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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 132 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice! 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 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 Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading Matthew 2:13-23 The Morning Message Ring Out, Wild Bells *Hymn Away In a Manger *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings Offertory *Hymn Christmas Doxology Glory be to God the Father. Glory be to Christ the Son. Glory to the Holy Spirit. Glory to the Three-In-One. Here we offer to you gladly all the gifts that you impart, as we glory in your presence giving from a grateful heart. *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn 123 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, verses 1,4, and 5 *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 Minute for Mission-Christmas Joy Offering Lighting the Advent Wreath, the Candle of Love Betty Dennison Reader : O Lord, open our lips and our mouths shall proclaim your praise. The mountains and the hills shall break forth in singing and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. For behold, our Lord and Ruler is coming to reign forever. (Isaiah 55:12) Today is the fourth Sunday in Advent and we light the candle of Love. It was out of God’s love for us that he sent Jesus to live among us, born into a home and family, sharing our life, with all its joys and challenges. Scripture says: “We love because God first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) We learn this first as infants. Mary swaddled and fed and comforted the baby Jesus, in the same way as our parents comforted us. In their arms our fears are subdued, our cries quieted, our needs met. From our earliest days, we receive love, and in time, we come to return it. As we grow, in faith and experience, love compels us to do those things that exhibit the kingdom of heaven to the world. The Apostle Paul said love never ends and of all God’s gifts, the greatest is love. Our hope for you this Christmas is that you are assured of God’s love, a love that never ends. Prayer Holy One, our hearts yearn for the warmth of your love, and our minds search for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ our Savior, and strengthen us to grow in love, that at the dawn of his coming we may rejoice in his presence and welcome the power of his truth. Amen. *Hymn 133 O Come, All Ye Faithful Prayer of Confession 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. Like Mary, may we 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 Isaiah 7:10-17 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading Luke 1:26-38 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’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 title 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 ecstatic 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. *Hymn 113 Angels We Have Heard On High *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 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 Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings including the Christmas Joy Offering Offertory *Hymn Christmas Doxology (To the tune of Infant Holy, Infant Lowly) Glory be to God the Father, glory be to Christ the Son. Glory to the Holy Spirit, glory to the Three-in-One. Here we offer to you gladly all the gifts that you impart, as we glory in your presence, giving from a grateful heart. *Prayer of Dedication In gratitude for grace given, we offer our thanks and praise: For this season and all its blessings. For life and health and family and friends, we give you thanks. For the witness of this congregation through the generations. For the love and support of one another, For the privilege of reaching out to others in Jesus’ name, For the work of our denomination in the Christmas Joy Offering, and the ministry of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, in relieving suffering near and far. In all these things, we lift our voices, prepare our homes, welcome loved ones, and show kindness to those in need. In the name of Jesus, coming to us as a helpless babe, who died that we might live. Amen. *Hymn 119 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! *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. *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements Lighting the Candle of Joy The Moore Family Reader 1: The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the early Christians: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7) Reader 2: Today is the third Sunday in Advent. It is known as Gaudete (Gow-day-tay) Sunday. That’s a Latin word that means, “Rejoice!” Today is sometimes called Rose Sunday. It is set apart from the more somber days of the season by lighting a pink candle amid the purple ones in the Advent Wreath. Years ago, Advent was a time of quiet preparation, prayer, and fasting. There were no parties, tree lightings, or other festive events. Gaudete Sunday reminds us that even in serious, boring, or troubling times, Jesus is coming to bring joy into our lives. His arrival in the manger