Posts from Mary Stoneback
Well Enough, by Arlayne McKee: Advent Day 18
Even the small flame of a candle can light up an entire room, enabling one to walk from one side to the other and not stub your toe on a sofa leg or trip on a shoe lying on the floor. Darkness cannot overcome any source of light. My faith in Jesus is my light […]
Posted on December 18, 2019 | Posted by Mary Stoneback
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services Tuesday December 24
The first Christmas night, a heavenly choir sang in the birth of the Christ to shepherds on a small hill outside a small town. Their song has echoed across the world for over two thousand years – a song of joy that breaks through sorrow, a song of hope that breaks through despair. The song […]
Posted on December 18, 2019 | Posted by Mary Stoneback
Caroling & Chili Supper
Last Sunday’s caroling was put on hold due to inclement weather but it’s back on now! Coming Sunday December 22, we’ll enjoy an annual tradition at Ascension of caroling and chili supper. Meet at the church at 4 pm and we’ll carpool to homebound member’s homes and nursing homes to sing Christmas tunes. Following caroling […]
Posted on December 17, 2019 | Posted by Mary Stoneback
In the Everyday, by Donene Dillow: Advent Day 17
How do you see God in everyday life? Many Christians go to what I term the majestic answer; the overwhelming splendor of the mountains, the innocent gurgle of a stream or the colorful exhibition of aspens in fall. All great answers, but for me not the way I see God in my life. Yes, I […]
Posted on December 17, 2019 | Posted by Mary Stoneback
Golden Blue Hour, by Gabrielle Brown: Advent Day 16
Twice daily, my calendar buzzes me right around sunrise and sunset, when Blue Hour and Golden Hour appear. Golden Hour occurs just after sunrise and just before sunset and features soft reddish light. Blue Hour is the other side of twilight – just before sunrise or after sunset, and light is defused and tranquil. Photographers […]
Posted on December 16, 2019 | Posted by Mary Stoneback
St. Lucy by Ingrid Daniel: Advent Day 13
Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota, December 13, 1985, 5 am I was lying in bed, half-awake, when I started to hear music – what was going on in my hallway? I peeked out, and got my first view of a traditional Santa Lucia processional. Legend has it that Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia in Swedish), […]
Posted on December 13, 2019 | Posted by Mary Stoneback
Hope by Sharla Saunders: Advent Day 11
“You are only as happy as your saddest child.” (Or friend. Or loved one.) This has resonated with me in 2019. Maybe it does with you, too. This year, we experienced an unusual number of heartaches and challenges as a family: job losses, 4 moves in 5 weeks, and serious re-consideration of career paths. We […]
Posted on December 11, 2019 | Posted by Mary Stoneback
Advent Devotional by Deacon Mary Stonback: Saturday December 7, 2019
As a child, I used to avoid going into our home’s basement, especially alone. It was dark, damp and unfinished. Unfortunately, the washer and dryer were in the basement so I would often end up making the trek alone, if a sister or parent was preoccupied. Although I still don’t prefer dark and damp basements, […]
Posted on December 7, 2019 | Posted by Mary Stoneback
Advent Devotional by John Hayes: Friday December 6, 2019
When I think about this year’s Advent theme of a light shining in the darkness, I am immediately drawn to our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Besides the outstanding sermons from our Pastors, I love the act of lighting up our sanctuary by sharing the flame from candle to candle, member to member. We start with […]
Posted on December 6, 2019 | Posted by Mary Stoneback
Advent Devotional by Kathy Mannerburg: Thursday December 5, 2019
A Light Shines in the Darkness. We’ve all experienced degrees of darkness, sometimes for a brief time, other times for extended periods. It can come on suddenly like an explosion knocking us off our feet or creep in wrapping its tentacles around all the spaces that used to be light and happy and safe. I’ve […]
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