SANDPRINTS

A MINISTRY OF PALO CRISTI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: WHERE GOD’S WELCOMING LOVE IS SHARED WITH EVERYONE
SANDPRINTS
DECEMBER | 2011
ADVENT YEARNING
THROUGH THE AGES
O Lord how long shall I cry for help,
and you will not listen?
Or v cry to you “Violence!” and you will not
save?
...justice never prevails
—Habakkuk 1:2, 4a
Yearning for the Moon
When I was young, I always yearned to
walk on the moon. But the Apollo
program was just winding down and the
Shuttle program was just spinning up.
Unfortunately, the Shuttle program was
designed for low Earth orbit. Now, The
United States has no active space
vehicles. All of this, and the fact that
my training is in the wrong field, and by
the time we get the next space vehicle
built, I‘ll be too old to become an
astronaut means I will never walk on
the moon. But we the people of the U.S.
have hope that our next NASA space
vehicle will indeed carry U.S.
astronauts to the moon. It‘s being
designed, built, and tested to take us
back to the moon.
Have you ever thought about the
difference between yearning and hope?
They are very similar words, but not
interchangeable. Yearning is simply to
have a strong desire. Hope is the feeling
that what you want can be attained. I
yearn to walk on the moon. We hope
NASA can send people to walk on the
moon.
Advent is a season of hope. We hope
for the birth of the Messiah. We hope
for the return of the resurrected Jesus.
We hope for peace. We hope that God
will act again. In fact we make all the
preparations that this will be the case.
We do not yearn; we hope. We hope
because God‘s love has been poured
into our hearts through the Holy Spirit
and neither God nor hope disappoint us
(Romans 5).
During this season of Advent, be filled
with hope. Recognize that through God
all things are possible. For the one who
was born and laid in a manger is the one
who is coming again in glory. And we
hold out certain hope that God is at
work, active, and moving in our lives
and in our world.
The Reverend Doctor Kirk E. Jeffery was
invited by Pastor Debra to write on the
theme of yearning. Kirk received his Doctor
of Ministry degree in Postmodern
Ecclesiology from Drew University. After 15
years in United Methodist parish ministry in
Oregon and Idaho, Kirk is now a healthy
church/church growth consultant and master
coffee roaster, living in Leadville, Colorado.
For more than two millennia, the prophet‘s cry has
echoed in the hearts and minds of God‘s people. The
yearning for justice, the constant return to violence, the
never-ending struggle to find hope link us in the 21st
century with mothers and fathers through the ages.
This yearning can only be answered by the hope that is
found in a child born in an unexpected way to unexpected people.
This year, on each Sunday of Advent we will connect
with past and present generations as we both acknowledge our the birth pangs of our yearning and celebrate
the hope, peace, joy and love that are newly born in us
as the Word made Flesh enters our lives in unexpected
ways and through unexpected people and experiences.
1st Sunday of Advent (11/27): Yearning for Hope
Using music from the 1960s and images from today,
we will consider untruths and false messiahs in our
world and our hope for the light to shine I the darkness
2nd Sunday of Advent (12/4): Yearning for Peace
The yearning for peace is vibrant in the ballads of the
1940s. With images of war-torn nations and violent
neighborhoods in our hearts, we will celebrate the
Prince of Peace.
3rd Sunday of Advent (12/11): Yearning for Joy
In the 1990s things looked pretty good in the USA, yet
much popular music called us to attend to places where
joy is needed. Together we‘ll listen again to that call to
rejoice and to share our joy!
4th Sunday of Advent (12/18): Yearning for Love
Though 21st century musicians ask: ―Where is the
love?‖ we know God‘s love is at the heart of our faith.
This week we will cele-
CONTINUED ON BACK PAGE
Cover Art: Nativity by Brian Kershisnik (2006), Medium: Oil/Canvas, Original Size: 88" x 204"
ADVENT YEARNING TOUCHES OUR LIVES IN
MANY WAYS. HERE ARE FOUR REFLECTIONS
FROM OUR PALO CRISTI FRIENDS. LIKE THEM,
WE WAIT WITH HOPEFUL HEARTS
FOR A NEW DAY, A NEW WAY OF LIVING
IN HOPE, PEACE, JOY AND LOVE.
