grandsons are actively involved, but I can’t recall appreciating the lighting of the Advent Candles as much as I have this year.  I recognize that, with the children,  we all are still figuring out what the words represented by the candles mean.  Yet, with the children, we know that the words and the candles are beautiful. With the children we know that they are words that matter greatly, words that can save the world and shape our souls.

This Sunday, as we light the Candle of Love, the children will present a short program to help us celebrate the coming of Christmas. Pastor Tanner and I will speak with them (and also with you) of the ways in which Christmas will always be true, always be real.

The words of Scripture will be “While they were there the time came for her to deliver her child.” (Luke 2:6)

These words from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will also help shape the service. “For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.”

Prayers for you all as Christmas draws near.
Jim H.

Prayers of the Congregation

Jewelle Gibbs (Stanford Hospital); Wil Ash (recuperating at home); The Bence-Lee Family for Cordia; Emma Gordon for her family; LeAnn Flesher for her dad; Marie Johnson for her grandson, Kosta; Mary Karne for Maryla; All who are grieving; All who are seeking; All who are traveling; The homeless and all who work with, and for, them; Geetha, Darshan and Emmanuel Thaker (health); Chuck Johnston for his dad; Rick McKillop for his mom; Roxanne Jones and family; Rick Mixon and the members of FBC Palo Alto; Wally Bryen for his mom; Sydney and Gigi; Thanksgiving with ABSW for Dean LeAnn Flesher and her 25 years of courageous leadership; All who contend with mental illness and those who stand with them; Jeanne Robinson; The people of Nigeria; The people of Syria; the people of Bolivia; The people of the United States in a time of great political uncertainty

Invitations

Pastor Tanner reports on her trip to Palestine
Tuesday, December 17, 6:30 (Soup at 6:00) Family Room

Support a Family Gift Wrapping
This Sunday in the Family Room following Coffee Hour

Support a Family Gift Delivery
Monday, December 23, 10:00