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Merry Christmas

by Fr. Bill Van Oss

Barry Shepherd penned this piece. It can be found in his book entitled A Way with Words:

 

Shopping Days ‘til Christmas

Black Friday opened up

before Halloween this year,

and the customary counselors are predicting

drastic shortages, delays and empty shelves.

The supply chain appears to be untethered –

loaded ships lying off the coast at anchor,

idled drivers, vacant trucks holding in line –

impending crisis, once again, is all the news.

Yet my Christmas list stays calmly unimperiled.

One festive meal with folk whose company

I have come to cherish over years.

One dog-directed stroll along the shore,

or down a snow-edged forest trail.

One open fireside with warm slippers,

a chair that tilts me backward when desired,

and a book I know so well the plot flows,

slow and easy into slumber.

A generous mug, or glass, to sip on,

welcome voice and touch when I awake.

At the close, a holy space of choir and candles,

ancient words of grace and comfort,

merry greetings, mending peace.

 

I pray your Christmas stays “calmly unimperiled,” and that you can enjoy the simple pleasures like a festive meal, a stroll on the beach with your dog, slippers and a good book, the company of loved ones and “a holy space of choir and candles” here at St. Michael’s or somewhere else. Sue and I wish you God’s peace and blessings this Christmas and throughout the coming year. 

 

Christmas Eve services are at 5:00 and 8:00 pm. The 5:00 service includes children dressing up for the pageant. They are invited to come to the parish hall at 4:30 to choose a costume and get ready for the procession.

 

Christmas Day service is at 10:00 am. All three Christmas services will be livestreamed.

 

There is no 5:00 pm service on the 25th.  Services on Sunday the 26th are at 8:00 and 10:30 am. 10:30 is livestreamed, as usual. 

 

Peace and Blessings,

Bill+



Moving Forward Updates from Fr. Bill

Hope Rising Update #72

By Fr. Bill Van Oss • 20 Dec, 2023
Today's Excitement Dear Friends, Today was a day to celebrate! LCEC trucks arrived to install the new meter and energize it so the new HVAC system in the sanctuary can be started up! Then a couple hours later, we passed the City of Sanibel final inspection and we were given the Certificate of Completion; the final step in our permit process which started last May. We are very grateful to Councilwoman Holly Smith, City Manager Dana Souza and all the city and LCEC employees who assisted in these final steps and of course to all the FP workers and their subs for all their hard work these past several months and the Property Restoration Team; the working group was there to receive the good news today. We are very busy getting the spaces ready for opening weekend starting with our 4th Advent services this Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at 8am and 10:30am (livestreamed). Then we will have 3 Christmas Services at 4pm, 8pm (livestreamed) and 10:30am. Thanks to the volunteer teams who have been washing dishes in the kitchen, putting books on the bookshelf, hanging wreaths and a 100 other details. It is a stunningly beautiful space and we can't wait for all to experience it again for the first time in 15 months! Bill +

Hope Rising Update #71

By Fr. Bill Van Oss • 13 Dec, 2023
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