Scriptures:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
Theme: Another Road
Hymns: #160 "Hark the Herald Angels Sing-- Jesus the Light of the World,"
#163 "Many are the Lightbeams," #164 "Arise Your Light Is Come"
The scriptures chosen for Sunday are actually those appointed for the day of Epiphany, January 6th, which is the 12th day of Christmas, and the day on which we celebrate the journey of the magi, their adoration of Jesus, and their departure by another road. The date and the length of the celebration of Christmas was designed to bridge the calendar: six days at the end of one year and six days at the beginning of the new year. The story of the magi is told each year as a cautionary tale, reminding us that a new year is for turning to new roads. It is a call to repentance, and an invitation to transformation.
What well-traveled roadways must be abandoned, and where is the alternate route into the new year?
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
For December 28, 2008
Scriptures:
Isaiah 61:10 - 62:3
Psalm 148
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
The Scriptures appointed for the Pastor's birthday (subtile, eh?) sing of hope for the future. Isaiah promises that the nation which has suffered humiliation will be vindicated. The psalm echoes the praise of all creation. In the letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul interprets the meaning of Christ's coming: that we may all be children of God and heirs of God's covenant with the people Israel. And on the Sunday after Christmas, we read of Simeon and Anna, the old dears of the temple, rejoicing in the presentation of the baby Jesus.
You know, since most of my family have passed on, their presence is more dear, and more real to me then when they were living. And as my birthday approaches, I remember what my dad told me about the day I was born. He said he was in that hospital waiting room for hours, while day turned to night and day again and night again, knowing that something was very wrong. He prayed that he would not lose both his wife and baby. He believed a miracle happened that night, and I was his miracle child. He told me this when I was a depressed teenager, wondering what was the point of living. The fact that I lived was meaning enough for dad. Why would God have rescued me then if my life was meaningless? It was a simple faith, but strong enough to get us both through my teen years and his mid-life.
I offer this story as a companion piece for the Christmas stories, which do not have to be literally accurate to be true. Meaning is ascribed to a birth story in order to give hope for the future. Jesus was born. Like all babies, he was vulnerable, fragile; but he lived! And his life means something. Vindication for those who trust in God. Home for the spiritually homeless. Adoption as heirs for those who were orphaned. Wherever we are on our faith journey, it is sometimes enough to know that there is meaning to this life, and promise for a future.
Isaiah 61:10 - 62:3
Psalm 148
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
The Scriptures appointed for the Pastor's birthday (subtile, eh?) sing of hope for the future. Isaiah promises that the nation which has suffered humiliation will be vindicated. The psalm echoes the praise of all creation. In the letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul interprets the meaning of Christ's coming: that we may all be children of God and heirs of God's covenant with the people Israel. And on the Sunday after Christmas, we read of Simeon and Anna, the old dears of the temple, rejoicing in the presentation of the baby Jesus.
You know, since most of my family have passed on, their presence is more dear, and more real to me then when they were living. And as my birthday approaches, I remember what my dad told me about the day I was born. He said he was in that hospital waiting room for hours, while day turned to night and day again and night again, knowing that something was very wrong. He prayed that he would not lose both his wife and baby. He believed a miracle happened that night, and I was his miracle child. He told me this when I was a depressed teenager, wondering what was the point of living. The fact that I lived was meaning enough for dad. Why would God have rescued me then if my life was meaningless? It was a simple faith, but strong enough to get us both through my teen years and his mid-life.
I offer this story as a companion piece for the Christmas stories, which do not have to be literally accurate to be true. Meaning is ascribed to a birth story in order to give hope for the future. Jesus was born. Like all babies, he was vulnerable, fragile; but he lived! And his life means something. Vindication for those who trust in God. Home for the spiritually homeless. Adoption as heirs for those who were orphaned. Wherever we are on our faith journey, it is sometimes enough to know that there is meaning to this life, and promise for a future.
Monday, December 8, 2008
For December 14, The Third Sunday in Advent
Scriptures:
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126
1 Thess. 5: 16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
The children will lead worship this Sunday, and following worship we will share in the traditional after-pageant Turkey potluck. Each committee of the church brings a turkey, and the rest of us bring a side dish or dessert for the buffet. Come and celebrate with us!
