Worship this week is Luke 1: 46-55, Mary’s song, the Magnificat, a song of resistance and freedom. Here are a couple of questions that the Study Group explored this morning:
- Consider how the act of singing was important—perhaps even necessary—for Mary. Imagine how it changed her or transformed her experience or prepared her for a new chapter. Many preachers will admit that their own sermons are directed at themselves just as much as anyone else. Likewise, was Mary singing the words she needed to hear?
- Recall a memory when singing was part of a meaningful event—perhaps a funeral, a baptism, a birthday party, a protest, a bedtime routine, etc. When have you sung a story of hope? How did the act of singing change you?
The closing hymn on Sunday is Joy to the World, who wants to take on the role of Tambourine Man in this video?
I’m at the stage of ‘Getting Ready for Christmas’ in church where I really have to pay attention to which bulletin I’m working on… at one point I had 5 Sunday Service/Concert/Christmas Eve bulletin files open! Not to mention getting ready for the first Sunday after Christmas and thinking about what to focus on in the New Year. To keep up to date on what’s going on, I encourage you to check the front page of the website. A couple of things have been added to the plans, one is a Carol Sing hosted by Ekko Music on Wednesday evening in the sanctuary. The other is a Blue Christmas Service that the Rev. Ivan Gregan and I are hosting at Port Wallis United Church on December 21st @ 7 pm. This is for anyone who finds this time of year difficult for any reason. And while I am doing all this worship prep, I really try and not just make it another thing to check off my list. I try to prayerfully engage with the material and season despite the many demands. I hope each one of you is as well.
Shawn Parker, the Street Navigator, and I spoke on the phone, he was delighted with the socks and donations from Christmas Magic, he and I will connect next Tuesday to deliver them.
I went out for lunch with the Food Bank volunteers on Tuesday; every two weeks these folks provide a ministry of food and clothing distribution with good humour and dedication! You can ask one of them why we are all laughing.
The Advent Study wrapped up this morning, each week we gathered at Port Wallis and there was between 7-13 people there each morning. Participants were from St. James, Cole Harbour Woodside, Grace, and Port Wallis. Port Wallis was a great venue and there was always coffee and tea on!
Tomorrow is Thursday already… I have a glimmer of a sermon, but that’s all right now.
St. James United Church Dartmouth 