Page 56

Here's a fun meme I came upon in one of the blogs I regularly read -

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence along with these instructions on your blog (or facebook wall).
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

It just so happens that the closest book to me at the moment is the Bible - no really! I suppose that's too predictible for a pastor, but hey, it is the best of books! Here's my quote:
"You are still exalting yourself against my people, and will not let them go."
Moses is taking on Pharoah, trying to convince him to let God's people go. A rich story, a troubling one, and one that has given hope to many over the centuries. Nice to be reminded of it tonight!

So, tag you're it! Your turn to try it...

Celebrating All Saints - Three Churches Light Candles to Remember, Each in their Way

At the church with the smallest attendance in the parish I serve (8-15 on a Sunday), I set up a metal decorative plate and votive candles, with a taper candle off of which to light the votive candles. (There is no Christ candle or Paschal candle at this church). The small table is set in front of the altar.

At the second largest church in the parish I serve (12-25 on a Sunday), one of the members made this candle rack for All Saints - lighting candles in remembrance on All Saints is a new experience for all these congregations. Each hole holds a glass votive holder and votive candle. For next year, we are going to find shorter glass votive holders, these were too tall, and made it hard for some to light the candles. The table is to the left of the altar, in front of the baptismal font.

At the largest the largest of the churches in the parish I serve (30-80 on a Sunday), one of the members made this candle rack for All Saints. Since we weren't sure what attendance would be, and how many people would come forward for the lighting, extra glass votive holders and votive candles were placed on the table. The glass votive holders were the perfect size. We used two small Christmas Eve candles with the drip-catch cups for lighting the votive candles. The table is in front of the movable altar in the picture, but for the service, the baptismal font was put in place of the movable altar. (There is an east-wall altar in the back of the chancel)

Movie Night

Since we're betting we don't have to get up and at 'em tomorrow, what with the blizzard and all, RevDad and I are actually staying up to watch a non-child's movie. Iron Man, to be specific. It's pretty good, and raises some interesting questions along with offering some bang-up special effects.

What's kind of blowing my mind is that we're actually doing a grown up activity. Together. On a normal day. Not on vacation. Not on a sick day. On a Wednesday night! I didn't realize how much I missed this.

Pass the Cheetos, and snuggle in. There's plenty more movie to go...

Snowflakes Keep Fallin' on my Head

We are in the middle of a bona fide blizzard! The wind is howling, the power went out for a few moments earlier, the heavy wet snow is piling up, and every child within a hundred mile radius is dreaming of a day off of school tomorrow. Both RevDad and myself cancelled confirmation tonight, and are grateful we did! He had to drive 35 mph on the way home, and could barely see the road. I've been thinking about craft projects we can do with Lil' Princess if we are snowed in. One thing we definately will take on is cleaning her room - I'm tired of tripping over piles of books and babies when I walk through her room!

It's actually a nice thought - us being stuck at home together tomorrow. We don't get to hang out together, the three of us, very often. Family bonding time ahoy, just maybe!

The Big Night

shimmy shimmy, la la la!!
whoo hoo, zip boom ba!

(dance around the living room)

now I can shut off the TV and go to bed

Elections are Nigh

FINALLY election day is almost here! Our plan is to head to the courthouse after text study to cast our votes. Even though the politicking season has been painful to follow, I find myself quite excited to follow the election results tomorrow.

I am ready for this to be done, for the campaigning to be over, and all of us to move on. And I hopes that maybe, just maybe, we will find ourselves moving in some exciting positive directions once all the votes are tallied!

Correction

So turns out it wasn't overeating Halloween candy that was the problem when I blogged Friday night. As the evening wore on, it became clear I had contracted the stomach flu.

oh yeh

So I spent the night in some very unpleasant ways. Then spent Saturday recovering. Thus far hubby and Lil' Princess haven't shown any signs, thank goodness! It's the bug going around now. One of the local nursing homes isn't allowing any visitors because so many of their residents have it.

So here's hoping none of you get it!