Dear Church Family:
This past Sunday we turned the page on the church year, and entered Advent. This is the season where we wait with hopeful expectation that the long-promised Messiah is both coming, and already here. God in human flesh. On this coming Sunday we observe Holy Communion, the bread and the cup a tangible reminder of the incarnation. God chose to come to earth, be born in an ordinary way, and move into our neighborhood. Nothing has been the same since. And on Sunday Jesus’ cousin John will be with us in scripture to prepare the way. John proclaims “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness; prepare the way of the Lord. make his paths straight.”
We all have paths in our lives that could use a little straightening out. Advent is a “time-out” when we can sit in the darkness of December’s short days and long nights, and reflect upon what really matters. Our faith. Family, friends, and a community bound together in love and mercy. Even when the love and mercy feels in short supply, we stand with Mary, expectantly waiting for the light coming into the world. Let’s do so together.
The next community fellowship event is Sunday December 21st. We will have our community carol sing and soup supper. The carol sing is at 4 pm in the sanctuary, followed by homemade soup and bread in fellowship hall. And of course, Christmas cookies! Let Sue Bayley know if you can bring several dozen cookies. And in December, our outreach focus is the Deer Isle Little League. That will include our sanctuary tree fund-raiser throughout December.
The Deer Isle Little League is a vital community program that links together our children and caring adult leaders working together as a team. It encourages the development of traits like sportsmanship, getting along with others, and the persistence needed for skill-building. The Deer Isle program, the largest on the Peninsula, is in serious need of support. They are truly our neighbors! And their challenges include outdated gear, worn-out uniforms, damaged dugouts, unsafe fences, and field conditions that do not meet Little League standards. We can help to get the kids game-ready for a new season that will be here before you know it! If you want to contribute on your own, checks can be mailed to
Deer Isle Little League
375 Dunham Point Rd
Deer Isle Me 04627
One of our dear members, Lola Marston, turns 100 on December 12th. Imagine what Lola has seen and done in her long, adventure-filled life. Send her a card and let her know that we think of her. Her address is listed below. She now lives close to her daughter in Florida, but she will forever be a cherished resident of Deer Isle.
We are a blessed community, experiencing joy in our work on the behalf of others. Advent reminds us that we live in the “in-between times.” In between the coming of the tiny Christ and the end of time, when God’s vision for a new heaven and earth will be fulfilled. We have a role to play in the fulfillment of God’s vision. Each Sunday of Advent we hear of God’s promises for that emerging world of hope, peace, joy and love.
Some shout-outs: We thank Jay Peterson for painting the “slats” on the sign out front that advertise upcoming events. We thank Karen Hill for her diligent attention to advertising our community events. And kudos to Dave and Sue Bayley, Susan Greenlaw, and Lanny Anderson for so nicely decorating our sanctuary for Advent and Christmas. And we are grateful that Dave Bayley and Andy Bowes connected the light in front of the church so our sign is now lit at night. Thanks to Sue Bayley for delivering the turkeys for the Community Center turkey dinner. This is just to name a few actions that help us to be a vital, active church. There are many more I could name. We are not a large church, but we have big hearts that keep it all running!
See you in church,
Pastor Kim
