Prelude
Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the way of the Lord. Happy are those who keep the Lord’s decrees, who seek the Lord with their whole heart. *Hymn 366 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Prayer of Confession Almighty God, you gave the law to guide our lives. May we never shrink from your commandments, but, as we are taught by your Son, Jesus, strive to fulfill the law in perfect love, aware of our occasions of hard-heartedness and sin. Forgive us and set us free to live in the fullness of your love. Amen. *Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Forgiveness God is love. Those who abide in love abide in God and God abides in them. Friends, God’s word is true and completely reliable. We are loved, forgiven, and freed. Alleluia! Amen. Old Testament Reading Psalm 1 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading Luke 6:17-26 Morning Message I told a friend this past week that I was struggling with this text. Every time I read blessed are the poor, the hungry, the hated and hurt, and know the end of the sentence is going to be something like, “when you die and go to heaven, you won’t suffer these things,” it feels insincere and decidedly, not helpful. Well, scripture does testify to heaven as a glorious place. The trouble is, there is often a lot of life between then and now. And the now-ness is overwhelming. Years ago, I had an intractable migraine. It started on a Sunday morning and grew more intense all day, a day that included a trip to a church in mortal combat with itself. I was part of a team of presbytery folks called on to help them resolve their issues, and, hopefully reconcile. It didn’t work out that way. Our chairman read the lengthy report and immediately we were hit with angry comments that accused us of all sorts of grievous sins, including lying. Hard to take. Visions of heaven? That congregation could only see hell and some believed we were the devil’s agents. It was a long ride home. My head felt like it was being squeezed in a vise, my vision was blurring, and I felt sick. The good news was I wasn’t driving, but, the bad news was I was riding in a colleague’s brand new van. I finally made it home, crawled in bed and Ed brought me an ice pack and more meds and left me in the dark room. He checked on me awhile later, and I felt worse. The room seemed to throb with my pulse. I couldn’t talk. The sound of my own voice hurt my head. Ed was seriously concerned and called my doctor. And, to his relief, the answering service reached him. On a Sunday night. A little bit of heaven was breaking in, though I couldn’t see it yet. My doctor called and advised us not to go to the ER, but, he had Ed go to the kitchen cupboard where we keep over the counter and prescription meds, to do a sort of inventory. He said if they could get me to go to sleep, my brain and body could rest and maybe the pain would lessen. So, together, they put together a cocktail of sorts that would hopefully accomplish that. It worked. I did sleep, but, I had a migraine hangover for the next two days. Kind of like the flu. But, the experience led to some changes in managing my health which have prevented further attacks that intense. And, believe me, it’s a blessing. Why am I telling you this story? I talk too much already about my own life. As I’ve said, every time the Beatitudes come up in the lectionary, I read blessed are the poor, the hungry, the hurting and I remember that intractable pain. There was no blessing in it. I truly thought it would be better to die. And for so many, near and far away, life is just that hard. Every day. Unrelenting misery. No evidence of blessing. But, there it is in scripture. Jesus said to the suffering, “You are blessed, even though you suffer. Your reward is great in heaven.” The language of the Beatitudes is beautiful, but they aren’t a lovely Christian poem about the virtuous life or something we could do in counted cross stitch to hang on the wall. No. The Beatitudes, as delivered by Jesus, were words of hope for a world in transition. In his day, they were radical. The audience to whom Jesus spoke was living in a land occupied by Roman oppressors. Those in power were elite imperialists who had no use or care for the common folk. The people who followed Jesus were drawn to him because they were hungry for a new way to live, and for a realm of justice and relief from oppression. The Beatitudes offered hope and comfort in an age when there was little of either. What Jesus is doing is describing a vision of how this world can be if God is at its heart. And, if God is at the heart of our world, then God is in the hearts of God’s people, and that’s you and me. Episcopal priest, Barbara Brown Taylor, says, “I think Jesus should have asked the crowd to stand on their heads when he taught them the Beatitudes, because that is what he was doing. He was turning the known world upside down, so that those who had been fighting for breath at the bottom of the human heap suddenly found themselves closest to heaven, while those who thought they were on top of things found themselves flat on their backs looking up.” In 1964, the artist, Sister Mary Corita was asked to submit a piece of art to the New York World’s Fair. The piece she created was filled with vibrant color. With it came this statement: “On a mountain, Christ said these words, the Beatitudes. Ever since then men have said these words to each other each time with different gestures. Said yes, this is how it should be. This is the way to be happy.” And then she used the bold colors of yellow, and orange, and cobalt, and magenta, and added the words of the world’s peacemakers: Anne Frank, Dag Hammarskjold, Albert Einstein, and John F. Kennedy among others. How can we make our part of the world look more like the vision Jesus described? And, does it mean we have to show up with our paintboxes, our toolboxes? I think it does. The work we started at that conflicted church was not over the day we delivered our report. No. What we uncovered had to be dealt with, corrected. And they couldn’t do it without help. The congregation had to re-imagine the vision of God’s kingdom in that place. And when so much has happened, when trust is broken, and friendships destroyed, that vision is illusive. In Eugene Peterson’s translation of the Bible, he offers this interpretation of Luke 6: “You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all. God’s kingdom is there for the finding. You’re blessed when you’re ravenously hungry. Then you’re ready for the Messianic Meal. You’re blessed when the tears flow freely. For joy comes in the morning.” Years after that episode, I can see it more clearly. We had turned that church’s beliefs about themselves upside down. It was very hard to hear and they rejected it. Not only did they reject it, they rejected the people sent to help and pretty much chased us out. So, instead of being mad at each other, they were now mad at us. It would have been fine with me to just shake the dust off our sandals and never return. But, that’s not ok if you’re trying to do things Jesus’ way. Our friend Barbara Brown Taylor gets the last word this morning with these thoughts: “Upside down, you begin to see God’s blessed ones in places it would never have occurred to you to look. You begin to see that the poor in spirit, the meek and those who mourn are not people you can help, but people who can help you, if you will let them, and that their hunger and thirst for God are not voids to be filled but appetites to be envied. Upside down, you begin to see that the peacemakers are not flower children but physicians, prescribing God’s own tranquility…Upside down, you begin to see that those who have been bruised for their faith are not the sad ones but the happy ones because they have found something worth being bruised for, and that those who are merciful are just handing out what they have already received in abundance. The world looks funny upside down, but maybe that is just how it looks when you have got your feet planted in heaven.” So, friends, blessed are we…the one who writes the sermons and those who tolerate them. To God be the glory. Amen. *Affirmation of Faith Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn 692 Spirit, Open My Heart *Blessing Go now, with your trust in the Lord. Do not be influenced by the ways of cynics and scoffers, but delight in the Lord’s company, day and night. And may God raise you to new life with Christ. May Christ Jesus heal you of all that troubles you. And may the Holy Spirit nourish you from the deep well and keep you faithful and fruitful in all you do. Amen. *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship Psalm 