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December 2023
December 31, 2023
Sermon: "Rocking Chair Resolutions" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Technical issues: forgot to hit record!
Synopsis: Instead of making a list of new good habits to adopt and/or bad habits to shed, I’m thinking of including some “Simeon time” in my first week of 2024. Never heard of “Simeon time”? Hardly surprising because the story of Simeon that takes place on the eighth day after the birth of Jesus gets lost in the shuffle between Christmas and Epiphany.
In the Gospel according to Luke, first chapter beginning with 23rd verse, the Holy Spirit sets up a meeting in the Jerusalem Temple between a very new baby Jesus and a very, very old man named Simeon. In what would appear to be a chance encounter, as soon as Mary and Simeon make eye-contact she feels compelled to place her child into Simeon’s outstretched arms.
What happens next is both a complete surprise and utterly predictable.
With the infant Christ held close to his chest, the baby’s tiny heart drumming against his own that beats on borrowed time, Simeon has a vision of the cosmos lighting up with the liberation that God has in store not just for the children of Israel, but for children everywhere. And in the Gospel of Luke any praise worth speaking is worth singing—cue Simeon’s big swan song: Lord now let your servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen your salvation…
Watching all this Mary and Joseph are described as “amazed.” Understatement. But consider: Doesn’t any parent or grandparent or brother or sister or friend who has ever held a newborn baby for the first time feel overwhelmed? Better, call it “awe”—the feeling that comes with holding the vast complexity of all human life miraculously distilled into one tiny armful of flesh. Right here, right now, in your arms.
Are you getting the picture of how spending some “Simeon Timep”
might work? I think I’m going to use the rocking chair that’s in our basement. It’s quiet down there. And as I sit and rock I’m going to close my eyes, and imagine a sleeping newborn placed in my arms. A baby that’s just been nursed and freshly diapered, an infant just content to be held. I might imagine that this is a baby born eight days ago at South Shore Hospital. Or in what’s left of a hospital anywhere in the world…in Gaza or Ukraine. This baby I’m imagining in my arms as I rock, no matter the circumstance of its birth is an infant like every infant. With awe, I consider the endless multiplicity of futures the baby embodies at birth. And I wonder: What is the one thing that I could commit to in this New Year that would make a difference for the child whose future is just beginning? One thing, that I could do, just me, just as I am…?
After 5 or 10 minutes of rocking and holding, and then releasing all I’ve been privileged to hold back into God’s arms, will I know the answer? Will I have discerned my one Rocking Chair Resolution for the year? I rather doubt it. But maybe beginning by dedicating 5-10 minutes a week to the question is resolution enough.
Blessings!
Pastor Kathleen
Sermon: "Rocking Chair Resolutions" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Technical issues: forgot to hit record!
Synopsis: Instead of making a list of new good habits to adopt and/or bad habits to shed, I’m thinking of including some “Simeon time” in my first week of 2024. Never heard of “Simeon time”? Hardly surprising because the story of Simeon that takes place on the eighth day after the birth of Jesus gets lost in the shuffle between Christmas and Epiphany.
In the Gospel according to Luke, first chapter beginning with 23rd verse, the Holy Spirit sets up a meeting in the Jerusalem Temple between a very new baby Jesus and a very, very old man named Simeon. In what would appear to be a chance encounter, as soon as Mary and Simeon make eye-contact she feels compelled to place her child into Simeon’s outstretched arms.
What happens next is both a complete surprise and utterly predictable.
With the infant Christ held close to his chest, the baby’s tiny heart drumming against his own that beats on borrowed time, Simeon has a vision of the cosmos lighting up with the liberation that God has in store not just for the children of Israel, but for children everywhere. And in the Gospel of Luke any praise worth speaking is worth singing—cue Simeon’s big swan song: Lord now let your servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen your salvation…
Watching all this Mary and Joseph are described as “amazed.” Understatement. But consider: Doesn’t any parent or grandparent or brother or sister or friend who has ever held a newborn baby for the first time feel overwhelmed? Better, call it “awe”—the feeling that comes with holding the vast complexity of all human life miraculously distilled into one tiny armful of flesh. Right here, right now, in your arms.
