Here we are, just days into a New Year, and many of us have already lost the wonder and excitement of beginning a new year. We may have celebrated on New Year's Eve and had grand visions for this new season, but already we have fallen back into comfortable routines and familiar patterns. How might we be inspired to carry the hope of a new year into and through the months to come? The Magi (whom many of us know as the Three Wise Men of Christmas) had a long journey to find the Christ Child. Commitment, community, and a sense of curiosity encouraged them on an uncertain journey. May we find that their story inspires us to enthusiastically journey into this new year with our own sense of hope and wonderment. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGwf_1a-Tlw

Happy New Year!

Fitness Clubs and Diet Plan marketers are taking advantage of the seasonal urge to renew ourselves. As the calendar turns over a new year, many of us feel the desire to turn over a new leaf in ourselves. The allure of a new body or renewed health makes the gym membership tempting. The new year is also a time we might turn the page of our spiritual lives. What can we leave behind of the old year, celebrate of today, and work towards over the next twelve months that could enliven and deepen our relationship with God? On this New Year's Eve at Union Chapel Indy we celebrate the God of our yesterdays, today, and tomorrows, and look forward to a year of renewed faith. Worship Link: https://www.facebook.com/UnionChapelIndy/videos/278946768138739

Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols

Wherever you journey this night, this week, this next year... - to the streets and neighborhoods - across your office to a co-worker - down the street to the new family that just moved in... ...go with God to be light and love to a world in need of all that God gives... - Hope - Love - Joy and - Peace.... - Share generously the light and love of Christmas... Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw4Xf3ZeWpI

There are so many beautiful Christmas Carols to enjoy this time of year. And near the top of every list of favorites is "Silent Night." Maybe it is beloved for its beautiful, lilting melody - or maybe for its poetic words that paint such beautiful images in our mind. Or maybe it is so loved because it calls us to be still in the middle of a hectic season and in that quiet, lift our hearts to the One who is born Savior on the most holy of nights. And while we may know that any night on which is baby is born is not really a silent night, we can be assured that as we draw near the Babe of Bethlehem, we will find peace and rest. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udOOtwVk1F4

One of the joys of Christmas music is the stories that the songs tell. The ten stanzas of "Frosty the Snowman" tell us all about Frosty, from his creation to his fun antics to his departure and promise to "be back again someday." The touching song "The Christmas Shoes" tugs at our heartstrings as we meet a little boy seeking to get a gift of new shoes for his ailing mother because he wants "her to look beautiful if mama meets Jesus tonight." And "O Little Town of Bethlehem" transports us to the place where Jesus was born as we also learn of the people and events of that world-changing story. As we sing the songs of Christmas, we are reminded that the story that took place so long ago, in the "little town of Bethlehem," is also a story for us today. "O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!" Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ5Ydv1mAOc

It has been famously said, "Where words fail, music speaks." (Hans Christian Andersen) Maybe that's why Christmas music holds such a special place in our hearts. Our hopes for the season are so deep and so profound that words often fail us. But the music we sing gives voice to those hopes and wishes... giving life to the deepest desires of our hearts. As we sing of that "holy night" when "the stars are brightly shining," we reflect not only on the beauty of the Christmas event, we also pray that "the gospel of peace" will reign in the world and that "all oppression shall cease." This year in both word and song, we celebrate the Prince of Peace, come to us in the infant Jesus. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igDaWRsrc5I

Christmas music holds a special place in our hearts. From the fun and lively "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree" to the holy and tender "Silent Night," we love what the music adds to the season and our celebrations. Many of us first learned the story of Jesus' birth from these songs. And, many of us have Christmas songs that are special to us because they connect us with a memory or person. This season we let the songs of Christmas guide our worship and prepare our hearts for the arrival of the baby Jesus. "Sing We Now of Christmas" as we celebrate the season and anticipate Christ's arrival. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4H9mT8JZ6g&t=2293s

Yay God! (Thanksgiving Sunday)

Many have been credited with coining the phrase, "talk the talk and walk the walk," which means to match one's efforts with one's words. The fact is that the gist of the phrase shows up repeatedly in various forms from the time of ancient philosophers to modern-day writers and leaders. At its heart, it's a phrase that invites someone to prove that they mean what they say by doing, living, and acting out those things. Not only has Union Chapel Indy been faithful in the last year in "walking the talk" by its faithfulness in outreach and mission, this week we also celebrate the One who is ultimately faithful in fulfilling their promises. This week we say, "Yay, God!" for God's faithfulness to show up in real and practical ways in and through the ministry and mission of Union Chapel Indy. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJdoR9xJ5VE

Recipe for Joy

With the traditional Thanksgiving Feast just days away, many of us are pulling out our recipe books and preparing to pour our hearts into our favorite dishes. Our efforts will include all the best quality ingredients, careful measuring and mixing, and lots of love. All with the hopes that the food we prepare and serve and make for a special and memorable gathering. This is also the time of year we look for the perfect blending of experiences, decorations, gifts, and embellishments to make for a special and memorable season. If we can only pull together the best, most special, grandest elements, we will truly have a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas. Scripture invites us to consider another recipe for joy. One that doesn't have anything to do with tinsel or packages, but everything to do with ingredients like gentleness, hope, time with God and others, and the secret sauce - gratitude. This week we whip up some thanksgiving to make for a truly memorable holiday. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkMLtUXcd8g

Make a Joyful Noise (of Thanks)

As we move quickly from the Halloween celebrations and the seasonal fall festivities to launch right into Christmas planning, preparation, and celebrating, it's easy to overlook this season of Thanksgiving. We're busy raking leaves, making holiday plans with extended family, and beginning the annual stress over gift shopping, giving, and receiving. But the church calendar invites a short season of reflection, and yes - thanksgiving. The church calendar actually begins its new year on the first Sunday of Advent, this year on December 3. And so as we close out this church year, we take a few weeks to remember, give thanks for, and celebrate God's goodness to us in every season. This week we "make a joyful noise to the Lord!" as we discover more fully what it means to "give thanks." Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0U5rymqy40&t=4s

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