a note from rev. sharon

Dear St. John’s,

Advent is a time of waiting for Christ – both Jesus’ arrival as an infant in Bethlehem and his return to us at an undisclosed date in the future. Things can get a bit hectic and stressful as we try to prepare for the annual Christmas celebration of Jesus’ birth. And, for some people, the holidays are hard as they deal with feelings of loss or grief, especially when the rest of the world seems to be telling them to be joyful.
In the midst of all the busy-ness, I urge you to take some quiet moments to reflect on the real reason for our celebrations: that the all-powerful Creator of the universe loved us enough to be born as a vulnerable human infant to live and die among us.
Let us remember how Jesus served others and follow his example. This weekend offers opportunities at St. John’s to serve our community at the Saturday Luncheon Social, help decorate the church on Saturday afternoon, or assist with our first Family Crafts event from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday.
And if you’re feeling sad or finding this “merry” season difficult, please join us at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20, for a Longest Night worship service of reflection, comfort and hope. We’ll gather on the evening before the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, to acknowledge our pain and sadness and then to remember the light that still shines in the darkness.
The service is open to everyone, whatever their faith tradition or spiritual beliefs. So if you have a neighbor you think would appreciate this service, please invite them.
I look forward to seeing you all at some of our many upcoming activities and services as we await and celebrate Emmanuel, God with us.
.
Rev. Sharon