No, that's not what happens at the beach on December 25 (Christmas-tide, get it?! I kill me). Christmas - like most of the rest of the church calendar - is more than just a single day. In Christian tradition, the twelve days of Christmas run from December 25 to January 6, when we celebrate Epiphany, the arrival of the wise people bearing gifts for the baby Jesus (who was actually a toddler by that time).
Epiphany is about the gifts that we offer to God, and but it is also about celebrating the gift of God revealed to the world in the person of Jesus. This year, Epiphany Sunday falls on January 1, New Year's Day, which means we miss our usual Sunday-after-Christmas worship to sing Christmas carols and proclaim the joy of Christ among us. (For those who missed our brunch and carol-singing on Christmas Day, don't feel like you have to put away your Christmas music or tree just yet - you can keep on celebrating the birth of Jesus at home, really as long as you want, but at least until January 6 without being out of place in the liturgical calendar!)
This Sunday, January 1, we will celebrate Epiphany at Highlands UMC with the performance of a contemporary play, "The Gift of the Magi" (based on the short story by O. Henry, which is often assigned in high school English classes), brought to us by the Rising Curtain Theatre and Dance Academy. Come at 10:00 a.m. to begin worship as usual, and stay afterwards for refreshments and fellowship. As always, all are welcome, whether you have been in the church all your life, or have more questions than answers about this whole God/Jesus/faith thing - or both!
Highlands UMC is located at 3131 Osceola Street in northwest Denver, at the intersection of 32nd Avenue and Osceola. See our website (link at right), or call the church office at 303-477-5857 for more information.
Merry Christmas to all!
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Monday, December 12, 2005
Time is drawing nigh...
Sorry I missed posting last week. I hope you all found the information you needed one way or another! Thank you to all who offered encouragement after my preaching this morning. May God speak to you in new and surprising ways throughout this week.
For those who have not heard, our senior pastor, Betty Bradford, has completed her Doctor of Ministry degree, and is now the Rev. Dr. Betty J. Bradford. Three cheers for Betty Jo!
This week includes a continuation of the Advent study group (Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.), Choir rehearsal (Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.), and worship on Sunday, December 18 (10:00 a.m.) led by our praise band. This week we arrive at the fourth Sunday of Advent, when we celebrate the Love that God showed by taking human form in the birth of Jesus. In the Advent wreath, this is the fourth candle: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love surround a white Christ candle to be lit on Christmas Eve.
As we draw close to Christmas, I want to let you know about a couple other opportunities for worship and fellowship that are coming up.
Thursday, December 22, at 7:00 p.m., Highlands UMC will hold a Blue Christmas service. This will be a service of music, readings, and prayer, dedicated to the reality that the holidays are a difficult time for many people. If you are finding it hard to be joyful in this season, whatever the reason, this service is for you. All are welcome.
Christmas Eve (Saturday, December 24, in case you were wondering!) we hold two worship services. The Chancel Choir will sing at both.
For those who have not heard, our senior pastor, Betty Bradford, has completed her Doctor of Ministry degree, and is now the Rev. Dr. Betty J. Bradford. Three cheers for Betty Jo!
This week includes a continuation of the Advent study group (Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.), Choir rehearsal (Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.), and worship on Sunday, December 18 (10:00 a.m.) led by our praise band. This week we arrive at the fourth Sunday of Advent, when we celebrate the Love that God showed by taking human form in the birth of Jesus. In the Advent wreath, this is the fourth candle: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love surround a white Christ candle to be lit on Christmas Eve.
As we draw close to Christmas, I want to let you know about a couple other opportunities for worship and fellowship that are coming up.
Thursday, December 22, at 7:00 p.m., Highlands UMC will hold a Blue Christmas service. This will be a service of music, readings, and prayer, dedicated to the reality that the holidays are a difficult time for many people. If you are finding it hard to be joyful in this season, whatever the reason, this service is for you. All are welcome.
Christmas Eve (Saturday, December 24, in case you were wondering!) we hold two worship services. The Chancel Choir will sing at both.