147 How good it is to sing praises to our God. For God is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. God heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. God is our Lord, and abundant in power. God’s understanding is beyond measure. *Hymn 744 Arise, Your Light Is Come! Call to Confession Isaiah exclaims, “Have you not seen? Have you not heard? “The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. God does not faint or grow weary,” but comes to us to renew our strength and restore us to right relationship with God and others. Prayer O God, our creator, redeemer, and sustainer, we confess our feelings of anxiety and uncertainty brought on by a continuing pandemic, extreme weather events, acts of senseless violence, and other threats. We look for help, but, sometimes it seems you are far away. Remind us that you are present to us, and to all your vulnerable children, to comfort and to bless in times of suffering and need. Renew our strength and restore our joy that we might mount up with wings like eagles to carry out each day’s purpose. Amen. *Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Pardon The God who fashioned the stars and the moon has come close to each of us with mercy and love. Hear the good news of the gospel: We are forgiven and freed to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint. Know you are forgiven and be at peace. Old Testament Reading Isaiah 40:25-31 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading Mark 1:29-39 The Morning Message “Have you not known? Have you not heard?” I always get a tingle up my arms when I hear those questions. It’s like a cosmic, “Where have you been? Have you been living under a rock?” Isaiah 40 begins what Bible scholars call Second Isaiah. This passage has been described as a pre-trial narrative containing a strong defense of God. This section precedes the “trial” of the next eight chapters of Isaiah, where humanity is “tried” as in a courtroom. In this pre-trial narrative, God is presented as the one who needs no introduction. God is the master designer, creator of all that is, whose power and authority have no limits. The one who is the very definition of benevolence, who reaches out to the weak, faint, and powerless to renew, strengthen, and empower. God is the author of the natural world, rendering us awestruck at summer’s rushing waterfalls that turn to hanging swords of ice by winter. Surely, we all know this. Surely, we can all bear witness to God’s dominion in any courtroom. Someone I love is a lawyer. Early in her career she appeared with a client before a judge. It was a deportation hearing. In a few moments, the court would surely separate a mother from her little children, maybe to never see each other again. The young lawyer stumbled for words, overwhelmed by the circumstances. The judge swiftly chastised her, “Young lady, are you an attorney?” She squeaked out, “Yes, Your Honor.” “Then represent your client!” If you were to stand before the court, if you were to testify to the mighty acts of God, what would you say? When this text appears in the lectionary, I always think of my friend, whose hyper-active adolescent son was to appear before the session with his confirmation class. This was the moment of truth, the hour when they could be questioned on what they had learned about church history and theology, the moment when someone would surely ask if you have to be baptized to get into heaven and why Presbyterians don’t normally applaud in worship. Unconvinced that his son was ready for this examination, dad took the boy to a nearby stadium and walked up and down, back and forth, all afternoon, quizzing him. That night, washed and combed and dressed in their go-to-meeting clothes, the class was assembled before the session. One by one, the elders asked a question of the young people. With each question, my friend grew more nervous. Finally, it was his son’s turn. An elder of many years service looked at the boy and asked, “Young man, can Jesus do anything?” It required only a one-word answer. “Yes.” Examination over. Have you not known? Have you not heard? Those who wait upon the Lord shall be filled with strength. They will stand before stern judges and not be rendered mute. They will be given uncommon endurance, even surpassing the fitness of young athletes. They will succeed in their work even when their mom or dad doubts them or enemies assail them. In our gospel text, we are witnesses to the power Jesus wields over sickness and death. Fevers were common in Galilee. The Greek translation of the text indicates that the sick woman was seriously ill. She was near death. When Jesus ministered to her, she was healed immediately. That’s a common theme in Mark: things happen immediately. And after she was healed, she got up out of her bed and began to serve the people gathered in her home. Apparently, she didn’t need six weeks to recuperate like I did following major surgery. If the neighbors came with casseroles and flowers, the Scriptures don’t mention it. No. She resumed her role and responsibilities right away- cooking, cleaning, serving. I’m not advocating that any of us jump up out of a sick bed to make dinner for company. That misses the point. God gives and gives and gives and does not grow tired or weary. One good deed, one life redeemed, one relationship restored- gathers steam. Strength builds upon strength. And, if we want to understand that kind of strength, we will find it by waiting upon the Lord. That can be translated into waiting upon or serving or taking care of God’s world and God’s people. Peter’s mother-in-law regained her strength in performing household tasks in service to Jesus and her family. But it can come through teaching and advocating and problem-solving, fixing the plumbing or patching the road. I remember times when the pediatrician’s answering service was a gift from God. Service in God’s realm is unlimited. Oftentimes, we explain or rationalize healing stories in the Bible by qualifying them. We say things like disease was misunderstood, that the science that informs us today did not exist, so that is why these stories appear so dramatic. A simple medication, like penicillin, would come along in time and save millions of lives. Simple practices, like wearing shoes, prevents the infestation of parasites entering the body through the souls of the feet. Parasites rob the body of nutrients and eventually cause death. Healing so often comes by way of human invention we might expect the stories of miraculous healing to cease. But, the fact remains that Jesus was, and is, a healer, and that was one reason people were drawn to him. Fast-forward two millennia, and healing may well come by other means, rendering the witness of scripture a relic. Or, does it? Two years ago we heard reports of a disease that was about to sweep over the whole world. Little was known about it, but, it seemed no one was immune. First-world or the two-thirds world. No difference. The disease may be of little consequence or it could lead to a horrible death. The first timeI heard of the coronavirus, Jessica, our secretary, was working with some Chinese students learning English on-line. These kids were traumatized by illness and isolation. Some were alone in their homes without their parents. I think Jessica served them as much by listening to the concerns of their hearts as helping them gain language skills. Soon, in the US, there would be panicky trips to grocery stores to stock up on food and supplies. Paper and cleaning products were rationed. Schools and churches and restaurants closed. Vacations were cancelled and playgrounds were roped off. We all donned masks. We washed our hands til the skin was chapped and sore. Life was turned upside-down. For once, I think Americans understood what it was like to be as vulnerable as our brothers and sisters in the world’s most backward and impoverished places. It was a time of humility. We needed a dose of humility. It was a reckoning of sorts. Conversation soon turned to finding a way to control the Coronavirus. We heard that scientists were working around the clock to develop a vaccine. There were starts and stops and angst and anxiety and accusations and all manner of shameful words and deeds in these many months. Every evening we watched the news for a progress report. We still do. We had hope, and still do. Sadly, we witnessed the devastating effects of Covid, people who wouldn’t benefit from the vaccine, but whose experience with the disease would advance our understanding. Plagues and diseases and famines were commonplace in Bible times. Disease was often thought to be the result of anti-social or sinful behavior. People lived in fear