It's Christmastime. Let's celebrate!

The next two weeks we're celebrating Christmas in July! 

 

Why?  Because we're Baptists and we can do whatever we want. 

(Just kidding.  I stole this idea from a Methodist!)  In the hustle and bustle of December, we can sometimes miss the meaning of Christmas.  I wanted us to carve time out this summer to focus specifically on God's gift of Jesus.  Make time to read Luke 2:1-20 before Sunday.

 

Last night I hung the JOY banner in the vestibule. When I planned for us to celebrate Christmas in July a few months ago,  I had no idea what JOY would be in store for this Sunday. 

 

"B" is the letter of the day!

 

The BAPTISM of Noelle Stoner.  We rejoice with Noelle and her parents at this decision!

 

  

The BUSINESS MEETING of Scottsville Baptist Church.  We will celebrate God's leadership, and how the Spirit is at work among us. 

 

The 95th BIRTHDAY of Katherine Dansey.  Katherine's family is providing a lasagna for everyone.

 

 

And of course BABY JESUS!

 

I had coffee with one of our new members this week and she remarked "There's a lot of life in the church!"  I agree, and I'm grateful.  God is generous to us.

 

Since it's the Christmas season, I thought I'd celebrate some of the JOY and glad tidings at Scottsville Baptist this year. 

  

Open House at the parsonage.  Fun snacks, fun people. 

Susan and Edna at the Ecumenical Picnic

The Community Easter Egg Hunt at Dorrier Park

Bubbles and Dewey cut a rug at the Valentine's Day Party.
 

Celebrating Pentecost!

The Great Kickball Game of 2015 when I shouted at a real person "You're not going to tag out your pastor, are you?" 

A trip to the Nats game!

Listening to the children's choir from Uganda
 

Choir Party at Janice's house! 



Koinonia Class celebrates the upcoming arrival of baby Goolsby with a turkey dinner!


The great news is more JOY is on its way. 
Merry Christmas in July!

 

We're singing NEW Christmas carols?

One of my favorite holiday traditions is Christmas caroling with my family and childhood friends.  Since I live far from my Old Kentucky Home I can't always make it...but this year I'll be there!  I'll be fresh off the plane and under the influence of Drammamine, but I'll be there in body anyway.  

Many of the people for whom we carol were Sunday School teachers, GA leaders, Deacons, and Choir members.  Many are part of my great cloud of witnesses.  It is an evening of joy and reflection.  

Though we're happy most of the evening, there are also times of sadness.  Last year's elderly couple is this year's widower.  We swallow back the lump in our throats and sing, and even when the tears come they are a mix of mourning and gratefulness and family.  Hugs and love and support and community abound.  The whole evening is a gift.                                                                                                        

Some of our favorite carols are 'Silent Night' and 'O Come All Ye Faithful.'  The familiar tunes are nice since carol-ees can join in with the carolers.  We also remember singing these songs throughout the years with family and friends.  Singing these songs together is a gift.

I am excited to sing with my Scottsville Baptist family too.  Our choir is busily preparing for the Advent and Christmas seasons.  We have selected six new-to-us carols to share with the congregation on December 22nd.  At first I think we were hesitant to pick new songs since familiar ones are so loved, but we are trying to step out of our comfort zones!  Way to go, choir!

As we were practicing last night the lyrics to one of the songs startled me.  That's the thing about new songs:  It's difficult to miss the words because we're still stumbling over them!  With new songs, the meaning has a greater chance to grab us.  Consider the last verse of one of our new-to-us songs, 'Our Savior's Infant Cries Were Heard'

For Christ, who was a refugee
From Herod and his sword,
Is seeking now, thro' us, to be
Our children's friend and Lord

Naming Christ as refugee is powerful to me.  I have always known Mary, Joseph, and Jesus fled to Egypt, but never had I captured that imagery by naming them refugees.  Sometimes one word is all it takes to paint a picture.  My mind began racing with the vulnerability of refugees and the care of the least and lost.  It is a powerful song.

I am excited for our choir to share these new-to-us carols on December 22nd.  I am also excited to share a service of Lessons and Carols on December 29th.  We'll be sure to sing many familiar and beloved songs.  

As we sing familiar carols this holiday season, let's make room for new songs, which may have a word for us too.  Listen to the lyrics of new-to-you carols.  See the story with different eyes.  And when we do sing 'Silent Night' let us listen closely to the power of its words--not only for nostalgia's sake--but for the awesome wonder of the Christ child's coming to the world.

Scottsville Baptist Choir

Lunch with the Greatest Generation

In need of a blessing?  Have lunch with the Greatest Generation.

After singing a few carols at the Senior Center Christmas luncheon today, we paused to give thanks for the gals and guys serving overseas.  The room fell silent.  You could hear tears being swallowed back.

A few moments of silence passed and we tried to sing "I'll be Home for Christmas." 

I was struck by the honor of singing "I'll be Home for Christmas" with a gathering of the Greatest Generation.  As we sang I wondered how many among us served in the war?  How many lost a brother or sister?  How many never saw dad return?  How many loved ones' lives have been lost to war?

I am blessed by their welcome to me and their sacrifices for our country.