Red Hymnals

Hello, and good day! Again, it has been quite a while since I have updated, and I will be trying to get better at it. I only have a few things to share, most of them about the beginning of Spring semester here at PTS. Before I do that, however, let me share with you my Sunday church experience.

1st Church. First Presbyterian Church of Weatherly [PC(USA)] in my home town was the first ever Presbyterian church I attended. To be completely honest, I wasn't even sure they were still a church (low membership numbers averaging about ten in worship on Sundays), but I was happy to be invited by my best buddy to go with her and her grandfather on Sunday. Usually, if I am home for a weekend, I just leave really early Sunday mornings and catch the worship service in West Chester on my way back to school. Last Sunday, I decided to stay and spend an extra half day in Weatherly. Anyway, I went to First Pres Weatherly: 11 in worship counting the organist, reusable bulletins, cold church, no kids, red hymnals (1955), RSV Bibles, one usher, one minister, and God. And that's all we needed.

New Classes! Hooray for variety! Ugh, I was getting tired and sick of all that Hebrew with nothing else to study to give me a break! But, lucky for me, I have five other classes in addition to Hebrew this semester!
     New Testament
     Hebrew Exegesis: Women in OT Narratives
     Pastoral Care: Theory and Practice
     Speech Communication: Body Language and Delivery
     Psalms in Christian Worship
     ASL (not for credit)
I am very excited about this lineup of classes, especially Psalms... well, and Pastoral Care... and Exegesis... and NT... and ASL... and Speech. I am just really, really excited about this semester! Whoop whoop!

Well, there is nothing else too crazy (minus the regular exciting things) going on over here in the Christian bubble, so I will update as more and more excitement enters my life. Until next time, God Bless! =)

Light(s) of the World

As some of you may or may not know, I have quite a sketchy memory. My brain decides to remember and forget things according to its own will. Therefore, I apologize that I forgot to mention something for about the past two weeks. Here at the seminary, we publish something called "Testament." It is basically a small biyearly journal of different student submissions. This semester's Testament includes sermons, poems, reflections, prayers, and pictures. I highly recommend checking it out: http://ptsem.edu/

Carols of Many Nations. Wow. What a wonderful concert! This included all three choirs and about a bazillion different languages! It was all Christmas music, and there were a few hymns where everyone got to sing (which I particularly appreciated)! Some Anthems were sung completely in other languages! AWESOME! Oh, and I forgot about the descants in some of these hymns--can you say goosebumps and tingles! Yay! We definitely were in full Christmas mode last night. The concert ended with the passing of light, Silent Night, and Joy to the World. I am totally ready for Christmas Eve! The concert was really awesome and uplifting! Go choir friends, you rock!

 
Christmas Lights. Let me just tell you all how difficult it is to make ropelight (or lightrope or whatever it is called) look good anywhere except a porch. It's ridiculous! It's my only source of real Christmas decoration in my room, and it won't even stay put. Stupid lights. I have to go get some real lights--you know, the ones that don't weigh a ton and will easily stay up with thumbtacks or tape. Anyway, moving on--a very dear friend of mine made a suggestion the other day that we should simply drive around looking for Christmas lights! I love love love this idea! I used to do it when I was younger, except we always went to Bethlehem, PA because they have the best lights around (that I know of). So, hopefully, maybe sometime this weekend (for a study break), some of us can just jump in a car and go light-seeing (haha, like "sightseeing"). It should be fun fun fun! =)

Oh, but check out this awesome picture I stumbled upon:

I am one day away from the end of classes for the semester! And then onto finals week! AND THEN ONTO CHRISTMAS EVE WEEK! YAY!

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

 Matthew 5:14-16

May the peace of Christ Jesus be with you all!

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

It's still ADVENT TIME!

