From our Old Testament reading this Sunday: A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse; a branch will sprout from his roots. (Isaiah 11:1)
I’ve seen a lot of stumps in my day; I don’t recall many that had green shoots growing out from them. Especially from stumps that have been dead for many, many years. (Jesse lived about 400 years before Isaiah.) Stumps don’t do much, other than stay in the same place, looking gray, and lifeless.
Our God has a way of breaking into the expected progression of things, intervening in the flow toward logical outcomes, and inserting startling newness and life-giving possibilities to stumpy circumstances. Advent and Christmas couldn’t happen otherwise. Zechariah and Elizabeth have a son named John in their old age? Mary and Joseph both be foretold by angels about the extraordinary birth of their baby Jesus? The Word become flesh and dwell among us? The light shine in the darkness?
We learn from the Bible that God has a vast historical record of working wonders into stumpy circumstances. Turning upside down lives around. Healing hearts, minds, bodies, and relationships. Bending cruelty and oppression into justice and freedom. Overcoming despair and disappointment with hope. Seeing and caring for the vulnerable. Finding a way where there appears to be no way. A shoot growing from a stump. I’ve seen a lot of shoots in my day too.
Check out the Jesse Tree displayed on the bulletin board outside the church office, thanks to Jennifer!
Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will begin at 5:30 p.m., on Wednesday, December 24. Invite your friends and family to join us for this special celebration as we hear the Christmas story and sing familiar Christmas hymns. Communion will also be served.
See You Sunday!
I’ve seen a lot of stumps in my day; I don’t recall many that had green shoots growing out from them. Especially from stumps that have been dead for many, many years. (Jesse lived about 400 years before Isaiah.) Stumps don’t do much, other than stay in the same place, looking gray, and lifeless.
Our God has a way of breaking into the expected progression of things, intervening in the flow toward logical outcomes, and inserting startling newness and life-giving possibilities to stumpy circumstances. Advent and Christmas couldn’t happen otherwise. Zechariah and Elizabeth have a son named John in their old age? Mary and Joseph both be foretold by angels about the extraordinary birth of their baby Jesus? The Word become flesh and dwell among us? The light shine in the darkness?
We learn from the Bible that God has a vast historical record of working wonders into stumpy circumstances. Turning upside down lives around. Healing hearts, minds, bodies, and relationships. Bending cruelty and oppression into justice and freedom. Overcoming despair and disappointment with hope. Seeing and caring for the vulnerable. Finding a way where there appears to be no way. A shoot growing from a stump. I’ve seen a lot of shoots in my day too.
Check out the Jesse Tree displayed on the bulletin board outside the church office, thanks to Jennifer!
Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will begin at 5:30 p.m., on Wednesday, December 24. Invite your friends and family to join us for this special celebration as we hear the Christmas story and sing familiar Christmas hymns. Communion will also be served.
See You Sunday!
Fellowship Christmas Lunch
December 14th
Join us after the worship service on Sunday, December 14 for our Fellowship Christmas Lunch!
The main entrée will be provided, and we invite you to bring your favorite potluck sides and desserts to share.
Everyone is welcome—come celebrate the season with delicious food, warm fellowship, and the joy of Christmas!
The main entrée will be provided, and we invite you to bring your favorite potluck sides and desserts to share.
Everyone is welcome—come celebrate the season with delicious food, warm fellowship, and the joy of Christmas!
Advent and the three kings
by Dave Nock
I have spoken of symbolism in the past, and Advent of full of symbolism. I have participated in Sunday services lighting the candles on the Advent wreath, but never really dug into the meaning to have a better understanding of the meaning of Advent and where the Three Kings fit into the discussion. So here we go. Advent is a season observed by most Christian denominations as a time of waiting and preparation for Christ’s birth. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival”.
Advent is the season of preparation and expectation leading up to Christmas. The season focuses on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and emphasizes both the celebration of Jesus’ birth and anticipation of his promised return. Advent ends on Christmas Eve symbolized by the lighting of the Christ candle on the wreath.
Ok, so what are the 12 Days of Christmas. The 12 Days of Christmas are the festive period in the Christian tradition that begins on Christmas Day (December 25) and lasts until January 5, the day before Epiphany (January 6). January 6th – is typically called “Three Kings Day”. This symbolizes the 12 days from Christs birth until the arrival of the three Kings, or the Wise Men. It is also known as The Epiphany. Epiphany is derived from the Greek word – epiphaneia, meaning “manifestation”. Manifestation of Christ – revelation of His love unto those who love him.
Advent is the season of preparation and expectation leading up to Christmas. The season focuses on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and emphasizes both the celebration of Jesus’ birth and anticipation of his promised return. Advent ends on Christmas Eve symbolized by the lighting of the Christ candle on the wreath.
Ok, so what are the 12 Days of Christmas. The 12 Days of Christmas are the festive period in the Christian tradition that begins on Christmas Day (December 25) and lasts until January 5, the day before Epiphany (January 6). January 6th – is typically called “Three Kings Day”. This symbolizes the 12 days from Christs birth until the arrival of the three Kings, or the Wise Men. It is also known as The Epiphany. Epiphany is derived from the Greek word – epiphaneia, meaning “manifestation”. Manifestation of Christ – revelation of His love unto those who love him.
