Chapel Chimes
DECEMBER 2020
Dear Chapel by the Sea family,
Welcome to December and to Advent and to another month of doing things in new and unusual ways. This year, the new thing is TakeOut Advent in a Bag, in which we stuffed a little paper bag with spiritual food and activity to feed us on our seasonal spiritual journey toward Christ’s coming. I pray that you are finding blessings and nurture in your TakeOut Bag. (If you didn’t get one, call the office and we will try to get one to you.)
One of the things that didn’t fit into the Advent bag is the poem Annunciation, by John Dunne. At almost 400 years old, it is full of olde clunky English, and deep, layered symbolism. It takes a bit of work to appreciate, but like the deep wonder of God, I think it is worth the effort. For instance, these lines capture my heart every time…
(That) Which cannot sin, and yet all sins must bear,
(That) Which cannot die, yet cannot choose but die,
What a powerful way to speak of the mystery of Christ taking on sin and death. I know poetry (especially old poetry) is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it feeds my soul and I hope it feeds yours.
Blessings, Wendy
Annunciation
Salvation to all that will is nigh;
That All, which always is all everywhere,
Which cannot sin, and yet all sins must bear,
Which cannot die, yet cannot choose but die,
Lo, faithful virgin, yields Himself to lie
In prison, in thy womb; and though He there
Can take no sin, nor thou give, yet He will wear,
Taken from thence, flesh, which death’s force may try.
Ere by the spheres time was created, thou
Wast in His mind, who is thy Son and Brother;
Whom thou conceivst, conceived; yea thou art now
Thy Maker’s maker, and thy Father’s mother;
Thou hast light in dark, and shutst in little room,
Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb.
Closed House – Open Heart
Sunday Dec. 13th, 2 to 5 P.M.
Sadly, we have canceled the annual Olson Christmas Open House.
We still celebrate our love for and appreciation of you and look forward to NEXT year!!!
We hold you in our hearts and in our prayers and may the Light dispel your darkness.
Christmas Eve Service of Lessons & Carols
Dec 24th at anytime
(The service will be pre-recorded and posted online on Christmas Eve)
Is Online a problem for you?
Let us know and we will record a DVD of the service and get it to you before Christmas Eve.
Because of the seating restrictions and the limitations on singing indoors, the Worship Committee has decided that Christmas Eve service this year will be pre-recorded. We hope to make it a rich and meaningful, although different, experience.
The Olson’s on vacation – Mark & Wendy will be on vacation from Dec. 25 – Jan. 7th. Thank you to Rev. Dr. Ric Neese for preaching the 2 Sundays they are away.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Rich Gartrell- Pat Dunne –
Jan Bowen- Frank Siegner –
Gae Linfoot – Fred Bowen –
Phyllis Ryland – Mark Olson
Diane Hough
DECEMBER BOOK CLUB
The book club will meet for the annual holiday gathering on December 10th at 1:00. The group will meet at the church to celebrate the season and discuss book selection for 2021.
Shop local for gifts this year!
With all that has happened in our world and community this year, our neighbors could use all the support we can muster. As you go through your gift list please consider buying from local, small businesses and producers. Local businesses, like restaurants and gift shops, and entrepreneurs, like artists and contractors, have struggled through the pandemic lockdowns and fire impacts.
Make your purchases about HOW you give, as well as what you give.
Here are a few ideas very close to home.
Bob’s Beach Books and Robert’s Book Shop
Rich Gartrell has written the first two books in his John Francis Kelly Detective series. The first, Under Their Nose, and the second, Reliving the Dark, are now available (Amazon…or maybe Bob’s Books!)
It’s been a year since the Amazon debut of The True Meaning of Giving: Daily December Devotions to Delight Your Soul.
I was blessed to be a part of this 10 author anthology. It was a life changing experience to work with 10 Christian women from all over the United States and even South Africa, each sharing their stories of the true meaning of giving. I would like to offer a signed copy to my Chapel by the Sea family at my cost of $5. To make arrangements for purchase and delivery, please call me at 916-719-7795 or email me at flory8@pacbell.net. ––Debi Flory
Debi Flory
916-719-7795
#GivingTuesday
We are proud to announce that on Tuesday, December 1st, Young Life is participating in #GivingTuesday.
2020 was challenging for ministry, but our staff and volunteers have adapted in order to connect with kids in creative ways. We’ve also discovered that the circumstances of this year have brought isolation and distress to kids like we’ve never seen. Moving into 2021 our hope is to continue spending precious time with kids in our area, especially during a time when they so desperately need it…and we need your help.
Each financial donation to Young Life gives us an opportunity to spend time with kids. Whether that’s time spent over a cup of social distanced coffee or time in a small group opening the Bible. Spending time with kids has become even more impactful and critical, and each gift we receive this season fuels our ministry and our ability to do just that.
Would you please consider partnering with us this #GivingTuesday to help equip Young Life to spend time with kids in 2021?
Donations may be given to the church (designated for Young Life), or they may be mailed to Young Life of Lincoln City, PO Box 1122, Lincoln City, OR 97367
