“Comment “– December 2018

Mystery. Silence. Awe. Being okay with not understanding. Having questions, yet finding peace. Mystery. Silence. Awe. Wonder.

I find it particularly funny that radios begin playing Christmas music shortly after Halloween, yet by Christmas night many return to regular programming. There has been enough Christmas that seems to say, even though Jesus has just only arrived. The radio stations begin to return to their usual routine before the shepherds are finished listening to the angels. By the time they arrive at the stable, our airwaves are back to business as usual. But doesn’t anyone realize that it can’t be business as usual anymore?

In our own worship cycle, the celebration is only beginning on Christmas day. Contrary to popular belief, Christ is not born on Christmas Eve, even though it is such a lovely night filled with mystery and love. Christians around the world begin their celebrations as we are packing away ours. Puzzling, isn’t it? Remember the twelve days of Christmas? Those are the days between December 25 and January 6. Epiphany, or the celebration of the magi coming to worship Jesus is the last day of the celebration. What are we doing by January 6? Many of us are preparing ourselves for the cold, brutal slog of post-Christmas snow and feeling crabby about taxes.

Why is it that we cannot sit and wait through December for the Christ Child? Why do we make ourselves so busy that we cannot sit and contemplate the mystery and wonder of it all?

As you all know, Madeleine L’Engle is one of my favorite authors. Her words, along with those of C.S. Lewis, have been the place I go to find a reconnection to the wonder and mystery in my faith in Christ. Below is part of the foreward of one of Madeleine’s books called Bright Evening Star: Mystery of the Incarnation. The foreward is written by Addie Zierman.

As Madeleine writes, ‘Perhaps it takes moving through a good deal of chronology to know how thin the world of facts is, how rich the unprovable love which made it all.’

Or, in other words, it takes time to get comfortable with mystery.

At Christmastime, we get a gift. The world opens, just slightly to the possibility of mystery. We haul pine trees indoors and string lights across the darkness. We tell our children stories about Santa Claus, who is, of course, a paradox himself---not a fact, clearly…but a kind of deep truth just the same.

The virgin conceives and gives birth to God made flesh. The angels rend the sky open with their light and

invite the mangiest among us to see the baby king, and in doing so, to see the face of Love.

Christ comes here, to this tiny planet, in a universe of expanding galaxies. He comes wrapped in swaddling

clothes and mystery, hidden from the harsh light of pomp and popularity. It is a fitting birth for a paradoxical

God---the all-powerful God who gave power away. The Creator of innumerable galaxies who loves us each

with a fierce particularity. The God who does not change but whom we continue to see differently as science

and chronology change our perspective.

This is the God who defeated death by dying, who is everywhere and right here, who is ‘with us because of a

love beyond our comprehension’ and can be known only ‘through our own love.’

Certainty, it turns out, can only take us so far. It fails us eventually, and when it does, it doesn’t mean that the

story is false. It just means that we need a different vehicle for the rest of the journey.

If you find yourself on the other side of certainty this season, do not despair. This is the exact right place to be.

In this place, Jesus ceases to be the proof and becomes something more: the Bright Evening Star, leading you

forward into the mysterious dark. ‘I do not understand the Incarnation,’ Madeleine L’Engle writes. ‘I rejoice in

it.”…

Take these words as the gift they are: an invitation to an impossible, unprovable love---which, in the end, is the

only kind that matters.1

Mystery. Awe. Wonder. Hope. Peace. Love. Joy. Grace and Peace, Pastor Jen

1 L’Engle, Madeleine, Bright Evening Star: Mystery of the Incarnation. Convergent: New York, 2018, 14-15. Forward by Addie Zierman.

Christmas Joy Offering

The season of Advent is time for many things, including the Christmas Joy Offering. The Offering helps students develop their gifts and find their calling to serve God in their community, as well as help families of active and retired church workers. You will be seeing inserts in your bulletins sharing stories of those who have been helped by the offering. The Sunday School children will be bringing home coin banks, and there are special offering envelopes in the pews. The Christmas Joy Offering will take place on December 16 and 23.

PLEASE do NOT water the poinsettias.

We have a person designated to take care of them, including watering.

THANK YOU!!

OUT AND ABOUT…..

Miss our taco meals??? Bennett American Legion is serving a similar meal every Wednesday

through March from 5 – 8 p.m. for only $7.00. You have a choice of a taco salad, nacho plate,

taco potato or beef rite. For more information, please see Terri Becker.

DEACONS SESSION 2018: Tom & Laurie Maurer 2018: Steve Bockwoldt, Jennifer Glover, Rod Ochiltree

2019: Marilyn & Stephanie Kean 2019: Glen Swanson

2020: Mark & Julia Peterson 2020: Terri Becker, Brad Garrett, Mike Norton

Website address: http:fpcofwilton.org e-mail address: fpcpastor@netwtc.net Secretary's e-mail: fpcsec@netwtc.net Prayer Ministry: smnorton@netwtc.net

