Holiday Greetings!
We continue to celebrate Emmanuel (“God with us”) with the second Sunday of Christmas. This is also the final Sunday of Christmas (Epiphany is January 6). Our scripture comes from the Letter to the Ephesians, chapter 1, verses 3-14. Ephesians is considered pseudepigraphical, which is a really long word that means written in the style of Paul, rather than by Paul himself. Regardless of its authorship, it is a powerful letter and the language is formal and poetic. I would encourage you to read it beforehand, because it is very, very dense.
The service opens with Chris Davis performing another favorite from Vince Guaraldi, “Skating.” Erin McKibben and Tim Accurso present the hymns “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” and “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.” Konrad Kono joins Erin for the final hymn “O, Come All Ye Faithful.” I love Konrad’s jazzy take on this classic Christmas hymn. He and Erin look like they are having a lot of fun with it.
Rev. Judith Muller and I preside over communion outside. It is a beautiful day despite an airplane or two. Judith serves as liturgist as well. Finally, Chris closes the service with a song titled “Distance,” an appropriate piece for our times.
With gladness let us join together through the fellowship of the Spirit --- breaking bread, sharing God’s word, and rejoicing in song!
Peace,
Jen
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