FPC Bellingham

The Bird's Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin. 

Read aloud by Pastor Doug Bunnell with special guest, Laurie Bunnell. Originally posted in 2020 as a 5 part story, the story is made available once again in 2022 as we continue to celebrate Advent.

For those who want to read along, the book can be found online at: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/24286/24286-h/24286-h.htm.

Welcome to the FPC Advent Podcast, where Pastor Doug and Pastor Kerrie spend a few minutes wondering about God's presence in Advent scriptures, as read by people from our community. We invite you to listen and reflect with us.

Today's scripture is read by Kristen Frankland, and Doug and Kerrie are joined in reflection by special guest Jocelyn Meyer.

Luke 2:25-38

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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “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.” There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Welcome to the FPC Advent Podcast, where Pastor Doug and Pastor Kerrie spend a few minutes wondering about God's presence in Advent scriptures, as read by people from our community. We invite you to listen and reflect with us.

Today's scripture is read by Debbie Bernard.

John 1:10-18

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

Welcome to the FPC Advent Podcast, where Pastor Doug and Pastor Kerrie spend a few minutes wondering about God's presence in Advent scriptures, as read by people from our community. We invite you to listen and reflect with us.

Today's scripture is read by Katy Murphy, and Doug and Kerrie are joined in reflection by special guest John Freal.

John 1:1-9

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

Welcome to the FPC Advent Podcast, where Pastor Doug and Pastor Kerrie spend a few minutes wondering about God's presence in Advent scriptures, as read by people from our community. We invite you to listen and reflect with us.

Today's scripture is read by Chloe Clinkenbeard, and Doug and Kerrie are joined in reflection by special guest Andy Lewis.

Matthew 2:19-23

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”

Welcome to the FPC Advent Podcast, where Pastor Doug and Pastor Kerrie spend a few minutes wondering about God's presence in Advent scriptures, as read by people from our community. We invite you to listen and reflect with us.

Today's scripture is read by Lynn Schuman, and Doug and Kerrie are joined in reflection by special guest Nicki Lang.

Jeremiah 31:15-17

Thus says the Lord: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more. Thus says the Lord: Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for there is a reward for your work, says the Lord: they shall come back from the land of the enemy; there is hope for your future, says the Lord: your children shall come back to their own country.

Welcome to the FPC Advent Podcast, where Pastor Doug and Pastor Kerrie spend a few minutes wondering about God's presence in Advent scriptures, as read by people from our community. We invite you to listen and reflect with us.

Today's scripture is read by Thomas Clinkenbeard, and Doug and Kerrie are joined in reflection by special guest Laurie Bunnell.

Matthew 2:16-18

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” 

Welcome to the FPC Advent Podcast, where Pastor Doug and Pastor Kerrie spend a few minutes wondering about God's presence in Advent scriptures, as read by people from our community. We invite you to listen and reflect with us.

Today's scripture is read by Karin Clumpner, and Doug and Kerrie are joined in reflection by special guest Mike Morse.

Matthew 2:13-15

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, Out of Egypt I have called my son."

Welcome to the FPC Advent Podcast, where Pastor Doug and Pastor Kerrie spend a few minutes wondering about God's presence in Advent scriptures, as read by people from our community. We invite you to listen and reflect with us.

Today's scripture is read by Griffin Oakes, and Doug and Kerrie are joined in reflection by special guest Fred Hartsook.

Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Welcome to the FPC Advent Podcast, where Pastor Doug and Pastor Kerrie spend a few minutes wondering about God's presence in Advent scriptures, as read by people from our community. We invite you to listen and reflect with us.

Today's scripture is read by Ashby Bounds, and Doug and Kerrie are joined in reflection by special guest Andy Lewis.

Micah 5:2-5

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.