We focused on the baptism of Jesus and our own baptism. As has been done traditionally on this Sunday, we installed new elders and deacons for the upcoming year.

It was back to reality last Sunday, with Christmas over and a New Year begun. In his sermon, After Christmas, Pastor John highlighted the travels of the Magi to visit the Christ Child, and the escape to Egypt by Joseph and Mary to avoid the wrath of Herod.

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent we continued to look at Isaiah 9:2-7, and the four royal titles ascribed to the anticipated new king - Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

In the incarnation, God has come to us, has become one of us, one with us. God Almighty has appeared to us in something as vulnerable, as fragile and demanding, as a baby. He has come to us as our Prince of Peace.

We continued our series looking at the four royal titles that describe and anticipate the new king in Isaiah 9:2-7 - Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

This Sunday we'll focus on the title "Everlasting Father." How did people understand it then? How did Jesus fit or not fit with this title? And how does God act toward us in both fatherly and motherly ways? As we get closer to Christmas, may you experience God's fatherly and motherly embrace of love.

This week in worship we celebrate the second Sunday of Advent, continuing our series looking at the four royal titles that describe and anticipate the new king in Isaiah 9:2-7 - Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

This Sunday we'll focus on the title "Mighty God." How did people understand it then? How did Jesus fit or not fit Israel's expectations of what the Messiah would be like? As we journey toward Christmas and the birth of Jesus, how do these well-known royal titles expand our understanding, and deepen our faith in, Jesus?

Isaiah 9:2-7 is a divine utterance that uses four royal titles to describe the anticipation of a new king-Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This Advent we'll ponder each title. We'll reflect on how the people understood it then, and how Jesus did or did not fit Israel's expectations of what the Messiah would be like. As we journey toward Christmas and the birth of Jesus, how do these well-known royal titles expand our understanding of, and deepen our faith in, this little child born in a stable?

In this sermon, Pastor John wrapped up his series in Acts 1-11. Peter is asked by the church leaders to explain his fellowship with Gentiles. He responds by telling them of a vision he received at Joppa, a vision of God's expansive love. It's a vision that leads to a new world of embrace and well-being that requires no barriers of exclusion.

On this Sunday we offered our thanks to God for the many gifts that have blessed our lives. We heard the story of the Ten Lepers cured by Jesus with only one who showed true gratitude for what Jesus had done.

It was a different worship as we provided our pledges for financial, time and talent support for the church in 2019. It was also Reformation Sunday, where the choir sang Martin Luther's stirring hymn, A Mighty Fortress. We also heard of the martyrdom of St. Steven.

Rev. Linda Powers, our guest speaker, delivered a message focused on her work with homeless youth, and the love and beauty of pets. The therapeutic benefits of pets - unconditional love, sense of purpose, and a friend that is there during the best and worst of times.