Celebrate joy with us on Gaudete Sunday

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Rejoicing together on Gaudete Sunday

Happy Pink Sunday weekend! More specifically, I pray you are excited and ready to join me in celebrating the little-known but beautiful church holiday known as “Gaudete Sunday” or “Rejoice/Joy Sunday”.

Honored on the third Sunday of Advent, we join Mary in reciting the Magnificat, her song of joy after receiving the news that she will be the mother of Jesus. We dance and sing with the shepherds who received the good news of Jesus’s upcoming birth. We also contemplate how the joy of this moment continues to inspire followers of Jesus for generations, helping them find hope, build peace, and experience authentic joy on their discipleship journey.

Joy becomes wildly important, especially when the path is challenging. Joy contributes to our resilience, from helping us regulate our central nervous system to reigniting our faith. In spaces where tyrants seek to control through fear or isolation, finding places of joy together becomes an act of resistance. I pray that you find and make space to rejoice this season. The most powerful world-changing work is done by those who are able to celebrate the opportunity to be part of it!

We remember the evangelist, Paul, who sang aloud even in prison, and the poet-king, David, who praised God even in exile.

First text in Latin, translation follows

“Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. Modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus enim prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione et obsecratione cum gratiarum actione petitiones vestræ innotescant apud Deum.”

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.”

(from Philippians 4:4–6; Psalm 85:1)

Pastor Carla

This Advent season, join us in reflection, prayer, and study as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.

Advent study: The Journey by Adam Hamilton

Join Rev. Deb and Pastor Carla for an in-person, four-week Advent study based on Rev. Adam Hamilton’s The Journey. This fascinating look at the birth of Jesus takes participants from Nazareth to Bethlehem, using history, archaeology, and reflection to explore the meaning of Christ’s coming.

• When: Friday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m.
• Where: Luther Hall
• Cost: Book available on Amazon for about $10
• Video: Available through Amplify Media
• Register: Email PastorCarla@BridgeBuilder.church to sign up (walk-ins welcome).

Advent contemplative prayer group

During the Advent season, join us for contemplative prayer focused on Lectio Divina, or sacred reading. Together we will meditate on scripture and the themes of the Advent wreath: hope, peace, joy, and love.

• When: Mondays, Dec. 15 and 22, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
• Facilitators: Spiritual Director Gale Wenk du Pont and Pastor Carla Christopher
• Location: Online via Zoom

Register: Click here to sign up

Tax-free giving: Yes, it really can be that easy

Did somebody say free? Oh yes, we did.

If you are one of our “youngsters” who is over age 70 and have an IRA, you may make a direct distribution from your IRA to Community Lutheran Church. That distribution will not be taxable to you. This is called a Qualified Charitable Distribution, or QCD, because the IRS never met an abbreviation it did not like.

You may make a QCD at any time during the year, even right before year end (hint). As long as the distribution goes directly from your IRA trustee to the church without touching your pocket first, it will not be taxable.

Why is this good news?
A QCD can lower your taxable income, even if you take the standard deduction. If you itemize, a QCD may also reduce your adjusted gross income, which can help you qualify for more medical expense deductions. The only bad news is that for 2025 the maximum QCD is 108,000 dollars. Shucks.

If you are age 73 and required to take a minimum distribution (an RMD), a QCD may count toward that requirement. It is as easy as ABC. (Oh please, stop already.)

Your IRA trustee will still send you a 1099-R showing all distributions from your account. When preparing your tax return, the QCD amount may be excluded from income. So keep track of all QCDs to get the most bang for your buck.

Another tax saving gift option
If you have long-term appreciated stock that you would love to sell but do not want to pay the capital gains tax, we have a deal for you. You may donate that stock to Community Lutheran and:

• avoid capital gains tax
• receive a deduction for the fair market value
• support the church at the same time

Contact Jim Landis or me if your portfolio needs a little tax relief.

Happy giving.
David Nilsson, CPA, Treasurer

Trauma-informed Yoga

Focus on strength, balance, breathwork, and relaxation while learning techniques for chronic pain and healthy movement.

When: Dec. 17, Jan. 7, and Jan. 14, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Where: Community Lutheran Church
Who: All are welcome
Cost: Free

Homeless Persons’ Memorial Service

Join Pastor Carla and others for this interfaith candlelight service honoring those who have died without a place to call home.

When: Sunday, Dec. 21, 6 p.m.
Where: Our Lady of Lourdes, 528 E. Stein Hwy, Seaford, DE
Hosted by: Housing Alliance Delaware and community partners.

Friendly reminder: Updated contact emails

Please double-check the email address you’re using when reaching out to Community Lutheran staff. All accounts are now working correctly.

Contacts:

• Pastor Carla — pastorcarla@bridgebuilder.church
• Pastor Karis — pastor@bridgebuilder.church
• David Nilsson, Treasurer — treasurer@bridgebuilder.church
• Morgana Wilkes, Technology Support —  tech.clc.30897@gmail.com

Our ministry is always moving through worship, service, and care. Here’s what’s coming up at Community:

• December 14: Coffee and sweet treats between services
  • Council meeting after second service
• December 16: Food Pantry distribution
• December 24: Cocoa and Carols at 4:30 p.m. followed by Christmas Eve worship at 5 p.m.
• January 10: Creation Care Ministry Movie Night – Join us in Luther Hall to watch The Biggest Little Farm from 6-8 p.m. Pizza and popcorn included.

Community Lutheran’s fall Empowerment Campaign: a season of growth and vision

Community Lutheran is embarking on an exciting new chapter as we continue to grow in faith, service, and impact. This fall, we’re launching our Empowerment Campaign, a time to celebrate where we’ve been, cast vision for where we’re going, and invite everyone to play a vital role in sustaining and strengthening our shared ministry.

At the heart of this campaign is the introduction of our three Signature Ministries, which will help guide our mission through 2026 and beyond. These ministries reflect our deepest values and the unique call God has placed on this congregation.

Please remember to turn in your Statements of Intent if you have not already done so. Simply email to clcomarfinance@gmail.com.

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