FOUR
HEARTS
Dan Torrens. Advent is the season of
expectant waiting and preparation for the
celebration of the birth of Christ. During this
time, I find my thoughts wandering as I try to make sense of how things should be and
how I see them occurring in a secular world. This is particularly true during a Christmas
season that is strikingly commercial.
The song, ―The Wanderer‖ performed by U2 and featuring Johnny Cash, perfectly
captures my sense of yearning. There is no resolution to the song. The protagonist, the
wanderer, merely shifts from place to place as he documents man‘s destruction of his
environment, the soullessness in the cities and his self-imposed separation from God. All
is not bleak, though. There is a sense of hope here as the wanderer searches for the ―one
good man‖ with a ―spirit who would not bend or break.‖ I‘m searching for that person,
too. I‘ll be celebrating his birthday on December 25th.
season, I am reminded that God is why I am here. Christ
is why I suit up and show up in the many different areas of
my life. Praying each day for guidance, giving myself to
the tasks before me. Here I am and I am a day late with
the assignment I gave myself. Yearning for a resolution
to the dilemma I have with my youngest sibling. As I pray
each day, am I truly willing to let go and let God resolve
this? Am I just not willing to be the adult in the situation?
Am I wanting to do things my way and not necessarily
God‘s way? Today is the day in which I put this truly in
God‘s hands. Today is the day I let go of control. As I
await responses from e-mail messages, my spirit is heavy
and that makes my heart heavier. God be with each of us
as we go forward into this holiest of seasons, the
celebration of our Savior‘s birth. God be with each one
who reads this.
John Erwin.
I Yearn
To sit in the sun.
To "do" lunch.
To fully express myself.
To make a joyful noise.
To help those in need.
To enjoy peace and quiet.
To go for a hike.
To play in the snow.
To sail on the waters.
THE WANDERER (1993)
I went out walking
Through streets paved with gold
Lifted some stones
Saw the skin and bones
Of a city without a soul
I went out walking
Under an atomic sky
Where the ground won't turn
And the rain it burns
Like the tears when I said goodbye
Yeah I went with nothing
Nothing but the thought of you
Pat Jasmann. As I reflect on the upcoming holiday
I went with nothing
But the thought you'd be there too
Looking for you
I went out there
In search of experience
To taste and to touch
And to feel as much
As a man can
Before he repents
I went wandering
I went drifting
Through the capitals of tin
Where men can't walk
Or freely talk
And sons turn their fathers in
I stopped outside a church house
Where the citizens like to sit
They say they want the kingdom
But they don't want God in it
I went out searching
Looking for one good man
A spirit who would not bend or break
Who would sit at his father's right hand
I went out walking
With a bible and a gun
The word of God lay heavy on my heart
I was sure I was the one
Now Jesus, don't you wait up
Jesus, I'll be home soon
Yeah I went out for the papers
Told her I'd be back by noon
I went out riding
Down that old eight lane
I passed by a thousand signs
Looking for my own name
Yeah I left with nothing
But the thought you'd be there too
Looking for you
Yeah I left with nothing
Nothing but the thought of you
To retire!
Mitch Liswith. I am yearning for political reconciliation. I
am tired of watching the pendulum swing farther and
farther to the left, then to the right – is there no middle
ground?! Politics used to be about representing the
PEOPLE, now by politician‘s actions, it is all about
getting re-elected and cow towing to any special interest or
lobbyist that is willing to contribute money toward their re
-election. Politicians have lost sight of the fact that they
are creating the polarization themselves by sticking to
‗principals‘ and not being willing to ‗compromise‘.
Unfortunately, the Merriam Webster dictionary definition
of politics includes ―a person primarily interested in
political office for selfish or other narrow, usually shortsighted, reasons,‖ so this is now apparently the norm.
I recently wrote a letter to Jon Kyl, who is a member of
the Congressional Super Committee that is tasked with
issuing a recommendation by November 23, 2011 for at
least $1.5 trillion in additional deficit reduction steps to be
undertaken over a ten‐year period. I asked that he help the
other members reach a plan that will equally skewer both
parties and be along the lines of the Simpson & Bowles
Committee recommendations.
