Message from the Pastor, December 2025

Dear Lee Members and Friends,

Advent begins! It is a time of longer nights, colder days, moon and stars shining bright. We are invited to find ways amidst holiday business to sink into quiet, speaking less and listening more, creating the space for the Holy One to be born in us again.

There are many wonderful events to cheer us: The Annual Tree Lighting with Carol-singing and Hot Cocoa in the Church Park December 6th, Advent studies and devotionals, the Sounds of the Seasons concerts December 19 & 20 by Jim Morrison and the Christmas Angel Singers and Bell Choir! Come for our pop-up Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 21 at worship—– a part for everyone, no rehearsal required!

We hold our Blue Christmas service on Monday, December 22 at 6:30pm in the intimacy of our chapel…a service that tenderly waits for our Savior to be born, but gently, for anyone who finds sadness or loss at Christmas.

Wednesday, December 24 is our joyous Christmas Eve service of Lessons & Carols — singing our favorites to announce Jesus’ birth! Finally, on Sunday, December 28, we’ll have a New Year’s Worship with special blessing for families of all kinds, so join us in the ways that speak to you, and please invite friends!

May this holiday season be a time of healing, connecting, meeting of love and light in unexpected places maybe... for all of you and your loved ones.

Here is an Advent prayer to share:

O Holy One, we come again to Advent, a time to ponder Your coming;
What does it mean for our God to come near?
Can I hear Your breath in mine? Can I hear Your voice in the whisper of a friend?
Do I feel Your touch in a chance encounter? Is it Your blessing that comes from a stranger on the street? Is it Your heart I can cheer with a tender gift?
As I look up at the night sky, I open my heart to You, O Star Maker:
Fill me with Your light, ignite me with Your fire of love, be born again in me!
Radiate in me to everyone I meet: Emmanuel, God-with-us. Amen*

(*by Rev. Marisa Brown Ludwig — Advent 2025)

Wishing you all a blessed Advent Season,

Pastor Marisa