- Family service at 6:30 p.m.: an opportunity to enjoy the presence of children and a homily from Pastor Betty.
- Carols, Communion, and Candlelight at 10:30 p.m.: a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ through music and Sacrament.
Sunday, December 25 is Christmas Day! During our regular time for worship, all are invited to gather for an informal Christmas breakfast fellowship, when we will sing more carols and share stories of what Christmas means to us. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Parlor (second floor, where coffee/fellowship hour is usually held).
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to post a comment or contact the church office. Blessings on your preparations for the coming of Christ!
Monday, November 28, 2005
Advent: a season of waiting and preparation
Happy New Year! Did you know that Advent is the beginning of the liturgical (worship-based) year for the Christian church? In this season of waiting and preparing for the coming of Christ - both Christ's coming in the birth of Jesus and Christ's coming again/continually in our lives and the world to bring about the New Heaven and New Earth - we traditionally read passages from the Bible that describe the Israelites' longings for a messiah, an anointed one from God who would bring God's will to life in the midst of oppression and exile, renewing the ancient covenant. We also read about the people in the gospels who recognized and proclaimed that God was about to do something new in the person of Jesus. And some of the passages in the lectionary readings relate to early Christians' anticipation of the return of Christ to "make all things new," and to initiate the reign of God on earth.
Obviously, our culture's tendency to commercialize holy days and encourage overindulgence are not very compatible with the theological focus of Advent on waiting, keeping watch, preparing, and celebrating something so small as the birth of a child and so radical as the entrance of the divine Creator into the flesh and blood of humankind. Questions to reflect on might include, What are you waiting for in your own life? How are you making room for Christ to be born in you?
If you would like to learn more about the meaning of Advent, or would like to take some time for intentional reflection in the midst of this hectic time, you are invited to join the Advent study group on Tuesday nights (below). You may also wish to spend a little time each day in reading or meditation; in addition to the many fine print resources available for Advent (check out Cokesbury's selection, for example), you might consider The Upper Room's daily Advent reflections or study guide. If you're not already in the habit of daily devotional reading, you may be surprised at how much difference 5-10 minutes a day of focusing on God can make for your sense of grounding and spiritual wellbeing.
On a more communal note, this week Highlands UMC offers a number of opportunities to get into the spirit of the season (in case "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" at the mall doesn't work for you):
Tuesday, November 29, 7:00 p.m. Advent study group begins, using Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas, by Jan Richardson (details below). Books will be available for purchase at the gathering, which will last approximately an hour.
Saturday, December 3, 2:00 p.m. Hanging of the Greens. All are welcome to come for some holiday cheer with hot cider and cookies, Christmas music, and good fellowship as we decorate the church for the season. If you would like to help provide refreshments or teach a craft to others, please contact the church.
Sunday, December 4, Rev. Betty Bradford will preach on our Advent theme of Peace, as we remember that one title for Jesus as Christ is "Prince of Peace." Guest singers from the Columbine Chorale will join in singing with the Highlands Chancel Choir to provide special music. Worship begins at 10:00 a.m. After worship (starting around 11:15 a.m.), the Missions Committee will sponsor a brunch, with donations collected to provide Christmas stockings for children in HeadStart. Donations of candy for the stockings also gladly accepted!
Hope to see you sometime this week!
Obviously, our culture's tendency to commercialize holy days and encourage overindulgence are not very compatible with the theological focus of Advent on waiting, keeping watch, preparing, and celebrating something so small as the birth of a child and so radical as the entrance of the divine Creator into the flesh and blood of humankind. Questions to reflect on might include, What are you waiting for in your own life? How are you making room for Christ to be born in you?
If you would like to learn more about the meaning of Advent, or would like to take some time for intentional reflection in the midst of this hectic time, you are invited to join the Advent study group on Tuesday nights (below). You may also wish to spend a little time each day in reading or meditation; in addition to the many fine print resources available for Advent (check out Cokesbury's selection, for example), you might consider The Upper Room's daily Advent reflections or study guide. If you're not already in the habit of daily devotional reading, you may be surprised at how much difference 5-10 minutes a day of focusing on God can make for your sense of grounding and spiritual wellbeing.
