Worship Services

Worship Calendar
for Advent/Christmas/ Epiphany, 2011

"Footprints to the Manger"

"Come to me all you are weary and carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Yes, it's November 27th the first Sunday of Advent, and already many of us are groaning under the heavy weight of this "holiday season." Now don't get me wrong. I am not suggesting that we are a church filled with grinches, and that heaven forbid, we grumble about Christmas!

Absolutely not! How could any Christian grumble (or even moan a bit!) about this amazing time of the year? This time of the year, when we celebrate the birth of Emmanuel - God with us? This time of the year when we slowly, mindfully, and joyfully, make our way to Bethlehem?

Well....there may be a few of us (including me and I'm the minister!), who moan just a little bit, or if we don't moan out loud, we kind of tense up inside, as we consider "everything that needs to be done before Christmas!"

Oh, most of us agree that Christmas has been scooped away from Bethlehem, and is now in the hands of consumer experts everywhere, who remind us through relentless advertising, that Christmas is about getting the perfect gift for everyone we know and love. And if we fail in this task, then perhaps it is because we just don't love them quite enough!

We know that a "consumer Christmas" with God dressed up like Santa Claus is not Christmas at all, but....still we struggle as Christians, to stay focused on "what Christmas is all about" - the birth of the Christ child.

We vow that this year it will be different! This year we will not get caught up in all the gift buying, baking, visiting, and decorating frenzy that surrounds us, and keeps us awake at night, with all those lists of things to do and people to see.

"Yes!" we vow. "Yes!" I vow. "This year it will be different!

This year we will make it all the way to Bethlehem, without getting distracted along the way. This year we won't be so exhausted by the time we kneel at the manger, that we fall promptly to sleep in a bed of hay!"

Ever year I make this promise to myself. I am sure I am not alone. Some years I manage to do better than others. How about you?

But this year I know it will be different! Why? It will be different because when I was away on my study leave and silent retreat, I discovered - or rather, "re-discovered" this amazing passage from the Gospel of Matthew! Now don't panic. I know that it isn't a traditional Advent, or even Christmas, scripture passage. We will still hear our much loved Christmas stories, as together, we make our way to Bethlehem. Of course we will!

But, it is my prayer that this passage will guide our path, and cause our footsteps to be lighter and less stressed:
"Come to me all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest," says Jesus.

As we move through this Advent time, this time of waiting, this time of anticipation, let us pause for a moment, and leave our burdens at the feet of the One, who loves us beyond reason.

Yes, Jesus is waiting to take on these worries, and burdens, and shopping lists, and "not yet baked" pies and shortbread cookies! Jesus is waiting for us with open arms, and a willing heart.

"Give me all your burdens, everything that is holding you back, and making you weary," he says. "Give them to me and then turn around and head for Bethlehem! There is a child waiting for you there. He is waiting to be born within you once more. He, and he alone, will give you rest. He, and he alone, will offer you the wonder of Christmas - a new beginning."

So, please join me on our Advent journey this year. Let us turn around and leave all those worldly burdens behind, as we make our way to the manger. Let us walk lightly during this sacred time. May our footprints be tracks of hope, peace, joy and love during this precious Advent/Christmas season.

                    Blessings on the journey!

                                                       Rev. Bonnie

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Advent 2:  Peace - December 4, 2011

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me."    (Mt. 11:29)

      Mary Embraces The Yoke of Peace
      White Gift & Food Sharing Sunday

       Isaiah 11: 1 - 9;
       Luke 1: 26 - 38

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Advent 3: Joy - December 11, 2011

"For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul."
        (Mt. 11:29)

      Joseph's Heart Is Opened!

       Isaiah 35: 1 -10;
       Matthew 1: 18 - 25

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A Service of Comfort & Peace,
During the Advent/Christmas Time
at College Ave. Church
on
Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2:00 p.m.

A Shared Ministry
of the United Churches of Woodstock

This is a quiet, gentle service, created for those who may be grieving
the loss of a loved one during this holiday time.
It is also a welcoming space for those longing for peace and healing,
in the midst of the busyness of Christmas. All are welcome.

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Friday, December 16th
Christmas Carolling
6:00 pm

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 Advent 4: Love - December 18, 2011 

"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
     (Mt. 11:30)

     Love Lightens the Load!
     All Ages Service

     Luke 1: 39 - 56

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Christmas Eve
December 24, 2011 
7:00 pm

     Kneeling at the Manger
     Sacrament of Holy Communion

     Isaiah 9: 2(b) - 4, 6;
     Luke 2: 1 - 20

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Christmas Morning - December 25, 2011
10:30 am.

Breakfast in the Stable
It's Christmas morning -  come to the stable and celebrate with us!
Wear your new
Christmas pj's!
Bring a gift for baby Jesus!
Let us give thanks together!

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New Years Morning - January 1, 2012
10:30 am.

Guest Preacher: Liz Mitchell

What A Wonderful Way to Begin the New Year!

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Epiphany Sunday - January 8, 2012

 The Footprints of the Magi!

      Let's Harness our Camels, and Journey with these Wise Men!

      Matthew 2: 1 - 12

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