A Simple Gift of Peace

This Sunday marks the second week in Advent, when we lift up the gift of Peace for which we long, and which is given to the world through the birth of Jesus.

The scriptures read at the Advent Candle lighting time at the start of Sunday's worship services, and those read later in the service, may make you want to sing! You will probably recognize the verses from Isaiah 40 as lyrics in Handel's famous Messiah. "Every valley will be lifted up..." and "He shall feed his flock like a Shepherd," are among the lines from this great scripture passage of hope and peace.

For those of us who will find ourselves humming bits of The Messiah as we leave worship this Sunday, be sure to come back in the afternoon when The Messiah will be presented in our sanctuary by the Downers Grove Choral Society.

And there are more gifts of music and worship ahead this month! - Our Chancel Choir will be inspiring us at the 9:30 and 11:00 worship services on December 14 with the presentation of the Christmas Cantata Stella Natalis, and our Chapel Choir will sing us into Christmas with their December 21 concert, The World Waits for a Miracle at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

We have many opportunities here at church in the weeks ahead to receive beautiful, life-giving gifts of Advent and Christmas. Take time to receive them (and invite your neighbors!) and be reminded of the One who came to be our Peace.