Directions - Matthew 2:1-12 - Christmas 2 - Epiphany - 1-2-22

 Sermon podcast from the Second Sunday of Christmas - Epiphany Sunday, 1-2-22 worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Matthew 2:1-12

Video sermon preview 

"Directions" podcast

The whole worship service

Child - Luke 2:41-52 - Christmas 1 - 12-26-21

 

Sermon podcast from the First Sunday of Christmas, 12-26-21 worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Luke 2:41-52

Video sermon preview 

"Child" podcast

The whole worship service

Gift - Luke 2:22-40 - First Sunday after Christmas - 12-27-20

 

Sermon podcast from the First Sunday after Christmas - 12-27-20 online worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Luke 2:22-40

Video sermon preview

"Gift" podcast

The whole online worship service

Refugee Family

Christmas Eve sermon podcast from St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL - Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 2:1-14.  The Holy Family had to flee for the lives - they were in life- threatening danger.

Video sermon preview
"Refugee Family" podcast

Far From the Shallows Now

Pastor's reflection after our delightful Christmas Program, "A Star is Born" at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove.

"Far From the Shallows Now" podcast

Checklist

Christmas Eve 2017 sermon podcast from St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL.
"Checklist" podcast

Family Reunion

Christmas Eve sermon podcast from St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL
"Family Reunion" podcast

Refugee Family

Christmas Eve sermon from St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove. Includes a moving response from Brother Omar Tawil, Youth Director from MECCA Center in Willowbrook, IL.
"Refugee Family" podcast 

Press Release about the congregations joining together for Christmas Eve:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DRIXLCe-xlXxzrqLRKqDULbJXkyyr0F-92-PsaEp4t0/edit?usp=sharing

Checklist

Here's the late service Christmas Eve sermon from St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. "He's makin a list . . . . "
"Checklist" podcast

70 Miles

That's the approximate distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  And it's the title of tonight's Christmas Eve sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"70 Miles" podcast

Version

This week's Bible reflection (Clarification) led into a, uh, mildly controversial sermon this morning at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"Version" podcast

Family Reunion

The sermon for this year's 10:00 pm Christmas Eve service at  St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL is a story about a family reunion
"Family Reunion" text
"Family Reunion" podcast

Steadfast Love

This week's Bible reflection from Psalm 98 (Let the Hills Sing) leads up to Sunday's Christmas morning sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL
"Steadfast Love" text
"Steadfast Love" podcast

Checklist

Here's the sermon for the 5:00 pm Christmas Eve service, 2011, at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL.
"Checklist" text
"Checklist" podcast

70 Miles

Christmas Eve sermon 2010 at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL

"70 Miles" text
"70 Miles" podcast

Christmas Songs - Like a Caroler at the Door

The new Christmas record is available!  Nothing fancy -- just me, a guitar, and some classic Christmas songs. You can download songsheets and sing along, too!  (Yes, you could bring some speakers with you and have a group Christmas caroling adventure in your neighborhood -- complete with non-fancy accompaniment!)

It's available on iTunes now, many more stores to come very soon!

Check out themanwiththeguitar.com for links to all the stores and for the songsheet download too!

Shepherds

We have two Christmas Eve services at Union Congregational UCC in Somonauk -- One at 5:00 pm and one at 10. This year the 10:00 service includes a Choir Cantata (Walk in the Light by Lani Smith) During the 5:00 service I'll deliver this sermon -- Imagining the Luke Christmas story from the shepherd's perspective.

"Shepherds" text
"Shepherds" podcast

The Moore Messenger (aka Oh! But. . . 2009)

We weren't sure we would get this year's edition done before Christmas, but here it is! A little bit of info, a little bit of comedy, lots of pictures and a Christmas greeting from the Moore family in Warrenville.
The 2009 Moore Messenger is here!

Charlie

This morning we enjoyed the Children's Christmas Program, "The Babe in the Manger" (it's sort of like "The Napping House" for Christmastime) and we had lots of fun! I'll have pictures and maybe video in a few days . . .

Since there was no sermon, you'd think there'd be no podcast, right? Well, since we had so much fun today, I think sharing some Christmastime fun with y'all today seems in order.

A friend of mine, Steve Case, (the author, not the AOL guy) has written a hilarious little Christmas story called "The Story of Charlie the Flatulent Christmas Angel." He's been podcasting episodes of Charlie the past few weeks. There are four episodes in all, and I'm linking the first three here today.

What's it about? Well, there are heroes and villains, happiness and sadness, and backside breezes that smell . . . Christmas-ey!

I love this man's sense of humor.

Watch for the fourth episode link as soon as Charlie episode 4 is released!

The Story of Charlie the Flatulent Christmas Angel
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4

VeggieTales - Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving

I've now watched the newest Bob and Larry Christmas story a couple of times. Here's my short review:

A gentle and entertaining explanation of the beginning of Santa filled with a message of giving and several laugh out loud moments.

Here's a little more

• The VeggieFolk don't reveal anything that will makes kids cry -- but some older children will probably ask their parents a few questions after watching this video.
• Octavius' (Mr Lunt) costumes are hilarious! Robin? Wonder Woman? Robin Hood! Genius!
• Larry's attempts to make things more "Christmas-ey" in the story made me think of folks who want to boycott stores who don't use 'Christmas' in their advertising. Note to those folks: You've lost your compass.
• The dog and donut song? Silly and fun, but . . . meh
  
• This is a great video for teaching and showing the two rules: Love God -- Love everyone.

I'm looking forward to next year's "Pistachio" A veggie twist on the original 1883 Pinocchio story by Carlo Collodi.