Uplook - November 29, 2025
Happy Saturday Evening,
Tomorrow marks the first Sunday of the Advent season. As you may know, we traveled this year for Thanksgiving. Our trip was about 750 miles round trip by car. With holiday traffic, that amounted to about 13 hours in the car. Just a couple of weeks ago, Lori and I travelled to Chicago by airplane. The roundtrip distance for that trip was about 3,500 miles but we spent about the same amount of time traveling.
All this travel caused my mind to wander and wonder about the Magi and the trip which they made to see the Christ child. While we only know they came "from the east" scholars suggest that perhaps they came from Babylon (about 400 miles) but more likely they came from ancient Persia (Modern Iran) which was a trip of 800-900 miles. There were obviously no automobiles or airplanes and the distance was traversed at best by camel and worst on foot which means it was from a month to perhaps 4 months. We traveled to see family members who were loved and valued while the Magi traveled to see the "King of the Jews" ...the Jewish Messiah/Christ. As my mind continued to wonder and wander about travel, I thought of the distance beyond measure which Jesus took from His hallowed place at the right hand of the Father to a lowly manger bed in a cave or stable in Bethlehem. I suppose all of this puts our travel into some perspective. We usually travel either for things or people we love or for necessary tasks that must be performed. Jesus did both of those...loving us enough to make the trip which was so necessary because of the sin which separates all humanity from their loving Creator.
And yes of course we had a nice Thanksgiving, but never want to lose sight of why we are truly thankful...not just for blessings but because of a God who loved us enough to send His unique and one-of-a-kind Son, just so our family tie with Him could be renewed. A good way to start the Advent season I think, don't you?
Housekeeping Notes:
Card Rack - There is a card rack in the Narthex where you may place Christmas cards for those who regularly attend church in person. Please DO NOT place cards there which need to be mailed as we cannot do that for you.
Camp meeting Sign up - I have been informed that the Portland HQ website link will open registration for 2026 Portland Camp meeting on December 1. Dates for that camp are June 28-July 12. They want me to remind you to register early since accommodations are limited. Also, for those who are renting rooms/cabins, full payment will be needed to secure reservations. No payment is needed for those wishing to stay in cabins without utilities. Sanctuary Refurbish - It is our plan to refurbish the entire first floor of the church during the month of January. Paint, new carpet, and new pews will all be installed, Lord willing. This may disrupt the schedule and seating for several Sundays after the New Year and I wanted you all to be award of the changes. Please pray all goes smoothly.
Blessings
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
Tomorrow marks the first Sunday of the Advent season. As you may know, we traveled this year for Thanksgiving. Our trip was about 750 miles round trip by car. With holiday traffic, that amounted to about 13 hours in the car. Just a couple of weeks ago, Lori and I travelled to Chicago by airplane. The roundtrip distance for that trip was about 3,500 miles but we spent about the same amount of time traveling.
All this travel caused my mind to wander and wonder about the Magi and the trip which they made to see the Christ child. While we only know they came "from the east" scholars suggest that perhaps they came from Babylon (about 400 miles) but more likely they came from ancient Persia (Modern Iran) which was a trip of 800-900 miles. There were obviously no automobiles or airplanes and the distance was traversed at best by camel and worst on foot which means it was from a month to perhaps 4 months. We traveled to see family members who were loved and valued while the Magi traveled to see the "King of the Jews" ...the Jewish Messiah/Christ. As my mind continued to wonder and wander about travel, I thought of the distance beyond measure which Jesus took from His hallowed place at the right hand of the Father to a lowly manger bed in a cave or stable in Bethlehem. I suppose all of this puts our travel into some perspective. We usually travel either for things or people we love or for necessary tasks that must be performed. Jesus did both of those...loving us enough to make the trip which was so necessary because of the sin which separates all humanity from their loving Creator.
And yes of course we had a nice Thanksgiving, but never want to lose sight of why we are truly thankful...not just for blessings but because of a God who loved us enough to send His unique and one-of-a-kind Son, just so our family tie with Him could be renewed. A good way to start the Advent season I think, don't you?
Housekeeping Notes:
Card Rack - There is a card rack in the Narthex where you may place Christmas cards for those who regularly attend church in person. Please DO NOT place cards there which need to be mailed as we cannot do that for you.
Camp meeting Sign up - I have been informed that the Portland HQ website link will open registration for 2026 Portland Camp meeting on December 1. Dates for that camp are June 28-July 12. They want me to remind you to register early since accommodations are limited. Also, for those who are renting rooms/cabins, full payment will be needed to secure reservations. No payment is needed for those wishing to stay in cabins without utilities. Sanctuary Refurbish - It is our plan to refurbish the entire first floor of the church during the month of January. Paint, new carpet, and new pews will all be installed, Lord willing. This may disrupt the schedule and seating for several Sundays after the New Year and I wanted you all to be award of the changes. Please pray all goes smoothly.
Blessings
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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