in Bethlehem is near, but we haven’t yet reached the moment of his birth. His birth was a sign to people in Bible times, and to us today, that suffering will one day end and the world will be at peace. That is our great good news. Prayer O God, in ancient December, our ancestors huddled low, yearning for the light of the world. We wait expectantly, by the light of a small flame, in the holy darkness. We wait in hope for the coming of our Savior. We pray for ourselves and all others who yearn for these things, O God: Where there is darkness, let there be light. Where there is coldness, let there be warmth. Where there is doubt, let there be hope. Where there is guilt, let there be forgiveness. Where there is sadness, let there be joy. Amen. *Hymn 134 Joy to the World! Prayer of Confession 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 motives and desires, and forgive our transgressions, 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. First Reading Isaiah 35:1-10 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading Luke 1:39-56 The Morning Message She could be called a “catbird,” meaning she was light-hearted, cheerful, full of colorful stories, and just a wee bit dangerous. Even at an advanced age and bed-ridden, she could have me in stitches when I visited. She and her husband enjoyed their home. They raised two daughters and enjoyed raising vegetable and flower gardens in the summers. In fact, it was her husband’s wish that, upon his death, he should be cremated and his ashes scattered in a place we all love- the Ritter Park Rose Garden. When the time came, she contacted the parks offices and made her request to dispose of her husband’s remains at the Rose Garden, only to be told, “I’m sorry, ma’am, it is illegal to dispose of cremains on public property.” Oh, how disappointing. I could feel her grief as she remembered that conversation. It had seemed such a simple request and she would not be able to fulfill it. “So, how did you dispose of his ashes?” I asked. And with that mischievous twinkle in her eye, she said, “Oh, honey, you can do a lot of things under cover of darkness!” Like I said. A catbird. Rev. Talitha Arnold says in her yard stood a rose bush. It had no business being there, in her opinion. The ground was too hard and was littered with too many rocks. It was impossible to get grass to grow, much less a rose bush. Trash piled up against the fence and people were known to throw bottles of all sorts into the straggly yard. She says the back yard of their Bristol Street house was certainly no rose garden. The rose bush had been the planting of her friend, Joan, when she and her family had moved out of the local housing project and into the small house with the tiny backyard. Joan and her husband had developed a group ministry in the inner city after they both graduated from seminary and became ordained ministers. They had moved into the projects, lived on a minimal salary, and raised their family in one of the most impoverished cities on the east coast. Because of their work and commitment, their home became a sort of gathering place, where people could come for fellowship and support, much like a church. Neighbors came at all hours of the day and night. Some were involved in community projects, and the house served as a meeting place. Others came for counsel, and some for food or a place to sleep. Talitha says the work, the ministry, was hard. Most of the population lived on the edge- on the edge of homelessness, poverty, or the edge of addiction. Racism was prevalent and was particularly challenging. Sometimes the needs were so great and the resources so small. There were times when Joan felt close the edge, too, and despair threatened. Talitha says she thinks that’s why Joan planted the rosebush. It really made no sense in that scrawny backyard. It was a pain to water in the summer and always looked half dead in the winter. But every spring, when it first turned warm, she would go out and dig around it. She would prune, fertilize and work the soil. And every year it gifted her with bright red roses. Whenever life or work got to be too much, Joan would go out and sit by the rosebush that had no business being there. Maybe she hoped to absorb some of its tenacity, its spunk. “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad. The desert shall rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it shall blossom abundantly.” Isaiah is a long and involved biblical text. Most biblical scholars agree that the 35th chapter of Isaiah is out of place. Like Joan’s rosebush, it doesn’t belong here. The chapters before and after are harsh and mournful. Death and desolation are everywhere. Isaiah must tell people that they had been unfaithful to God and that there were consequences to that infidelity. A foreign nation would come to overtake them and they would be destined to live in captivity. There would be exiles and slaves, “gathered like persons in a pit, shut up in prison.” Not only would the people suffer, so would the land. Once Israel had been the vineyard of the Lord and Judah a pleasant planting. But now, Isaiah says, the hedge is torn down and the vineyard devoured. It