tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post116594258549772882..comments2023-11-03T05:46:44.728-04:00Comments on RevGalBlogPals: Tuesday Lectionary Leanings: The Halfway There EditionStephanie Anthony/She Revhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1166038676038257802006-12-13T14:37:00.000-05:002006-12-13T14:37:00.000-05:00Our pagaent was last week and my angel said his li...Our pagaent was last week and my angel said his line and in the middle of "Away in a Manger" left the "stage" and walked all the way down the center aisle to me and then we went out the door, as he asked about the promised cookie. That was plenty for both of us.<BR/><BR/>I'm told the rest went well, although Mary and Joseph decided to bolt for Egypt without baby Jesus.hip2bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00043622691294207012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1166033483403936772006-12-13T13:11:00.000-05:002006-12-13T13:11:00.000-05:00See a re-post here of a true story about "the Nat...See a re-post <A HREF="http://vaughnblog.blogspot.com/2006/12/nativity-story-that-got-away.html" REL="nofollow">here </A> of a true story about <BR/>"the Nativity that got away"<BR/><BR/>:)<BR/><BR/>dAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1166032940194655642006-12-13T13:02:00.000-05:002006-12-13T13:02:00.000-05:00we have a guest speaker (from Italy) this week. Fo...we have a guest speaker (from Italy) this week. <BR/><BR/>Found out too today that we'll have NO service on 24th 25th or 26th December. And I'm bumbed out because of it. GrrrAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1166032120309866352006-12-13T12:48:00.000-05:002006-12-13T12:48:00.000-05:00No Homies for me. It's a bad time of year for fol...No Homies for me. It's a bad time of year for folks who work in colleges, but c'est la vie....I'll always have college of preachers (speaking of which, I'm going 3 times this year--long story--anyone going to Esther de Waal, David Bartlett, or Don and Emily Saliers, give me a shout!) <BR/><BR/>I'm preaching this Sunday. I rarely preach at the congregation where I minister (there are lots of ministers and even more guest preachers) so it ends up being a big deal and I'm stalling at picking which scripture. The gospel is intriguing, but I kind of feel like Imight end up in Phillppians or Zephaniah and do the joy thing. Mostly because it's not what I want to do. (Generally, when I uncover scripture that I don't want to preach it's exactly the scripture I should preach.) But I'm still spinning in circles right now. Sigh. This was all so much easier when I preached every week and it wasn't such a big flipping deal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1166031659213658512006-12-13T12:40:00.000-05:002006-12-13T12:40:00.000-05:00We had an Advent Pageant this year - a bunch of ch...We had an Advent Pageant this year - a bunch of characters from the Bible came through and explained what all the verses of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" are all about - it was a one-rehearsal deal too, the kids who had lines just had their scripts in front of them. They got their scripts about a month in advance, so a few of them did memorize their lines, but no one needed to. It was great - and, since it was for ADvent 1, it was early enough before Christams that people had a little more time and patience for the rehearsal.Susie/Nueva Cantorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13111443190777358634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1166022032502198272006-12-13T10:00:00.000-05:002006-12-13T10:00:00.000-05:00We too are doing pageant this week. THis year it ...We too are doing pageant this week. THis year it is a congregational pageant I got from Sue (Inner Dorothy). We have a regular SUnday School of 5 non readers (all young) so something different was called for.<BR/><BR/>We shall see how it goes...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165981889242819152006-12-12T22:51:00.000-05:002006-12-12T22:51:00.000-05:00Oh, and I'd LOVE to go to the Festival of Homies, ...Oh, and I'd LOVE to go to the Festival of Homies, but I think it will have to wait for a few years until I have some continuing ed money free. Le sigh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165981603316899872006-12-12T22:46:00.000-05:002006-12-12T22:46:00.000-05:00I'm a bit concerned about this Sunday...I have tim...I'm a bit concerned about this Sunday...I have time-keeping items picked out for each of the Sundays of Advent, to focus my preaching (and it really helps!) but this week I don't have one in mind. Let's hope I can think of one before late on Saturday. (Someone suggested I procure a brood of vipers! Maybe that will be my backup idea.)<BR/><BR/>Oh, so I'm probably preaching on Luke. But maybe I should look at Zephaniah too. What the heck, might get a good idea for an item there.<BR/><BR/>We are having our Sunday School presentation thingy on Sunday, but we have a small Sunday School (four or five kids) so it will just be a couple of songs that have been re-written to be about Christmas. Should be pretty low-key.