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Mary's Yes by Lisle Gwynn Garrrity
Third
Sunday of Advent
December 14 @ 10:00am
Luke 1:26-39 - "Even in Our
Fear, We Are Called Forward "
Pastor Julia Burkley
preaching
About the
art: Mary's
Yes by Lisle Gwynn Garrity. Inspired by Luke
1:26-39. Photography with digital drawing.
In the sixth month of
Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel goes to Nazareth to
find Mary. I was six months pregnant with my second
daughter when I reread this scripture and began this image, so
at first, this detail seemed like a happy coincidence. But
as I pondered it, I wondered if Elizabeth’s
pregnancy might have everything to do with Mary’s
willingness to say yes to this wild, wonderful—but risky
and terrifying—undertaking.
Elizabeth’s
pregnancy provides reassurance that Mary can
trust the angel’s impossible news. By the sixth month, Mary
will be able to see for herself that Elizabeth is truly
pregnant. By the sixth month, Elizabeth will be
emotionally, mentally, and physically preparing for birth... Her
miracle is real, even as it is yet to be born. Therefore, Mary
can rest her hope in an emerging—not empty—promise.
Mary’s willingness to say “yes” is also
fortified by the assurance that she is not stepping forward
alone. Even as fears surely surround her, Mary will go to
Elizabeth for protection and comfort. She won’t fulfill her
calling without support. Her hope will be strengthened in
solidarity.
In this image, we see the angel greeting Mary
in the form of dappled light. Mary’s back is turned
to the angel, but we see her in the process of pivoting toward
the warmth of the cascading light. I imagine this is the moment
after the angel responds to her initial question, “How can this
be?” After hearing the angel’s response, Mary closes her eyes,
imagining her cousin Elizabeth and perhaps her many
ancestors holding her up as she prepares to step forward...
Her lantern earring is a sign to each of us, to anyone who is
fearful. It’s as if Mary herself becomes a lantern, emanating
courage in the face of a fearful calling, lighting a way forward.
Join us for
IN-PERSON WORSHIP on Sunday at 10:00am; doors open at
9:40am.
To join in
WORSHIP ONLINE this Sunday, December 14, click on the picture above to go
to our Concord website. Near the bottom of the home page, click on
the same picture to connect with the worship video. The worship
service will be available live at 10:00am Sunday morning or later
in the day to view at your convenience.
Advent
devotionals are here from Sanctified Art! They will be in
the church office and in the sanctuary this Sunday. If you are
homebound and would like to receive one, please let the office
know!
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SUNDAY
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
J.A.M. (Jesus and Me)
Pre-K through Grade 5
Children are led through activities and crafts
provided in the PCUSA lectionary curriculum, Feasting on the Word, that are in response to the scripture shared during
Wondering Time.
SUNDAY SEEKERS
Grade 6 -12
This class includes sharing joys & concerns,
reading scripture together, and then sharing responses in a safe
and welcoming environment. Please bring your Bible!
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Prayer
List
Prayers of sympathy
for Cynthia Miller & family following Jim's recent death. His memorial
service will be held Jan 3, 1:00pm at
Cokesbury.
Prayers for Jane Diemer, recovering from
surgery at Shipley Manor. Prayers also for Wes.
Prayers for Janice Parker's friend Addie,
suffering from two different cancers that require separate
treatments.
Prayers of joy for Daphne's birthday
today!
Prayers &
blessings for Liz Rowe as she settles into her new home in Lewes.
Prayers for Libby
Harding - recovering from Lyme
disease.
Prayers for Gayle Hazel's daughter Sherry Spina, struggling
with eye issues.
Prayers for Daniel.
Prayers of comfort during this season for all who are
grieving.
Prayers for the following list of people who are in our
hearts as they deal with ongoing health struggles - Lexi, Edee, Felleng, Ginnie,
Chip Miller, Jo Ann, June,
Duane, Rita
***
If you would like to add names/needs to
this list and our ministry of prayer, please email info@concordpc.org or
fill out a "Prayers of the People" card at the Sunday
service and hand to a greeter during the offering.
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Join
Pastor Julia and Christina for a time of fellowship, food, and
preparing the way for Jesus for all ages. We will gather together
for dinner, talk about getting ready for Jesus, do an activity,
and have time to feed ourselves and our hearts during this busy
and sacred season. Please RSVP to Christina.
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Contributions to the
Flower Fund for Christmas
If you would like to contribute to the
Flower Fund for the upcoming holiday season, please make your check
for $20/poinsettia payable to Concord Presbyterian Church, memo:
“Christmas Flowers.” Place it in a designated envelope in the
offering or the Church Office mailbox. Be sure to include a note
stating how you wish the acknowledgment to read in the bulletin.
