Grace Waves
Friends:
Touched by an Angel, Maya Angelou
We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.
We are weaned from our timidity.
In the flush of love’s light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.
We shared a blessed Christmas with 3 very different liturgies. Thanks to all our Children – Lillian Meynier, Ava Grant, Luke Miletich, Evan and Sydney Wettstein, Collin and Brady Gillespie, Patrick Kiley; and Musicians/Singers – Jamie Madsen (and Elizabeth her Voice Teacher) John and Mary Ellen Nowell, John Ashley/Jack O’Neill/Noah Hunter-Ashley, along with Sarah and Dwane Michael, Drew Cremisio, Gary Sponholtz – and All the Drummers who created the unique and joyous gifts of this Christ Child season!
Please keep in your prayers: Pr. Bob Lesher and daughter Ruth, my sister Rae Neunaber and family on the death of her husband Dave, Brian Turner, Renee’s mother, Brian McGee, Margaret Bender, Peter, Fred Garrity, Ed Klitsch, those looking for shelter.
Chanukkah Menorah Lighting – 18th Anniversary: Celebrate this Friday, December 30th at 6 pm at Beth Chaim Congregation (1800 Holbrook Dr., 1 mile from Peace). Singing and dancing and feasting at this Festival of Lights.
Volunteer Career Services at FCI Dublin – Forum with Ron Elsdon on January 8 after worship.
From Bill Carmel: It is my great pleasure to announce my upcoming Show at the Orinda Library Art Gallery. I will be showing 28 works including cast bronze, epoxy resin and pewter works as well as paintings with three themes: Wild Animals, Calligraphy and Landscapes. The show, curated by the Lamorinda Arts Council, runs from Jan. 3 to 31, 2017. See http://lamorindaarts.org/orinda-library-art-gallery. I hope you can join me at the artists’ reception on Saturday, January 7, from 3-5 PM and will include light refreshments. Bay Area jazz guitarist Lee Waterman will be playing some great tunes as well. The other artists in the show are Margaret Dorfman of Oakland who is showing vegetable parchment art; Diana Monk of Santa Rosa who is showing oil paintings of landscapes and Charlotte Huntley of Lafayette who is showing watercolors. Contact info: Visit the gallery at 26 Orinda Way during normal library hours – Mon. through Thurs., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sun., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m / 925-254-2184 or visit http://ccclib.org/.
(A new verse for ‘It Came Upon a Midnight Clear’)
O hush the noise, you strife-filled souls, and hear the message clear;
God wills a peaceful time on earth for all the creatures dear.
Embrace the hope that builds no walls, the love that knows no fear.
Believe the words the angels sang, the song of peace is here.
See you Sunday and Happy New Year!
Pr. Steve