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165980683862907072006-12-12T22:31:00.000-05:002006-12-12T22:31:00.000-05:00We had a Christmas pageant that involved some of t...We had a Christmas pageant that involved some of the elementary children and they brought an advent calendar to life. It was OK. That was on Saturday, Dec. 2. <BR/> Then on Dec. 9th we had a Christmas Concert with our Rock/Praise Band with the Senior High Youth Group presenting skits in between songs. They portrayed distraught elves tired of making toys for children that didn't appreciate their hard-work. By the end of the program the elves became the Magi and we had a live creche scene as the band sang "Silent Night" then closed with "A Christmas Canon" made famous by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It was awesome.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165978282477985222006-12-12T21:51:00.000-05:002006-12-12T21:51:00.000-05:00P.S. I'm with Tripp. A pox on the pageants. But li...P.S. I'm with Tripp. A pox on the pageants. But like preacher mom, we have a "dire lack of children" so it's kind of a moot point.Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09005040876956039402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165978136591822932006-12-12T21:48:00.000-05:002006-12-12T21:48:00.000-05:00Geezow! I'd give my left arm (almost) to go the th...Geezow! I'd give my left arm (almost) to go the the Festival (first I've heard of it) but I'm guessing the "real" job wouldn't like it too much if I just took off for four days! I'm working on some ideas from the Zephaniah and Isaiah texts, but mostly the spirit fire from Luke. Wish me luck. I do NOT want to be writing a sermon on Saturday night!!Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09005040876956039402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165975467637682372006-12-12T21:04:00.000-05:002006-12-12T21:04:00.000-05:00P.S. We usually have a Christmas pageant on Advent...P.S. We usually have a Christmas pageant on Advent 3, but this year we are doing a Family Lessons and Carols, with children as readers and worship leaders, at 10 a.m. on Christmas Eve. I am really looking forward to it! Many of our families never attend the evening service on Christmas Eve. I hope this will give them a taste for it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08235049965406944684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165975386380544172006-12-12T21:03:00.000-05:002006-12-12T21:03:00.000-05:00We're having sort of a grown-up Christmas Pageant,...We're having sort of a grown-up Christmas Pageant, a drama during the worship service, written by yours truly. Since we have just covenanted to support a new homeless ministry, the play is a modern-day nativity in which Joe and Mary come to our small city on Christmas Eve and can't find a place to stay, then are invited to the Tent City (yes, we really have one) to stay. Three readers, six non-speaking actors, one musical trio, a dog and a live baby--it's my hope there will not be a dry eye in the house. And as the director, I will get to sit and watch.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08235049965406944684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165965903580958012006-12-12T18:25:00.000-05:002006-12-12T18:25:00.000-05:00I'm going with the Luke passage, although that's a...I'm going with the Luke passage, although that's about all I can tell you at this point. <BR/><BR/>We don't a Christmas pageant at our church due to the dire lack of children. We normally have an adult Christmas cantata early in December and Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve. This year, since Christmas Eve is on a Sunday, we are combining our Lessons & Carols with a cantata of sorts.<BR/><BR/>I am SOOOO planning on going to the FoH this year. I've never been before, but between the line-up of preachers and the number of RGBPs that I hope will be there, I wouldn't want to miss it. Still have to make sure I have all the bases covered with the kids, but I am hopeful.<BR/><BR/>WM, why 3 years??Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04271643598506103839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165965694564889572006-12-12T18:21:00.000-05:002006-12-12T18:21:00.000-05:00I'm not on in the morning, but have Isaiah 35 for ...I'm not on in the morning, but have Isaiah 35 for the evening, and not a thought in my head.<BR/>I am kind of playing with the idea of going to the FoH...depending, I guess, on how many of my wonderful revgal friends are likely to be there..though the "official" lineup looks pretty splendid too.<BR/>I've told the email form I'm "just curious"...but please, all of you, keep me posted if you are definitely going..it does sound remarkably attractive.Kathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09171138485811816831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165964180134811582006-12-12T17:56:00.000-05:002006-12-12T17:56:00.000-05:00Not preaching this week as we are doing a Christma...Not preaching this week as we are doing a Christmas musical written by our organist which includes a Nativity Scene. Not preaching next week because the choir is doing their Cantata then. Somehow I thought it was to be either Musical or Cantata - guess that'll teach me to think! Of course, these are both all about Christmas with not word one about the waiting part of Advent.<BR/><BR/>I like Christmas programs but I think they should be sometime other than during the worship service. . .