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Month: December 2020

Posted on December 31, 2020December 30, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 7 Comments

The Work of Christmas by Howard Thurman

The Work of Christmas by Howard Thurman When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flocks, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry,…

Posted on December 30, 2020December 30, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 7 Comments

So Wondrously Protected

A "Poem, Prayer, Psalm, and Promise" as we prepare to enter a new year together, featuring Dietrich Bonhoeffer's poem, "By Powers of Good."

Posted on December 28, 2020May 4, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 17 Comments

Sonnet for Psalm 131

Psalm 131 offers us a beautiful but challenging image for prayer - our souls resting in God's presence like a weaned child with its mother. Here is my sonnet for this psalm, reflecting on this wonderful image.

Posted on December 26, 2020December 16, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 5 Comments

Martin Luther on the Meaning of Christmas

"Do not make Mary of stone," Martin Luther said to his congregation in a famous Christmas sermon. Here is a portion of that inspiring sermon.

Posted on December 25, 2020January 4, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 1 Comment

Life Where We Did Not Expect It

A very blessed and merry Christmas to you! The icon used in this quote is a picture of the one displayed at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, at the traditional site of our Lord's birth, not where anyone expected God's Son to be born. May each of you find new life and hope…

Posted on December 24, 2020July 1, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 4 Comments

Christmas, Then and Always

Christmas, Then and Always

Posted on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 3 Comments

Christmas Eve Sermon for Those at Church

What does Christmas mean for those worshiping at church, but in ways limited by this pandemic? The same as it has always meant, and more. Here is my sermon for those able to worship in person with us this Christmas Eve.

Posted on December 22, 2020December 21, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 6 Comments

Christmas Eve Sermon for Those at Home

What does Christmas mean for those worshiping at home this year? The same as it has always meant, and more. Here is my sermon for our online Christmas Eve Service.

Posted on December 21, 2020December 21, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 9 Comments

He Did Not Wait Till the Word Was Ready

Here are two poems by Madeleine L'Engle to share with you for Christmas as part of my ongoing series of "Poems, Prayers, Psalms, and Promises."

Posted on December 19, 2020December 17, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 4 Comments

Learning from Mary When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned

When life doesn't go as planned, we can learn from Mary how to respond faithfully. Here is my sermon on the Annunciation, Luke 1:26-38.

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