I told him that my
expectation was that any plan his committee delivers will
have to make everyone mad – indicating that they
succeeded. I encouraged him to role model putting the
country first and cut through the current polarized political
atmosphere by developing a great plan! Will this bit of
pressure from his constituent help? I‘d like to think so,
but in politics, as in life, there are no guarantees!
THE
FOUR
EVANGELISTS
2011-2012
GOSPEL
OF MARK
From its beginning, the Church has used artistic “sign language” to represent biblical and doctrinal concepts. Theologians and artists have
delighted in finding parallels and connections between various aspects of the Bible, thus the Four Evangelists have come to be associated
with the four "living creatures" which surround God's throne in Ezekiel and Revelation. They are intended to remind us of Matthew, Mark,
Luke and John, the traditional authors of the New Testament Gospels that bear their names.
In the Bible
The four winged creatures first appear in the book of Ezekiel. Their
function is to guard the throne of God.
"In the middle of it was something like four living creatures. This was
their appearance: they were of human form. Each had four faces, and
each of them had four wings... As for the appearance of their faces: the
four had the face of a human being, the face of a lion on the right side,
the face of an ox on the left side, and the face of an eagle." (Ezekiel 1:510)
They also appear again in the book of Revelation with a slightly altered appearance
"Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion,
the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a
face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle.
And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of
eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing,
'Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to
come.'" (Revelation 4:6-8)
The four winged creatures remind us we can only partially understand
the fullness of our God. There is so much more to God than meets the
eye.
In History
The association between the Four Evangelists and four living creatures
seems to have been made first by St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c.120-202
AD), as part of an argument against heretics that there are only four
gospels:
"For the cherubim, too, were four-faced, and their faces were images of
the dispensation of the Son of God. The first living creature was like a
lion, symbolizing His effectual working, His leadership, and royal
power; the second was like a calf, signifying His sacrificial and sacerdotal order; but the third had, as it were, the face as of a man - an evident
description of His advent as a human being; the fourth was like a flying
eagle, pointing out the gift of the Spirit hovering with His wings over the
Church. And therefore the Gospels are in accord with these things,
among which Christ Jesus is seated. " (Against Heresies, 3.11.8)
Other early theologians who made the symbolic association include
St. Jerome (347-420) and St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD). Interestingly, all three writers applied the symbols to different evangelists,
based on their varying interpretations of the animal symbols and the
main themes of the Gospels.
Jerome's interpretation is the one that stuck. To this day, Matthew is
represented by the winged man because his narrative begins with detailed human genealogy of Jesus from Adam to Joseph. Mark is symbolized by the winged lion because his narrative begins with John the Baptist crying out in the desert the way a lion roars. Luke is represented by
the winged ox because of narrative begins in the Temple. John is symbolized by the eagle as his narrative begins with the Word coming down
from heaven as an eagle flies. For over 1,500 years, the Four Evangelists have been represented in art and theology in this way.
Palo Cristi’s Paintings
As part of this ancient tradition, Palo Cristi has been blessed with four
murals painted by Hugh Broadley (d. April, 2005). Each one was intended to reflect the awesome nature of God. Because the paintings
were meant to be symbolic, no attempt was made to make them realistic.
Rather, drawing on his own inspiration, Dr. Broadley created a very
stylized vision with reductionist forms depicted by flat, heavily outlined
shapes and patterns. The color palette is striking rather than “tasteful,”
stimulating the imagination rather than prettily fading into the church
décor. Contrasting hues were deliberately used in order to intensify the
effect of vivacity and life as opposed to benign tranquility. Touches of
gold provide an essential underscoring of the exceptional nature of the
creatures and of the Lord.
As symbolic works, these murals are meant to speak of God’s transcendence, who surpasses our feeble efforts to comprehend, yet who takes
the initiative to disclose to us the true nature of our Creator and Redeemer. The manner in which the symbols are depicted expresses the
conviction that the writings of the Four Evangelists are as lively, as dynamic, as meaningful, and every bit as stimulating today as they were
when first written many centuries ago. As symbols of the Gospels,
therefore, the four creatures should remind us, too, that while God is
transcendent, the God and Father of Jesus Christ is present at the center
of human existence.
