WAS BORN TO

December 9,2015 Wednesday o f the Second Week o f Advent

Christmas Greetings But the birth itself was even more pitiful: nobody took pity on this young woman [Mary] who was about to give birth for the first time; nobody took to heart the heaviness of her body; and nobody cared tJiat she was in strange surroundings and did not have any oftlie things which a woman in childbirth needs. Rather, she was there without anything ready, without light, without fire, in the middle of the night, alone in the

- darkness. Nobody offered Iter any of the services which one naturally renders to pregnant women. Everyone was drunk and roistering in the inn, a throng of guests from everywiiere, and nobody botliered about this woman...(Martin Luther, "The Gospel for Christmas Eve," LW 52:10-11)

/"^lear members and friends o f Immanuel Lutheran Church. Warm greetings J-^'to you, each one, i n the name o f the Prince o f Peace.

When my wife, Carol, was pregnant wi th our first-born, Sam, the ladies o f the church held a surprise baby shower for her. We received many o f the things we needed then, plus we had been saving our nickels and dimes and getting things ready, w i t h a crib and jammies and blankets and so on.

But Jesus Christ - King o f kings and Lord o f lords - was b o m i n the most humble o f circumstances. Luther is right: "how ordinarily and simply things take place on earth, and yet they are held in such high respect in heaven!" Jesus was acquainted w i t h ordinary ways and w i t h making do as best one can from the very beginning, f rom his bir th i n the stable i n Bethlehem.

I n my Christmas Eve sermon this year I mean to invite us to that stable. Entering a palace might intimidate us, but everyone is free to enter a stable, even the most humble o f us.

(Over)

2 EHEnMITAGEARTS MADE IN USA

Our traditions continue here at Immanuel. I f things go as i n years past, we wi l l have a large gathering i n our church for our 6:30 p.m. Christmas Eve liturgy. Pre-service music begins at 6 p .m. so try to come early for that and for a good seat. We offer this early evening Christmas Eve liturgy, with all the music and glory we can, hoping that families and out-of-town visitors w i l l find it a convenient time for worship. A n d then, the next morning, we hasten back to Immanuel for the Christmas Morning liturgy at 11 a.m. ' -

Carol has baked Christmas cookies for the Christmas caroling at Lenox H i l l Hospital (7 p .m. Friday, December 11 at the hospital), followed by our annual Christmas gathering at the parsonage. The Choir is rehearsing Advent and Christmas music, Congregation President Thomas Wicks is making his Gliihwein and A l Quirong and his band are getting ready for the St. Nicholas Party on Saturday, December 19. The forest workers are hauling our church's big Christmas tree down from Nova Scotia, and we hope many o f you wi l l plan to help wi th the Hanging o f the Greens, also on December 19.

Parish Secretary Karen Rombey, Music Director Dr. Gwendolyn Toth , Sexton Christopher Schulze, Assistant Sexton Luis Cartagena, Parish Bookkeeper Charles Derderian, and I wish you a splendid remainder to Advent, a Merry Christmas, and God's warm blessings i n the New Year and always.

I n Christ,

Pastor Gregory P. Fryer

Our Christmas Schedule Hanging of the Greens

2-5 p .m. Saturday, December 19

This is an important work session for us. We roll up our sleeves, dust everything in sight, decorate the big Christmas tree, hang the wreaths and ribbons and transform our dear church.

St. Nicholas Party 5 - 9 p .m. Saturday, December 19 after the Hanging o f the Greens

Swing wi th David Buddin on the piano, Gaku Takanashi on bass, Kevin Shea on drums, A l Quirong on tenor sax, and vocalist, V i Quirong. The band wi l l play from 5:30 p .m. to 6:30 p .m. followed by a Christmas carol sing-a-long and supper wi th hams and pot-luck side dishes and desserts.

Christmas Eve 6:30 p.m. , Thursday evening, December 24

Carols and Christmas music beginning at 6 p .m.

Immanuel Choir Immanuel Brass Ensemble & String Quartet

Music by Sweelinck, Dering, Hoist, Kodaly, Cervera, Gevaert, and traditional carols and hymns

Perhaps out-of-town friends and relatives can jo in you for Christmas Eve this year. They could still make it home at a fairly reasonable hour. I t is a beautiful service.

Christmas Morning 11 a.m., Friday morning

The Christmas Morning liturgy o f H o l y C o m m u n i o n

Vocal quartet, trumpet, & organ

Traditional carols and hymns

Name of Jesus 11 a.m., Friday, January 1, 2016

This is a good way to start the New Year: remembering the name o f Jesus we bear as we head out into this new year o f our Lord 2016.

Epiphany Sunday 11 a.m., Sunday, January 3, 2016

Part o f the fun o f this high festival is that we burn some o f the frankincense from the Three Kings procession at the start o f the liturgy.

Baptism of Our Lord 11 a.m., Sunday, January 10, 2016

Also, Three Kings Party for the children

God bless each of you, at Christmas and always!