And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke them and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And all ate and were filled, and what was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces. - Luke 9: 16-17
This is a familiar image to us - so much so that we readily forget the power that it holds. As Jesus blesses and breaks that bread, there is a powerful lesson to remind us that often something has to be broken in order for it to multiply. Jesus points out to us that sometimes the way to abundance is through brokenness. This is not just a physical act, but also a spiritual truth (even though it can be hard). For us, brokenness represents the giving of ourselves, the surrender of our own plans and desires, in order to be used for God’s purpose.
In Advent, we remember that God’s gift is not merely a nice gesture, but the ultimate provision for a hungry, broken world. Jesus was blessed and sent to us, a perfect and unmerited gift, to heal the brokenness of our lives.
In both the feeding of the 5,000 and the Advent story, we see God’s incredible provision. Jesus, who was born to be the Savior of the world, took what was small and made it abundant. He blessed, He broke, and He multiplied. This same Jesus invites us to bring our small offerings—whether they are our time, our talents, or our very lives—and trust that He can multiply them to bless others.
As we await the full arrival of Christ at Christmas, let us remember that the little we have—when given to Him—becomes more than enough. Just as the broken bread fed the multitudes, the broken body of Jesus feeds us spiritually, bringing us life in abundance
Peace, Pastor Erin
December 11 - Christmas Caroling, meet at TLC at 6:00pm December 14 - Family Movie Night at 6:00pm December 15 - Children's Christmas program practice at Noon in the Worship Space December 19 - Young at Heart, sign up on Welcome Desk
Come celebrate Christ’s birth with us this Christmas! Everyone is welcome to join us for all of our Christmas worship celebrations!
Thursday, December 21 - Blue Christmas Service at 4pm
Tuesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve Worship Services Children’s Worship Service at 4pm Candle Light Worship Service at 9pm
Wednesday, December 25 - Christmas Day Service at 10am
This Advent season, TLC will be adorning the altar area with luminaria instead of poinsettia dedications. These beautiful luminaria feature cut-out designs, LED candles, and dedication names, creating a glowing reminder of the season’s meaning.
To dedicate a luminaria, please complete the form and submit it along with $5 per dedication to the church office by December 8. You’re welcome to take your luminaria home following the Christmas Day service.
We thank Joanne Cornelius, Nancy Bocovich, John Crowley and the Worship and Creative Arts Team for the wonderful Pie Social on Thanksgiving Eve. Your hard work made it a special evening of fellowship and delicious treats, made possible by a Thrivent Action Plan.
Calling All Tech Wizards! TLC is excited to announce our upcoming Tech Fair on January 5, 2025 at Noon! This event is designed to help our community navigate the digital world with confidence. Whether you're a seasoned tech user or a curious beginner, we invite you to share your knowledge and skills. If you're passionate about technology and enjoy helping others, please consider volunteering your time to assist attendees with their devices and questions. Your expertise will make a real difference in our community. If you are available to help out, please contact Leo in the church office.
Mark your calendars for a festive Family Movie Night on December 14 at 6:00 PM on the lawn! Join us for the hilarious and heartwarming film, Elf, and enjoy Buddy the Elf's unforgettable holiday cheer and optimism.
Bring your own chair, blanket, snacks, and drinks, and get ready for an evening of laughter, fellowship, and holiday fun with loved ones. Don’t miss this special night to celebrate the season together!
December Blood Pressure Check Schedule
December 1 - 10:00am in the Prayer Room
December 15 - 10:00am and Noon in the Prayer Room
Blood pressure checks are available the 1st and 3rd Sundays in the prayer room between services. Our faith community nurse, Karen Jensen, RN, PhD, will be on hand.
Project Understanding is in need of of hotel-size shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, disposable razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste for make hygiene kits.
City Center is in need of any type of cleaning supplies and size 6 diapers.
Your support is greatly appreciated. Please place items in the baskets located in the gathering space.
December 3 - Sean Park, Hunter deBos-Haigler December 6 - Madeline Becker, Geoffrey Nicolle December 7 - Holland Kemble, John Stef December 8 - Bill Wagner December 9 - Daniel Staples