of sickness and death. Sometimes they turned to folk remedies. Folk medicine may or not be very effective and can be harmful. One of my daughters works in the field of medical anthropology. A lot of that work involves understanding belief systems. She called me one day, so excited, because one of the survey questions in her current study was something like, “So, who taught you that Vicks Vapor Rub was effective on hemorrhoids?” No kidding. One of her grandmothers advocated for Vicks on everything, from diaper rash to sore throats. Vicks could cure it. So, before Vicks was invented, Jesus comes along and he heals this woman and the demon-possessed man and lepers and the lame. And what are we to make of them? Some say these accounts are metaphors to demonstrate the power and majesty of God. Hmm… A year ago, like many of you, I took my mother to the Saint Mary’s education campus to receive her second Covid vaccine. We waited in a long line of cars. It could have been hectic and impersonal. But, on that cold, cold day, those who waited on us were pleasant. I would go so far as to say they were cheerful. They were finding some pleasure in waiting upon the public. That went a long way to calm nerves. At least, in my mother’s case, I believe the gentle nature of the nurse who administered the shot reduced her pain. As I inched my car through this set-up, one of a hundred cars in the lot, I thought of the paralyzed man that was lowered through the roof of a crowded house to be healed by Jesus. As I looked at the people in those vehicles, they were all in that early vulnerable class of recipients, I remembered Jesus telling long-suffering people to take up their mats and walk. Immediately upon receiving her shot, my mother turned to me and said she hoped how soon I would be eligible to receive mine. That’s what happens when we understand that good things should happen to all people and not just to us or the right people or the deserving people. In God’s realm, blessings are lavished on all people. Unfortunately, my mother was diagnosed with Covid last week. On Thursday, she received the first of a series of antibody infusions that we hope will help her recover. We are thankful. The healing presence and power of Jesus is not a metaphor. It is not a relic. It is just as real and effective as it was in Galilee so many years ago, even if it’s delivered by a clerk ringing up my giant bottles of vitamins, a pharmacist mixing my meds, or a masked nurse leaning into my car with a syringe full of life. Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. …those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. *Hymn 761 Called As Partners In Christ’s Service, verses 1 and 2 *Affirmation of Faith Apostles’ Creed p.35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Holy and gracious God, we give thanks for all the blessings of this life: for comfortable homes, nourishing food, medical care when we are sick; for work to do and strength and ability to do it; for the gift of good neighbors and the love of our families. Loving God, fill those who suffer, struggle, or live in fear, with peace and reassurance. Comfort those who weep, heal the broken and shattered, and welcome the lost. Renew in us the joy of your salvation and restore in us a willing spirit. We pray as Jesus taught us, saying, Our Father…Amen. Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication Blessed are you, O God. Through your goodness, we have been blessed with the gifts of time, talent, and treasure. Use us, and what we have gathered, to strengthen your kingdom on earth and benefit those who have need in body, mind, or circumstance. We offer our gifts through Jesus Christ, who died that we might live. Amen. *Hymn 761 Called As Partners In Christ’s Service, verses 3 and 4 *Blessing Go now, and follow Christ wherever he leads you. By the grace of God, be all you have been called to be, and cast wide the net of God’s love. Remind one another of the good news, and hold fast to your saving faith. In peace, go out to love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Amen. *Postlude *Call to Worship Amos 5
We are called to seek good and not evil, that we may live; and so that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with us. We are called to hate evil and love good, and establish justice. Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. We seek to be a people that embodies God’s justice. By the power of God at work within us, may it be so. *Hymn 307 God of Grace and God of Glory Prayer of the Day Almighty God, You sent Jesus to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority. Anoint us with your Spirit, that we too may bring good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captive; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Old Testament Reading 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading John 1:43-51 The Morning Message 1968. It was both a good and bad year. My sister was born in 1968. We moved into a beautiful new home. The year saw violent demonstrations in many major cities in the US and across the globe. The focus of the US protests was the Vietnam War. It was also the year that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Sen. Robert Kennedy were both assassinated. I remember lying in my bed listening to my parents and some neighbors talking shortly after Dr. King’s death. I remember no dialog, but, I remember well the tension and fear that seemed to cling to their conversation. I was just eleven years old. I was scared. Just a few months later, my grandmother and I were preparing for a summer trip to visit my uncle and his family in England. The night before our departure, Sen. Kennedy was shot and died hours later. We were mid-flight when a pilot informed the passengers of his death. One of the things we did soon after arriving in England was to visit the American Embassy in London, where a tribute was set up to acknowledge the loss of an American statesman and someone for whom the Brits held affection. We joined the line to sign a sympathy book from the citizens of the UK to the Kennedy family. My grandmother ushered all of us into the line. I remember signing my name, and with that simple act, I felt a sense of loss and fear again. And we were far from the security of home. These emotions were ones I had too few years to really understand. Decades later I can tell you about grief and its phases. We could talk about the great social problems that have not abated much since 1968. We could talk about the mess from which our government leaders seem incapable of moving us. I’m pretty much addicted to the national news, but, it’s woefully unsatisfactory anymore. All the talking heads are still making the same arguments they have for a long time. It sounds futile. It makes me doubt that change and progress will move many paces in our immediate future. But, a year ago, just when I gave in to pessimism and cynicism, a young woman appeared. And standing out in her yellow coat before thousands of people at the inauguration of President Biden, Amanda Gorman reminded me, and maybe some of you, that there is hope and there can be change for this country and maybe the world. Change had indeed already come to her. She was living, shining proof. Ms. Gorman is the first Youth Poet Laureate ever in the United States. She was born in Los Angeles and raised by a single mother, a sixth grade teacher. She was academically gifted and won a scholarship to Harvard University. She is both a poet and an activist, as is her twin sister, Gabrielle. But it wasn’t always an easy path for her. Amanda has an auditory processing disorder and is hyper-sensitive to sound. She spent years in speech therapy. She says her disability is also her gift, because being intensely focused on auditory and vocal processes made her really good at reading and writing. When she stood at the podium on Inauguration Day, we didn’t see all the struggles of her young life. But, we witnessed her poise, confidence, intelligence, skill, presence, artistry, and grace. We witnessed a young woman claiming her call. It’s a call that is still forming, but, we know she will be equipped to embrace it. When young Samuel was called by God, he didn’t even recognize God’s voice. Eli had to steer him in the right direction. We still read Samuel’s story and acknowledge the role he played in salvation history. When Jesus called the fishermen, he was calling them into a life of uncertainty and risk. But, they followed anyway, learned by Jesus’ side, and helped birth the early church. Their lives still influence us today. Hear me clearly as I make the next statement. The citizens of our land have been blessed by good leaders and