From David:
Saturday
While it was not really Santa’s workshop, the Clothing Center was abuzz with activity on its final distribution day of the year, and the hard workers of the Center surely felt the glow of welcoming the shoppers to a special day and a special gift: colorful towel sets cheerily tied up with Christmas bows! In addition to the gifts given to those able to be here in person, our Clothing Center elves took a large supply of lap robes over to the residents of Bethel Care Center. While I’m sure the shoppers already expressed gratitude for service received --- A big thanks from the whole church for your dedication and care for those who may know little about DAPC, but do know that it’s a place that helps out. Thank you Clothing Center volunteers for being the face … and hands, arms and feet … of DAPC to the Clothing Center shoppers.
As the Clothing Center was winding down … the Gather event was gearing up!** The kitchen simmered with Sloppy Joe’s (named after Joseph???) and melted chocolate for home-made turtles, Fellowship Hall was transforming to Santa’s Workshop: St. Paul Annex, a virtual pot-pouri of Christmas crafts and gifts. So after a hearty meal The Gather-ers dispersed to the craft centers: M&M Christmas tree, gold & silver bell wreathes, popsicle trees, drapery ring ornaments, pom-pom snow men --- the list goes on! With the time whizzing by as eager participants glued and shaped their treasures, at last it was time to pack up and share a story – “God Gave us Christmas”.
Sunday
Beginning again with the Children’s chorus of vuvuzuelas – the fourthSunday of Advent fairly shouted, “Prepare the Way of the Lord!” Following the fanfare, our worship service unfolded in thoughtful beauty! A wonderful mix of Music - from Chopin to Calypso … with drums to The Angel Gabriel Came Down and several other wonderful musical blessings sprinkled throughout. It was the Sunday of Mary’s Song – the Magnificat -beginning with the lighting of the 4th Advent Candle. The Children returned treating us to a glimpse in the stable where Jesus started it all: true to life animal sounds – and the most exuberant ox imaginable; the wise Ones; an appropriately demur Mary and of course the baby of the hour! The message for the day, including a spoken word introduction, returned to the powerful affirmation of young Mary, as she sang of a world soon to be turned upside down by the Messiah she would bring into the world.
Alas, the season of vuvuzuelas is over … the Quiet of Christmas Eve will soothe our souls on Thursday as we share our candle light service. Please plan to join your DAPC friends and neighbors Thursday at 5:30 pm –with a simple soup meal for anyone who cares to join the DAPC family afterwards.
May Christmas be a day of Blessing for you … and for the troubled world in which we live.
Saturday
While it was not really Santa’s workshop, the Clothing Center was abuzz with activity on its final distribution day of the year, and the hard workers of the Center surely felt the glow of welcoming the shoppers to a special day and a special gift: colorful towel sets cheerily tied up with Christmas bows! In addition to the gifts given to those able to be here in person, our Clothing Center elves took a large supply of lap robes over to the residents of Bethel Care Center. While I’m sure the shoppers already expressed gratitude for service received --- A big thanks from the whole church for your dedication and care for those who may know little about DAPC, but do know that it’s a place that helps out. Thank you Clothing Center volunteers for being the face … and hands, arms and feet … of DAPC to the Clothing Center shoppers.
As the Clothing Center was winding down … the Gather event was gearing up!** The kitchen simmered with Sloppy Joe’s (named after Joseph???) and melted chocolate for home-made turtles, Fellowship Hall was transforming to Santa’s Workshop: St. Paul Annex, a virtual pot-pouri of Christmas crafts and gifts. So after a hearty meal The Gather-ers dispersed to the craft centers: M&M Christmas tree, gold & silver bell wreathes, popsicle trees, drapery ring ornaments, pom-pom snow men --- the list goes on! With the time whizzing by as eager participants glued and shaped their treasures, at last it was time to pack up and share a story – “God Gave us Christmas”.
Sunday
Beginning again with the Children’s chorus of vuvuzuelas – the fourthSunday of Advent fairly shouted, “Prepare the Way of the Lord!” Following the fanfare, our worship service unfolded in thoughtful beauty! A wonderful mix of Music - from Chopin to Calypso … with drums to The Angel Gabriel Came Down and several other wonderful musical blessings sprinkled throughout. It was the Sunday of Mary’s Song – the Magnificat -beginning with the lighting of the 4th Advent Candle. The Children returned treating us to a glimpse in the stable where Jesus started it all: true to life animal sounds – and the most exuberant ox imaginable; the wise Ones; an appropriately demur Mary and of course the baby of the hour! The message for the day, including a spoken word introduction, returned to the powerful affirmation of young Mary, as she sang of a world soon to be turned upside down by the Messiah she would bring into the world.
Alas, the season of vuvuzuelas is over … the Quiet of Christmas Eve will soothe our souls on Thursday as we share our candle light service. Please plan to join your DAPC friends and neighbors Thursday at 5:30 pm –with a simple soup meal for anyone who cares to join the DAPC family afterwards.
May Christmas be a day of Blessing for you … and for the troubled world in which we live.
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