There is an old tradition that says that the way you spend New Year’s Day will be a good indication of the way you will spend the rest of the new year. If this is the case (and even if it isn’t) what would be a better way to start the New Year than in Church School and worship? The sense of God’s closeness is something that we need all of the time and beginning the year with the Trinity family in the presence of God would be a great way to live!

It beats spending time undoing the damage that I’ve been working with from someone hacking into my email and sending annoying messages. If you received one allegedly from me, please disregard it. God bless each one. Gene

Be careful this week not to throw the Baby Jesus out with the wrapping paper, or put him up with the boxes and bags and gifts. Remember that the Jesus who was born in Bethlehem is the same Jesus who was crucified and raised from the dead in Jerusalem. May God bless each of you until we gather next Sunday to celebrate the visit of the Magi.

Tonight begins the celebration! You are invited to join us at 6 or 9 for worship with communion and candlelighting. This is a special time when we remember that Christ’s birth has changed the whole world. You are invited to worship with us.
On Christmas Day we will celebrate Jesus’ birthday during the Sunday School hour and then have one worship service at 11 with a special time for the blessing of the toys. Join us as we celebrate the One who has been born to bring us life!

How many people remember the old Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland movies? They were just a little before my time, though I used to watch Andy Hardy movies in black and white during some of the “old movie” features that were the staple of television back in the day. Anyhow, the reason I ask is because in these movies there was almost always that magic moment when Andy Hardy, played by Mickey Rooney, would shout, “Hey, kids. Let’s have a play!” An old barn suitable for being transformed into a stage would appear and there would be an orchestra, beautiful costumes, and the wonderful voice of Judy Garland singing.

I used to laugh at how miraculous and how hokey it was for everything to fall into place with such apparent effortlessness. We used to put on plays, but our bedsheet curtains didn’t look real, our dialog was stilted, and even my hilarious jokes sometimes went over like lead balloons. I used to laugh but I have changed my opinion. It started while Continue reading →