Sunday Service 10:00 am

Hello Church Family,

          Joseph Campbell once said, "We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, to accept the life that is waiting for us." This idea resonates deeply with George Bailey’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” journey.

          George had big dreams of traveling the world, attending college and building skyscrapers, but life had other plans. Each time George was on the verge of pursuing his aspirations, unexpected circumstances—his father’s death, the Great Depression, and his brother’s success—pulled him back to his hometown of Bedford Falls.

          Throughout the film, George’s struggle is not just with external challenges but also with his sense of what his life is supposed to be. His journey is one of learning to release the dreams he had for himself and finding value and purpose in the life that unfolded instead. He had to let go of his original plans and, through a series of sacrifices, accept the path that was waiting for him—one that involved being a cornerstone of his community and making a profound impact on the lives of those around him.

          This week, as we reflect on the power of "Life," George Bailey’s story reminds us that while life doesn’t always go as planned, there’s a more extraordinary design at work. Sometimes, our biggest disappointments pave the way for our most meaningful contributions.

          George’s ultimate realization—that his life had been rich with purpose all along—teaches us that the unplanned and unexpected often bring us exactly where we are meant to be. As George discovers, the challenge is to let go of our need to control and trust in the unfolding of life’s greater plan.

Michael Small

Minister Assistant

SLAA, Peer Support, HIV Support

Who is Bill Brooks?

- Bill Brooks has performed and traveled throughout Europe and the United States. He was most recently seen on Broadway in the Irish Rep.’s benefit concert of CAMELOT with Melissa Erico and Jeremy Irons at the Schubert Theatre. He has played a variety of roles including Chein in EVITA, Gus/Growltiger in the Hamburg production of CATS, Tateh in RAGTIME, Zaza in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, Old Soldier/Judge Roan in PARADE, and appeared Off-Broadway in DISAPPEARING ACT.

 

Bill was a 1998 Cabaret Fellow at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, CT and won a 2005 BACK STAGE BISTRO AWARD for “Best Musical Comedy Act” as co-creator, producer and performer in 3 TENORS IN SEARCH OF AN ACT! He has also directed and coached other performers including FOUR GALS SINGING and the debut duo act MAKE YOUR OWN PARTY. 

 

In 2009, he released a demo CD entitled GRATEFUL and in 2015 he released his 2nd CD, BILL BROOKS LIVE AT UNITY OF NEW YORK recorded at Symphony Space in NYC.  And now, UnitySpiritual Center Albuquerque is blessed to have him as a regular soloist!