harmed by others. Many people looked to the advocacy and spiritual work of Martin Luther King to bring about change for the vulnerable, the poor, the minority citizens of the US. Robert Kennedy also tried to raise the conscience of the country in much the same way in the same era. Some saw this not as progress, but saw it as unwelcome revolution. And we weren’t ready. All these years later, I wonder if we will ever be ready to make peace in our land. But I hang onto hope. So, with a new year’s hope, from a fresh mind and in a positive spirit, I offer you the words today of Amanda Gorman for the new year: May this be the day We come together Mourning , we come to mend, Withered, we come to weather, Torn, we come to tend, Battered, we come to better, Tethered by this year of yearning, We are learning That though we aren’t ready for this, We have been readied by it. We steadily vow that no matter How we are weighed down, We must always pave a way forward. This hope is our door, our portal, Even if we never get back to normal. Some day we can venture beyond it, To leave the known and take first steps. So let us not return to normal, But reach toward what is next. What was cursed, we will cure, What was plagued, we will prove pure, Where we tend to argue, we will try to agree, Those fortunes we forswore, now the future we forsee. Where we weren’t aware, we’re now awke. Those moments we missed, Are now these moments we make, The moments we meet, And our hearts, all together beaten, Now altogether beat. Come look up with kindness yet. For even solace can be sourced from sorrow. We remember not just for the sake of yesterday, But to take on tomorrow. We heed this old spirit, In a new days’ lyric, In our hearts we hear it, For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne. Be bold, sang Time this year, Be bold, sang time. For when you honor yesterday, Tomorrow ye will find. Know what we’ve fought, Need not be forgot for none. It defines us, binds us as one, Come over, join this day just begun,. For wherever we come together, We will forever overcome. May that be our hope and our intention in the year ahead. Amen. *Affirmation of Faith (from A Brief Statement of Faith) We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal. With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Alleluia. Amen. *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Holy One, as we have called for your justice to roll down like waters, we are painfully aware that many in our nation and in the wider world have never or rarely known justice and righteousness. As we pause to recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we admit that the issues of racism are far from resolved. Most of us will never know the hurts and offences and even violence our brothers and sisters have suffered their whole lives long. Our experiences have been very different. Save us from contributing to their pain and all the offenses born of discrimination and the de-valuing of others. Help us to walk some miles in their shoes that we might be your faithful children seeking understanding. We pray for that day when we are all truly at peace with the differences in race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, and any human attribute that can be used as a weapon against another. Forgive us for our failures and fill us with strength and conviction to live after the manner of Jesus Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve, God, we know you help us in times of trouble. We continue to pray for the global community working through the pandemic. Remind us to do our part to prevent illness and to help those who suffer from this disease. We are thankful for the vaccine that is now making its way into our community and offering hope of protection against the ravages of Covid. Make us advocates that all our neighbors, here and around the world, will benefit from the promises of modern medicine. Loving God, you know the concerns and needs on our hearts, the family, friends and others who are in need of a sense of your presence and care. You know the blessings and occasions for praise. We lift them to you now. We praise you for those who have been called by the voice of this church as elders to serve on the session. Inspire and empower Kevin Dennison, Jon-Tyler Roach, Merritt True, Nancy McIntosh, and John R. Thomas as they lead the congregation and provide for their spiritual welfare. May their time of service be a blessing to them and to all of us. We make our prayers in Jesus’ name and in the way he taught us saying, Our Father…Amen. Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings *Hymn 606 Doxology Prayer of Dedication Gracious God, we are so aware of the abundance of gifts you have provided. We know, too, the great joy of sharing those gifts with others. As we offer our tithes and offerings this day, prompt us to commit more than dollars, but also those gifts you have written on our hearts- gifts meant to spread love, joy, and peace to the world. In the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus, Amen. *Hymn 644 Give Thanks, O Christian People *Blessing Go now. Listen for the voice of the Lord and follow wherever it leads. Do not be dominated by anything. Allow no room within yourself for deceit, but offer yourself as a temple for the Holy Spirit. And may God be with you and speak through you; may Christ Jesus be one with you and raise you to new life; and may the Holy Spirit dwell in you richly. Amen. *Postlude We Gather to Worship God
As we enter this space, let us center our hearts and minds on worshipping God. May God silence in us every voice but God’s own. Prelude Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship Psalm 19 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is sure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Let the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Let us worship God! *Hymn 39 “Great is Thy Faithfulness” Prayer Your law is perfect, O God; your ways are just. We praise you for Christ, who makes known your Word. Currency’s value is nothing compared to the salvation you offer. The sweetness of honey is a foretaste of the feast you prepare. Made alive by your mercy and renewed in your Spirit, we come adoring your goodness, O Lord, our Rock and Redeemer. Amen Call to Confession When we pass through deep waters or go through times of fiery trial, the Lord our God is with us. With confidence in God, our creator and redeemer, let us confess our sin. Confession O God, have mercy upon us, and through Christ forgive our sin. He called the church to be one body with parts to make it function. We separate that one body through suspicion and hostility; we cannot dine around one common table. We divide into separate bodies and pretend to be the church. We take from one another what belongs to us all. By your grace make us one in Christ. (a time of reflection and pertinence) Let God’s people say, Amen Take, O Take Me as I Am Assurance of Pardon Our righteousness is found in Christ alone, a gift of God by faith. Beloved people of God, believe the Good News, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Old Testament Reading Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Time With Our Young Disciples Epistle Reading Luke 4:14-21 Morning Message “The Long and Short of It” Jim Musgrave *Affirmation of Faith Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. *Hymn 634 “To God Be the Glory” Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings *Doxology *Prayer of Dedication Almighty God, from whom all blessings flow, may you find us ever-thankful for the abundance of your gifts. Accept this offering as a sign of our thanks and praise. May they serve to strengthen our commitment to know, love, and serve you this and every day. Amen. *Hymn 547 “Go, My children, with My Blessings” *Blessing And now, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and always. Amen. Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship Psalm 29:2-4 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due God’s name; worship the Lord in holy splendor. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. *Hymn 482 Baptized in Water Prayer of Confession Lord, have mercy on us. Remember the promises you made to us in our baptism, forgive our sinful ways and heal our brokenness. Set us free from all that enslaves, and raise us to new life in Jesus Christ, that we may be your faithful servants, showing forth healing love to the world, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. *Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Pardon Hear the good news! In baptism you were buried with Christ. In baptism you were also raised to new life with him, through faith in the power of God who raised Christ from the dead. