God’s love blossoms in your desert
Blossom – A flower in the desert seems a miraculous thing. Today’s Bible readings promise more than a single blossom. No matter how dry the desert of your soul might seem, God’s love is pouring out abundantly on you now! The prophet Isaiah promises God will make your hands strong and your heart valiant. God’s power in your life, like “waters shall break forth in the in the wilderness and streams in the desert!”
Get Relief from the Rush! FREE December mini-concerts @ 5:30pm every Wednesday before Christmas
That’s why these weeks before Christmas we call Advent. It’s a time of patience. We wait for God to come into our lives. Daily, we watch for signs of God’s Kingdom breaking in, like a blossom in the desert .
Bring your kids! Today, we light the third candle of our Advent wreath. Each candle symbolizes an aspect of our spiritual focus as we await God’s coming among us. When we wait and watch together, we also grow stronger together! At PEACE Lutheran Church, we would love to grow with you in faith!
Holy Love of infinite abundance, give me patience as I wait for your waters to flow in my desert. May your love blossom in me today! Amen.
“The desert shall rejoice and blossom.” – Isaiah 35:1
Today at Peace – Blossom for your Desert!
Coffee Fellowship: Enjoy baked goods and beverages after each worship service in our Fellowship Center.
Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11. Read them here.
Officiating: The Rev. Bill Wong officiates. We are so happy to have Pastor Wong as our interim pastor while we transition to a new, settled pastor.
Need pastoral care? Please call the office at (530) 273-9631. Our office opens most weeks Monday through Thursday, 8:30am-3:30pm; closed for lunch 12-1pm.
Sunday School
Youth @ PEACE is our all-ages Bible study, where young disciples learn the core stories of our faith and what it means to walk the Jesus Path. We welcome all who yearn to learn about our loving, gracious Creator.
This fall, we have Old Testament lessons. We are learning about some amazing faith ancestors, including Ruth and Naomi, King David, Queen Esther, Daniel and Jonah. In winter, we’ll turn to stories of Jesus’ life and ministry – healings, parables and miracles.
Toddlers & babies
Kids in church: PLEASE bring your young children to church! Their fussing and squealing may pain you, but they make us glad! Pick up an activity bag as you go into the Sanctuary (on the left in a basket, ask an usher). During the sermon, you can take your kids to our Nursery; a speaker is turned on so you can hear the sermon and follow the service.
Toddler Time: If you’re interested in our special Sunday School program for the tiniest of disciples, call (530) 575-6132. https://www.wearesparkhouse.org/store/category/286879/Frolic-Nursery
Coming up at PEACE
- December Mini-Concerts – 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday before Christmas @ PEACE. Get Relief from the Rush at these free, half-hour time-outs. Each Wednesday Mini-Concert is followed by Holden Evening Prayer at about 6 p.m. This musically rich service offers a moving experience of God’s love and peace.
- Blue Christmas – TODAY! 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 @ PEACE. A service that will feed your spirit when the holidays don’t seem so cheerful. A great salve for anyone suffering from the loss of a loved one or feeling despair for any reason.
- Christmas Eve services – 4 & 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, @ PEACE.
- Exercise class – Get fit at PEACE! Fun, inspiring exercise at 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Fellowship Center.
- Qi gong, Quilting, Bells of Peace, Choir Practice – Check out more events on PEACE’s online calendar.
OFFICE HOURS – 9 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1-3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Your spiritual growth – Blossom during Advent!
We would love to grow spiritually with you!
Like natural seasons, our church seasons have a special meaning for our spiritual lives.
Today is the third Sunday in the church’s season of Advent. During this season, the days grow darker and colder. Yet, we learn to wait and watch for the coming of God’s Anointed One in the form of a child.
The church year resembles a pilgrim journey: Each season helps us focus our spiritual growth in a different way.
Thank you, God for sending your Holy Spirit – who fills me with the strength to tell the world of your love! Amen.