Dear Beloved of St. Martin’s,
As we enter the church calendar's new year, we ride the intentional liturgical wave from light to darkness to The Light that breaks into all darkness and it is light and life to all He brings. You will recall that we spent the latter portion of the season of Pentecost this year in scriptures that time and again reminded us that light shines in the darkness and darkness will not overwhelm it, that Jesus himself is the light, and that, remarkably, as Jesus said to his disciples and so too, to everyone of us: you are the light of the world.
You are the light of the world. Shine your light! Easier said than done, I know. Some of you have shared with me that your lights need new batteries, or recharging. Many have said that you are experiencing the world around you as dim or even dark. Perhaps there is something to learn from the darkness of Advent. The darkness of Advent can be experienced in everything from our penitential liturgy which helps us reckon with the darkness in ourselves, to the shortening of days. I always find the frenzy of the season disorienting until I embrace the darkness - refusing to buy-buy-buy in the consumptive fury that takes place under the high beam lighting of shopping centers, and instead sitting with myself and with God. Candlelight, a warm blanket, and a journal often help. In this season of Advent, we might take some notes, each of us, writing our responses to these Ignatian-style questions: What is giving me life and light? What is taking life or light from me?
What is giving you life and light?
What is taking life or light from you?
My prayer is that this 'new year' we may better identify sources of light and life. This season, we anticipate the source, the transformative gift of light and life in God-come-among-us. Jesus' birth is occasion for angels singing, and we can join the chorus on Christmas day and beyond: Glory to the Newborn King – Light and life to all he brings...
Faithfully,
Monica+
Worship Service Schedule
St. Martin’s offers worship services this Advent and Christmas season that are all inside the church. All are welcome.
+ indicates nursery will be available
December 22, 2024
5:00 P.M. LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE
This is the time of the shortest day and longest night of the year when memories of past experiences and the pain of present reality can become overwhelming. Recognizing that this is not a season of joy for everyone, this service invites reflection on the sorrows we may feel and offers them all to our great sign of hope, the Holy Child of Bethlehem.
December 24, 2024 (Christmas Eve)
3:00 p.M. Family Service with Pageant & Holy Eucharist +
All are welcome to this family-friendly Christmas Eve service with the Christmas Pageant. This service is also live-streamed to YouTube.
5:30 p.M. Christmas Concert +
The St. Martin’s Adult and Handbell Choirs will provide music thirty minutes before our Christmas Eve service.
6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service with Holy Eucharist +
All are welcome for worship at this Christmas Eve service with Holy Eucharist. This service is also live-streamed to YouTube.
December 25, 2024 (Christmas Day)
10:00 A.M. Christmas Day Service of Holy Eucharist, Rite II
All are welcome for worship at this Christmas Day service with Holy Eucharist. This service is also live-streamed to YouTube.
December 29, 2024 (Christmas I)
10:00 A.M. SERVICE OF HOLY EUCHARIST, RITE II +
All are welcome for worship at this service with Holy Eucharist. This service is also live-streamed to YouTube.
January 5, 2024 (Baptism of the Lord)
10:00 a.m. ONE ST. MARTIN'S SERVICE OF HOLY EUCHARIST +
On the first Sunday of each month, we bring our whole community together in one worship service of Holy Eucharist. We combine elements of our 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. services and welcome all ages to worship and celebrate that we are one body in Christ. We enjoy a family feast in Gable Hall following the service. This service is live-streamed to the church's YouTube.
Light and life to all he brings
HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING – By CHARLES wesley
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"