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life is gone and a new life has begun. Friends, believe the good news of the gospel: your sins are forgiven. Be at peace. Amen. First Reading Isaiah 43:1-7 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 The Morning Message *Renunciations Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world? I do. Do you turn to Jesus Christ, accept him as your Lord and Savior, trusting in his grace and love? I do. Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love? I will with God’s help. *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Thanksgiving Over the Water Eternal and gracious God, we give you thanks. In countless ways you have revealed yourself in ages past, and have blessed us with signs of your grace. We praise you for sending Jesus your Son, who for us was baptized in the waters of the Jordan, and was anointed as the Christ by your Holy Spirit, who teaches us and leads us into all truth, filling us with a variety of gifts that we might proclaim the gospel to all nations and serve you as a royal priesthood. Pour out your Spirit upon us and upon this water, that this font may be your womb of new birth. May all who pass through these waters be delivered from death to life, from bondage to freedom, from sin to righteousness. Bind them to the household of faith, guard them from all evil. strengthen them to serve you with joy until the day you make all things new. To you be all praise, honor, and glory; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns forever. Amen. Remember your baptism and be thankful. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication As your Son Jesus came to bring light to the world’s darkness, we bring our gifts to you this day. Transform them into light for the lost, bread for the hungry, relief for the hopeless, compassion and care for the forgotten and oppressed. In joyful service, let us bear Christ’s light into the world. Amen. *Hymn 375 Shall We Gather at the River *Charge and Blessing Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called. With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit. Go now in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen. *Postlude Prelude
*Call to Worship Isaiah 60:1-3 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Nations shall come to your light and rulers to the brightness of your rising. *Hymn 134 Joy to the World, verses 1 and 2 Prayer Eternal God, A thousand years in your sight are like a watch in the night. As you have led us in days past, so guide us now and always, that our hearts may learn to choose your will, and new resolves be strengthened. Forgive what we have done that denies our devotion to you. and forgive us for failing to do kindness in your name. Set us free to love and serve you in this new year, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen. Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Forgiveness Romans 8:34 Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. The old life is gone and a new life has begun. This is our peace. Amen. Old Testament Reading Jeremiah 31:10-14 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading John 1:1-18 The Morning Message For this first Sunday in the New Year, I find a timely message by our old Scottish friend and scholar, William Barclay. This is his how he introduces the Gospel of John, the book from which our Scripture text comes today: *“For many Christian people the Gospel according to St. John is the most precious book in the New Testament. It is the book on which above all they feed their minds, and nourish their hearts, and in which they rest their souls.” Often, in the stained glass windows that grace so many churches, we find the gospel writers are represented in symbol by the figures of the four beasts whom the writer of Revelation saw around the throne of God. A common symbol for Mark is a man. The gospel of Mark is the first gospel. It is the plainest and most straightforward of the gospels. The lion stands for Matthew, the most Jewish of the gospels. The author of Matthew saw Jesus as the Messiah and the Lion of Judah. The ox stands for Luke, because the ox is the animal of service and sacrifice, and Luke saw Jesus as the great servant and universal sacrifice for all humankind. “The eagle stands for John, because of all living creatures, the eagle alone can look straight into the sun and not be dazzled, and John, of all the New Testament writers, has the most penetrating gaze into the eternal mysteries and the eternal truths, and into the very mind of God. It is true that there are many people who find themselves closer to God and to Jesus Christ in John than in any other book in the world.”* Last year I believed if we ever needed to start the year seeking a closer relationship with God, or seeking the mind of God, or asking for God’s help, it was certainly at the beginning of 2021. And now we stand at the beginning of 2022 and I’m convinced that we need God’s mind and strength even more. Last spring we contracted for a kitchen overhaul. It was thirty years behind schedule, but, it kept falling to the bottom of our list of priorities. Our kitchen is very small but it is still the heart of our home. Conversations are lively and everyone likes to get their hands in the meal preparations. Even the grandkids. The holidays give us plenty of opportunities to indulge in all our favorites. But right now, we need no more rich food. But what we do need now is an extra helping of something that will not add pounds, but will add value to our lives, and that is hope. Hope that the grave problems we encountered in the year just past, will be relieved, solved, conquered. Many in this country are recovering from weather gone wild and the destruction it left. Others are trying to recover from illness, maybe yet another strain of Covid. There are stresses on the economy and we all recognize that. The wat we educate the children and young people in this country is constantly changing, adapting to new information and revised protocol. The news tells us there is an increase in conflict and violence across the country. We probably all have our takes on that. I feel safe in my neighborhood, secure, content. But, others can’t say that. Peace eludes them. In this new year, I hope with all my heart that the hatred and violence erupting in these United States, the mistrust and division, will come to a definitive end. My sister accompanied our mother to a doctor’s appointment this week. As they left, the receptionist said, “We will see you in three weeks.” To which, my sister replied, “Oh, you’re very optimistic!” Because there have been a lot of doctor’s appointments recently. Three weeks seems like an eternity. Optimism and hope. Is there a difference? Does it matter? Drew Rick-Miller says the difference between hope and optimism is this: “Hope, theologically speaking, is that “God will make a way where there is no way.” Optimism asserts that “things will get better and better.” Could optimism be about this age, to use New Testament terminology, and hope refer to the age to come? If we take this view, then our present world, at its best, evokes optimism. Faith in Christ leads us to hope. And “hope does not disappoint because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5 and 8:12-25) Presbyterian pastor and scholar Rev. Dr. Greg Cootsona offers some thoughts: When we look at a year marked by the exposure of racism in America, political division, the demonization of science, and the deadly COVID pandemic-can we have either optimism or hope? He says we can. As followers of Christ, we know that through Jesus, “the true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.” (John 1:9) And as we look around, we can see where many of those beams shine. Cootsona is a member of the organization Science for the Church. He offers to us a glimpse of “places I’ve seen Christ’s light shining through science in an often dark era.” The world witnessed the first vaccinations against COVID on December 8, 2020, in the United Kingdom. World-wide, people have been vaccinated. And even though the medical folks are saying that we need to vaccinate more, there, is light, a glimpse of hope. Cootsona recently participated in a forum about race, science, and faith, One of the speakers posited by initiating meaningful, intentional relationships, and I understand that to mean cross-culturally, sparks ignite that create “pockets of possibility.” Relationships can lead to real change. One Thanksgiving, after my mother had married my stepfather, we noticed he was looking over the table as we all gathered around it. Later he told