Dear Friends,  

Sadly, this year there will be no caroling party on the Sunday before Christmas.  There are two reasons: first, the Youth Group’s schedule has forced their Christmas gathering to the afternoon of December 10, and second, I am having oral surgery on December 6.  I’ve planned the latter so that it precedes 2 Sundays when I do not preach (Cantata Sunday and Pageant Sunday). The surgery is potentially extensive, and I won’t be the hostess-with-the-mostest during December. A bone graft, put in place Dec. 6, will be fairly fragile at first, as it begins the process of a dental implant - completed probably sometime in March. 

I have a favorite movie – “A Christmas Without Snow” – which I will offer on January 13, for those able to stay long enough to watch it.  Obviously, that’s the source of the title for this month’s article / invitation.  It’s about a gruff old choir director, played by John Houseman, and a rank of back-biting sopranos . . . none of whom bear any resemblance to Wendy or our sopranos!!  It’s complicated by the emotional troubles of the pastor’s son.  (See, I don’t even have a son - this is NOT a parody of our church!)  And it seemed appropriate to show on our own “Christmas Without Caroling”.  (You are, of course, perfectly welcome to plan your own caroling adventures, but there won’t be refreshments waiting for you at the manse afterward.) 

One more housekeeping note on Christmas: In your box of offering envelopes, there are two Christmas envelopes.  One is for your Christmas offering to this congregation – possibly something above and beyond your estimated giving for 2011, perhaps tithing a bonus or sharing in a late year dividend.  The other is the “Christmas Joy” envelope, which is one of the denominational offerings.  The Christmas Joy offering supports the unmet needs of families who have given their lives to the mission of the Presbyterian Church (USA), some of them after retirement, others while they continue to serve.  It also supports students at racial ethnic schools and colleges, bearing joyful witness to the power of Jesus’ uncontainable love to change lives.  Your session has decided to receive this offering as “Christmas Joy in July”, rather than on December 18.  Offering envelopes will be made available at that time. 

And now, a word of hope and love, to you.  Words from Ann Weems, but expressing that peace and promise that I wish for you: 

            Into this silent night

                                                                 as we make our weary way

                                                                       we know not where,

            just when the night becomes its darkest

                                                                 and we cannot see our path,

            just then

                                                                 is when the angels rush in,

                                                                       their hands full of stars. 

Wishing you a most blessed Christmas,

Pastor Robin