is a wasteland overgrown with briers and thorns. Like exiled people marching to captivity, “the earth will stagger like a drunkard, it will fall and not rise again.” Isaiah 24:20 That’s the climate of the first 39 chapters of Isaiah, what is known as First Isaiah. Everywhere except chapter 35. Here we find joy, strength, courage, streams running and fountains springing up in the desert. The contrast is so stark, it startles us. It makes about as much sense as planting a lone rosebush on Bristol Street. And this turn-around is all God’s doing. Scripture doesn’t say the people have changed or repented or reconciled with their neighbor, near or far. But, from Isaiah comes a new word and a new vision of the land that is coming back to life. God will strengthen hands made weak and knees made feeble. That is especially good news for all of us struggling with joint and bone disease. The blind will see and the deaf will hear. Glory to God! Nothing in the text prepares us for this change. It just happens. Joy bursts forth like the crocus blooming in the desert. God’s joy can’t be stopped. It’s a gift. Today is Gaudete Sunday, or the Sunday of Joy. The third Sunday of Advent we pause to recognize the joy of the season. Years ago, the practice of observing the season of Advent was much like Lent. It was to be set apart for prayer and self-examination. Parties, weddings, and other celebrations were not to be held during this time in order for the faithful to focus more seriously on scripture and prayer and setting one’s spiritual life in order. We aren’t that strict about things any more, but sometimes, in our very busy lives, Advent or ordinary time, we can misplace our joy. Don’t delay joy. That’s not an original thought. I heard it on Law and Order. But it fits. I was raised in a family that valued delayed gratification. Nothing wrong with that…unless we just quit dreaming or hoping or acting with any degree of spontaneity because fulfilling those requests are always post-poned. When Talitha was still living at home, a neighbor came to their door one day and handed her mother a bouquet of flowers. “These are for you,” said their neighbor. His wife thought she might like them.” Talitha’s mother was too flustered to invite him in, but she was clearly moved by the gesture. She doesn’t remember any special reason for the flowers other than it was the summer when her brother endured a lengthy hospitalization, and her other brother was getting ready to start college. She knew her mother was under a lot of pressure, feeling a lot of anxiety, as she worried about how her family would function on her meager salary. There was no reason for the flowers but, it was the first and only time the neighbor had called on them and the only time Talitha saw anyone give her mother flowers. It was a moving experience, as she remembers the tears glistening in her mother’s eyes as she thanked the neighbor. Her mother found a vase that she filled with water and added the pretty blooms. She placed them carefully on the coffee table where they stayed for a long time. They brought her joy. For no obvious reason.. Has joy surprised you lately? Ever? Last week was a tough one for me- I came down with a virus that kept me at home for days, some of our members were ill and /or hospitalized. my mother was hospitalized. I couldn’t do some things I wanted to here at the church or at home, but, my best cheerleader was beside me, reminding me that I was not alone, and yes, he would pick up Chinese donuts when I felt like I could try food. Our puppy, who is typically too independent to snuggle with us, parked her toasty little self on our bed and fell asleep against my leg. I counted it all as joy. There are those in this world who would steal our joy, tell us we’re unworthy, threaten to take our liberty, our property, our jobs, our security, our lives. Instead of waking each morning hopeful, looking forward to how the day unfolds, we become fearful or suspicious or hard-hearted. Henri Nouwen was an exceptional human being. He was a Catholic priest who founded a religious community in Canada that housed and nurtured adults with cognitive disabilities. He found deep joy in living on site and sharing his life with those he served. He wrote the following and I share it with you today: “Joy does not come from positive predictions about the state of the world. It does not depend on the ups and downs of the circumstances of our lives. Joy is based on spiritual knowledge that, while the world we live in is shrouded in darkness, God has overcome the world. Jesus says it loudly and clearly: “In the world you will have troubles, but, rejoice. I have overcome the world.” The surprise is not that, unexpectedly, things turn out better than expected. No, the real surprise is that God’s light is more real than all the darkness, that God’s truth is more powerful than all human lies, that God’s love is stronger than death. “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad. The desert shall rejoice and blossom, Like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing… They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” May it be so for all of us. *Hymn 