Announcements December 8, 2016

Upcoming Events and Meetings

  • Walker Church Events & Meetings all at Walker unless noted otherwise.
  • Events & Meetings of other groups that will be held at Walker and are open to the public.
  • The calendar on our website walkerchurch.org lists events & meetings further into the future.
  • For more information on any of the events contact the Walker office office@walkerchurch.org

 

Sunday Celebration 10:30 am

December 11, 2016

Greetings by Margo McCreary & Janet Court

Communal Singing led by Janet Skidmore

3rd Sunday of Advent reading & wreath lighting

Reader: “And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for God has looked with favor on the lowliness of this servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name'” (Luke 1:46-49).

Reader: Today we remember Mary, innocent and powerful, sacred and scared, worried and waiting as the Savior of all grows in her womb. She sings boldly when she might be meek; she bears her role in history with the confidence of a warrior; she is the beginning of a mighty revolution as the proud are brought down and the lowly lifted up.

People: Today we give thanks for the Marys among us, who step out of the roles society has planned; unintended pioneers determined to do as God asks; fearless and fearfully stepping out in faith, and beckoning us to do the same.

Reader: On this third Sunday of Advent, we light this candle as a symbol of Mary, mother of God, bearer of the Way. (Light two purple candles and one rose candle.)

The Angel Gabriel sung by Janet Skidmore

Ave Maria sung by Mary Parker & Cheryl Kramer

Welcome and announcements by Pastor Walter Lockhart

Mary Had a Little Boy sung by Tony Wentersdorf

Salvation is Created by Pavel Tchesnokov sung by the Walker Singers conducted by Jim Feldman

Scripture reading Isaiah 35:1-10 by Greg Garman

            The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.

            Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.  Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”

            Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.  And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Silence

The Birthday of a King sung by Sally Kuehn

Blue Christmas sung by Nick Connel

Currency Carol sung by Howard Kranz

First Night sung by Jim Feldman

Sermon by Pastor Walter Lockhart

Offering with Toyland performed by Steve Sandberg and Kent Eklund

Santa Lucia celebration by Emily Peabody

Circle with Joys & Concerns & the sharing of Bread & Juice brought by Cheryl Kramer & Lonnie Thompson.

Communal Closing songO’ Come O’ Come Emmanuel

 

Walker Church All Church Conference and Council meeting:  Sun, Dec 11, 12:15 pm.  There will be an All Church Conference for the election of 2017 church officers followed by a Church Council meeting.

Square Dance for Standing Rock:  Sun, Dec 11, 3 pm to 5:30 pm.  Please join us for a square dance benefit for Standing Rock! Let’s dance, be together with friends, and raise some funds to support the Standing Rock Sioux and the water protectors as they prepare for winter.   All dances will taught and called by Monday Night Square Dance callers to LIVE music from twin cities musicians. No experience is necessary, anyone can come join in. Families welcome. All proceeds will go to Standing Rock winterization, medical, and legal efforts.
Suggested donation $5 to $20- or whatever you can give. FFI Thea@MN350.org RSVP on facebook here

 Sami Joiking Concert, Lecture & Duodji Display:  Sun, Dec 11, 7 to 9 pm.  An evening of traditional Sámi Joiking (singing) and an exhibition of their Duodji, the traditional handicrafts of their people.  Please join us, no cost.

Solstice Celebration:  Sat, Dec 17, 6:30 to 8:00 pm.  Margo McCreary and her puppet friends.  Music and dancing with Eisner’s Klezmorim.  Refreshments meet and greet friends—old and new.  Fun for all ages.  The event is free.  FFI Margo or www.eisnersklezmorim.com

Sunday Celebration: December 18, 10:30 am.  The Celebration will be led by Pastor Walter Lockhart who will give the sermon.  FFI Walter

I Need a Witness! : Mon, Dec 19, 7 to 8 pm.  Using the Open Stage format, participants will sign in to do a reading when they arrive and the first 6 will read that evening. Each reader will have 10 minutes. read stories, journal entries, diaries, memories from your own life…to share these tales with others, thus bringing witnesses to validate your experiences; to open others’ consciousnesses to alternate realities; to help you to deal with your own past! So whether you have dozens of dusty journals in the closet or whether you need to sit down and scrawl a few paragraphs to share, or whether you only want to participate as an honored Witness, PLEASE join us!  FFI Mary Parker or Tony Wentersdorf

Winter Solstice Sun Candle Ritual:  Wed. Dec. 21, 6 pm.  Walkerites and friends are welcome to meet at Mary Burn’s house. Gather at 6 pm and Solstice Candle Ritual from 6:30pm–7:45pm. On the Winter Solstice we gather to celebrate the rebirth of the Sun in our lives.  We will honor the quiet beauty of Winter and bless the Sun by lighting candles to represent what brings light to our lives.  Candles will be provided.   FFI–Bonita Blumenauer or Nancy Gehrenbeck-Miller.

