Happy New Year!

Today is New Year's Day, at least it is on the church calendar---the first Sunday in Advent kicks off the new liturgical year. Love the blue of Advent! It is a "Prepare the royal highway, the King of kings is near..."-type of day. We did not sing that hymn but rather some others such as "Behold a Branch Is Growing". 
                                 
Before the service actually began, the Sunday school kids were joined by some from the preschool to sing, "Go, Tell It on the Mountain". Once they were finished, back to their seats or out the door, order was restored so the service could begin. 

When the congregation was ready to sing "Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness" I, as always, pointed to the second stanza and said to Justin, "This is for my funeral...". He took the hymnal, closed it, then let it fall open saying, "This is for your funeral..." His point was there is hardly a hymn in the hymnal not on my list! I will request that "Go, Tell It on the Mountain" not be sung at mine!

This week I did not forget my camera and was ready to take photos of anyone wishing a new picture be taken for the Flock Board. I did take a couple more, some of which were retakes. Before Bible study, one of the prospective members, Tim, came around with his camera and asked if we ladies minded his taking a picture of us. He wanted some photos to put up on the empty photo board. HOLD IT RIGHT THERE, BUDDY!!!! Judy C. as patiently as she could explained to him that this was not a board to be done with cameo shots of people but folks were posing for pictures and will be placed on the board. He makes a few of us just a teeny bit nervous...

                             

After church five of us went to Chili's, minus Terri T., and got to watch part of the Packer/Vikings game. Mike S. is a Vikings' fan and Justin was sporting his Packer polo shirt...all in good fun. The Packers ended up winning, but the Jaguars did not fare as well. That game was grueling once more, with Justin listening in his room and me watching in my room. On the computer I could track the Packer game but it's not the same as watching it at Chili's!!!

Tonight Judy and I are going to Victory as guests of their Ladies'  Advent Service. Suzanne called her yesterday and invited her, as both Hanna and she had roles to play in the service. Suzanne will play the viola, of course, and Hanna is helping with the candle lighting. I know it will be lovely, it always is! I am a guest at Stephanie's table and look forward to seeing my sisters-in-faith at my 'other' church! Happy New Year everyone!