November, December 2026

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me …
to bring good news to the oppressed …
to comfort to all who mourn …
to give a garland instead of ashes …
the mantle of praise instead of a faith spirit.”
from Isaiah 61, to be heard on a Sunday in December.

Flowers – as in the painting above – can be a comfort in loss or just after a bad day. And comfort will be a theme at FLC in November and December, Advent and Christmas.

Most people seek comfort this time of year: so we bring home a new TV from the Black Friday sale, put on some fluffy slippers and warm up some traditional mulled wine, just the way Grandma made it. But on that same day, we might still flip out in stress or end up in tears. What will truly comfort us? One Sunday soon we’ll hear Jesus describe the comfort of simple attentive care: “I was hungry and you gave me food … I was a stranger and you welcomed me … I was in prison and you visited me … just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25).

There’s comfort in not having to face our struggles alone. To show care:

We invite you to share donated food with our downtown Palo Alto neighbors in need. You may place it in the large, rattan basket or the wagon in the sanctuary. When full, we’ll take it down to the Palo Alto Food Closet at All Saints’ Episcopal Church on Hamilton Ave. Recommendations for donations emphasize canned or dry goods and single serving beverages. Please avoid tomato or broth soups, canned tuna, and tea bags. Examples they gave include hearty soups with meat, canned food like yams, beets, peas, cranberries, gravy, ravioli, Spaghetti-os, beef tamales, SPAM, dry goods like soups, cereal, both hold and cold, jellies, jams and salt & pepper. Examples of beverages include hot chocolate in packets, instant coffee, and bottled water. Visit All Saints’ Food Closet webpage for the full list of recommended items (just scroll down below “History”).

We’ll also be collecting holiday gifts for kids in local struggling families. Look soon for the Angel Tree announcement.

We’re not alone. As a congregation, we’re on a path from isolation to connection. Some of our planned gatherings include:

On November 14, a delicious Men’s Breakfast, not strictly for men …
On November 22 after worship, we gather for an update on finances and real estate – while Lucia rehearsals begin.
Early in December, a young adult dinner
On December 6, a festive sanctuary greening – and St. Nicholas Day
On December 13, St Lucia potluck dinner, pageant and dancing.
We’ll have a book of daily devotions for Advent available, put out by our ELCA publishing house – “Comfort and Joy.” It will be based on the Old Testament readings we hear on Sundays. There will be an opportunity to meet with the Happy Hour Book Group to discuss the devotions.

The comfort of a promise

On another Sunday we’ll hear from Isaiah, chapter 40 – “Comfort, comfort my people – says your God” – recalling Handel’s Messiah, where these words are sung slowly and warmly. They are words to a conquered people, exiled from home and without hope. The comfort or consolation on offer was a promise: “yes, the situation is bad now – but God is on the way to meet us. ‘Our penalty is paid.’ At God’s arrival (“advent”) he will ‘gather the lambs in his arms and carry them close to his breast.’” (Isaiah 40:11) Or – at Christmas – God arrives as an infant, to himself be comforted at the breast of Mary.

Our worship – and 9am Slow Read – is all about this promise and consolation.
Each Sunday between now and Christmas will be an event to look forward to. We’ll be singing from Schubert’s setting of the Mass – and in Advent, the kids will provide a wreath-lighting song. Consider taking part in Sunday pickup choir events and Thursday 7pm rehearsals, to share in the rich music of this season.