Welcome to this mid-morning Christmas Eve message from St. Paul's!

Welcome! We know the reason for the season is love - and we know that it's love that our world needs more of. What is there for us to hear about it this year in this timeless story? Join us for a joy-filled celebration of the season in music, prayer, and reflection at each of our services.

Welcome! Our scripture this week is Luke 1: 39-55.
In the Christmas story, Mary receives an angelic announcement - and bafflement is her first response. And perhaps that should be our response in this Advent season, too. Can news this good be true? Can it be true for me? "How can this be?" With few answers, Mary rushes to her cousin, and the two share a beautiful moment of joy. That will be our focus this Sunday as we continue to make room for Christmas!

Welcome! Our scripture this week is Isaiah 2:1-5.
In our church, in our homes, in our calendars, we’re making room for Christmas. But how about in our hearts? On Sunday we’ll continue our Advent series by looking at the things that keep us from hope. From our past hurts to our difficulty dreaming to the complexity of progress, there are many factors that make hope a challenge for us. This Sunday we’ll let Isaiah be our guide as we consider what it means to anchor our lives in this gift of God. Join us in worship as we continue our journey of preparing the way for Jesus.
 

Welcome! Today we begin our Advent sermon series, Making Room for Christmas, with scripture from Isaiah 11:1-9.

After worship last Sunday, we began to pull out the boxes, unpack the Christmas tree, hang up the ornaments, and prepare our space for Advent. Maybe you’ve started doing the same things at home – moving a couch here, rearranging the dining room there, clearing the mantle and putting up the stockings. Perhaps you’ve also noticed that your calendar is starting to look different; these meetings will be rescheduled, those are cancelled, and we’ll have to clear some space for holiday gatherings, our favorite Christmas traditions, extra time with family, a bit of travel, and so many errands to run.

In our church, in our homes, in our calendars, we’re making room for Christmas. But how about in our hearts?

This Advent, we’ll embark on a journey to make room within ourselves for the good news of this season. And there is so. much. good. news! “But how can this be?” “God has lifted up the lowly.” “Behold, I bring to you good news of great joy for all people.” “And this shall be a sign unto you…”

The heart of the good news of Christmas is that God comes to be with us, offering us gifts of peace and hope and joy and love. The question for each of us this season is whether we’ll make room to receive them. Join us in worship this week as we begin Making Room for Christmas.

Welcome! Today we explore "Where Gratitude and Humility Meet." Our scripture reading is Luke 18:9-14.

October 29, 2023

Scripture reading: Psalm 98

Scripture: Hebrews 11 + 12

Together for Joy: Reconciling Celebration

We reflect today on the importance of this milestone - ten years as a Reconciling Congregation, which according to Reconciling Ministries Network means we "embrace a vision to achieving LGBTQ+ justice and full inclusion in the life and leadership of the United Methodist Church.” Ten years ago this community took this faithful step forward. Today we celebrate that legacy of faithfulness and consider what it means for us as we move forward together.

Together for Joy: Beginning with Joy
Genesis 1 & 2
This weekend we kick off our annual stewardship campaign as we go back to the beginning. It turns out the poems that open our Bible have a lot to teach us about what it means to live and give with joy. Because the very act of creation is rooted in joy; infinite goodness bursts forth from a God teeming with creative love. We'll dive in as we begin our series Together for Joy.