Are you getting the picture of how spending some “Simeon Timep”
might work? I think I’m going to use the rocking chair that’s in our basement. It’s quiet down there. And as I sit and rock I’m going to close my eyes, and imagine a sleeping newborn placed in my arms. A baby that’s just been nursed and freshly diapered, an infant just content to be held. I might imagine that this is a baby born eight days ago at South Shore Hospital. Or in what’s left of a hospital anywhere in the world…in Gaza or Ukraine. This baby I’m imagining in my arms as I rock, no matter the circumstance of its birth is an infant like every infant. With awe, I consider the endless multiplicity of futures the baby embodies at birth. And I wonder: What is the one thing that I could commit to in this New Year that would make a difference for the child whose future is just beginning? One thing, that I could do, just me, just as I am…?
After 5 or 10 minutes of rocking and holding, and then releasing all I’ve been privileged to hold back into God’s arms, will I know the answer? Will I have discerned my one Rocking Chair Resolution for the year? I rather doubt it. But maybe beginning by dedicating 5-10 minutes a week to the question is resolution enough.
Blessings!
Pastor Kathleen
December 24, 2023 - 5:00 PM
Sermon: "Christmas Message" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Sermon: "Christmas Message" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
December 24, 2023 - 10:00 AM
Sermon: "Merry Christmas" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Sermon: "Merry Christmas" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
December 17, 2023 - Audio only
Scripture Reader: Nancy Jacobs
Sermon: "This Little Light of Mine" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Scripture Reader: Nancy Jacobs
Sermon: "This Little Light of Mine" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
December 10, 2023 Anthem: "I Hear the Prophet Callin'"
Scripture Reader: Luke Rheault
Sermon: "Prepare the Way!" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Scripture Reader: Luke Rheault
Sermon: "Prepare the Way!" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
December 3, 2023 Anthem: "Keep Your Lamps"
Scripture Reader: Susan Rheault
Sermon: "When the Stars Begin to Fall" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Scripture Reader: Susan Rheault
Sermon: "When the Stars Begin to Fall" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
November 2023
November 26, 2023 Anthem: "When the Poor Ones"
Scripture Reader: Tricia Whitehouse
Sermon: "How About Those Goats?!" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Scripture Reader: Tricia Whitehouse
Sermon: "How About Those Goats?!" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
November 19, 2023 Anthem: "For the Autumn Sky"
Scripture Reader: Ralph Jacobs
Sermon: "Counting the Days" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Scripture Reader: Ralph Jacobs
Sermon: "Counting the Days" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
November 12, 2023 Anthem: "Shalom"
Scripture Reader: Pat Murphy
Sermon: "Pro Tips for Bridesmaids" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Scripture Reader: Pat Murphy
Sermon: "Pro Tips for Bridesmaids" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
November 5, 2023 Anthem: "Swing Low, Sing Low"
Scripture Reader: Pat Murphy
Sermon: "The Feast of All Saints" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Scripture Reader: Pat Murphy
Sermon: "The Feast of All Saints" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
October 2023
October 29, 2023 Anthem: "For the Beauty of the Earth"
Scripture Reader: Gayle Mackay
Sermon: "Truth Shall Make You Free" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Scripture Reader: Gayle Mackay
Sermon: "Truth Shall Make You Free" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
October 22, 2023 Anthem: "I Will Live My Thanks"
Sermon: "Holy Friendraiser" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Sermon: "Holy Friendraiser" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
October 15, 2023 Anthem: "The Shepherd Psalm"
Scripture Reader: Ralph Jacobs
Sermon: "Joy to Share" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Scripture Reader: Ralph Jacobs
Sermon: "Joy to Share" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
October 8, 2023 Anthem: "Row Together to the Kingdom"
Sermon: "Fatal Foolishness" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Sermon: "Fatal Foolishness" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
October 1, 2023 Anthem: "Come and Be Joyful"
Scripture Reader: Dannette Costas-Carrión
Sermon: "The Good U-Turn" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
Scripture Reader: Dannette Costas-Carrión
Sermon: "The Good U-Turn" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
