Merry Christmas from Washington Cathedral

by Pastor Tim White

Merry Christmas!  This Christmas is so important to us that a generous benefactor has donated two Great Wolf Lodge passes for two families of four—one night in family suite, family fun in waterpark, good for 2018 (there a few blackout dates).  One pass will be given to the person who brings the most new people who have filled out a contact card indicating who they were invited by between now and Christmas.  The second pass will be a drawing from all the contact cards received between now and Christmas that are filled out for the very first time.  The winners of both of these passes will be announced at the 11:00 am Service on New Year’s Eve Day, December 31, 2017. (Winner does not need to be present.)

I am praying so hard that we will reach many new people for Jesus Christ this Christmas.

This weekend Becca McCary has a powerful message on the Christmas story from the book of Matthew entitled Come Let Us Adore Him.  And we are going to have an extended Christmas sing-a-long in every service.

 Our special Christmas Lights the Night services are: Friday, Dec. 22nd, at 7pm; Saturday, Dec. 23rd, at 5:00 pm; and Christmas Eve, December 24th, at 5:00 and 11:00 pm.  Tickets are available and are being picked up quickly, so don’t delay in getting yours.  They are available online at our website or our Washington Cathedral app.

You can hear our ad on KCMS which tells about the inspirational service we are going to have this year.  Live manger scene, with real animals, choirs, strings, band, ballet dancers and our “baby cherubs” dancing to create a moment where the heavens open.  You will be blessed with one of the most inspirational moments of your life.  Please bring friends.  You can get free tickets at: christmaslightsthenight.com or wacathedral.org.  

On Christmas morning at 9:30 and 11:00am, Dr. Rey Diaz will be preaching, and special Guest Musician Dave Irish will be warming our hearts with his great music.  Pastor David’s wonderful down-home breakfast will be served in the Cafe with spuds, sausage, eggs, and his super-secret Whidbey Island oatmeal. Breakfast will be served from 10:30 to 11:30 - what a great time of fellowship.

At the 11pm late Christmas Eve service, pastor Linda Skinner will be preaching, and Rich Skinner will be using his trained voice to do a dramatic reading of the Christmas story with an incredible slide show.  There will be Candle lighting and I will lead in a very special Christmas communion.

Merry Christmas - Please join us.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

One Leader-One Way

If you travelled the country and asked random people, “who said ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’?” you would probably get the correct answer from all kinds of people. Christians...Agnostics...Muslims...Hindus....Mormons and even Atheists. Jesus is a renown teacher who’s words reach far beyond our Christian circles.

I’m certain that along with finding people who are familiar with many of Jesus’s words, you’d also hear many people have only heard this teaching in the context of “if you want to get to Heaven, you can only get there through a personal relationship with Jesus."..."Otherwise, you’re wrong, lost and hell bound!".

Do I believe that it’s only through Jesus that we have eternal life with the Father? Yes! But is this the only way in which we should understand Jesus’s famous words found in John 14? No!

The reason I know this? Look at the audience to whom Jesus is saying “I am the way, the truth and the life...”. The disciples. His already committed followers. Should Jesus’s words be understood in both a ‘today’ and ‘eternity’ context? I think so.

Jesus isn’t just our one way ticket to Heaven; he’s our way, truth and life in everything we are and do today. The big question is...how can we fully realize his way, his truth and his life for our everyday kind of living?

I hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we seek to find out!

Grace and Peace.

Pastor Rex

The profound beauty of God’s world

Interview and post by Pastor Linda Skinner with artist Kathleen Henderson “Creation and creatures applaud you, God; your holy people bless you. They talk about the glories of your rule, they exclaim over your splendor, letting the world know of your power for good, the lavish splendor of your kingdom.” Psalm 145:10-12 (The Message)

Recently I had the privilege of interviewing a very special lady in our church, Kathleen Henderson. Kathleen is a painter and right now her art is being displayed in our very own Inscape Gallery located in the Spirit Falls building. (Inscape Gallery is a part of Washington Seminary one of the 5 non-profit organizations affiliated with Washington Cathedral.)

Kathleen has been a part of the Washington Cathedral family for many years and she has been painting under the instruction and mentoring of Kay Barnes for the last 5 years.

She feels that God planted a seed in her life when at the age of seven she received a Christmas gift of watercolor paints and paper. Later in college she dabbled in painting with Acrylic.

