Joanna Gabriel gives the Unity message
Joanna Gabriel will give the talk “No Room At The Inn” at Unity this Sunday.
The few people who gathered in the back room of a Clinton barbershop one Sunday, 30 years ago, weren’t there to talk about building a church. Their purpose was to explore what “Unity” was about and how its spiritual message might apply to them. The few who attended that first meeting found they had one thing in common: All had experienced different religions and teachings.
Gabriel’s message will remind us that a humble beginning does not portend a humble passage.
We have so many opportunities, with the unfolding of events, to feel inadequate or victimized in their passing. “What would God suggest to Jesus?” one might ask. What might Joseph and Mary have felt about the surroundings in which Jesus was born? Resentment? Sorrow? Or gratitude that such a healthy and vibrant babe had arrived? So much could have gone wrong, had they expected or feared it.
Gabriel suggests that what is born of humility is also born in greatness to the spiritually minded who become committed to positive living and a devotion to others.
Unity of Whidbey will gather at 10 a.m. Sunday at their new church at 5671 Crawford Road, Langley.
Sermon examines the origin of life
“Is the Universe, Including Man, Evolved by Atomic Force?” is the title of the Sunday service at the Christian Science Church.
The sermon examines the origin of life and the relationship of God to our lives, as well as the birth and works of Jesus and what his works prove about our relationship to God.
Discover your place in the divine economy: “Let us rejoice that we are subject to the divine ‘powers that be” (Science and Health).
The service is at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome at all the Sunday services at the Christian Science Church, 15910 Highway 525 (just north of Bayview and across from Useless Bay Road).
‘Waiting for God’ is topic at SWCC
Pastor Ron Wedeking will speak at South Whidbey Community Church Sunday at the 10 a.m. worship. His sermon title is, “Waiting for God,” based on Luke 2:25-35.
The church’s adult learning forum continues at its regular time of 9 a.m., with Stan Walker leading a study of the Book of Acts and Art Angst leading a study of the Gospel of Luke. These are open classes where everyone is invited.
All South Whidbey Community Church sermons and special adult-forum lectures are recorded, and copies on CD-R or e-mailed as Windows audio attachments may be obtained by calling the church at 221-1220.
SWCC is a local independent, non-denominational church that adheres to the National Association of Evangelical’s Statement of Faith. It is open to everyone, and gathers for worship each Sunday at the Deer Lagoon Grange, 5142 Bayview Road, Langley. For further information about the church and services, go to www.whidbeychurch.org or call 221-1220.
UUCWI celebrates ‘Symbols of Christmas’
Christmas carries a powerful message to heart and mind for all Christians and many non-Christians alike. At the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island service on Sunday, UUCWI will celebrate the season and embrace its rich cultural and religious traditions through inspirational readings and song.
All are welcome. Values-based children’s religious exploration classes and childcare will be provided. The service is at 10 a.m. Sunday at 20103 Highway 525, just north of Freeland. Check www.whidbey.com/uucwi for more information.
Christmas Eve service at UUCWI
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation will gather for a Christmas Eve service at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24.
Since last Christmas was snowed out, this year the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island will celebrate its first Christmas Eve in its new home.
This meditative service of carols, stories and reflections will start with candle-lighting as the sun sets behind the trees, with reverence for the season’s blessings and gifts. All are welcome for this annual celebration of peace, love, hope and joy.
Check www.whidbey.com/uucwi for more information. The service will be held at 20103 Highway 525, just north of Freeland.
UMC holds services on Christmas Eve
Langley United Methodist Church will offer two services on Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24.
A family oriented telling of the Christmas story with a participatory tableau will be held at 4:30 p.m. A Festival of Carols with Communion will take place at 11 p.m. Both are candlelight services; an offering for Good Cheer will be taken at both services.
The church is located at Third Street and Anthes Avenue and is a Reconciling Congregation. All are welcome to participate.
For more information, call 221-4233 or visit www.langleyumc.org.
Have Christmas Eve with Unity Church
Join Unity of Whidbey for “We Are Christmas” on Christmas Eve, a service written by two Unity ministers more than 50 years ago.
Using traditional songs of the season and including a candle lighting, the program will explore the deep symbolic richness of the Christmas story. The program begins at 5 p.m. at the church’s new building, located at 5671 Crawford Road near the corner of Highway 525 and Crawford.
Langley UMC hosts ‘December’s Tale’
John Vergin presents “December’s Tale” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29 at Langley United Methodist Church.
“December’s Tale” is a solo musical performance incorporating prose and poetry to tell a story beginning Christmas Eve and ending Christmas night. An atmospheric homage to winter and Christmas, “December’s Tale” includes medieval songs, Vergin’s musical settings of verse by Shakespeare and English poet John Clare, and Vergin’s original work, both musical and poetic.
Vergin has been an active member of the theater and classical music communities in Portland, Ore. for many years. As a classical musician, he is an oratorio soloist, recitalist, accompanist, composer and teacher. Vergin has written original music for Portland’s Classical Greek Theater’s productions.
He was awarded the 2002 Drammy Award for original music for his work on Bacchae.
Donations will be accepted at the door.
