Posts from December 2025
Sermon Note: The Journey to Bethlehem
Introduction As we continue our Advent series based on Adam Hamilton’s The Journey, we follow Mary and Joseph along the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem. What might sound like a simple line in the story—”they went… to Bethlehem”—was in reality a demanding trip over rugged terrain, taken late in pregnancy, under the pressure of an imperial decree. The journey is marked by weariness, risk, and uncertainty as they press forward under impossible conditions. By the time they arrive, there is…
Sermon Note: Mary’s Visit with Elizabeth
Introduction As we continue our Advent series based on Adam Hamilton’s The Journey, we follow Mary from Nazareth into the hill country of Judea. She arrives at Elizabeth’s home carrying both the weight and wonder of news she can barely comprehend. The distance she travels is more than geographical—it marks a search for understanding, safety, and a trusted family member who can help her sort through the challenges ahead. What happens in that household is immediate and joyful: Elizabeth responds…
2025 Alternative Christmas Giving
The Missions and Concerns Committee is providing an Alternative Christmas Giving opportunity again this year. By donating to these organizations, you can give an “alternative” Christmas gift to someone or you may just give because you want to support that effort. Your gifts will support some great causes that are a part of the mission of our church. Give Online You can contribute online using the button below. Use the Mission Projects section to indicate your donation(s). Give by Mail You may also…
Sermon Note: Disappointment, Doubt, and a Dream
Introduction As we continue our Advent series based on Adam Hamilton’s The Journey, we turn from Nazareth to a moment of personal crisis for Joseph. His world has been quietly unraveling—an engagement upended, a future he had planned suddenly uncertain, and a choice thrust upon him that carries tangible cost. This week’s Gospel passage gives us a picture of someone trying to do the right thing with limited information, guided only by his character and compassion. Into this mix of…