Charles Rix, Scholar-In-Residence, preaches from Luke 4:16-21 and the concept of "After-Christmas". Now that the carols begin to wane, the angels have ascended, the lights and cameras are off, what now? When the song of angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among others, To make music in the heart. --- Howard Thurman

Lead Minister Cynthia Ownby continues the observance of Advent in Psalm 98 and how we should seek to reclaim our sense of joy despite what is happening around us. Psalm 984:6 reads 4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; 5 make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, 6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn— shout for joy before the Lord, the King. "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations." Advent continues in days of lengthening darkness, but in the darkness there is peace.

Lead Minister Cynthia Ownby continues the observance of Advent in Psalm 46 "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations." Advent continues in days of lengthening darkness, but in the darkness there is peace.

Lead Minister Cynthia Ownby begins the observance of Advent in Psalm 42 which begins with the familiar verse "As the deer pants for living water, so my soul longs for God." Advent begins in days of lengthening darkness, but in the darkness there is hope.

Lead Minister Cynthia Ownby closes out her series on Genesis. She recaps Joseph's extraordinary life from rejection and captivity to exaltation and purpose highlighting lessons learned from this riveting story. May God heal what is broken in us. May we know that God's pruposes cannot be stopped. May God turn the harm intended for each of us to go, as God accomplishes God's work in the world. Amen.

Guest speaker Kayla Ford speaks from the text of Genesis 15 where Joseph revels himself to his brothers, the very brothers who sold him into slavery. Kayla says, "This story resonates many layers, much like the layers of a good TV drama like 'The Sopranos'." This story is so full of drama and emotion that one can't help be drawn into it.

Cynthia Ownby continues her series in Genesis.

Cynthia Ownby continues her series in Genesis.