December 5, 2004

Sermon: Rev. Nina D. Grey
Worship Leader: Rev. Millie Rochester

From Here to Where

Religious stories and rituals often include experiences of journey. Advent is a journey in time, the Christmas story includes a journey from one location to another, and Chanukah tells the story of a peoples journey in faith and courage. Beginning a journey we may have a vision of its endings. But all kinds of unexpected things can happen along the way. Along the way of any journey, whether an outer apparently practical one, or an inner spiritual one, we may encounter troubles and happy surprises. Today we reflect on the experience of journey.

December 12, 2004

Rev. Nina Grey
Rev. Millie Rochester
Michael Thorn, Director of Music
The Choir

Singing the Joy of the Season

Make sure to join us on this Sunday for our annual Christmas choral celebration. Our choir will be singing carols and other holiday favorites. The congregation will join together in singing advent and Christmas hymns. The occasional organ music, played by our Music Director, Michael Thorn, will include Pachelbel's “From Heaven on High to Earth I Come” and the Bach “Fugue ala Gigue.” A guest singer, Julie Dobek, will sing “O Holy Night.” Rev. Nina Grey will offer a homily in the spirit of the season. Please note that there will be a special free will offering for our music program on this Sunday.

December 19, 2004

The Holiday Pageant: Two Birth Stories

Children and Youth of the Religious Education Program
Rev. Millie Rochester
Rev. Nina Grey

Both Buddha and Jesus lived and died more than two thousand years ago, yet millions of people today still honor them, talk about them, and even love them every day. They have had enormous influence in the world, yet they did not write down their words, or record their teachings. We can only know these great teachers through the stories about them and the writings their followers created after their deaths.

All babies are wonders, and all births miraculous. When a person's life influences so many, people tend to believe that their births must have been equally extraordinary. The legends of the births of both Jesus and Buddha are indeed extraordinary, and share many parallels, as do their teachings.

Your participation is warmly invited in this joyous RE holiday pageant! Please let Rev. Nina Grey and/or Rev. Millie Rochester know if you would like to take part. Help is especially needed for costuming and set preparation.

December 24, 2004, at 6 p.m.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Join us for our annual joyful Christmas Eve Candlelight Service for all ages. We welcome in the holiday with carols, meditations, readings, and our traditional candle lighting ritual. As the sanctuary grows dark, we will fill the sanctuary with the light of candles. We will remember that the lights of truth, love and courage help strengthen our hopes for peace. The music of the Chicago Children's Choir will fill us with delight.

December 26, 2004

A Kwanzaa Service

We reflect on the meaning of Kwanzaa, and the symbols of this important African American cultural affirmation that lasts for eight days, from the day after Christmas until the New Year. We light the candles of the Kinara, and ponder the meanings of the seven principles and artifacts of Kwanzaa. If you wish to help create this service, please contact Polly McCoo, or Rev. Nina Grey.