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126
1 Thess. 5: 16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
The children will lead worship this Sunday, and following worship we will share in the traditional after-pageant Turkey potluck. Each committee of the church brings a turkey, and the rest of us bring a side dish or dessert for the buffet. Come and celebrate with us!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
For December 7, the Second Sunday of Advent
Scriptures:
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Theme: Messengers of Hope
Sermon Title: Peace
Hymns: #120 There's a Voice in the Wilderness
#101 Comfort, Comfort, O My People
#345 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
#117 Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates
The news starts automatically when I start my car in the morning, and lately I have been snapping the volume dial to off quickly. More for my daughter than for me: middle school is hard enough, I don't think she needs to take in the gloomy news about the economy too. As for me, I've heard it before. There is nothing new under the sun, as the Preacher said, thousands of years ago.
In the 1980's I watched the agriculture-based economy of my hometown dissolve. Grass began to grow in the cracks of the employee parking lot at the I-H plant. Real estate agency signs seemed to be popping up like tulips in the spring, blooming on every block. One third of the city seemed to be for sale. Out in the counties, the call of the auctioneer echoed off the barn doors.
A voice says "Cry!" and I say, what shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and the faith of the people wilts like hothouse flowers when times are tough (to paraphrase Isaiah). "So what?" God seems to reply to the hesitant prophet. Get up and preach anyway, and say to the people Here Is Your God! God will feed and care for us in the future as God has in the past.
What is it about our past experience that gives us hope for the future? How can we comfort one another with that word of hope?
I remember the heartache of seeing a family's belongings set out on the farmhouse lawn-- the newish sofa from Leath's in Dubuque, and grandma's treadle sewing machine, and the pie-safe granddad made out of salvaged pallet wood, and boxes of assorted candlesticks and knick-knacks.
But, I also remember how the ladies of the church served the auction-day lunch, and how the old men of the community took the farmer out for coffee and commisseration, and I remember how families managed to pull through, with the help of many small kindnesses. That is what gives me hope. Here is your God, who comes to you in the loving kindness of your neighbor, and leads you to pots of coffee, and platters of gooey butter cake, and lays a hand gently but surely on your shoulder, and comforts you.
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Theme: Messengers of Hope
Sermon Title: Peace
Hymns: #120 There's a Voice in the Wilderness
#101 Comfort, Comfort, O My People
#345 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
#117 Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates
The news starts automatically when I start my car in the morning, and lately I have been snapping the volume dial to off quickly. More for my daughter than for me: middle school is hard enough, I don't think she needs to take in the gloomy news about the economy too. As for me, I've heard it before. There is nothing new under the sun, as the Preacher said, thousands of years ago.
In the 1980's I watched the agriculture-based economy of my hometown dissolve. Grass began to grow in the cracks of the employee parking lot at the I-H plant. Real estate agency signs seemed to be popping up like tulips in the spring, blooming on every block. One third of the city seemed to be for sale. Out in the counties, the call of the auctioneer echoed off the barn doors.
A voice says "Cry!" and I say, what shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and the faith of the people wilts like hothouse flowers when times are tough (to paraphrase Isaiah). "So what?" God seems to reply to the hesitant prophet. Get up and preach anyway, and say to the people Here Is Your God! God will feed and care for us in the future as God has in the past.
What is it about our past experience that gives us hope for the future? How can we comfort one another with that word of hope?
I remember the heartache of seeing a family's belongings set out on the farmhouse lawn-- the newish sofa from Leath's in Dubuque, and grandma's treadle sewing machine, and the pie-safe granddad made out of salvaged pallet wood, and boxes of assorted candlesticks and knick-knacks.
But, I also remember how the ladies of the church served the auction-day lunch, and how the old men of the community took the farmer out for coffee and commisseration, and I remember how families managed to pull through, with the help of many small kindnesses. That is what gives me hope. Here is your God, who comes to you in the loving kindness of your neighbor, and leads you to pots of coffee, and platters of gooey butter cake, and lays a hand gently but surely on your shoulder, and comforts you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