A few years ago, and after experiencing loss, she saw some paintings that a friend had done. She liked the style of painting, she called it a “realistic style”, and she wanted to give it a try herself. She wanted to try creating something beautiful.

She got in touch with her friend about an art instructor, Kay Barnes, and she signed up for weekly classes. Kay has been a wonderful mentor and friend to Kathleen as she has helped her discover the gift she had buried deep inside.

Kathleen told me that she found painting very challenging and hard. So I asked her “Why do it?” She passionately answered that it brought her satisfaction and she liked learning and seeing the progress she was making.

When I asked her what she did if she finished a painting and looked at it and just didn’t like it, she immediately replied, “I throw it away.” “How many have you thrown away?” I asked. Her reply was “Very few.” Then she added, “But when I’m painting I pray to God.” I responded back, “Maybe that is why you don’t throw many away.” She looked and me nodded her head and smiled. Kathleen brings God into her paintings and it shows.

Kathleen paints the two things she loves most – flowers and dogs. She loves using exciting colors, and painting from a very up-close perspective. Her hope is that her paintings will urge viewers to stop and look closely. When they do, her prayer is that they will see the profound beauty of God’s world.

While I looked around her house, I saw many picture hangers with no pictures hanging on them. Curiously I asked, “Is that where all your paintings normally hang?” And with a little sadness in her eyes, she nodded her head. So I inquired of her if she missed her paintings while they are display. And she responded “Very much, they are my friends.” She said “People ask me why I don’t sell them. I can’t sell my friends.” But if someone commissions me, I love to paint their dog or flowers that mean something to them.”

I hope Kathleen doesn’t mind me sharing this, but she started painting in her 60’s. She’s had a number of very serious health challenges and I think God has used her painting to help her through. At the same time, He blesses us through her.

If you would like to see Kathleen’s beautiful art. Come by Spirit Falls building on a Saturday night or Sunday morning and you will experience some beautiful paintings. On March 11 at 7:00 pm there will be a “Closing Conversation” in Spirit Falls Sanctuary and you can meet Kathleen and let her know how much you appreciate her using the gift God has given her and for sharing “her friends” with us.

Christmas Experience

Do you remember what it was like to wake up on Christmas morning as a child? Your eyes pop open: it's Christmas! You glance outside: it snowed!! The soft padding of your slippered feet as you dash into the living room: Santa came! Christmas is meant to be experienced, with sights and sounds and smells that burn the moment into your memory for years to come...A visceral experience that ignites the hope God intends for each of us.

On Sunday, December 21, bring the whole family to walk through the manger scene at Washington Cathedral. Little ones can hold a baby lamb to their chest as the Biblical story comes alive with a live petting zoo. Meet Mary and Joseph characters, and take a picture with Santa as a keepsake.

Help your family to remember, “Christmas doesn't come from a store...maybe Christmas means a little bit more.”

Christmas Experience - Sunday Dec 21^st and Dec 24^th

What - An unforgettable Christmas experience.  On Sunday, take a walk through the first Christmas with a kids drama, petting zoo, and even pictures with Santa.

On Christmas Eve, celebrate Christmas with our beautiful Candlelight Services. Afterwards come enjoy snacks and sing carols around a bonfire while you wait for a ride in a horse drawn carriage.

Why you should bring someone - Both of these are perfect opportunities to bring family and friends.  Pray about whom you can bring to these Christmas Experiences.

Help your family to remember, "Christmas doesn't come from a store...maybe Christmas means a little bit more."

Photo Credit

Joy Conspiracy

Joy to the world, the Lord has come! To save and rescue, redeem and heal, restore and repair, and give life.  This year we want the world to know the good news.  That's what the Joy Conspiracy is all about.

Another year is nearly over and we wanted to thank you for being apart of Washington Cathedral. We hope you and your family have an Merry Christmas and wish you a very Happy New Year!

FAQ:

What - We are throwing Christmas parties throughout the community and  spreading the joy. Most parties will include caroling, Christmas stories, Christmas games, and yummy treats.  Each party will be different depending on the location. Some might include a visit from Santa Clause and cookie decorating or spreading Christmas joy through Christmas carols.

Where - We have selected a few places to go and serve from hospitals to shelters and even to the mall.

When - We are having these parties throughout the month of December.

Why - To share the good news of Christmas.  We want the families of our church to be ambassadors of the love of Christ all the world.

So check out the flyer and contact us for more information about a specific party.  Stop by the connection center in our foyer for all the details of Contact Rey at rey.diaz@wacathedral.org