Once again, it’s the same story, but with different variations. Apparently, the seasonal uptick in the virus isn’t done with us, but eventually it will have to be. As of this writing, cases and hospitalization are still at high numbers in our part of the state and the virus is still finding people to contact. It still appears that the vaccine won’t prevent transmission, but it does seem to help with making cases milder. We make our way through these times as best we can.
In the meantime, our schedule is still status quo. No one would be happier to see the numbers of sick and hospitalized decline and no one would push harder for certain changes in worship once they do. However, the patterns of the church year continue, regardless, and we will be into Advent as this newsletter reaches you. As it was mentioned in last month’s newsletter, the theme of this year’s Advent/Christmas worship is “The Inn: Housing the Holy.” Our themes for these seasons are as follows: November 28th–”Making Room (Hope)”; December 5th–”A Place at the Table (Peace)”; December 12th–”How Much Is Enough? (Joy); December 19th – “A Room with a View (Love)”; December 24th (live-stream only)– “The Inn”; December 26th –”Dwelling.”
Our worship schedule will still continue as a live-stream at 8:30 a.m and in-person worship at 10:30 a.m for the Sundays in December. Christmas Eve worship will be streamed via Facebook at 4:30 p.m., and in-person worship will be held at 9:00 p.m. and will include communion with candlelight. Christmas Day worship will be streamed via Facebook at 10:00 a.m. and include the pre-recorded Children’s Christmas Program Premiere.
Hope still abides in this season. Things may not be as far along as we would hope, but further along than they were last year. I’m a firm believer that everything we experience in this life sets us up for something else down the road at a later date. Time will tell as to what lessons we will have learned along the way.
Shalom aleichem—Peace be with you.
Rev. Jim Hoppert