September 2023
September 24, 2023 Sermon: "Common Courtesy According to God" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
September 17, 2023 Anthem: "Here I Am, Lord"
Scripture Reader: Nancy Jacobs
Sermon: "From Watching to Leaping" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
September 10, 2023 Scripture Reader: Nancy Jacobs — Sermon: "Unknotting Sins, Debts, and Trespasses" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
September 3, 2033 Scripture Reader: Ralph Jacobs — Sermon: "Spoiler Alert" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
August 2023
August 27, 2023 Scripture Reader: Beth Brown — Sermon: "Humility" - Glenn Brown
August 20, 2023 1st Scripture Reader: Tricia Whitehouse — Sermon: "Great is Thy Faith" - Lori Bruni
August 13, 2023 Sermon: "Play More Pool!" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
August 6, 2023 Scripture Reader Sue Rheault — Sermon: "Breaking Open?" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
July 2023
July 30, 2023 Scripture Reading - Gayle Mackay — Sermon: "Now What? Fearless Hope!" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
July 23, 2023 Scripture Reading - Rose Costas — Sermon: "No More Weeding. Now What?" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
July 16, 2023 Sermon: "What Can Go Wrong Will Go Wrong So Sin Boldly!" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
July 9, 2023 Sermon: "The Exhaustion-Exhilaration Spectrum" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
July 2, 2023 Sermon: "What Could Go Wrong?" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
June 2023
June 25, 2023 Sermon: "From Worrier to Warrior" - written by Gayle Mackay and delivered by Laurel Wainwright
June 18, 2023 Sermon: "Father's Day" - Ralph Jacobs
June 11, 2023 Sermon: "Finding Hope in the Headlines" - Ralph Jacobs
June 4, 2023 Anthem: "Give Me A Song" - Hybrid Choir
June 4, 2023 Sermon: "Love Tattoos" - Rev. Kathleen Reed
May 2023
May 28, 2023 Service ~ Rev. Stephen Vandergrift's last service before retiring
May 21, 2023 Anthem: "For Those Who Serve" - Hybrid Choir
May 21, 2023 Sermon: "A Pastor's Prayer" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
May 14, 2023 Anthem: "Shalom" - Hybrid Choir
May 14, 2023 Sermon: "A Mother's Prayer" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
Through the wonders of technology (ZOOM) Pastor Steve was able to conduct our service today.
May 5, 2023 Anthem: "Amazing Grace" - Hybrid Choir
May 5, 2023 Sermon: "A Child's Prayer" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
April 2023
April 30, 2023 Anthem: "The Shepherd Psalm" - Hybrid Choir
April 30, 2023 Sermon: "The Shepherd's Story" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
April 23, 2023 Anthem: "Risen Indeed!" - Hybrid Choir
April 23, 2023 Sermon: "Heart to Heart" - Rev. Dr. Jean Vandergrift
April 16, 2023 Anthem: "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" - Hybrid Choir
April 16, 2023 Sermon: "A Life-Changing Belief" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
April 9, 2023 Easter / Confirmation Service ~ Sermon: "An Easter Faith" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
April 2, 2023 Anthem: "Hosanna Processional" - Hybrid Choir
April 2, 2023 Sermon: "Fill Up On Good Things" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
March 2023
March 26, 2023 Anthem: "I Surrender All to You" - Hybrid Choir
March 26, 2023 Sermon: "An Inconvenient Death" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
March 19, 2023 Anthem: "Amazing Grace" - Hybrid Choir
March 19, 2023 Sermon: "God of the Unexpected" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
March 12, 2023 Anthem: "Come to the Water" - Hybrid Choir
March 12, 2023 Sermon: "Spiritual Waters" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
March 5, 2023 Anthem: "Celtic Laud" - Hybrid Choir
March 5, 2023 Sermon: "The Kingdom of God Among Us" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
February 2023
February 26, 2023 - "From Mountaintop to Lonesome Valley" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
February 19, 2023 - "Transfiguring Jesus" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
February 12, 2023 - "God's Embrace" - Ralph Jacobs, Speaker
February 5, 2023 - "Salty Talk With Jesus" - Rev. Kathleen Reed, Guest Minister
February 5, 2023 - "Four Chaplains' Story" - Narrated by Ralph Jacobs
January 2023
January 29, 2023 - "A Topsy Turvy Life" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
January 22, 2023 - "Shine On Me" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
January 15, 2023 - "Come and See" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
January 8, 2023 - "The Unvailing" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift
January 1, 2023 - "A New Year's Reflection" - Rev. Stephen Vandergrift