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The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Cearley
Lead Pastor of Congregational Life
Friends,
It's that time of year again. So much to do, so many things to experience, a year's worth of celebrating, visiting friends and families, compressed into one month of December. It's a time to re-kindle, re-acquaint, and re-imagine the power and purpose of our faith. With so much at our fingertips, perhaps we should choose carefully this month.
Choose the things that bring you closer to family and community. Choose occasions that lift your spirit. Choose giving that inspires your soul and warms your heart. Choose to spend your time in the depths of faith, friendship, and the meaning of this season. Of necessity, this will mean you have to let go of other things you are "supposed" to do.
As you "choose" events to attend and things to do this Advent and Christmas season, I extend an invitation to share some of your precious, "chosen" time with us. This Sunday evening at 5 p.m., Montview's beautiful Sanctuary will come alive with sacred and secular music. John Kuzma, Barbara Hulac, our choirs and guest orchestral players will offer us the gift of beautiful music. It will be a gift from their collective hearts and individual talents; a gift to inspire, lift and kindle your spirit; a gift to tell again the mystery, splendor and holiness of the season.
I hope you will come, bring neighbors and friends, and begin this season of blessing together.
Cindy
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The Rev. Ian Gregory Cummins
Lead Pastor of Spiritual Life
Hi Everyone,
This week's Lectio Divina is:
"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap."
Luke 21: 34 - 35To understand this passage in its context, read Luke 21: 7 - 36. In it, Jesus declares that the end of the world is coming soon and warns the disciples to be on guard. How are we to understand such dire predictions? And since they have not come to pass, should we conclude that Jesus was wrong? Think about the can of worms that opens up! Here are some thoughts:First, I'm really glad Cindy is preaching Sunday.Second, however we interpret this passage, it reminds us that someday all of this will end. Life can and will come to a halt, either because the world has ended or because we have ended. Is that a depressing thought? Maybe. But it can also startle us out of our complacently. It can remind us not to waste our time on things that don't matter or to worry about things we can't control. Be on guard, says Jesus. Wake up. This won't last forever.Grace and goodness,Ian
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