Contributing to the grace and beauty of our Christmas decorations
is a lovely way to remember or honor a loved one.
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Java
with Julia
Friday, December 12
This Friday, gather with Julia at Brew Haha for
conversation and catching up!
9:00 - 11:00am
Brew Haha @ 1000 Renaissance Way off of Rt. 202
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MUG & MUFFIN
Mug and Muffin will be canceled the next
three weeks, (12/17-12/31) because of the Christmas festivities. We
will gather back together in the new year on Jan 7 at 10 am!
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Christina had the
J.A.M. children make Advent calendars for the congregation’s
"reverse
Advent calendar" to fill the
Blessing Box. They attached them to bags for folks
to take home and fill with groceries or toiletries. Be sure to
pick one up at the back of the sanctuary!
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ADVENT GIVING
Give the gift of literacy in Guatemala this Christmas!
Physical forms will
be in the back of the sanctuary, or you can donate via our
website: concordpc.org/give/donate/. We
will be accepting donations from now until 12/28/2025 online, by
check, or via the QR code. Please indicate “Guatemalan Literacy” on
your donation. Reach out to Marj Johnson if you need more
information or gift cards.
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High school senior
Søren Briggs is the youngest ruling elder to be ordained at First
Presbyterian Church in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
His love for both his home church and the Presbyterian-related
Menaul School, supported by gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering,
fuels his passion.
Building on the school’s historic
emphasis on ministry as a potential career path, a new class,
titled “Called to Serve,” will help students appreciate the
Reformed understanding of “vocation” as they explore together how
their faith can be lived out in everyday life. Søren sees the
class as helping him continue to cultivate good values: how to
live your life as a kind person and how to practice your faith.
Your gifts prepare students
to learn and grow in faith at Presbyterian-related schools
and colleges equipping communities of color. “To be able to motivate young people into the church
through schools like Menaul is why people should give to the
Christmas Joy Offering.” —Søren Briggs
TO LEARN MORE about Soren, his story and the important
role of Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping
communities of color play in preparing the future leaders of our
church, click here.
Thank
you for your support of the Christmas Joy Offering.
Envelopes will be available in the pews.
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New
Office Administrator
For part of October
and most of November, Staff Relations was reviewing and
interviewing candidates for the Office Administrator position. We
are pleased to announce that the Session, on the recommendation of
Staff Relations, has hired a new office administrator. Nina
Macfadden will start in the office on Monday, December 8 and will
overlap with Margaret for about two weeks to learn as much as she
can about what needs to be done, how it’s done, and where things
are.
Nina joins us with a background in elementary
education and office administration. Her experience as a teacher
has given her lifelong skills in compassion, empathy, organization,
and community building. Nina has been a Delaware resident for over
twenty years and is originally from New Jersey. She enjoys spending
time with her family and her two energetic kids, ages 8 and
10. Together they enjoy music, reading, cooking, swimming, and
trips to the beach.
Please introduce yourself if you are in the
office and give her a warm welcome. Welcome, Nina, to the Concord
staff and family!
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Do
you feel called to share?
January 11 is
Covenant Presbyterian Church's celebration of ministry service at
10:00am as they prepare to transition to something new and cease
being a worship community. Because of our relationship and close
proximity with Covenant, Pastor Julia will be there with them to
support their transition and celebrate their ministry.
To hold the space for Covenant
while also having worship at Concord, Pastor Julia and Worship
& Music Committee would like to invite a Concord congregant
to share the message during morning worship January 11
at Concord. She would like you to prayerfully
consider if that is something you are feeling called to do,
and email her (pastorjulia@concordpc.org) if that
is the case. Please also don't hesitate to reach out to her with
any questions.
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Volunteer
Opportunity
Friendship House has
resumed a hot Sunday breakfast program for the homeless. Each
Sunday they will be serving a hot quiche breakfast at the
Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew, 719 North
Shipley St., downtown Wilmington.
Volunteers are needed for two
hours on Friday mornings to make vegetable and protein quiches.
They have a chef to give instructions, and you can also donate
the cheese, vegetables, and meat to be used in the quiche.
There are two volunteer shifts for
prep and serving on Sunday morning, one early and one
later. If you work the early shift, you can be back in time
for our church service.
If you would like to sign up for Dec 14, Dec 21 or Dec 28, click on
the links. If you wish join the volunteer list and receive
texts of what they need and when, contact Volunteer Coordinator
Jayla Hill at jayla.hill@friendshiphousede.org. This is an ongoing program each Sunday morning and
you can volunteer whenever you are available or would like to
donate food.
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