Sunday.

 The big day has arrived.  Well, one of the big days that happens this time of year has arrived.  Another one comes in two days.  Georgia now is on my mind.

Today after the second service  Advent/Christmas decorating happened.  It's a huge event for me. Preparation is 9/10ths of the event and lots of directions were shared. It's one of those lessons well learned with many years of teaching. Be prepared.   After doing this for a few years I can almost write every plan that needs to be written from memory.  So in about 1 1/2 hr of work and with great help, this year's job is finished.  I discovered that Sec. Presbyterian Church as well as Broadway UMC  use this day after this service to begin their own celebration of decorating.  We had cookies to eat, and they had lunch.  Cookies carried us through quite well. Less mess to clean up.

        Blue again is the color of the season.  Blue a color for love as well as Mary's color.  Small wreaths are around each candle adding a striking swatch of color. The pink candle will be lit the third Sunday.  

The Gathering Center or former Parlor's guide was Heidi Horton area to decorate..  The west entrance's guide was Kathy and Eric Oehler.  The sanctuary's guide was Rosie and Greg Jordan and the Chapel and front hall was guided by Julie Eggert.  All received decorating guides for their areas.  All of these folks have worked with decorating making me quite confident that all would be just fine. . I worked mainly in the sanctuary but did a final check on everywhere, answering questions. The church looks ready for the season. We have such good bones to start with adding to the stunning look.

Once again, Patty outdid herself with wreath making.  This year there are two huge wreaths hanging on either side of the sanctuary in colors of blue and silver. 

Nativities are in every nook and cranny of the church.  The collection of over 100 nativities were gifted to us by the family of Bob and Mozell Delong.  A new to us nativity comes from East 10th Street UMC which closed last year is in the Gathering Center . 

Hanging from the balcony is the large star of Bethlehem.  The two side panels filled with musical notes that usually are with the banner are found on either side of the sanctuary between the wreaths. 

The Hacker nativity is on the altar and the pulpit hanging is the stump of Jesse, a wonderful banner gifted to us by Doris Douglas. From the root of Jesse shall come the son of God. 

Good feelings go with this years decorating event setting the tone for the coming weeks of celebration. 

Emanual...God is with us.