As Christmas Day approaches …

we continue to worship daily from home. I hope you have created a special spot at your place that is helpful for focusing your faith practices. Many of you have sent me photos of your candlescapes, Advent wreaths, mantel décor, and manger scenes. All of these are reminders of  a profoundly meaningful season for deepening our devotional practices. If you click on the Advent tab on our website, uniplace.org, you will find a variety of engaging materials posted there each week.

Today’s weekly update includes music video, scripture reflection, and a craft idea (you should have the paper supplies in your Advent activity pack), all targeted for the third week of Advent. For those who have opportunity to do these crafts with kids or grandkids, we are grateful for your efforts to share the meaning of the season with young learners.

Blessings on all during this holy time,
Pastor Kris

 

 
 
YoYo Ma and Alison Krauss offer a prayerful Advent hymn this morning. The Wexford Carol. The Messiah is born in Bethlehem…
 

A Giving Tree
The young Dreaamers gathered in our building to grow and learn and dreaming of a 2021 camping trip. Help us make those dreams come true by picking a needed camping gear need from this tree in the parlor and placing the item under the tree. We will continue collecting the equipment into January (you know, there are 12 days of Christmas …) You can also “shop” for the needed gear virtually through this link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0849aea92da6fd0-dreaaming

 

 
 
This week Jessi Delost shares her thoughts about naming Jesus “the Messiah.”
As we name Jesus “Messiah” this week, we remember the prophecies which understood the chosen one of God would come from David’s line.
They believed God would make a way, when there seemed to be no way.
Throughout the last two weeks Samir Golescu has been planning and working with other UniPlace musicians to put together a profoundly beautiful recorded Christmas Eve service for 2020. The recordings are completed and the service will be made available on December 24. Everyone on this MailChimp list will receive a link to the Christmas Eve service, and it will also be posted to the UniPlace Facebook page. Another option is to find the link on Christmas Eve at our website, uniplace.org or by going directly to the UniPlace Christian Church YouTube channel. While we are all saddened that we cannot gather this year in the sanctuary, your church staff has worked very hard to bring that sacred space into your livingrooms this year. Please freely distribute the link to the Christmas Eve video to your family and friends, as the worship service is uplifting for all.
Children Worship and Wonder News
from Jess Trefzger

Hello all! Things are moving along in the worship center! We now have 4 beautiful shelves assembled and are working toward fully setting up the kids’ space. It will look similar to the photo above from another Disciples of Christ congregation. I want to send a big thank you to Jane Freyfogle and Judy Ridlen for their work on the parables. We also have begun to obtain stories from Worship Woodworks, and now have the Exodus Story thanks to Jessi Delost. The CW&W Team is attending zoom training January 22nd (6-9pm) and Jan 23rd (9am-12). This Friday night and Saturday morning training is a 6-hour commitment which will put UniPlace in a great place to launch our new children’s ministry.

We still have spots available if you or anyone you know are interested in being a storyteller or a greeter at UniPlace. UniPlace is paying the registration costs for its members and worshipers. Please contact Jessica Trefzger (jessicatrefzger1@gmail.com) or let Pastor Kris know so that we can add you to the list! Wishing you all a peaceful holiday season!