Sunday

 I'm beginning to believe a clear message came from God that traveling home from Georgia would add a bit of unneeded excitement this holiday weekend.  I received some 6-to-7-inch snow pictures from the north today arriving yesterday near Hope Mi.  It's tractor weather as you might guess.  

                        A view out the back door where one usually sees sheep,  But there is the horse Bo.

                                      Oh to be in Michigan, now that winter is here. (not really)

There was a huge pile up of cars and trucks in western Indiana which took hours and hours to untangle.  So, beating the Mi. snow home on Saturday was a gift.  This morning Doug thought the roads were icy.  No church for him but I said I'm going.  Roads were dry.  I think this first cold snap is a bit hard for Doug to get comfortable with.  I did NOT want to miss the first Sunday of Advent as happens at times when in Georgia.  

                This nativity complete with animals found in Africa comes to us from the Mamlins.  

The church looked so biblically festive all decked out with season reminders.  The lighting of the Advent Candles with the choir and congregation singing a wonderful response happened again this year.  Hearing the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth.  Singing Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus and Bless Be the God of Israel was a blessing.  All so familiar just like wearing a much-loved warm slipper. 

The choirs anthem was so unfamiliar but so familiar.  So what made it familiar?  It was W. Mathias.  One never forgets notes he has together in Let all the People Praise Thee Oh, God.  This time it was Hear O Thou Shepherd of Israel.  A song I had not heard so it was the unfamiliar in parts but familiar in other parts that made me wonder.  Restore us again, O God.

So today, Doug worshiped online and I was in the line!  

After church two choir members talked about a visual back round that could use some adjusting behind the reader of the morning.  There was a little more decorating after church and I think we got that area fixed.  I love having people sharing what needs fixing. It takes a lot of eyes to catch everything in such a large space.

Once again, the Christmas Star hangs at the rear of the sanctuary over the balcony.  After cutting the star from another banner that was water stained, it found a new way of appearing via the sewing room, otherwise known as the Russell living room a few years ago.  An unexpected catching of a portion of the blue stained-glass window at the rear of the church are pure enjoyment for choir members every Sunday.

It was a cold blustery morning for sure.  Folks don't want to venture out unless they need to so the number worshiping in the sanctuary was a bit smaller.  Tonight is the Annual Advent Festival Supper.  Celebrating and being with friends adds meaning to the season.  That's a wrap for the day!  I'm thinking gifts.

        Just another little reminder picture if you needed one.  It's colder than a brass...in Nome, Alaska.

                                I seem to think the flowers are no more. Well, at least for a while.                                                                     Not such good news...the Colts lost to the Huston Tex. team.