Dear friends,

Yeah, it’s …beginning…to…look…a lot….like Christmas. More and more housing decorations up, stories all decorated and bustling with shoppers. And of course it’s beginning to “sound” like Christmas on many a radio station. White Christmas…Chestnuts…Jingle Bell Rock…I’ll Be Home for Christmas…all the holidays favorites that are again music to the ears but will be rather tiring by Christmas Day.

The Advent season begins and ends with invitation. As Advent begins an ancient carol echoes, “O Come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel”. Set to a haunting melody those words reflect ancient and modern longings for God to be known among us.

As Advent gives way to Christmas, another invitation rings out, this one to gather together in celebrating the Child Christ. “O Come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant. O come, ye, o come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold him, born the king of angels. O come, let us adore  him…Christ the Lord!”

If you are surfing the Web looking for a church home, we invite you to join our Advent journey to Bethlehem and beyond. You will find us a warm and welcoming congregation, a place where God’s house is a home for all!

Advent and Christmas blessings from us to you!

Grace and peace,

Rev. Rick