Playing Catch Up

Better late than never, right....

On Saturday morning, December 19, a few Palmer families came in pajamas and raided our collection of costumes. There was great food, fun crafts, and a re-telling of the Christmas story. We call it "Breakfast in Bethlehem" and hope more families are inspired to join us next year.

Breakfast in Bethlehem on PhotoPeach

The Feast of the Epiphany

Today we celebrate Epiphany, the day the wisemen arrived bringing gifts to the baby Jesus. Father Nutter honored Epiphany by fasting and spending the day in the Nave praying with anyone who stopped in. I took time this afternoon to join him there.

Why "blog" about it? I wanted you each to know that the children of this church; your children, our children, are gifts to me. Today, I prayed for them all, by name, in honor and recognition of their gift in my life. I prayed for each of us as parents, that we continue to see how blessed we are to have them in our care.

There are wonderful prayers on page 829 of the Book of Common Prayer that will give you the words if you struggle to find your own.

Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ.

God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN

Merry Christmas Eve

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the power to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

This morning started out a little ugly in my house. The kids were arguing before the sun came up and I was facing a long day of frantic cleaning and baking before heading to the church for 10 hours of back to back services. I am not finding "Peace on Earth" this Christmas Eve. And so I stopped and read, not Luke's account of the birth, but John's explanation of the "Why". There are 2 very important things I get from this piece of scripture.

First, Christ is in the world, now, today. It is up to me to look around enough to recognize him. I can't do that if my focus is on getting the brownies in the oven and mopping the bathroom. I can't do that if I am joining the argument with my children instead of seeing how my stress is spilling over into their world.

Second, my children ARE my Christmas gift. Every day (even the ugly ones) they are a gift from God. They were born not out of my own choice or desire, but out of God's. So today, I will stop a bit of the madness and talk to them about Mary and Joseph and the excitement and fear of having a baby on the way. I have told each of them about the day they were born. Today, we will talk about how I felt and what was happening the day before. I can make the time for myself, my kids, and for God.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Fearfully and Wonderfully made

This week during the education hour, Palmer kids participated in a hands-on experience honoring those with differing abilities and gifts. They were reminded that we are each a special part of God's creation and each play a role in the body of Christ. In the words of Psalm 139, "we are fearfully and wonderfully made".

If you or your child have questions or want more information about Palmer's "Community of Respect" initiative, please contact the Christian Formation offer. Many resources are available.

Disability Awareness Sunday on PhotoPeach

O Come Let Us Adore Him

Palmer's of all ages celebrated the first Sunday of Advent with the annual wreath making event in Fellowship Hall.
Advent 2009 on PhotoPeach

Counting our many blessings

This week, the focus of Sunday school was all the things we are thankful for; family, friends, food, homes, and all the things God has done in our lives.

And We Were Very Thankful on PhotoPeach

As we gather

Looking ahead to Sunday, November 15, there is much to be thankful for. During our Large Group time this week we have a special guest, Pat Simmons from the Palmer Way Station. Pat is coming to share his musical talent as well as his story of the many blessings in his life, especially the blessing of working with our friends at the Way Station. As you go about your week and prepare for Thanksgiving, please include the Way Station in your prayers.

Palmer Way Station on PhotoPeach