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METALINE FALLS – Christmas is such a beautiful – and stressful – time of the year. This past Christmas was a bit of a “I’ve got to power through” time.
Back to Christmas, or rather the Advent/ Christmas season…. Our sanctuary furnace went down in November and the company we had been using (unsuccessfully) for a number of years) couldn’t get to us until after Christmas.
We moved worship into our basement “Fireside Room” (the other wing has its own furnace – the two wings were built ten years apart), but I was determined to have our traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve service in the sanctuary. Word went out to bundle up (that evening it was actually 55 degrees in the building, so more than manageable!). We had so many families and friends attend! It was simply holy and wonderful.
But even the best of situations can have a hick-up. Ours that evening was that both Donivan and I had “the crud”. I was able to power through (although I pretty much quit singing by the seventh hymn…). Our problem was that Donivan just wasn’t able to make the service. With about ten minutes before we were to begin, I was talking over the contingency plan with Trish Fairbairn: I’d hit an opening pitch, and we’d sing the first verse (maybe two) acapella – without piano! When it comes to the traditional Christmas hymns, I knew we could do this.
What I didn’t know was that a certain person was listening to my conversation. Suddenly this answer to a prayer says to me, “I’ve got all my music in the car. I can play!”
And there we were, with a pianist and the pastor, and dozens of candles lit as we welcomed the Christ Child in our worship.
This missive is my thank you to our musical angel, Maria Dispenza, for her gift of music for all of us that night. Yes, we could have managed, but what you gave to all of us – from prelude to postlude and ten hymns in between – was something I can never say thank you to you enough. Blessings on your generosity, your gift, and your joy in our worship!
PS: We have a new furnace company and heat in the building again!
Come join us!
Tree of Sharing’s generosity and joy The North Pend Oreille Tree of Sharing gave out gifts for 89 children in 2024. This is a record number for the organization – over 15 more than in 2023. There were many parents who expressed their gratitude when they picked up the bags (a bag for each child with a requested gift as well as additional gifts of toys, books or clothes).
The joy for the volunteers is knowing that the children all enjoyed their Christmas morning because of the time and generosity of so many.
The volunteers this year included Lynn Barnes, Trish Fairbairn, Kathy Grass, Joyce Evans, and Tara Leininger. Cash donations and gift purchases were from many anonymous individuals, as well as financial support from Boundary Dam employees and the NPOV Lion’s Club.
The NPO Tree of Sharing is a non-profit organization, taken care of by only volunteers and the financial generosity of individuals, businesses, and organizations.
Thanks to all of these are extended from the NPO Tree of Sharing volunteer officers.
For more information on the NPO Tree of Sharing, contact Lynn Barnes or Tara Leininger at the Metaline Falls Congregational UCC at 509-4463301.
