“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

 

Micah 5:2

I could tell that Trinity had a vital acolyte ministry as soon as I arrived here. With the efforts and dedication of the coordinator, acolytes, and their families, it has been a blessed ministry to the church. I always appreciate acolytes being part of the worship service because they play a significant role in the worship service. They bring the light to light the candles on the altar, which signifies the Lord’s presence in the community of faith. They extinguish the altar candles, bringing out the light, indicating that the light goes everywhere with people who are sent to serve because Jesus Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12). Even though adults can serve as acolytes, they remind us of how Jesus said about children, “Let the little children come to us, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). In worship, everyone, either a child or an adult or a participant or a leader, has an essential role because worship is an act of community. I believe the acolyte ministry helps us understand the meaning of being a worship community as the body of Christ.

Micah, a prophet, shares a vision of restoration. Even though he presupposes the fall of Jerusalem due to Israel’s idolatry and social injustice, he proclaims a message of hope. It is a transformative process of beating swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks (Micah 4:3). God repurposes the intentions that human beings originated and brings good out of evil by creating new opportunities to value small things that we have abandoned. Our values and intentions can be upside-down when we allow ourselves to be accessible to the vulnerable, the lowly, the forsaken, the poor, the hungry, and the sick by encountering God. I pray that we may experience Advent and Christmas as a time to reconnect to God and one another as the body of Christ.

Rev. Hung Su Lim

 “It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.”

Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Advent is the season leading up to Christmas. It is a time that helps Christians prepare for the birth of Jesus.

When we look at this photo, we think of Create and Celebrate – the way Trinity kicked off the Advent season for many years (when we were the ages of the boys in this picture!). Like these boys coloring with crayons, Trinity had fun arts and crafts, as well as music, games, and meals to help spread the Christmas spirit. Our family has many traditions at Christmas too, including baking cookies, blasting the Andy Williams Christmas album, setting up our Christmas train by the tree, and seeing the decorations at the Jefferson Hotel. These traditions help us establish and build the anticipation throughout the Christmas season.

In this quote by Charles Dickens, we think he is referring to children being spoiled at Christmas. We admit that a lot of the anticipation around the season is because we get to open our gifts on Christmas morning. The quote is a little strange in calling God or Jesus the “mighty Founder” of Christmas. But it does help us think about the first Christmas. When Jesus was born, He was the gift, and everyone focused on Him. We should not lose sight of the fact that Jesus is the real gift at Christmas. His birth signifies hope for us all.

His birth signifies hope for all.

It is an important reminder that as adults we have the season of Advent to give us time to prepare for and celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Griffin and Gray Belding

In that day the LORD Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people.

 

Isaiah 28:5

How many of you have a Christmas wreath hanging at your house? Wreaths carry many messages. Hung on a door or window, the wreath has been viewed as an invitation to the spirit of Christmas to enter the home.

From a Christian perspective, the evergreen wreath has always been a symbol of eternal life. The wreath’s circular shape with no beginning and no end, reminds us of the eternal presence of God.

When I saw the photograph of the wreath hanging on the sanctuary door above the grand piano, it reminded me of an anthem I have accompanied many times, “Eternal Life.” The lyrics written centuries ago and attributed to St. Francis of Assisi are a prayer of peace.

As we prepare to celebrate the coming of the Christ child, this prayer offers us a chance to pause and reflect on who we are, and what it is that we are called to do.

Eternal Life

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned. And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Pat Ruscus

even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

 

Psalm 139:12

As winter approaches, we are very aware of the increasing darkness in the evening sky. Knowing what we modern humans have learned about science and astronomy, we do not fear the darkness. As the sun sets, we simply see a transition from day into nighttime. We know that God has planned everything for our planet and the universe. God will keep us safe.

In ancient times people feared darkness and looked to God to bring light into the darkness. The maker of all things could see darkness as light and protect us from the evils of the night. The birth of Jesus would bring light to the many who feared no one cared about them and who felt there was no one to help them. Jesus would bring God closer to us by modeling ways to express love for Him. We are His followers and instruments to help others, even those we do not know personally.

As we draw close to the darkest days of the year, we need to bring light to others just as God found light in darkness. Our purpose is not to try to hide in darkness to conceal our faults but to allow God to see us and help us become better people. With his messages, Jesus helps us to shine.

Harriet Thomas

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

 

Philippians 4:4-5

This photo takes us back to this past summer when our youth group had SWAG, a week filled with games and worship. During SWAG, students are split into four teams and compete in different challenges for the house cup, which is presented to the winning house at the end of the week. This event takes place every summer, and it’s a time for students to come together and rejoice in their faith.

This quote from Philippians fits perfectly with this picture because we were truly rejoicing in the Lord. We weren’t focusing on our to-do lists or thinking about our daily stressors. We were just celebrating our faith. During Advent, it is especially important for all of us to take time to rejoice in the Lord and think about what He’s done for us.

During the Christmas season, many people find it very easy to get caught up in the seasonal craziness and briefly forget about the true meaning of this holiday. It’s important for all of us to remember that God sent his only son to be with us on Earth. There’s something truly special about this! So, when you feel yourself becoming stressed about presents, trees, or some other Christmas matter this season, we encourage you to take a moment to just rejoice in the Lord. Jesus loves you, and He’s the true joy and wonder of Christmas!

Allison and Lizzie McCullough

 “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”

 

John Wesley

Last year the Trinity Stitchers couldn’t meet in person because of COVID-19 restrictions, so we did all of our projects from home. We were asked to make 25 Christmas stockings for the residents in healthcare at The Hermitage. We had used most of our Christmas fabric the year before and really only had scraps left over. This however wasn’t a problem, as our leader Janet Hill always tells us, “The Stitchers don’t waste anything!” So, the patchwork stockings in the picture were made from our Christmas fabric scraps. The scraps became a blessing because we were able to make something useful that would also bring someone joy.

As I reflect on the text from John Wesley, when we do good things by the means available to us when and wherever we can for anyone we see in need, we become a blessing. This is how I see the Stitchers. We make lap quilts, prayer shawls and squares, scarves, booties, masks and Christmas stockings and crafts. Our mission is to provide items which convey our commitment to share God’s love and grace.

During Advent we anticipate the birth of Christ, the greatest blessing of all. He came as a servant and we are likewise called to serve. What greater blessing is there than to be able to serve your fellow man in a time of need?

Let us pray this simple prayer offered by Father Tim, a character in Jan Karon’s book At Home in Mitford.

“Father, make me a blessing to someone today, through Christ our Lord, Amen.”

Barbi Fitz