Sources: “Symbols of the Four Evangelists in Christian Art” from the website Sacred Destinations: Sacred Places, Religious Art (http://www.sacred-destinations.com/reference/symbols-of
-four-evangelists) and Brochure published by Camelback United Presbyterian Church.
SUNDAY,
DECEMBER 18
CHRISTMAS
JOY OFFERING
HOPE | PEACE | JOY | LOVE| LIGHT
For more than 70 years, Presbyterians have given generously at Christmas to
support the unmet needs of families who have devoted their lives to the mission
of the PC(USA). Today this Offering is shared equally by the Assistance
Program of the Board of Pensions, which provides critical assistance to
Presbyterian church workers and their families, and Presbyterian-affiliated racial
ethnic schools and colleges, which enable students to develop their gifts and find
their calling.
Although its roots trace back many years, this special offering remains just as
essential today. Equally important to the financial help provided is the spiritual
benefit received. Again and again, the individuals and families helped by the
Offering say that as crucial as the financial assistance is, what really sustains
them is the knowledge that the church is standing with them in their time of
need.
It’s Time to Order Your Christmas Memorial Poinsettias
Sunday, December 4, 2011 is the deadline for ordering your poinsettias for use in the sanctuary at all services on the 18th and 24th of
December. The purchase price for a 12-15” Tall Red or White is $8.00 and for a 15-24” Tall Red or White it’s $15.00. You may take
your plants home on Christmas Eve the Deacons will arrange delivery to a shut-in or other appropriate venue. Please complete the
order form in your worship bulletin on Sunday or call the office.
EVENTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY
At Valley Presbyterian Church
Brown Bag Organ Reflections
Thursdays, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15 at NOON
We’re so grateful to be part of the
Palo Cristi Family!
Handel for the Hungry
A Messiah Performance
Monday, 12/5 at 7:00 p.m.
Sonoran Desert Chorale Holiday Concert
Sunday, 12/11 at 3:00 p.m.
At Pinnacle Presbyterian Church
Pinnacle Concert Series presents
The Phoenix Orpheus Male Choir
Holiday Concert
Thursday, 12/15 at 7:30 p.m.
The Phoenix Symphony performs
Handel’s Messiah
in the Sanctuary
Sunday, 12/18 at 3:00 p.m.
From
Clione, Matt and Pastor Debra
PALO C RIS TI B IRT HD A YS A ND A NNI VER SA RI ES
CELEBRATIONS
IN DECEMBER
12/4
12/5
12/8
12/14
12/15
12/17
Ethan Swartz
Adriana Holy
Margaret Healy
JoAnn Rushforth
Kirsty Cook
Ailey Cook
George Healy
Benjamin Bravo
12/19
12/20
12/23
12/27
12/27
12/28
12/31
Kimberly Bravo
Cari Schoffelman
Mike O‘Grady
Taylor Avery
Monty & Patty Hart
Peter & Debra
Avery
Debbie McAllister
HOPE | PEACE | JOY | LOVE| LIGHT
Good people all, this Christmas time,
consider well and bear in mind
what our good God for us has done,
in sending His belovèd Son.
O Come, O Come Immanuel!
ADV ENT CA ND LELIG HT LAB YRI NTH W AL K
DEC EM BE R 4 , 5 :0 0 PM
Using an indoor labyrinth, our desert labyrinth, and a
handheld labyrinth, we will gather to express our
yearning. Each one will have the opportunity to ―walk‖
as he/she is able and contemplate the hope we have
been given.
CAN DLE LIG HT CH RIST M AS E VE
DEC EM BE R 2 4 , 7 :0 0 P M
Join us for a thoughtful and festive celebration of the
coming of light into our darkness. Children and
adults will wonder together as we tell the familiar
Christmas story in music and word.
Yearning for what is essential
On December 1, 1943, Bonhoeffer wrote from prison to his young fiancée:
I think we‘re going to have an exceptionally good Christmas. The very fact that outward circumstance precludes our
making provision for it will show whether we can be content with what is truly essential. I used to be very fond of
thinking up and buying presents, but now that we have nothing to give, the gift God gave us in the birth of Christ will
seem all the more glorious … The poorer our quarters, the more clearly we perceive that our hearts should be Christ‘s
home on earth.
Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/flunkingsainthood/2010/11/advent-and-christmas-with-dietrich-bonhoeffer.html#ixzz1eqD2Q4aU
SHARING THE LIGHT AT PALO CRISTI
Louise Pelissier offers this reflection entitled
“In Service to Others”
Among all the photos I‘ve put on my computer
hard drive, there is one of Jesus, portrayed in a
somber medieval(?) style – in shades of gold and
brown. The caption next to it, however, was
startling when I first read it: ―Where did I say that
you should buy so much stuff to celebrate my
birthday!?‖
In this season, and for that matter any time of
year, consider the value of a gift of your time …
to share your time (in any amount) with someone
else, especially with someone you don‘t know or
don‘t know very well.
At Palo Cristi Presbyterian Church, there are a
number of meaningful ways to give some of your
time in joyful service to someone else, in ways
that take one beyond one‘s daily or weekly or
monthly routines. And there‘s many other ways
to serve too, beyond Palo Cristi Presbyterian
Church: just read a newspaper or go online to find
some.
One can say that there are so many needs that it‘s
overwhelming. One could also say that this time
of year is a season in need of discernment.
In most issues of Sandprints, I have written about
the opportunities at Duet (www.duetaz.org) and/
or with Wheel Help. If you discern a curiosity to
know more about either of these expressions of
service, call me … or you can call the church
office at 602-955-6080.
May all be calm and all be bright for you and
your loved ones this Christmas season!
This devotion was offered by Hootie Redwine
at our last Session meeting. First published in
The Upper Room (November 16) by Joan Floyd
My friend and I climbed to the top of a 175 ft.
lighthouse where rotating lenses project light at
night to guide ships along the coastline. At
nightfall, we walked out on the sandy beach to
see the light beams in the darkness. I held a small
flashlight and focused the beam of light a short
distance ahead of our feet so we could walk
together. My friend remarked how grateful she
was that I was holding the light for her. Later the
words ―holding the light‖ came up again and
again when I and another friend talked about
times of darkness in our lives, and my pastor‘s
sermon contained the phrase ―glimpses of light in
the darkness.‖
As I wonder about my next steps, I am assured
that in the darkness of any of life‘s uncertainty
there will be glimpses of light. Sometimes I may
be the one holding the light for another, and
sometimes, someone else will hold the light for
me.
Christ, my sure companion is the source of light.
As I take each step the next step becomes visible
as the light opens into more space. And when the
light stands still, I can rest in that quiet space and
trust that God is preparing me to move ahead
again when the time is right.
PALO CRISTI PRESBYTERIAN
3535 E. Lincoln Drive
CHURCH
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
(602) 955-6080
www.palocristipres.org
Church Office hours:
Tuesday—Friday
10 am to 12:30 pm
and 1:30 pm to 4 pm
Pastor Debra’s Drop-In Hours:
Tuesdays @ Mama Java‘s
(36th and Indian School)
8:30 to 11 am
11-4 by appointment
Wednesdays available by
appointment as needed.
Thursdays @ PCPC
11 am to 4 pm for drop in or by
appointment
Sundays after services and Sunday
School by appointment only
GUIDED BY THE LIGHT
each other and carry it out into the world.
CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE
brate the experience covenantal love.
Candlelight Christmas Eve
December 24, at 7:00 p.m.
Yearning for the Light
We bring our hopes and fears to the manger this night as we will celebrate together.
Everyone has a part to play, from the
smallest among us to the ones who have
seen many Christmases. We will sing and
pray; listen to our Sanctuary choir and our
handbells; and share the Lord‘s Supper
together. Then we will share the light with
A Merry Family Christmas
Sunday, December 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Bring your family, your friends and your favorite Christmas
morning treat to share as we celebrate Jesus‘ birthday!
What to wear? Feel free to ―come as you are‖ in holiday
comfy clothes or your favorite Christmas attire.
What about the kids? We will worship together, but why
not let the kids bring their favorite Christmas present with
them. A ―kids‘ corner will be set up in the back of the
sanctuary.
What about coffee, cocoa and snacks? We will be worshipping informally and you are welcome to get up, refill your
cup and grab a delicious treat.