The easy and hard simple

With clockwork precision, calendar time brings to us the holidays, when life’s layers are revisited. As we gather, the layers peel away as getting and giving, forgetting, forgiving and remembering exposes our intransigent, persistent irreverence.

We gloss over our joys and past grievances with turkey and ham, eggnog, cider, ritual, tradition, civility and warm remembrances. The season is not without its burdens. Life offers two simples. One is an easy amble in the sun, stumbling upon the obvious lucky penny and saying, “Look what I found!” The other lies dormant, agitated into existence as preconceived beliefs die amid life’s unexpected realities. Sometimes truth is a hard simple.

The calendar hums along, whistling as it walks, disguising its secrets with a smile and a smirk. Time always has an “I told you so” attitude. My response to life, “Don’t bother me now, I’m busy!”

The good book explains. In John’s gospel, chapter 9, there is an extraordinary record of Jesus, the agitator, healing a blind man. Following his healing, the Pharisees confront him. The tension builds as they attempt to get him to deny Jesus. “The man answered and said to them, ‘Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes!’” (John 9: 30).

At chapter’s end, the Pharisees challenge Jesus, “Are we blind also?” Jesus responds, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore, your sin remains.” Jesus exposed their hearts. The holidays evoke the same damn disturbance in me. It’s an uneasy ambivalence. John’s recording reveals a truth. Yes, there is the obvious one — Jesus came so we may see. And emerging from the obvious is our Lord’s tendency to disturb us. As we live outward, we are called to look inward. And looking, we are called to confront and change a convenient “we want it when we want it” faith. We are called to re-examine our man-made rules, to walk daily, noticing and naming those preconceptions deserving our attention and effort and death.

Thanksgiving to Christmas, that calendar time with layers, agitates me toward such reflection. But reflection without change is just memory. Because Jesus came to save me, to disturb and challenge me, I am called to respond. The Psalmist says, “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; Keep back your servant from presumptuous sins.” (Psalm 19:7,8,13)

Salvation is never a presumptuous endeavor. A walk is only a walk when one step follows another. Contemplating its meaning, the season urges me to take the next one. Good things are not always an easy simple. The season engenders a bonhomie in me sharing space with Jesus’ discomposing love. Because it does, I know I am saved and cannot rest.

Trinity Episcopal parishioners pray during a “time of prayer and reflection” at the church on the one-year anniversary of the deadly wildfire that swept through Gatlinburg, Tenn. Eight families who worship at the church lost their homes.

Adairsville Church of God, 297 Old Dixie Highway, Adairsville, hosts Adairsville Church of God Kidz every Sunday morning at 11 a.m.

will join together for a community Christmas brunch, “United in Faith,” with fellowship, food and with a visit from Santa on Dec. 9 from 10:30 a.m.-noon at the Cave Spring Community Center, 10 Georgia Ave., Cave Spring.

3773 Black’s Bluff Road, will host Brotherhood Breakfast on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. The Rev. Cheyenne Russell will be the guest speaker. For more information contact director Jerry Jacobs at 706-238-9060.

100 E. Fourth Ave., holds Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 a.m. Worship is held at 11 a.m. and broadcast on Comcast channel 44. For more information visit www.fbcrome.org. The church will host the Three Rivers Singers, a 60-member community chorus, presenting “The Angels Sang on High” on Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. The concert will feature a collection of sacred and secular seasonal choral arrangements accompanied by piano, organ and chamber orchestra. Admission is free. For more information visit the Three Rivers Singers Facebook page, threeriverssingers.org or call Lynn at 706-232-7411.

209 E. Second Ave., holds Sunday worship (casual/business casual dress) at 11 a.m. Sunday School meets at 10 a.m. Morning Coffee is each Thursday from 7-9 a.m. For more information contact the church office at romedisciples@gmail.com.

445 E. 14th St., will celebrate “The Reason for the Season” with a Christmas banquet fellowship on Dec. 9 from 6-9 p.m. at the Bekaert Union Hall, 301 Darlington Drive. The menu will consist of grilled salmon, Cornish hen, asparagus, yellow rice, seafood dressing, green beans, wild rice, cornbread dressing, rolls, salad, Mt. Calvary velvet cake, iced tea and water. There will be special entertainment. Tickets are $20 for singles, $30 for couples, $7 for ages 7-12, and free for ages 6 and younger. The attire for the occasion is semiformal. For more information called 706-234-2091 or 706-234-5047 or contact Sister Martha Donaldson, Sister Marion Johnson or Sister Chloe Garth-Fielder.

1233 Martin Luther King Blvd., will host “Sons of Thunder” on Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. The Rev. Derrick McDaniel of New Victory Ministries C.M.E. Church and the Rev. Reginald McDaniel of Mount Tabor Baptist Church, Armuchee, will be preaching. For more information call Ellis Kinnebrew at 770749-9013.

is selling their third cookbook, “Feeding the Flock.” Cookbooks can be purchased from any church member. To receive a cookbook by mail, send $13 to Lyerly United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 152, Lyerly, GA 30730. For more information call JoAnn Mitchell at 706-895-2636.

1915 Huffaker Road, will host “Bring It Down” Breakfast on Saturday from 8-10 a.m. Breakfast is $5 a plate. For more information call 706-232-6222. Meals include eggs, grits, sausage, biscuits and gravy, juice and coffee. Santa will be the special guest. The Adult Choir will present “O Little Town of Bethlehem” arranged by Russell Mauldin for the special Christmas music on Dec. 17 at 10:30 a.m.

835 County Road 115, Cedar Bluff, Alabama, will host the Israelite Travelers as they celebrate 52 years of service on Sunday at 3 p.m.