147 The First Nowell *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Tithes, Offerings, and Pledges for 2025 Offertory *Hymn Christmas Doxology (To the tune Infant Holy, Infant Lowly) Glory be to God the Father, glory be to Christ the Son. Glory to the Holy Spirit, glory to the Three-in-One. Here we offer to you gladly all the gifts that you impart. As we glory in your presence, giving from a grateful heart. *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, our treasure, and our commitments for the coming year, that you may use us to bring the joy of your realm ever closer to the world you created and love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. *Hymn 105 People, Look East *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 the 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 may the Holy Spirit speak through you with the good news of life everlasting. Amen. *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements Lighting the Candle of Peace Judy Napier Reader: In the days when God’s people longed for peace, Isaiah declared: “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” (Isaiah 40:1) We who gather today also seek comfort and peace, not just for ourselves, but for people in every land. We are impatient with ideas of peace that tell us to be quiet, to wait and see how things will work out. We long for assurances that announce real peace, true peace, just peace. Congregation: We wait as people who yearn for peace that bears the fruit of community, compassion, equity, and flourishing for all. Reader: We light these candles as signs of God’s eternal hope and far-reaching peace. May they be beacons calling us to repent and to live the good news of Jesus Christ as we wait and watch and labor for the day when all people can gather without fear to worship and glorify God. Amen. (light 2 blue candles) *Hymn 88 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, verses 1-4 Prayer of the Day May this eternal truth be always on our hearts: that the God who breathed this world into being, placed the stars in the heavens, and designed a butterfly’s wing, is the God who entrusted his life to the care of ordinary people and became vulnerable that we might know how strong is the power of Love… a mystery so deep it is impossible to grasp, a mystery so beautiful it is impossible to ignore. May this beauty and mystery work within us, calling us to live full lives- loving, serving, and growing in grace, as we seek and extend forgiveness in Jesus’ name. Amen. *Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Forgiveness Friends, Jesus knows our hearts and our intentions. He is always more willing to forgive than we are to ask for help. With Christ’s help, our misguided steps can be corrected and turned around for good. Believe the good news of the gospel: in Jesus Christ your sins are forgiven. Be at peace. First Reading Isaiah 11:1-10 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading Matthew 3:1-12 The Morning Message We lived in Middleport, Ohio, for a few years. On Main Street in a duplex that had once been the Unitarian Church. We liked to say it had been converted. It was a town of churches and small stores. The Post Office, town dentist and a couple of doctors were just down the street. We could see the elementary and junior high schools from our bedroom window. The mayor lived next door. In the summertime, a lot of families lived in travel trailers on the riverbank and when something exciting was happening, they would broadcast by CB radio, “The Delta Queen is going to come by in about an hour. Better get down here so you won’t miss it.” Sweet. Quaint. Small-town concerns and values. It is woefully depressed now, but, was a great place for us to start our family life. Entertainment was centered around the schools and churches and Little League and the Fourth of July Ox Roast, and the historical society’s Christmas Open House. Our kids were about six and one when we were walking around the neighborhood after dinner one fine night. It was our main form of evening entertainment in those days. Life in a quaint old town made for pretty pictures, but, the sidewalks were in poor condition. Roots and broken pavement made the walk hazardous in any direction. You just learned how to get around them and continue walking. We were navigating our way around the block. Per usual, Katy’s idea of fun was to do everything the hard way, so while Ed and I walked forward, pushing SB in her stroller, Katy walked backward. We kept warning her that she was going to trip and fall, but, she paid us no mind. There was an immovable and imposing obstacle not far ahead. An ancient tree, its branches wide-spread, its equally wide-spread roots just under the sidewalk, pushing up the pavement. You had to find a way around it or your walk was sure to come to an unfortunate end. “Katy, turn around. Turn around. If you don’t turn around, you’re going to run into…” At that exact moment she turned around but it was too late, simultaneously smacking her head into the hard, thick bark, and saying in her six-year-old voice, “Tree.” That experience was the first thing I thought of when I read the gospel