Our hearts hurt for lives lost and for people whose homes are being ravaged by invasion. The world feels a great deal less safe than it did only days ago. The above words of Jesus remind us to be makers of peace, even in the presence of war.

Merry Christmas! We celebrate anew the good news that Jesus Christ is born for us. Amidst all the hubbub of the day, take a moment to sit and reflect on the mystery of Christmas. A virgin named Mary give birth to God's only son. In this son existed the fulness of God. God's own self became a human being and lived a life like ours in every way but sin. In Jesus, God is with us.

We have all seen the horrific images in the aftermath of the recent tornadoes that have affected parts of our country. It is natural at a time like this to want to help and we as a church have the opportunity to do exactly that.