During Advent we often focus on the idea of anticipation, which can be extremely joyful! At St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church in Spencertown, we begin the season by decorating wreaths in late November, which are then offered at our annual Christmas Bazaar. We also dust off our cherished Nativity scene, which fills our entire narthex, hand-made by a local artist who has collected figurines since his … [Read more...]
Advent 2018: What Time Is It? by Rev. Bill Schram
November 27, 2018 by
The First Sunday of Advent Jeremiah 33:14-16 I Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36 Back in 1969, one of my favorite songs was Chicago Transit Authority’s (aka Chicago) “Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is?” (Click here to hear the Tanglewood version.) I can still remember the words: “Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care? If so I can’t imagine … [Read more...]
Advent 2017: Messengers from God by Rev. Sandy Damhof
December 21, 2017 by
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be … [Read more...]
Advent 2017: Freedom is a Blessing by Sadaf Sadiq
December 13, 2017 by
Reflections on: John 1:6-8, John 1:19-28 It is a great honor to share the word of the Lord with you. It has also been 13 years since God has brought us to this wonderful land and every year it is amazing to see how people prepare to celebrate Christmas. We decorate, share gifts, invite friends over, cut cake and share happiness with each other. Not just USA but all over the world, Christmas is … [Read more...]
Advent 2017: This Advent, consider the camel-cloth-clad content creator by Kyle Coombs
December 7, 2017 by
Mark 1: 1-8 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of … [Read more...]
Advent 2017: Reflections on Mark 13 by Rev. Bill Dodge, HR
November 29, 2017 by
Advent is a very un-American season. We expect things to be done NOW! If we cannot get what we want right now, then we want to know WHEN, right down to the minute. We assume we are in control of our lives and of all the people and events surrounding our lives. Reading Mark 13 should bring us up short in all those assumptions, even as Jesus had to tell Peter and the others: “But about that day or … [Read more...]
Advent Four: Salvation and Condemnation (Isaiah 7: 10-17)
December 17, 2016 by
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall … [Read more...]
Advent Three: Returning to Joy (Isaiah 35: 1-10)
December 9, 2016 by
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful … [Read more...]
Prepare the Way in a Taxi by Kate Kotfila
November 29, 2016 by
Mike attracts and repels at the same time. A friend for 25 years, Mike deals with chronic mental illness. Bipolar, he tends toward the manic side, always with another get rich plan just around the corner. His world is bigger than life. Mike is self absorbed and his family continues to pay the ticket price for the emotional roller coaster he rides.And yet, when I envision John the Baptist, he … [Read more...]
Advent One: Building (Isaiah 2: 1-15)
November 23, 2016 by
“The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his … [Read more...]