text for today. It fits. Once again, John the Baptist comes shouting his warning to anyone who would listen, “Repent! Turn around before it’s too late!” Into the beauty and busyness of this holy season, here he comes. Dressed in animal skins with insect legs stuck between his teeth. It’s tempting to try to slip past John and just focus on the sweeter parts of the nativity, but, it’s the second Sunday of Advent and John is here. And John is the last of the prophets, the last of the forerunners of Jesus. So, we must pay attention. The four gospels give us a variety of narratives about the life of Jesus. Only Matthew and Luke tell the story of his birth. But even they differ. Luke gives us shepherds. Matthew gives us magi. Mark and John come empty-handed to the Christmas party. The first thing they all agree on is John the Baptist. He shows up in all the gospels wearing the same clothes, shouting with the same message: “Repent. Turn around. For the kingdom of heaven is near! Prepare the way of the Lord!” It doesn’t matter which gospel you read, if you want to get to Jesus, you have to go past John. John is the last of the prophets. He doesn’t call himself that, but he fits the requirements. He is dressed like Elijah, he sounds like Isaiah, and he is standing in the water that marked the boundary between the wilderness and the Promised Land. In this way, John provides continuity, the bridge with the prophetic tradition. And that’s important, because of his message: Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise. Jesus is the branch that grows from the root of Jesse. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is here. So John may look like the prophets of old, but, he comes with a new message. Much of the prophetic tradition is mechanical in its approach. It reminds me of plane geometry proofs: If we sin, then God will punish us. If we repent, then God will forgive. From Isaiah to Ezekiel to Joel, there is an on-going theme of, “Shape up or else.” The variable is the behavior of human beings. A faithful person falls in line. The infidel strays. Much of the Hebrew Bible repeats that pattern. It’s the story of the faithfulness or faithlessness, of Israel or Judah-but that’s not John’s message. John doesn’t say, “Repent, OR the kingdom will come near.” That would be more in line with prophetic tradition. Isaiah says, “Behold the Day of the Lord comes, cruel both in wrath and fierce anger!” Joel is more descriptive: “The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.” When we hear these messages, we might come to believe that the kingdom of heaven is something to be feared, not welcomed. But, John is not announcing a threat. Nor does he say that the kingdom of heaven is a reward. What John is saying is we’ve entered a new reality: The arrival of Jesus Christ is God’s doing. We can choose to be a part of it or not, but, here it comes. Repent is a churchy word. We hear it most often at our time of confession. And, we do repent of our sins. We are heartily sorry, and ask God to forgive us and set us back on the right path. That’s what we say in so many of our Sunday morning liturgies. We’ve recently had the chance to experience this need of repentance at 167 Iroquois Trail. In our region, the past two winters and early springs have been marked by some extreme weather conditions. Like a lot of people, we have had damage to our home. You know the drill: call the insurance agent and take instructions from them. Wait for an inspector to assess the damage. Get bids for repair work and pray your insurance will cover it. We had major roof damage the first winter. We went thru the process and a new roof was installed. All was well. The next year, we had damage to the new roof plus many other places around the exterior of our house. We repeated the process with our insurance people and when the report from the inspector came in, it was like it was referring to someone else’s house, certainly not ours. There was a remark that the HVAC system was dilapidated. We had replaced it less than six months before the storm. The roof was improperly installed and needed overhauling. It was less than a year old. There were remarks about our storage building and fence, neither of which we had indicated a need to repair. So, you know what happened. Ed called and informed the agent that the report was way off and the reasons why. To that, we received a response that we had to repair all the things the inspector dinged or our insurance would be canceled. We’ve been customers for nearly fifty years. So, trust me. There has been a lot of back and forth and it is hard to control your composure and your tongue when repeatedly provoked. I’ve overheard some apologies. But when the call ends, the angst can remain and ruin the day. That’s when there is a need to intentionally turn it around. Turn it off. Repent of the hard feelings. You may not be able to change the situation. You can change your response. Repentance is more than being sorry. In the Greek, it really means to change one’s mind. Biblical scholars refer to it as reorienting, reordering, or re-centering. Resetting. Presbyterian author Anne Lamott once said that most