us that in his family, one of the favorite dishes was green bean casserole. Well, in my whole life, I don’t think I had eaten green bean casserole, but, you can bet it showed up at Christmas dinner. Why? Because it says, “You’re important and we want you to feel at home here.” That’s how families and cultures change. One of my favorite authors, Jan Karon, says that when opportunity knocks, it often comes dressed in overalls and looks like work. But, this work is the way of Christ and where we see the reign of God today. And that gives us hope that we really can change the world. Awhile back, I saw an interview between a television reporter and a resident of an assisted living community. The man being interviewed was scheduled to receive the COVID vaccination that day, as all the residents were. He spoke at length about Peggy, his wife of forty years. They had been separated for seven months in different areas of the facility. Seven long, trying months. But, he said, that day, he felt hopeful, that they were re-discovering hope. The efforts of all the helpers along the way in getting that vaccine to the public, gave him hope that change was possible. He and his beloved Peggy may be reunited. You could hear the emotion in his voice. His wife has Parkinson’s disease. She needs a lot of help every day, help he wanted to give, because that’s what you do when you love someone for a lifetime. That day, he saw the possibility that they could live in the same small apartment again and resume the patterns long-established. But he was careful to say that his positive attitude, his optimism and hope, were a direct result of the quality of the relationships found in that seniors community. The residents and staff pulled together for a common goal and supported one another through the long crisis. This winsome man’s testimony was beamed to millions of people, many who may well have been strengthened by his words. I saw a glimpse of Christ’s light a few days ago when good news came that a cancer scare for one of my family members was just that, a scare. Today I am thanking God for medical procedures and equipment that reveal disease. And for medical professionals who take care to know their patients, and in whom patients place their trust. Maybe you have witnessed Christ’s light shining in your life recently. Maybe Christ’s light shines through you. Maybe through you some people can see God. I know I do. *The Daily Study Bible, William Barclay, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, first published by The Saint Andrew Press, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1955. *Hymn 134 Joy to the World, verses 3 and 4 *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Almighty and everlasting God, we come before you on this first Sunday of the New Year, asking you to illumine our hearts with the radiance of Christ’s presence, that our lives may show forth his love in this weary world. Teach us to befriend the lost, to serve the poor, to reconcile with our enemies, and to love our neighbors. We lift to you our most urgent needs, for ourselves and others, that hearts and minds in distress may be comforted, that bodies weakened by disease of any kind might be strengthened and made whole, that any fears may be relieved by the clarifying light of your Son. Give us such hope and purpose in this New Year, that we count every day’s labor as love and each day’s beauty as blessing. Keep us faithful in your service until Christ comes again in glory. In his name and after his manner, we pray, Our Father…Amen.” Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication God of this and every day, you have sent your Son into the world to dispel all darkness. AS we bring our tithes and offerings today, transform them into light for all in need, including ourselves, for we are all in need of your love, your wisdom, and your grace. Amen. *Hymn 110 Love Has Come *Blessing Go now, and bear witness to the light so others might believe. Since you are chosen in Christ, live before him in love, holy and blameless. Live with hope in Christ, for the praise of his glory. And may God fill the earth with peace; may Christ give you grace upon grace from his fullness; and may the Holy Spirit, the pledge of your inheritance, lead you on straight paths where you will not stumble. Amen. Laughingbird.net *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. We have beheld his glory and join our voices with the angel chorus singing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth, peace.” *Hymn 113 Angels We Have Heard On High *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Prayer of Confession Merciful God, as we enter this new Christmas season and approach a new year, help us set aside our old ways of sin- indifference, apathy, anger, resentment, hostility, envy- and any other attitude or behavior that separates us from you, our community, and our global family. Help us to let go of the year now almost behind us and embrace each new opportunity Christ presents with hope. *Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Forgiveness God loves us so much that God separates us from our sins as far as the east is from the west. God has forgiven us and set us free to live holy and joyful lives. Alleluia! Amen. Scripture Reading Psalm 148 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading Luke 2:41-52 Twelve year olds can be curious and energetic and smart and a little bit smart aleck. Rude. They object a lot. Their feelings get hurt easily. They often have self-esteem issues. We are about to gain a newborn granddaughter and a twelve year old grandson. We are learning that we will have to treat both of them gently when we visit. For instance, the house my daughter and her partner have purchased is one to accommodate a growing family. It is three full floors and a ranch-sized yard. There’s lots of room for Benny, their goldendoodle, to romp. And the coolest thing about the house is a mother in law apartment. Ed and I are thrilled aver that. We usually stay at the Holiday Inn Express afew blocks from Katy’s house. It’s nice and kind of our home away from home, but, staying at the house will be much more convenient and much less expensive. There’s only one problem: the twelve-year-old had planned on taking up residence in the apartment. The news didn’t go over well when he was told that wasn’t going to happen. Imagine the outcome of that conversation. Then add the sound of a slamming door. The problem was not that he believed he is a privileged character and deserves the apartment. The problem is he has gained a certain level of competency and independence. Why shouldn’t he assume that he qualified to live on his own? And that’s what comes to mind as I read this scripture text. Jesus is in the Temple? Where else would he be, he asks his parents. They could list a dozen places and how thoughtless he was to disappear without telling them his plans, or would it have been too much to ask for him to seek permission? That’s probably how it would go at our house. Thankfully, Mary and Joseph handle this issue better. They listen as Jesus expresses an awareness of the call God has placed on his life. He describes four things that he must do. Four priorities. This is how Luke tells us the story of jesus. Listen for the word, “must,” in the conversation. In this text, when Mary and Joseph find jesus in the temple, he says, “I must be in my Father’s house.” Later, in chapter four, when the people of Capernaum want him to stay awhile with them, he will say something similar: “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God in other cities also…for I was sent for this purpose.” The second must-do jesus takes up is that he must engage in healing. He gets in trouble over his methods on this. He heals a woman on the Sabbath. The leader of the synagogue chastises the woman for seeking healing on the Sabbath and Jesus defends her and himself by pointing out exceptions to the rule if it’s done to relieve suffering. And the third must-do is this:Jesus must eat with sinners. The most famous dinner companion in this gospel is Zacchaeus, the tax collector. The followers of Jesus would not expect Jesus to eat with Zaccheus or folks of his type, because tax collectors were collaborating with the Romans and the Romans were oppressing the Jews. In all of these instances, Jesus is doing the unexpected. He reaches out to people he might not ordinarily have direct contact with. He encounters need and acts to relieve it. He runs into criticism. He holds his own. He defends himself and the even more vulnerable one who has received his attention his help. But, perhaps the most important must-do Jesus takes care of is this: