A new season can arrive before you’re ready to receive it.
It seems like jack-o-lantern decorations were already on store shelves in August. Christmas trees might be sold out not long after you read this. “We’re not even to Advent yet!,” I complain. “Back in my day the tree wouldn’t go up until the afternoon of December 24th.” But – alas – we’re no longer back in my day.
What will today bring? Any day now, SNAP food benefit recipients might go hungry, with Thanksgiving approaching. Others worry about this dawning season of advanced artificial intelligence. What will it do to our society? Will our lives be improved? Ruined?
An unexpected new season or new day can also be a gift. On my first day at the seminary in Berkeley, I wasn’t excited about having to adjust to yet another school. But when I showed up on campus, I met someone named Katherine. So yes, it turned out to be a good day, indeed! We were married just weeks before the catastrophe of 9/11/01. But for me, the important day of 2001 was our wedding. Having each other is what gets us through it all.
In the scriptures for worship between now and Christmas we’ll keep hearing about the arrival (advent) of a new day. So (November 30) “In the days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains.” Listen for what’s said about the Day God gives:
the sun of righteousness will arise, with healing in its wings (Nov 16)
he shall execute justice in our land (Nov 23)
the lamb shall lie down with the wolf (Dec 7)
the desert shall rejoice and blossom … the eyes of the blind shall be opened … (Dec 14)
the young woman shall bear a son and shall name him Emmanuel, meaning “God-with-us.” (Dec 21)
The day of Emmanuel is already dawning. What change will it bring to our lives?
Some Goings On in November and December
Care for our neighbors: We’ll soon be collecting gifts for struggling families in our area as part of our annual Christmas Angel Tree program. In addition – thinking of those facing hunger – we’ll have a wagon at church we can fill with non-perishable food donations. When it gets filled we’ll roll it down a few blocks to the Palo Alto Food Closet, bringing it back empty for the next Sunday. Any extra “Called to Care” donations will go to the Food Closet. Details coming soon. We are thankful for your gifts to the Immigrant Accompaniment Fund earlier this Fall, which currently totals $5,895!
Gatherings, Conversation, Reflection: Sundays at 9am this season there will be a Slow Read of John’s Gospel, chapters 7-11. As the nights grow longer we’ll read about Jesus saying: “I am the light of the world.” How does he illumine our path? Our book group will be reading a short story which imagines a future with A.I. in the Silicon Valley, written by FLC member Chris Willrich. Other opportunities include a young adult dinner (Dec 5), Thursday Bible Study and Women’s Group.
Worship, Lucia and Christmas: Many of us love the contemplative character of worship this season, with the lighting of the advent wreath and singing of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Our rehearsals for St Lucia Fest (December 14) begin soon! All children are welcome to participate, and we’d love some adult volunteers. Look for more information soon on our Christmas Eve services (5pm and 7:30pm on December 24th).
One passes through different landscapes – like going through different seasons – on your way into the Himalayas. You’ll see different portions of this painting in each weeks’ newsletter, starting from the bottom and going to the top.