Compliments to KO

O Come, O Come Emmanuel. So, some of you may be thinking: what is up with Ashley's obsession with Advent and especially with O Come, O Come Emmanuel? To you I would say--that's a fair question. First and foremost, I love love love advent! It's the most awesome time of the year for me, and when I feel closest to God (I'm sure it helps that the term "God with us" is thrown around all of the time during this season). As for the hymn, it's by far my favorite--although, I must admit that I am slightly disappointed that the Presbyterian Hymnal only includes three of eight verses. I am convinced this hymn it will never ever ever get old, and the words are very deep and meaningful! Read parts of Isaiah or Psalm 74 and then sing O Come, O Come Emmanuel--you'll get some goosebumps. =) ...well at least I do. 

Wait. You know, I'm starting to get pretty good at this waiting stuff. I get the vibe that many people do not particularly enjoy waiting, but I am usually not too antsy or impatient about things. I am one of those "savor-the-journey" kind of people, and not a "get-to-the-destination" person. This is not to say that there is anything wrong with the latter. Quite on the contrary, I would argue that I am the weird one. This is probably another reason I love advent. If, however, you cannot relate to me... you may be able to relate to many Psalmist who proclaim, "How long, O Lord..." So, crack open those Bibles right to the middle and check out what some of the psalmists have to say about waiting!

Candlelight Christmas Concert. You know what else I love? My church! Uh huh, that's right--best church in the world if you ask me! =) This is why I was oober excited about today! I went to Sunday school, Worship, and then.... to the Candlelight Christmas Concert where there was SINGING and MUSIC and HYMNS and SINGING and O COME, O COME EMMANUEL and AWESOMENESS and ADVENT EVERYWHERE and DECORATIONS and PEOPLE and FELLOWSHIP and COOKIES! Oh what a wonderful day! And my brother even joined me for the concert! I am so grateful for how ridiculously blessed I am! I hope and pray that I am blessed to be a blessing unto others!

CPE. And finally, as if this amazing second Sunday of advent could not get any better, I got an acceptance email from a Clinical Pastoral Education center in North Dakota! Whooo! I'm gonna see what God has to say about this before I dive in headfirst, and I ask, if you're feeling up to it, that you pray for it too! =)

Well, that is certainly enough rambling for one night! I hope all of your advents are going well! All the best and God bless!

It's Advent!

My first day back made me realize two things: (1) I really missed this place; (2) I really needed that break! Phew! I had quite a wonderful break thanks to many, many people! It was very much filled with joy and fun:

TV. I haven't watched tv in 3 months (not kidding), and the first thing I see when I turn on the tube... black friday commericals. Good job America. I got to watch some football, and the Ellen DeGeneres show! Yay!

Food. I am in no place to scrutinize any food served at any institution, so I will just say that it was good to have some home cooked meals. It's been awhile.

Hockey. Both watched and played. WBS Penguins lost to Hershey in a shootout, but we went with a fun crowd (and I got to eat dippin dots with my best buddy)! Then, the pickup roller game was quite competitive.

Soreness. I practiced with my high school basketball team, worked out more than usual (running, situps, and pushups), played with my dogs, and played a three hour roller hockey game. Results: I will be sore for the rest of the week.

Church. Guess what? It's Advent! WHOOOOOOOOOO! I love advent! Love it! L-O-V-E it! Oh, it's simply wonderful! Best hymns of the year, if you ask me! And liturgical purple! And candles! And Jesus! And joy! And waiting... oh, I am eager for the waiting. Plus, it really highlights some of the best parts of scripture! Oh joy! I'm really excited! Anyway, I got to spend the first Sunday of advent in West Chester! What a blessing, indeed! Boy, do I love my church family. What wonderful people! =) It's really an excellent place! And... in case anyone was wondering... we sang O Come O Come Emmanuel in chapel this morning--my FAVORITE! Eeeek, I am ridiculously happy!

Well, I'm back in the bubble! What an excellent break! I very grateful to have wonderful friends to come back to, too! Now, if only the weather will catch up with us... hello, it's advent! Where's the snow, and frosty weather?! I'm not complaining, though, it makes travel easier when it is 60 degree outside! Be seeing you again soon, FPCWC family! Until then, the Lord be with each and every one of you! =)