Love Came Down
Join us for “After-Christmas Coffee with the Pastors” at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 via Zoom. That is Pastor Evy’s last Sunday with us before her retirement. She will be at the coffee, so you can say goodbye, if you wish. To get the Zoom link, send an email to info@umcstmarks.org by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23. (People aren’t likely to be around to receive it after that.)
Don’t forget to log on at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20 for a Musical Christmas Celebration offered by people from St. Mark’s with Christmas greetings from many people at the end. Found at umcstmarks.org/live-worship, Facebook St. Mark’s Tucson or YouTube UMC St. Mark’s Oro Valley.
Now for some thoughts about these last days before Christmas in this strange and challenging year. This year during Advent, we’ve been focusing in worship on “Our Deepest Gifts” and have talked about hope, peace and joy. What’s left? Well, “love” of course. In this Sunday’s (Dec. 20) message, I’ll be talking about love, but not just any kind of love. Maybe you can guess what kind … or maybe not. See you in worship!
For what do you pray this Christmas? I certainly pray for people to stay well or get well. I pray for those caring for the sick because I know they are stretched to the limit and many will end up working on Christmas day. My heart is with them. I pray for those who are struggling in this Christmas season because they’ve lost someone this year and their grief is a double loss – not only is their loved one gone but they can’t easily travel to be with family or friends. My prayers are poured out for families struggling to make ends meet because of job or income loss. I pray for our communities and our country as we’ve painfully moved through elections and their aftermath.
And I pray for us to find the joy of Christmas in the midst of it all. Every day, Art and I talk about our many joys. We give thanks for all of you, the good and faithful people of St. Mark’s, for our friends and our family and for the privilege of doing simple things to keep each other safe and well.
It will be strange not be on the church campus all day on Christmas Eve. We’ll be in the Sanctuary livestreaming the 8 p.m. service, so tune in then if you want to see us live. The other two services will be prerecorded and shown at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. At 8 p.m. you can also drive in to our parking lot, stay in your car and watch the 8 p.m. service on a large screen that will be there.
End-of-Advent blessings, friends,
Sharon
P. S. Don’t forget to look for the journey of wise men, as they make their way around our campus this Advent. Find them on Facebook next week. Where are they?