With the early arrival of the cold and snow in November, it’s not been a difficult thing
to get into an Advent/Christmas frame of mind as I write this month’s front page. It’s a
not-so-gentle reminder that those events will get here sooner than we know.
The First Sunday of Advent falls on December 1st and that weekend will mark the
beginning of a worship series that will run through the entire month of December,
“Heaven and Nature Sing.” This year marks the 300th anniversary of the hymn, “Joy to
the World,” which is poet Isaac Watt’s famous interpretation of Psalm 98, sung often
during this season. Our focus during this series will be on “joy,” which is not simply
another word for “happiness,” but is something much deeper than that. Our series will
remind us that “joy” can also be found in the midst of suffering, doing the work of
justice, and in the presence of compassion. This is the message that Jesus shared with
us when he proclaimed the Good News of God’s Reign and it is a message that our world
very much needs to hear today. Even in the midst of uncertainty, struggle, and deep
divisions within our society, God’s joy is still present to us, and it is important for us to
keep lighting candles in the darkness and abiding in joy.
In keeping with that theme of joy, Salem will be hosting the four-choir (St. Peter’s UCC,
Kiel, Bethlehem UCC, Kiel, First Congregational, Plymouth, and Salem) Christmas
concert, “Sing Joy,” on Sunday, December 8th at 4:00 p.m. When the four choirs got
together to perform last year in Kiel, it was a memorable experience for all who were in
attendance, and this year’s program promises to be just as meaningful. Make a point
of circling the date and get there early for good seating.
The following week, our all-church Christmas program will be held on Sunday,
December 15th at 9:00 a.m., featuring the participation of our church school children
and the special music of our congregation. It will be an excellent opportunity for
multiple generations of our congregation to get together to worship and celebrate in
this season.
The list of Christmas services and other special activities for the month of December will
be listed further on in the Chapel Chimes, so I encourage you to note these. There will
be plenty of activity going on during the month.
And here’s one last thought to share with you: it is my sincere hope that the month
ahead will be more than just a whirl of frenzied activity. I hope that you will find
opportunities to discover hope, peace, joy, and love, as well, that the days will be full of
meaning.
Your servant in Christ,
Rev. Jim Hoppert