PLPC has been blessed with a small army of talented, dedicated people who keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. To show our gratitude, Session has voted to continue our yearly Staff Gift Program.
We’ll be collecting donations November 23 through December 14, and gifts will be divided among 10 staff members and distributed on December 21.
Here’s how you can give:
- Online: Through SubSplash—make sure the fund field is set to Staff Gift.
- By Check: Write Staff Gift on the memo line.
- Cash: Place in an envelope labeled Staff Gift.
Bonnie Shapbell - finance committee
We all have sweet memories of our past Christmas tradition of writing Christmas cards to each other and dropping them into a basket. In today's world of Facebook, Subsplash, texting, and email, the Session made the decision to end the traditional Christmas Post Office. It's still important to reach out to our friends that we don't see on a regular basis so if you need an address or phone number, please call or email the office.
Hello friends! Percy here, and oh my whiskers—what a wonderful Thanksgiving we had at church! The Thanksgiving Dinner was absolutely amazing. There was so much food that extra tables had to be set up to hold it all. From turkey to pies, everything was delicious, and the fellowship was even better. My tummy is still happy just thinking about it!
Now, the Christmas season is in full swing, and I can hardly contain my excitement. Next Sunday, we’ll welcome the Nashville Choral Project for a special music-filled worship service. They are truly fantastic, and I can’t wait to hear those beautiful harmonies. Even better, after worship we’ll gather for a Fellowship Dinner—yum! You know I love good food and good company.
But that’s not all! On December 20 at 5:00 PM, the children and youth will present “The Backwards Christmas Pageant.” I thinks it’s going to be so much fun seeing the Christmas story told in a creative way. Then, on December 21 at 3:00 PM, we’ll go Christmas Caroling to our homebound members. I may tag along in someone's pocket; I just love spreading joy and singing carols—it’s one of my favorite traditions.
Before I scurry off, I wants to share something special: a book about one of my cousins, Christopher Churchmouse, and his Christmas adventure! If you’d like to borrow it, you’ll find it on the table next to the office door. I really do hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Stay warm, stay joyful, and let’s celebrate this beautiful season together!
Now, the Christmas season is in full swing, and I can hardly contain my excitement. Next Sunday, we’ll welcome the Nashville Choral Project for a special music-filled worship service. They are truly fantastic, and I can’t wait to hear those beautiful harmonies. Even better, after worship we’ll gather for a Fellowship Dinner—yum! You know I love good food and good company.
But that’s not all! On December 20 at 5:00 PM, the children and youth will present “The Backwards Christmas Pageant.” I thinks it’s going to be so much fun seeing the Christmas story told in a creative way. Then, on December 21 at 3:00 PM, we’ll go Christmas Caroling to our homebound members. I may tag along in someone's pocket; I just love spreading joy and singing carols—it’s one of my favorite traditions.
Before I scurry off, I wants to share something special: a book about one of my cousins, Christopher Churchmouse, and his Christmas adventure! If you’d like to borrow it, you’ll find it on the table next to the office door. I really do hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Stay warm, stay joyful, and let’s celebrate this beautiful season together!
Dinner on December 17th.
The Ladies Mid-Week Bible study has finished the Advent study. They decided it's too soon to start a Lenten journey, so they made plans for another dinner out.
Reservations have been made at Tennfold for Wednesday, December 17 at 5:30. 2408 Lebanon Pike. It looks like they have a great menu - check out the desserts! As always, all the women of PLPC are invited to join us however you will need to RSVP.
Look at the menu here
Please click here to RSVP
Reservations have been made at Tennfold for Wednesday, December 17 at 5:30. 2408 Lebanon Pike. It looks like they have a great menu - check out the desserts! As always, all the women of PLPC are invited to join us however you will need to RSVP.
Look at the menu here
Please click here to RSVP
Expect the Unexpected!
Join Us for the Children & Youth Christmas Pageant!
Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 20th at 5:00 PM as our kids and youth present “The Backwards Christmas Pageant.”
Come experience the Christmas story in a fresh and creative way, filled with joy and meaning.
Bring your family and friends—this is a celebration you won’t want to miss!
Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 20th at 5:00 PM as our kids and youth present “The Backwards Christmas Pageant.”
Come experience the Christmas story in a fresh and creative way, filled with joy and meaning.
Bring your family and friends—this is a celebration you won’t want to miss!
Join us on Sunday, December 21 at 3:00 PM as we spread Christmas cheer to our homebound members of Priest Lake Presbyterian Church.
We’ll meet at the church and then head out together to share the joy of the season through carols and fellowship.
All ages are welcome—come make this a meaningful part of your Christmas celebration!
We’ll meet at the church and then head out together to share the joy of the season through carols and fellowship.
All ages are welcome—come make this a meaningful part of your Christmas celebration!
