Lavonne Baker, member since 1984, TLC Team, Prayer Ministry, Outreach Council John 3:16 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  Reflection: During this year’s Advent season not many of us will have our “traditional” Christmas with big gatherings of family and friends. That has made me nostalgic about Christmases from my past.  One of them takes place in the little Dutch Reformed, country church of my childhood. Almost everyone in the church was related to me in some fashion [...]

Lori Fahrbach, Children’s Ministries Program Coordinator and Member 1 John 4:7-9 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. Reflection: God is love. If we love God, his love flows through us so we love others. Seems simple enough, but understanding love is no easy task. I [...]

Cynthia Wier, Member of the Gene Decker Study Class, St. Luke’s Member since 1975 Psalm 143:8  (RSV) Let me hear in the morning of thy steadfast love, for in thee I put my trust. Teach me in the way I should go, for to thee I lift my soul. Reflection:  I love the morning! I love sitting just before dawn, watching the pink and orange streaks of light as I gaze out the window toward the eastern sky. It's a time of quiet for me, and as I wake up slowly, sip my first cup of coffee, I'm grateful. [...]

Rev. David Horton Colossians 3:12-15 12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.  Reflection: Pastors love to tell stories. It’s what we do. And [...]

Shelby Olive, Communications Associate 1 Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies,  because I rejoice in my victory. 2 “There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you;     there is no Rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty are broken,  but the feeble gird on strength. 5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,     but [...]

Martha Hill Jamison, St. Luke’s Member since 1985, staid church lady Psalms 47:1  (New Century Version) Clap your hands, all you people;    shout to God with joy. Reflection: “That’s a good yahoo, son.” What a high compliment given in the movie “City Slickers” by the rancher to one of the “dudes,” Ed. Ed is so excited at the prospect of doing actual cowboy work while at the ranch that he cries out: “Ya---hoo!” This is the unrestrained, spontaneous expression of joy that God so wants to hear from us at Advent. The Christ Child is coming! Ya---hoo! Whereas [...]

Erin Campbell Naman, church member since 2009, member of Children’s Council, member of Lay Leadership Council Psalm 96 (NIV) “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.  For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.  Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and [...]

Warren Fisher, Staff-Parish Relations Chair, Genesis Sunday School Co-Leader, Member since 1988 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (New Revised Standard Version) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The [...]

Rev. Cliff Ritter Luke 2:8-12 (NRSV) 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: [...]

Erin Manning Verducci; St. Luke’s member since 2004; Chancel Choir President Isaiah 60:1-3 (NIV) Arise, shine, for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth And thick darkness is over the peoples, But the Lord rises upon you And his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your dawn. Reflection: It was late morning on November 15, 2012, my youngest son’s fifth birthday.  I had rearranged my schedule so I could take him to lunch. As I rushed out of [...]