Jesus has a close relationship with his mother. In that relationship we witness love and respect. And, Jesus has reached the moment in his life when he acknowledges that there are others with whom he will have relationships. And in all of these, Jesus is for us, but he does not belong to us. Jesus belongs to God. The work Jesus must be about is not based on his mother’s priorities, or the synagogue leader’s, or anyone else’s. Jesus must do what God calls him to do. And what God calls him to do is bring release to the captives, healing for the suffering, and mercy and grace for those whose lives are broken by sin. What happens that day with the twelve-year-old Jesus happens to anyone who is either a child or a parent. Psychologically, we would call this differentiating. Jesus is differentiating himself from his parebts. He is living into his own identity. This is what healthy people do. But, oh, it can be painful. Our youngest daughter attended a retreat with her Baptist friend. When we picked her up when the retreat ended, she bounced into the car and declared, “When Im 21, I’m going to become a Baptist!” To which her big sister said, “That’s funny. When I turned 21, I bought cigarettes.” Both of them were differentiating. They weren’t going to be replicas of Mom or Dad. And that’s how it should be. So, instead of being outraged that adolescent Jesus worries his parents then seems to show them disrespect, think about it. One of the most profound truths of Advent and Christmas is that Jesus, fully human, fully God, has come to live among us. He grows and matures and reaches developmental benchmarks just like our children. Like us, he is presented challenges, as are his parents. And, like us, his parents worry over his safety and well-being. I’m even betting they made a mistake or two like I have. To me, this makes Jesus, Mary and Joseph more approachable, more like you and me. And that’s good news. So, our soon-to-be grandson isn’t moving into his own place yet, but he’s growing up. He will find some way to differentiate, a way to forge his own identity. And his choices are not limited to becoming a Baptist or buying cigarettes. It doesn’t really matter. He can be whoever he wants to be. But he can’t change who his parents are their love. And he will always be their son. *Hymn 145 What Child Is This? Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings including our contributions to support those in need in our community *Hymn 607 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication May these gifts offer healing and hope. May our lives reflect the generosity of your love, and may our actions serve your will. In Jesus’ name and for his realm. Amen. *Hymn 147 The First Nowell verses 1-3 *Blessing Go now, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly; clothe yourselves with love; forgive one another; and do everything you do in the name of Christ, giving thanks to God. We go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen. *Postlude Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church Christmas Eve Service of Candles and Communion December 24, 202112/24/2021
Prelude
Lighting the Christ Candle Do not be afraid, for see- I am bringing you good news of great joy. To us is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find the baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. Tonight we light the Christ Candle to symbolize God’s promise fulfilled. For a Child has been born to us. A Son has been given to us. Authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. *Hymn 119 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing *Affirmation of Faith Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri First Reading Isaiah 9:2-7 Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-20 Homily The Sacrament of Communion The Invitation, Words of Institution, Great Prayer of Thanksgiving, Distribution of the Elements Please come forward to receive the elements. Those who wish to remain seated will be served. Prayer After Communion Great God, as you came at night when all was still, so enter our lives this night. Illumine our paths with the light of Christ’s presence, that we may clearly see the way before us, the truth to speak, and the life to live for him, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Lighting Our Candles from the Christ Candle *Hymn 122 Silent Night *Blessing Go now, singing a song to the God of our salvation. Sing of God’s mighty acts and proclaim God’s glory. Join the heavenly chorus and sing: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth, peace.” Amen. *Postlude Christmas Cantata Prelude
Lighting the Advent Wreath, the Candle of Love Don and Becky Haddox *Hymn 133 O Come, All Ye Faithful Prayer God of grace, You chose the Virgin Mary, full of grace, to be the mother of our Lord and Savior. Though we have sinned and failed both you and our neighbors, we place ourselves before you in penitence, that you may fill us with your grace, that with Mary, we may rejoice in your salvation, and in all things, embrace your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Forgiveness God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. This is our Good News. This is our peace. Alleluia! Amen. First Reading 2 Samuel 7: 8-16 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading Morning Message “We are all called to be Mothers of God, for God is always waiting to be born.” These are the words of Meister Eckart, 13th century philosopher. Theologian Nancy Rockwell says, “She enters our Decembers with an angel, gloriously winged, who honors her. The moment is spellbinding. We are entranced by the arrival of this woman, Mary, on the stage of Christmas and in the story of God.” I’ve spent considerable time lately looking at images of Mary-paintings, sculptures, old and archived, new and freshly created in photographs, digital art, and in a gazillion pictures on Pinterest. I’ve researched the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Cloisters, the Met’s museum of medieval art. I was looking for a special sculpture I saw while visiting the Cloisters years ago. It was mounted on a wall. I was surprised by it and stood before it for a long time. Baby Jesus, plump and content, in the arms of his young, laughing mother. There is an endless inventory of human interpretations of the central female figure of the Christian faith, the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, the one that some like to call, “the God-bearer.” The images come in all forms and shapes: Marys representing the world’s races and cultures. I have a collection of nativity sets. I didn’t unpack all of them this year. There were no little ones visiting this year, no one whose eyes might light up in wonder. No one, asking with their eyes, if it’s ok to touch. But, I did unpack a few. I’m always on alert for new ones or old ones that show up in new places. One day I was browsing the Habitat for Humanity Restore and spied a tiny nativity. I recognized the small unfired clay figures, hand-painted, and distinctively Peruvian. I have a few of the same type at home. I love the simple form and the expressions on the tiny faces. They were a mix of uncertainty and mirth. And that’s one definition of joy for me: uncertainty and mirth. Surprise. Kind of like a bride and groom on their wedding day-excited, eager, a little uncomfortable in their formal clothes, expectations high, taking a courageous step into a season, a lifetime we hope, that is largely unknown. A step that is motivated and empowered and energized by love. Surprised by Joy: the Shape of My Early Life, is the titile of C. S. Lewis’s autobiography. Lewis’s purpose in writing this book was not primarily historical. It was to identify and describe the events surrounding his accidental discovery of, and consequent search for, the phenomenon he labled, “Joy.” “Joy” was his best translation of the German word, sehnsucht, or longing, in English. This joy was so intensely good and so high up it could not be explained in words. He just knew it when it happened. He says he was struck with what he called “stabs of joy” throughout his life. Lewis eventually discovers the true nature of joy, born of the unconditional love of God. This discovery leads to an overwhelming conversion experience from atheism to Christianity. Lewis writes that this sense of joy is like a signpost to those lost in the woods, pointing the way, and that its appearance is not as important “when we have found the road and are passing signposts every few miles.” Lewis’s life was consumed by learning, though he did participate in civic endeavors. He also served in the armed forces as a young man. His mother gave him a love of