30 Orchard Road, Adairsville, hosts Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered recovery program, every Monday night. Cross Talk Cafe at 6 p.m., large group worship at 7 p.m. and open share groups at 8 p.m. Visit www.northpointechurch.com or contact Kitty at 404-642-3605 for more information.

The

will hold First Saturday Fellowship Service on Saturday at 9:45 a.m. with Pastor Carey Ingram and Lovejoy Baptist Church, 436 Branham Ave.

5603 Alabama Highway, holds prayer every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. The church is selling 1-pound bags of pecans for $10 each. Call 706-232-4431 for more information.

500 N. Division St., will have their 12 Tribes of Israel program on Sunday at 3 p.m.

735 Old Summerville Road, holds a praise and worship service Sundays at 10:45 a.m. in the fellowship hall with music by Ben Thornton and the Praise Band. A blended service is held at the same time in the sanctuary. The church will host the second annual Snowflake Ball on Saturday at 5 p.m. The ball is a semiformal for individuals with special needs ages sixth grade and up. The night will include dancing, crafts and refreshments. For more information contact Sandra at 706-7662996 or Sandra.Baggett@vikings.berry. edu or Emily at 706-766-3676 or Emily. Wallace25@uga.edu.

17 Burnett Ferry Road, will celebrate their grand opening service at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

202 E. Third Ave., offers contemporary worship in the Garnett M. Wilder Center at 9 a.m. and traditional worship in the historic sanctuary at 11 a.m. Sunday School and small groups for all ages meet at 10 a.m.

42 Ash St., meets Sundays at 9:30 a.m. For more information call 706-506-1241.

911 N. Broad St., offers Saturday vigil Masses at 5:30 p.m. in English and at 7 p.m. in Spanish; Sunday Masses are 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. in English and at 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. in Spanish. The parish will offer “Brunch with St. Nicholas” on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for children in the Parish Hall featuring crafts, games and food. Confirmation candidates will meet on Saturday at the St. Mary’s Catholic School Gym at 8:30 a.m. for the Confirmation Retreat. EDGE, the Middle School Youth Ministry program, meets on Sunday in the Parish Hall from 4-6 p.m. The Parish’s Ladies Winter Social and Holiday Dinner will be on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.; contact the church office for additional information and to register to attend. For additional information on any church activities or programs contact the church office at 706-290-9000 or at DeaconNeslin@smcrome.org.

101 E. Fourth Ave., offers services of Holy Eucharist at 8:30 a.m. in the chapel and 10 a.m. in the church each Sunday. A service of Holy Eucharist in Spanish is offered Sundays at 5 p.m. in the chapel. Midweek Eucharist services are held on Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m. and on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel. Nursery is offered during the 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist. Children’s Chapel is also available for children ages pre-K through third grade during the 10 a.m. service. Christian formation and Sunday School are offered for children, youth and adults at 11:15 a.m. on Sundays. For more information visit www.stpetersrome.org or call 706-2919111.

801 E. Second Ave., holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. and services with the Rev. Millie Kim at 11 a.m. The church will host “A Night in Bethlehem,” a free community event with activities for children on Dec. 9 from 1-4 p.m. Families can tour the village of Bethlehem in the first century A.D. with booths where they will work together to make projects or watch live demonstrations. Booths include a metal shop, painter’s hut, carpentry shop, scribe’s tent, pottery shed and the Bethlehem Bakery. There will be a live Nativity in the stable. For more information call David Gresham at 706-237-7146 or visit www.2aveumc.org.

6 Old Rockmart Road, Lindale, holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. The Rev. Camille Josey will lead the 11 a.m. worship service. The sermon title is “Making Plans.” The Old Testament Scripture passage is Jeremiah 29:1-4, 14 and the New Testament Scripture Passage is John 14:27. For more information contact Janet Farr at 706-3467268.

and will host Silent Night, a drive-through Nativity experience, Dec. 9-10 from 6-8:30 p.m. nightly at 2636 Chulio Road. Admission is free. Rain dates are Dec. 16-17. For more information call 706-234-1220 or email springcreekbc@bellsouth.net.

1981 Kingston Road, will celebrate its 148th anniversary Sunday at 3 p.m. Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, presiding prelate of the 6th Episcopal District AME Church of Georgia, will be the speaker. Dinner will be served at 1:30 p.m. For more information call the Rev. Dr. Sherryl Powell at 404-3740955 or the church at 706-235-7113.

will be distributing free winter clothing for women and men on Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in back of the Good Neighbor Ministries building in the parking lot of Rome First United Methodist Church, 202 E. Third Ave.

304 Coker Drive, will celebrate Holy Eucharist on Sunday at 11 a.m. On Wednesday, Al-Anon will meet in the parish hall at noon and there will be a healing service with Holy Eucharist at 6 p.m.

1941 Shorter Ave., holds Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 a.m. Worship is at 11 a.m. The Rev. Greg Lund will preach a sermon titled “Ripping Open the Gift.” A nursery is provided. The church will hold their annual “Hanging of the Greens” Advent service Sunday evening at 6 p.m. Members of the congregation will decorate the sanctuary as the significance of each decoration for Advent and Christmas is explained. The service concludes with members and visitors placing traditional Christmas ornaments on the tree. For more information call 706-235-8561.

1003 Shorter Ave., will observe the first Sunday of Advent at 11 a.m. this Sunday. The sermon, “As We Wait,” will come from Mark 13:24-37. On Dec. 10 the church choir will present the story of Christmas through music. For more information visit the church website at www.westromeumc.org, call 706-234-6214 or email wrumc@bellsouth.net.