things can be fixed if we just turn them off for a while and back on, including ourselves. I’ve tried it. My phone will reset if I turn it off and let it rest. When I turn it back on, the images that were stuck begin to respond to my touch, my connection to the internet is restored. Most of the time. Sometimes, my screen goes from shades of gray to living color. Kind of like flowers that bloom in the desert, as we are told by the prophets. To simplify it, this is John’s message: We need to stop from time to time. Take our inventory. Reset our priorities, re-order our lives. Take a different way to work or home. See something new. Let go of a pet peeve and turn your attention to a real problem you can do something about. Return to God. The kingdom of heaven wasn’t lost to the idealized past. The kingdom of heaven is not in the glorified future. The kingdom of heaven is here. The kingdom of heaven is just as much with the crew that put up the Christmas light display in the park as it is with the singers who will gather Tuesday night to practice the cantata as it is with the chaplain who visits patients in the nursing home. The kingdom of heaven can be found in sweet small towns all over the country, in the patrol cars of our law enforcement officers, on the playground of every school, on the docks where all those Christmas treasures are loaded. The kingdom of heaven is with us here and will be with us always. *Dr. Shawnthea Monroe, United Church of Christ. *Hymn 113 Angels We Have Heard on High *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings Offertory *Hymn Christmas Doxology Glory be to God the Father, glory be to Christ the Son. Glory to the Holy Spirit, glory to the Three in One. Here we offer to you gladly all the gifts that you impart, as we glory in your presence giving from a thankful heart. *Prayer of Dedication Most generous God, you have entrusted us with gifts and asked us to use them in advancing your kingdom. And so, in this season, we bring our gifts… and we offer ourselves, our lives, our hopes and fears, our dollars, and our hours. We commit ourselves to work for your world, to love and serve and celebrate wherever you call. We ask your blessing on this church, seeking to follow you in Jesus’ name and in his manner, that our efforts may multiply and we might grow in faith, hope, and love. Amen. *Hymn 88 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, verses 5-7 Blessing Go now. Wait and work for the coming of the Lord. In the wild places prepare a straight path for our God. Lead lives of holiness and godliness, Strive to be found at peace, and speak freely of the Lord’s comfort and promise. And may God, our shepherd, gather you in loving arms, may Christ Jesus reconcile justice and peace within you; and may the Spirit fill you with holy intentions. Amen. *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements Lighting the Advent Candle of Hope Bonnie Draper and Nancy McIntosh Reader 1: Advent is a time of holy expectation. Of waiting. Of preparing for the coming of Christ Child. For the four Sundays before Christmas, we prepare ourselves by recalling both the prophecies that foretold of Christ’s coming and the gospel stories of his birth. In prayer, we examine our hearts and reflect on our life of faith. We consider the needs of the world, as well as the needs of those close to home. We seek a fresh sense of God’s presence and power for the year ahead. Reader 2: On this first Sunday, we light the candle of hope. We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ. The prophet Isaiah announced: We are preparing ourselves for the days when the nations shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up swords against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Isaiah 2:4 Reader 1: Prayer Eternal God, through long generations you prepared a way for the coming of your Son, and by your Spirit, you still bring light to illumine our paths. Renew us in faith and hope that we may welcome Christ to rule our thoughts and claim our love, as Lord of Lords and King of Kings, To whom be glory forever. Amen. Book of Common Worship, Westminster, John Knox Press, 1993, Louisville, Ky. *Hymn 82 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus Prayer of Confession God of the future, you are coming in power to bring all nations under your rule. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom, for we live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. We accept lies as truth, exploit neighbors, abuse the earth, and refuse your justice and peace. In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world. Amen. Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Pardon Surely God is our salvation. We will trust in God and not be afraid, for the Lord God is our Strength and Might. Shout aloud and sing for joy…for great in our midst is the Holy One of Zion, and he will save the people from their sins. Know you are forgiven and live in God’s peace. Old Testament Reading Isaiah 64:1-9 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading Mark 13:24-37 The Morning Message “In my beginning is my end.” These are the words of TS Elliot in Four Quartets. Much of what we believe about God and Jesus is reflected therein: the God who made us will be the God who judges us; Christ is the Alpha and the Omega; the God who created the world out of nothing will at its consummation be “all in all.” So, with ritual cycles. We begin them where we end. The Advent season begins the liturgical year and the lectionary cycle with stories about the end times. In fact, we’ve been visiting those scriptures for a few weeks now. These scriptures say, “Stay awake! Live in expectation!” Watch for the signs of God!” Watch for the signs of the reign of God!” But in our end is our beginning: the signs of God’s reign point us to something new and unfamiliar. The colors for Advent are deep blue or purple. For some, the blue reflects the color of late Autumn’s night, a sky lit by moon and stars. The days are short. The long nights mark the end of the year’s growing season. But the long nights are fertile ground for dreaming- imagine the desert blossoming and sheltering a mother and child; imagine peace prevailing; imagine God all in all. Joseph dreams in this season-of the child to be here soon, whom he is to name Emmanuel, God-with-us. Advent is a perfect time to enrich your experience of the birth of Jesus. Whether it is visiting a museum, or attending a concert, taking a cooking class, reading Christmas stories to your grandchildren, making crafts- whatever it is, find some way to enjoy and appreciate the creative aspect of Christmas. The birth of Jesus has inspired amateurs and masters. It will inspire you. Sometimes we find hope closer to home. Our neighbors across the street have a set of 7 year-old twin grandchildren-a boy and a girl. Their father posts their activities on Facebook and I love to see them. Their arrival was a grand surprise. Their mother was diagnosed with cancer a few years before she married. Her treatment was successful and she moved on with her life. She pursued a good career. She married. She and her husband started a family. They were over the moon about the promise of becoming parents of not one, but two babies. So, every time I see those Facebook posts, I silently give thanks for this tremendous blessing. Maybe you find signs of God’s in-breaking reign in doing for others, helping in a time of crisis, being the friend who listens, or sitting with the suffering, simply bearing witness to their pain. Maybe you work for needed change in a public way. This takes heaps of courage. Last week, during lunch, I learned that Charlie Seay has changed jobs. He is not on patrol any longer for the Barboursville Police Department. He is a Resource Officer for two elementary schools in our community. He is working within the school system to inspire positive student behavior, hoping to prevent some of the behaviors that rob young people of success later on in life. Last night we had run to Kroger for a few staples in case we got snow. I had stayed in the truck with the dog while Ed shopped. When he came back to the truck to load the groceries, I heard a man approach my husband and ask if our Thanksgiving was a nice one. And then he thanked him for looking out for his daughter. The daughter is a high school student and had been in one of Ed’s choirs. They live across the street from my mother and we had watched her grow up. Of course he would be watching out for her. I know that warmed Ed’s heart and it reminded me that even though our kids had flown the nest years ago, he didn’t stop caring about young people. Advent is a fertile time to watch and dream, to look for surprises, to notice Christ-like behavior in others and thank them for it, to go out of your way to demonstrate you care. The world’s needs are great. God is greater. It was for this season that Miriam Therese Winter penned these lovely lines: Root of Jesse Rising From many an ancient prophecy Promised child To all who would be reconciled Breaks through at last. A virgin shoot accepts God’s seed Bows to the Mighty Deed. One branch Bears bud, flower, fruit: Christ blossoms on David’s root. Lord, you are stem, stalk, tree! Let your fruit take root in me. *Hymn 106 Prepare the Way, O Zion *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings Offertory *Christmas Doxology Tune: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Glory be to God the Father, glory be to Christ the Son. Glory to the Holy Spirit, glory to the Three in One. Here we offer to you gladly all the gifts that you impart, as we glory in your presence, giving from a grateful heart. Copyright @ 2003 Brenda J. Heard *Prayer of Dedication Holy One, in this season, we wait in hope and we give in hope: hope for your coming reign, hope of your presence with us even now. Receive our gifts, that they may be used to bring hope to our much-loved community and beyond. Amen. *Hymn 92 While We Are Waiting, Come *Blessing Go now, and let the Lord steer you in the way of truth. Be on your guard so that you will not be caught up in the anxieties of the world. Be alert at all times and pray for strength to avoid the obstacles that would keep you from God. *Postlude |
PastorCinda Harkless Archives
April 2025
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