reading. She taught him Latin at a young age. He was devastated by her death when he was only nine years old. In his late teens, he shed the Christianity in which he had been raised, studied widely, and declared himself to be an atheist. But, still, there was something unresolved troubling him. He continued his quest for joy. He called it the “inconsolable longing for the real Desirable.” As a child, his joy came though reading, writing, and drawing. In his youth, he discovered Wagner’s Ring Cycle and Norse mythology. As he matured, he realized that pleasure did not equate with joy, neither physical nor aesthetic, nor music, poetry, or intellectual gratification. Lewis studied in public and private schools, eventually studying with a private teacher in preparation for Oxford. His teacher, Mr. Kirkpatrick, was an atheist, a rationalist, and a logician. Under his tutelage, Lewis read great works in their original languages. It was a dear friend, Arthur, who urged him to read books written in English. He read the Brontes, Jane Austin, Donne, Milton, Spenser, Yeats, and others, including George MacDonald. He began to revise some of his worldviews. Ultimately, George MacDonald, the Scottish author and theologian, gave him glimpses of something other than the material world, the world that is neither seen nor felt but stirs in the human heart. “Unde hoc mihi.” Unfamiliar with that phrase? Me, too. It’s Latin. I had to look it up and found this meaning: “And whence is this to me?” Or, “And why is this granted to me?” These are the very words exclaimed by Elizabeth upon Mary’s arrival at her home. Surprised by joy. As Mary was surprised, honored, and yet terrified, not quite believing that God should come to her, conceive his Son through her, bear a Savior into the world through her body and through her humility. She asks, “And why is this granted to me?” Lewis writes, “As I was reading, two-thirds into George MacDonald’s autobiography, these words leapt out: “Unde hoc mihi?” And why is this granted to me? In the depth of my intellect, all this was given to me without asking, even without consent.” Just like Elizabeth. Just like Mary. Lewis describes this moment, this epiphany, as “holiness.” He was converted from atheism to belief in God. Lewis said he was the “ most reluctant convert in all England.” He hated authority, he had a deep need for independence, and was unsure of the one he called, “the Transcendental Interferer.” To accept the Incarnation brought God near. He wasn’t so sure he wanted God all that close. But when Lewis finally came to faith, he said he submitted to divine humility, the Incarnation, Emmauel. God with us. Born in humility and love. I learned of Lewis’s story first in the beautiful and stirring movie, “Shadowlands.” Here was a man whose life had been devoted to intellectual pursuits. A bachelor of many years. If he had once believed in God, he had set that belief aside, probably a result of his mother’s death. Like many of us, Lewis may have concluded that getting close to others involved way too much risk, too much pain. But, when God pried his heart open, he found the earthly example of God’s love for us: the love of another. In Lewis’s case, it was Joy Davidman, an American author, whom he married. Their time together was much too short, but, for a time, Clive Staples Lewis knew and lived and celebrated love. C.S. Lewis is often quoted in Christian circles. He was known for his prolific writing in defense of the faith, and, of course, the Narnia stories enjoyed by all ages. The words are beautiful and poignant. I looked for an appropriate quote for this day, the fourth Sunday in Advent, the Sunday of Love: Here is what I found: “Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.” The Last Battle” (1956) May you all find that stable this year. Merry Christmas. Amen. *Affirmation of Faith We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God, preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick, and building up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal. *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer We give you all thanks and praise, O God, for your mercy embraces the faithful, one generation to the next, and your fidelity, for all ages. You created the heavens and the earth, and chose for yourself a covenant people, bringing them from slavery to a land of their own. In your servant, David, you established your rule and promised his throne to the one who would save your people and reign forever. And now, the mystery kept secret for long ages has been revealed to all the earth: Your own Son, Jesus Christ, is conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary and emerges to claim the throne of his ancestor, David. Though he was killed by the proud and powerful, you have raised him up, and with him, the humble of all the earth, and of his reign there will be no end. We seek to be his faithful witnesses, bearing the gospel into the world, caring for the sick, the weak, the rejected, the mourning, the lonely, and the lost, and praying as he taught us saying, Our Father…Amen. Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn 134 Joy to the World *Blessing Go now, and celebrate God’s love all your days. Give to Christ Jesus the obedience of faith, offering yourself as the servant of the Lord and allowing God’s Word to be fulfilled in you. And may the only wise God establish you forever. May the mysteries of Christ be conceived within you. And may the Holy Spirit strengthen and encircle you. Amen. *Hymn 92 While We Are Waiting, Come verse 1 *Postlude Prelude
Lighting the Candle of Joy Robin McComas *Hymn 113 Angels We Have heard On High Prayer We come, O God, with thanksgiving and praise. Our anticipation grows as we approach the day of Jesus’ birth. Open our hearts that we may truly receive the gift of your Son, and know the joy of abundant life with you. Guard us from all sinful intentions and desires, so that by following Jesus, we may want for nothing but the joy of our salvation. Through Christ, who comes to make all things new. Amen. Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Forgiveness Isaiah 43:19 God announces: “See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” God is sending his Son, a Savior, to make all things and all people new. Friends, believe the good news of the gospel. Your sins are forgiven and be at peace. Time With Our Young Disciples Scripture Reading Luke 1:39-56 The Morning Message Mary’s Song *Hymn 105 People, Look East, verses 1-3 *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Gracious God, we give thanks today for the gifts of love and life, for the gift of joy that transcends this season and sustains us year-long, for the gift of comfort when our joy is dimmed, for the gifts of mercy, healing, and wholeness, for the gifts of patience and serenity, for the gift of hope as we prepare our hearts for the Savior’s birth. As Christ has come to change our world, we pray that he may be born in us afresh, and that through the ministry and mission of the faithful of this age the world may be re-shaped and renewed, and we may see your kingdom emerge among us. Comfort your people who are in any distress, including those we name in our hearts, strengthen all caregivers, enable the faithful to persevere, enlighten those who govern that they may protect and provide for the local and global community. Usher in your peace, that passes all understanding, and keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray, saying, Our Father…Amen. Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings *Hymn 607 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication Lord God, as Mary presented herself as the means through which your Son would come to earth, we present ourselves, our intentions, and our treasure, that you may use us to bring the joy of your realm ever closer to the world you have made and love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. *Hymn 105 People, Look East, verses 4 and 5 *Blessing Go now, for you are chosen and sent in the Spirit. Pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. Keep what is good, avoid every kind of evil. To all in need bear witness that the time is come when yhe Sovereign Lord will save his people. And may God who gives peace make you holy in every way. May Christ Jesus clothe you with salvation and victory. And may the Holy Spirit speak through you with the good news of life everlasting. Amen. *Hymn 92 While We Are Waiting, Come While we are waiting, come. While we are waiting, come. Jesus, our Lord, Emmanuel, while we are waiting, come. *Postlude |
PastorCinda Harkless Archives
July 2024
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