On a more communal note, this week Highlands UMC offers a number of opportunities to get into the spirit of the season (in case "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" at the mall doesn't work for you):
Tuesday, November 29, 7:00 p.m. Advent study group begins, using Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas, by Jan Richardson (details below). Books will be available for purchase at the gathering, which will last approximately an hour.
Saturday, December 3, 2:00 p.m. Hanging of the Greens. All are welcome to come for some holiday cheer with hot cider and cookies, Christmas music, and good fellowship as we decorate the church for the season. If you would like to help provide refreshments or teach a craft to others, please contact the church.
Sunday, December 4, Rev. Betty Bradford will preach on our Advent theme of Peace, as we remember that one title for Jesus as Christ is "Prince of Peace." Guest singers from the Columbine Chorale will join in singing with the Highlands Chancel Choir to provide special music. Worship begins at 10:00 a.m. After worship (starting around 11:15 a.m.), the Missions Committee will sponsor a brunch, with donations collected to provide Christmas stockings for children in HeadStart. Donations of candy for the stockings also gladly accepted!
Hope to see you sometime this week!
Monday, November 21, 2005
Happy Thanksgiving to all, and welcome to Advent!
As often happens, Thanksgiving this year runs right up against the first Sunday of Advent. Everything feels rushed, at least to me, and it's hard to shift gears so quickly from harvest/family/giving thanks/fall/home & hearth moments to what, in the Christian liturgical calendar, is a season of preparation for the coming of Christ. It is hard enough to resist the commercialized, sentimental, headlong rush to Christmas without tripping over the turkey feast at the beginning.
But enough sermonizing. May you have much to be thankful for, and may the blessings of family and friends outweigh the struggles of life, at least for a little while.
This year, we will follow the traditional themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Each Sunday we will light another candle on the Advent wreath, and also learn about the decorations on our Chrismon tree.
For those interested in taking some time for personal reflection and group discussion, I will be leading an Advent study group using the book Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas, by Jan Richardson. This is a beautiful devotional resource utilizing poetry, personal anecdotes, and art to explore the movement of the season. We'll meet Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, from Nov. 29 through Dec. 20, at the church. Each session will include time for discussion of the book, reflection and prayer, as well as creative expression. I highly recommend the book to all (whether you come to the group study time or not!), but know also that all are welcome to the group gatherings, even if you haven't read the book. If you'd like to know more, please contact the church to get in touch with me.
Coming this week and next:
Wednesday, November 23: No choir rehearsal! (You can come and sing anyway if you want, but most of us won't be there.)
Sunday, November 27: First Sunday of Advent. Dixie Darr and Maralyn Devlin will bring us a message on the theme of "Hope." Worship begins at 10:00 a.m., with Christian Education for all ages at 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, November 29: Advent study group meets (7:00 p.m.). We will begin to explore Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas, by Jan Richardson (details above).
But enough sermonizing. May you have much to be thankful for, and may the blessings of family and friends outweigh the struggles of life, at least for a little while.
This year, we will follow the traditional themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Each Sunday we will light another candle on the Advent wreath, and also learn about the decorations on our Chrismon tree.
For those interested in taking some time for personal reflection and group discussion, I will be leading an Advent study group using the book Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas, by Jan Richardson. This is a beautiful devotional resource utilizing poetry, personal anecdotes, and art to explore the movement of the season. We'll meet Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, from Nov. 29 through Dec. 20, at the church. Each session will include time for discussion of the book, reflection and prayer, as well as creative expression. I highly recommend the book to all (whether you come to the group study time or not!), but know also that all are welcome to the group gatherings, even if you haven't read the book. If you'd like to know more, please contact the church to get in touch with me.
Coming this week and next:
Wednesday, November 23: No choir rehearsal! (You can come and sing anyway if you want, but most of us won't be there.)