CELEBRATE WITH OUR CONGREGATION

December Anniversaries

16-Rod & Thea Ruden

31-Kevin & Jackie Callahan

December Birthdays 3-Kerry Jennings 15-Nancy Ochiltree

3-Elizabeth Nelson 16-Diane Mutz

4-Laura McDonald 20-Morgan Maurer

7-Brenda Ochiltree 20-Emma Pulliam

9-Bruce Giese 21-Nathan McDonald

10-Terri Bockwoldt 23-Jensen Boorn

14- Zoe Rangel 23-Maria Huston

14- Lela Glover 30-London Martindale

December Greeter Schedule December Usher Schedule

2 - Mark & Julia Peterson 2 – Suzy Rangel, Zoe Rangel

9 – Tom and Laurie Maurer Doug Hora, Jonathan Glover

16 – Marilyn & Stephanie Kean 9- Doug Hora, Jonathan Glover

23 – Mark & Julia Peterson Lori Brown, Nolan Townsend

30 -Tom and Laurie Maurer 16 - Lori Brown, Nolan Townsend

Amy Hurd, Casey Sawvell

23 – Amy Hurd, Casey Sawvell

Frank & Kristi Townsend

30 – Frank & Kristi Townsend

Bill & Joyce McCrabb

SCRIPTURES & SERMON TITLES FOR DECEMBER

Sunday, December 2, 2018 Sunday, December 9, 2018 1st Sunday of Advent 2nd Sunday of Advent Communion Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16 Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4 Psalm 25:1-10 Luke 1:68-79 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 21:25-36 Luke 3:1-6 Sermon: Certain Hope in Sermon: Making Preparations Uncertain Times That Count

Sunday, December 16, 2018 Sunday, December 23, 2018 3rd Sunday of Advent 4th Sunday of Advent Children’s Christmas Pageant Scripture: Micah 5:2-5a Zephaniah 3:14-20 Psalm 80:1-7 Isaiah 12:2-6 Hebrews 10:5-10 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 1:39-55 Luke 3:7-18 Sermon: Leaping for Joy

Sermon: The Lord is Near

Sunday, December 30, 2018 (Mika Rangel) 1st Sunday after Christmas

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 Psalm 148 Colossians 3:12-17 Luke 2:41-52

FOR OUR YOUTH

6th grade - College Youth Group will meet

in December on Sundays, 9th & 16th.

6:00 -8:00 pm.

Young Life WyldLife December 5th @ The HUB December 3 @ The HUB 7:37 7:15-8:00

Greetings from Sunday School Christmas Eve This year’s Children’s Christmas program will Christmas Eve services on December 24th will take place on Sunday, December 16th at 10:15 begin at 7:00 pm, That evening, Sugar Creek

am during the worship service. Any donations will also be having a service at 10:00 pm.

for the Christmas treats may be given to Mel

or Michael Norton. Also, we are looking for

donations of cookies or bars for after the

program. THANKS!!!

Christmas Caroling

If you would like to join us for Christmas Caroling on December 16th, please be at the church by 4:30pm.

Advent Luncheons

The Wilton-Durant Ministerial Association will be sponsoring the Advent Prayer Luncheons again

this year. Join us for prayer, fellowship, and lunch on the Tuesdays in Advent. The meeting time is

12:10 pm. The remaining schedule is as follows:

Dec 4 – United Methodist

Dec 11 – Gloria Dei

Dec 18 – 1st Presbyterian

‘Tis the Season

Christmas Angels ~Angels have been distributed on the tables in the vestry.

The wrapped gifts are due back to the church by Sunday, December 9th.

Volunteers will sort gifts at Methodist Church on Wednesday, Dec 12th at

6:30. Families will pick up gifts at Methodist Church on Saturday, December

15th between 9 & 11 am. Please make sure you tape your angel on the

package so the information is showing.

Thank you for sharing the Christmas Spirit.

Congressional Meeting

We will be holding the congressional meeting right after worship on Sunday, December 9th

with a potluck to follow the meeting.

THANK YOU!!!

Jane Kreimeyer would like to thank everyone who helped, came to eat or provided

food for this year’s Thanksgiving meal! A thank you also to the church

for allowing her to use the facilities. 92 people attended!!!

Coming Up-Mark your calendars!

January is our month for the Food Pantry. January can be difficult times for those who are

hungry . . . please seriously consider making a donation!

In February we send Valentine Boxes to those away at college or in the military. Get those

addresses ready! If you have any questions, contact Susan Norton.

Found on Facebook Source unknown

1st Corinthians 13 (A Christmas Version)

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I am just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook. If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing. If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of

holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata, but do not focus on those I love the most, I have missed the point.

…In other words, Love stops the cooking to hug a child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse. Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But the gift of love will endure.

Poinsettias 2018

IN HONOR OF: FROM:

Pastor Jen, Kerry & Grace Jennings The Congregation

IN THANKFULNESS FOR: FROM:

Loving Family & Friends Marilyn & Stephanie Kean Friends & Family Becky Hansen Family & Friends in Christ Kerry, Jen & Grace Jennings

IN LOVING MEMORY OF: FROM:

Doug Kean, Albert & Nellie Asmus, Marilyn & Stephanie Kean Jeffrey Mutz, Clair & Florence Kean Rolland & Gloria Bockwoldt Steve & Terri Bockwoldt Richard, Retha & Rick Waltman Oscar & Alberta Swanson Glen & Judy Swanson John & Erma Kundel Grandpa & Grammy Maurer Casey Sawvell Grandpa & Grandma Sawvell Carole, Lonnie & Clella Walton Vern & Caryl Walton Jane & Rick Watson Family that have passed away Becky Hansen Don Neipert Mike & Susan Norton & family Cathy Hughes & Myron Jennings Kerry, Jennifer & Grace Jennings Denise Thede Her Family Darrell & Dorothy Brown Steve & Lori Brown Howard & Betty Maurer Ron & Kathy Gradert, Tom & Laurie Maurer Howard & Betty Maurer Nic Peterson, Leah Maurer, Paul Maurer Petersons & Hurds Edna Maurer, Herschel & Margret Flater Ron Gradert, Joyce Hurd