December 3, 2019

Family,

We honored the first Sunday of Advent on December 1st by lighting the Candle of Hope and singing the first verse of “When God Is a Child.” Hope is a star that shines in the night, leading us on till the morning is bright. When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

We also decorated the Sanctuary, Narthex and Family Room for the season. It was a good time of being together on a rainy Sunday. Thanks to all who participated in the day.

On December 8 we will honor the second Sunday of Advent by lighting the Candle of Peace and singing the second verse of “When God Is a Child.” Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth, giving a promise of safety and worth. When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

My sermon will be “What Gabriel Said, What Gabriel Wondered.” In an age of many messages, most of them mere distractions, we will hear again the words of Gabriel to Mary and consider the significant difference between disrutive messages and distracting messages. Please join us.

Peace,

Jim H.

Prayers of the Congregation

Thanksgiving with Marie Johnson on the birth of her second grandson, Kosta; Mary Karne for Maryla; Darlene Scott (fall) Kaiser Hospital; The Ash family for Esther Pancho (Kaiser Hospital): The ABSW community for Professor Peter Yuichi-Clark (hospice care); Peggy Rogers-Tamayo; All our students and their families; All who are traveling; Louis Greer (Piedmont Gardens SNF); Pastor Tanner as she stands for justice in Palestine; Jewelle Gibbs (St Paul’s Towers SNF); Karen Okusu: Sydney W. for Gigi (eye surgeries pending); The Bence-Lee family for Cordia; Declan B. for Nadine (surgery) and family; The many war-torn, strife-torn cities and countries of the world; Thanksgiving for the ministry of the American Baptist Seminary of the West; Thanksgiving for the ministry of the Evergreen Baptist Association

Announcements

This Sunday at LABC – Pastor Tanner returns from her visit to Palestine, Craft Sale presented by LABC Youth.

Thanks to the LABC Handbell Ensemble for representing LABC at Grand Lake Gardens on December 4th!