<BR/><BR/>Ah well - not preaching just gives me more time to work on the Preschool Christmas Program Thursday evening, the 50th Wedding anniversary renewal of vows Friday evening and learning my solo for the musical. :-)Maria Tafoyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13920977030140327974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165963527441181412006-12-12T17:45:00.000-05:002006-12-12T17:45:00.000-05:00Correction: my meditation (to be published this Sa...Correction: my meditation (to be published this Sat) is a modern version of John the Baptiser.Jonahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02180536581514465000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165961497918512282006-12-12T17:11:00.000-05:002006-12-12T17:11:00.000-05:00Just realized how bitter that sounds - sorry! Com...Just realized how bitter that sounds - sorry! Compassion fatigue brought on by impending fatherhood, lack of sleep and perhaps a bit of a professional rut. Pray for me, would you? I really do love kids and the two aforementioned people; it's just been a trying December.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165959891125054952006-12-12T16:44:00.000-05:002006-12-12T16:44:00.000-05:00Tripp, I'm with you - I REALLY dislike Christmas p...Tripp, I'm with you - I REALLY dislike Christmas programs. At least, I dislike the way we do them. Last week I wound up refereeing a fight between two of our most dedicated members because they had conflicting ideas of how the program should be run. Both nearly wound up in tears. Is this how we should celebrate the birth of Christ? Not at all - but try to tell each other that we can do without the Christmas program this year - I think I'd have a riot on my hands. <BR/><BR/>So, this Sunday I'll let the kiddos sing and speak their one line and hopefully everyone gets their annual Christmas program warm fuzzy. Meanwhile I get to explain how "you brood of vipers" fits, in five minutes or less, since the program is added to our worship service. <BR/><BR/>fa la la la la...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165957417762127772006-12-12T16:03:00.000-05:002006-12-12T16:03:00.000-05:00Goth Magnificat and a menorah. Wowee...wish I cou...Goth Magnificat and a menorah. Wowee...wish I could be there!<BR/><BR/>Our Christmas program is the Sunday a.m. so I will not be preaching. I'll light Advent candles and do a short reading and that will be it for me.<BR/><BR/>Usually we do "Candlelight, Carols and Communion" on Christmas Eve. This year, since it falls on Sunday, we are just having a morning service. I will not be there. I'll be in Minnesota. I'm taking my first Christmas off in 15 years! My daughter, being "great with child" cannot travel, so we are heading that way. Leaving on the 21st. If we are lucky, baby will come while we are there and we'll just extend the visit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165956741494228482006-12-12T15:52:00.000-05:002006-12-12T15:52:00.000-05:00I have to wrap up eschatology, Hannukah and the Ma...I have to wrap up eschatology, Hannukah and the Magnificat all in one fell swoop ... <BR/><BR/>We focussed on the first coming of Jesus in the gospel of John this year for the first Sunday in Advent, then looked at partially realized or inaugural eschatology and Revelation on the Second Sunday in Advent. We're celebrating the Jewish holidays this year to get a better feel for our roots in Judaism. So, I'll be weaving all of those strands together using the Magnificat as my treadle.<BR/><BR/>I've already tagged one of our teens to read the Magnificat dressed in Goth. I might re-write it a bit so it's more modern sounding, or perhaps just use The Message version. I've already told her she can be rebellious and it should sound like a protest against Herod and the government. She's pretty excited about it.<BR/><BR/>I'm just hoping the menorah I ordered arrives on time ... ack!Sonja Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13164796660137641599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165955525632083742006-12-12T15:32:00.000-05:002006-12-12T15:32:00.000-05:001-4 grace, maybe we'll get to meet.Boo hiss for WS...1-4 grace, maybe we'll get to meet.<BR/><BR/>Boo hiss for WS and Rainbow Pastor. <BR/><BR/>We can have a virtual meeting with you all too.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14654861033242845082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165954136639375912006-12-12T15:08:00.000-05:002006-12-12T15:08:00.000-05:00Hey, WS, doesn't look like I'll be able to go this...Hey, WS, doesn't look like I'll be able to go this year either. Let's do a virtual FoH...you know, links to streaming video of great preachers, links to articles, some midis of great worship music...<BR/><BR/>Nope. Won't work. Just wouldn't be the same.<BR/><BR/>Sigh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165953538326426312006-12-12T14:58:00.000-05:002006-12-12T14:58:00.000-05:00My meditation, to be posted Sat morning, is on Bar...My meditation, to be posted Sat morning, is on Baruch. While you wait, you may want to read <A HREF="http://jacsongs.blogspot.com/2006/12/virgin-of-guadalupe.html" REL="nofollow">the poem</A> I wrote for the Virgin of Guadalupe's feast day (12/12).Jonahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02180536581514465000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1165953132112534202006-12-12T14:52:00.000-05:002006-12-12T14:52:00.000-05:00No pageant. No clue on the sermon direction. No Fo...No pageant. No clue on the sermon direction. No FoH for at least the next 3 years. :(will smamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06632209393133155385noreply@blogger.com