Sunday, November 27: First Sunday of Advent. Dixie Darr and Maralyn Devlin will bring us a message on the theme of "Hope." Worship begins at 10:00 a.m., with Christian Education for all ages at 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, November 29: Advent study group meets (7:00 p.m.). We will begin to explore Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas, by Jan Richardson (details above).
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Other events, November 18-20
In addition to our Service of Repentance and Reconciliation Proclaiming God's Welcome (see below), this Sunday at 10 am, Highlands UMC invites you to...
Friday:
United Methodist Women's Holiday Party, 6:00 p.m. at the home of Kristi Conroy (details at our website)
Saturday:
Concert by Richard Eichenberger and Patti Smith, 3:00 p.m. at the church, with donations to benefit Highlands UMC
Sunday:
Adult Sunday School class, 9:00 a.m.: Discussion of the movie Crash, led by Kristi Conroy
Questions? Visit our website to learn more about our church, or call the office at 303-477-5857.
Highlands UMC is located at 3131 Osceola St., Denver. All are welcome.
Coming soon... Advent!
Friday:
United Methodist Women's Holiday Party, 6:00 p.m. at the home of Kristi Conroy (details at our website)
Saturday:
Concert by Richard Eichenberger and Patti Smith, 3:00 p.m. at the church, with donations to benefit Highlands UMC
Sunday:
Adult Sunday School class, 9:00 a.m.: Discussion of the movie Crash, led by Kristi Conroy
Questions? Visit our website to learn more about our church, or call the office at 303-477-5857.
Highlands UMC is located at 3131 Osceola St., Denver. All are welcome.
Coming soon... Advent!
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Welcome! (All Are Welcome!)
Welcome to the brand-new blog for Highlands United Methodist Church in Denver. We have a regular website with pictures and more long-term information, but I thought this would be a convenient way to post upcoming events, sermon quotes/commentary, and news of interest to the community.
Currently it's just me posting, so I will disclaim that I do not speak for the congregation as a whole, or any other staff members; the opinions included in this blog are mine alone.
Just to get things started, I'll go ahead and put up information on this Sunday's service, as it will have a particular focus. In response to the recent ruling by the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church that a pastor can refuse membership if someone is gay and in a relationship, this Sunday, November 20, Highlands will offer a Service of Repentance and Reconciliation Proclaiming God's Welcome.
We will confess our part in the brokenness of the church, and affirm that the God of Jesus Christ is a God of the Open Door. The purpose of the service is to repent of the exclusion sometimes practiced in the church, and to proclaim that all people are welcome in God's family, regardless of age, race, ability level, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic condition, or other sometimes-divisive factors. If you'd like to get a jump-start on reflecting on this theme, check out Luke 14:15-24. God is throwing a party, and the doors are wide open!
Highlands UMC is located at 3131 Osceola St, Denver, and worship begins at 10:00 a.m.
Please visit our website for additional information on our congregation and how to reach us.
Currently it's just me posting, so I will disclaim that I do not speak for the congregation as a whole, or any other staff members; the opinions included in this blog are mine alone.
Just to get things started, I'll go ahead and put up information on this Sunday's service, as it will have a particular focus. In response to the recent ruling by the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church that a pastor can refuse membership if someone is gay and in a relationship, this Sunday, November 20, Highlands will offer a Service of Repentance and Reconciliation Proclaiming God's Welcome.
We will confess our part in the brokenness of the church, and affirm that the God of Jesus Christ is a God of the Open Door. The purpose of the service is to repent of the exclusion sometimes practiced in the church, and to proclaim that all people are welcome in God's family, regardless of age, race, ability level, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic condition, or other sometimes-divisive factors. If you'd like to get a jump-start on reflecting on this theme, check out Luke 14:15-24. God is throwing a party, and the doors are wide open!
Highlands UMC is located at 3131 Osceola St, Denver, and worship begins at 10:00 a.m.
Please visit our website for additional information on our congregation and how to reach us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)