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!
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