Watsonville First United Methodist Church

Watsonville, CA

Day 4, December 4, 2020 . . . An Advent of Hope

Inside Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born King of the Jews?For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” ~~~ Matthew 2:1-2

Have you driven through a long and dark tunnel? I do not like tunnels, because the darkness makes me scared. I often hold hands with others in the darkness. When I visited the Zion National Park, I needed to drive through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. There is no light in the tunnel, like the above photo. I could not take the photo very well. You might feel how scared I was via this unfocused photo. All I could rely on was holding my wife’s hands and the front car lights that my vehicle projected. It felt like more than a half hour to drive, but there was an end of the tunnel.

This reminds me of the journey of the wise men from the East. They moved at night, because they followed the star. To see the star well, ironically, they needed the darkness. We cannot see the stars during the day, as it is so bright. They might be afraid of the moving at night, or the journey of the foreign country. However, three wise men moved bravely together for this journey of uncertainty. They followed the star with a hope to see the child, even though they had a lot of unknowns. As we all know, at the end, the wise men celebrated the birth of Jesus.

We do not know exactly when this pandemic will end. However, for this journey of the unknown, we can be together bravely like the wise men. We can be together even more smartly via smart devices, unlike the wise men. They were wise, and we are smart as well as wise! Furthermore, we can still follow the star, the light of Christ, which gives us hope and love. At the end of this darkness, we will celebrate together with joy when we meet each other face-to-face!

Prayer for Advent Hope (Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.): I will bring into my prayer and my heart, hope, for someone who is hurting right now. Amen.

Hwapyoung K., Gilroy United Methodist Church

Thursday, December 3, 2020 . . . An Advent of Hope

“Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.” – Luke 2:8

GREAT EXPECTATIONS – ADVENT 2020

In 2020 it’s helpful for me to remember that all of us human beings have been living with our pandemic, COVID-19. For this I am truly grateful. It is a great leveling. In every land on this earth, the reality of our mortality has taken center stage. For me this has been a very humbling experience.

In March 2020 when it became clear to me that our viral reality wasn’t “going away” anytime soon, I decided to read one of the gigantic novels by Charles Dickens that have been languishing on my bookshelf: “Great Expectations.” Happily, I was completely unfamiliar with the story. Unhappily I wrestled for months with the trials and tribulations of “Pip” until at last I finished page 500 of the book and… the pandemic was still here. And so was I.

Turning my heart and mind toward Advent now is a great relief. We enjoy keeping watch over our little flock of two dogs (Lily is new to us, Benji is the “old guard”); as they keep watch over us. We await the coming of Christ the King with joyful anticipation. “Let every heart prepare Him room.”

Prayer for Advent Hope (Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.): Gracious God, help us to look with the hopeful eyes of Christ on one person or situation that causes us distress. Amen.

Fr. Joseph J., TOCCUSA, UMC Santa Cruz, California

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 . . . An Advent of Hope

~Psalm 100~

As we sit here in our apartment under the Covid quarantine, and unable to leave the room to visit family and friends, we find comfort in God’s love and listen to his council. We have time to spend resting, listening, and reading about the prophecy of the birth of Jesus and teachings. This is the season we call Advent. He taught us through psalms and parables. His teachings have been carried on until the present day and will continue forever. Jesus tells us not to be afraid, that he will be with us always. Love and mercy will be with us always. Love and help your neighbor, not only those that live next door, but those whom you don’t know. Rejoice and be glad.

Prayer for Advent Hope (Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.): Gracious God, we pray for the part of us that needs God’s light of hope to shine more fully within it. Amen.

Donn and Ruth W., United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz

Tuesday, December 1, 2020 . . . An Advent of Hope

“Let all that you do be done in love.” ~~~1 Corinthians 16:14

The gathering of family and friends at any time gives you the feeling of belonging and feeling loved.

When growing up, my family and friends visited during Thanksgiving and the Christmas season.

We always went to church on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus.

These seasons, especially, give us hope, peace, joy and love to help us know we have support throughout the coming year from family, friends and the love of God.

Prayer for Advent Hope (Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.): Gracious God, help us to look for hopeful ways the Divine Light is evident in our lives. Amen.

Pauline T., United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz

A Generous Undertaking

“Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.” 2 Corinthians 8:7
 
Don’t let it be said that the members of this church, when it comes to giving, stop at nothing. 
 
Of course, we’ve got to keep an eye on things around here; you never know what might happen. I heard that Leadership Circle might also consider sending a letter to parishioners who didn’t watch our Consecration Sunday Online Gathering, or who haven’t filled out a 2021 pledge card yet—either a printed one or the new online version.
 
This is what it might say: “Dear Members and Friends: We missed you on Pledge Sunday. Since you were not present to fill out your pledge card, we’d like to make it easy for you. We’ve gone ahead and completed a pledge card in your name. Thank you for being so generous. Signed, Leadership Circle.”
 
Remember my friends that generosity is a mark of God’s people. Not everyone can give regularly, and that’s ok. But if you can, be sure to do it with joy and thanksgiving.
 
It is said that there are ten reasons for pledging. (Jorgen Lissner) Number 1, it’s an act of faith performed for the sake of personal integrity and an expression of a personal commitment to the more equitable distribution of God’s resources. Number 2, it’s an act of self-defense against the mind—and body—polluting effects of over-consumption and greed.  
 
Number 3, it’s an act of independence from the achievement neurosis of our high-pressure, materialistic society. Number 4, it’s an act of solidarity with Christ’s people everywhere. Number 5, it’s an act of sharing with others what has been given to us.  
 
Number 6, it’s an act of celebration of the riches found in creativity, spirituality, and community. Number 7, it’s an act of loyalty, given from a deeply held sense of love for our church and community. Number 8, it’s an act of anticipation of the many ways we can work together in ministry and mission when we pool our resources.  
 
Number 9, it’s an act of advocacy to begin to change the economic fate of our brothers and sisters who are in such dire need. Number 10, it’s an exercise of following God’s vision, and to go where we should go as a community of Christ.
 
As one preacher so aptly described, “Every time I come to church,” she said, “I turn just a little. I turn toward who I was meant to be. Just a little more of who I really am and where I am supposed to be headed.”  
 
You my friends are headed in the right direction, and I am so grateful. Thank you for your generosity! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  
 
Shalom, 
Pastora Robin