December & January 2011 Message from the Pastor

Love Finds a Voice

We chose this theme for the Advent/Christmas season because it expresses the wonder of the incarnation. Divine love is expressed through the human voice of Jesus. Through the story of his humble birth and life of service, we find a model for godly living and also come to know the healing power of God at work in and around us. It’s this voice of love that inspires, guides and comforts us.

But “finding voice” is also a dynamic expression for our life journeys. We saw people discover their voices this year in the Arab Spring as formerly voiceless citizens rose up to oust oppressive dictators. We see voice-seeking at work in the lives of our interns as they learn the task of preaching. Would-be presidential candidates strive to find a voice that resonates with the people. Even the newest I-phones can detect our voices and help us search for all kinds of information. Are we still seeking to find our own voices that express who we are and what we have to offer to the world?

The church is engaged in the ever-evolving task of finding its voice in the rapidly changing world. I pick my brain each year as Christmas approaches, hoping to find the words to preach to the people who rarely find their way to church pews. Will I be able to connect with them in such a way that the story of the incarnation and the mission of the church will resonate with them? Will they appreciate that the church is still meaningful today and that community can be found here and that it will be transformative and enriching?

We will be told to “go tell it on the mountain,” to help the song of the incarnation vibrate through our valley. We will sing with the angels on the Holy Night. We will hear the voice of God as it echoes through the pages of scripture. I pray that we will feel and know that this voice of God is truly the voice of love that is singing to each of us. I pray that the voice of Jesus will continue to guide us into the New Year with the resolve to be his church. I pray that our love for the people of this valley and for all of God’s creation will be heard by all our neighbors and by all of the listening world.


Pastor Jim Friedrich