Ukulele Yultide Ball:  Tues, Dec 20, 6:30 – 8:30 in the Sanctuary. Dancing, Singing, Elvis, Santa, Howard Kranz, A Ukulele and Tuba Waltz, Fireroast Mountain Boys, Stone Arch Jazz Band and if you get there early, a free meal. Bring your friends. No cover. FFI contact David West

Christmas Eve Celebration:  Sat, Dec 24, 4 pm.  Led by Pastor Walter Lockhart and David West

Christmas Day Sun, Dec 25 there will be NO celebration at Walker.  You are invited to the 9:30 am Christmas Day Service at Simpson United Methodist Church, 2740 1st Ave So.  FFI Walter.

 

Ongoing Walker Groups

Walker Circle Gathering: Sundays 9 to 10 am.  We welcome all who feel a need for a spiritual discussion group!  We will meet through December 18. FFI Mary Parker & Tony Wentersdorf

Walker Coffee Gathering: Mondays 10 to noon at Lake Street Coffee, 3223 E Lake St.  FFI Pastor Walter Lockhart

Walker Community Meal: Tuesdays 6 to 7 pm.  Free, everyone welcome

Walker Singers Rehearse: Tuesdays 6:45 to 8 pm led by Jim McCreary

Walker Initiates: meet one Sunday each month 8:15 to 10:15 am. FFI Lou Tofte or Howard Kranz

Walker Men’s Potluck Brunch: 2nd Saturday of each month.  FFI Jim Feldman

Walker Women’s Potluck Brunch: 4th Saturday of each month at someone’s home. FFI Lulu Philips

 

 

Other on-going events at Walker

Alice Browne’s Simple Song Music Therapy & Sound Healing: Thursdays and Fridays by appointment for lessons in beginning piano, guitar and fiddle and all levels for voice and sound healing, a massage of sound vibrations for intentional healing of mind, body, and spirit. Contact Alice 612-860-6644 abmermaid@gmail.com

Sarah Dagg Massage Therapist:  Two days each month between 9 am to 5 pm by appointment. Contact Sarah 218-831-9570 sdagg@crosslake.net

Rosen Movement meets every Wednesday 9 am to 10 am for simple and effective movement with music.  Open to all, come any week, cost:  $5 to $10.  FFI Phyllis Wiener wienerphyllis@gmail.com

Yoga Flow Class meets every Wednesday from 6 to 7 pm taught by Julia Starr.  Free, make a donation if you wish. Beginners welcome, bring a yoga mat. FFI https://www.facebook.com/starrhealthco/

Ecstatic Movement meets every Wednesday 7:30 pm to 9:15 pm.  Free style movement inspired by music and conscious breathe.  Cost: $10-15.  Come at 7:15 to check in and warm up. Facebook  Ecstatic Movement

Hoop Twin Cities meets every Thursday 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the sanctuary. Free, fun & informal hoola hooping for all ages  FFI hoopjeans@gmail.com

The Story Worship Celebration:  The 1st, 3rd (and sometimes 5th) Sunday of each month at 4 pm. FFI thestory.mn.

Private Queer Birth Project:  This LGBTQ new parent group meets 10 to 11:30 am the 2nd Saturday of each month.  FFI Walker office

Private Transforming Families Group: 2nd Saturday of each month 1 to 3 pm. Support for families with transgender children.  FFI Walker office

Autoharp Jams:  are held the 2nd Sunday of each month from 3 pm to 5 pm.  FFI Tony Wentersdorf

Bluegrass Jam Sessions are held the last Monday of each month 7 to 10 pm. Open to all, free, come to jam or listen. Sponsored by MBOTMA (Minnesota Old Time & Bluegrass Music Association) FFI Roy Vanderwerf revanster@gmail.com

Political Prisoner Letter Writing:  A small group meets to write letters to political prisoners meets 7 to 9 pm the 1st Thursday of each month and is open to new participants.

Neurodiversity Group:  meets the 2nd Thursday of every month from 7 to 9 pm Free emotional support group for adults on the autism spectrum.

Open Flow Forum:  meets the 1st Thursday of each month from 7 to 9 pm.  A free informal group for artists with disabilities.  FFI Tara Innmon or Kip Shane.