We can do MORE!

This was an email I sent to the pastors participating in Community Lenten services. I sent it just before the services began on Ash Wednesday. This week, one of the pastors quoted me as she preached the message. 

At the Community Prayer Vigil a couple weeks ago, we gathered to say “No More!" We know that Beloit is a good place to live, that it is not a perfect place but a good place. And we say No More to the destructive influences here! Now we as churches are gathering on our Sundays and during the Wednesday Community Lenten services to say “We Can Do More!” We now raise our eyes to Our Lord, and look beyond our four walls to our whole city. We can meet through these Lenten services and in other groups. We will combine with churches and organizations to reach out to our city and beyond. We are stronger together than apart! A cord of three strands is not easily broken! We can take the knowledge and skills that we have individually and combine them, to make this city one that is known for compassion, commitment to improving life for all her citizens! We can do More!

Only Jesus, Sermon given at United Church of Beloit Feb. 7, 2016

 Only Jesus 

Psalm 27 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation

Of David.

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.

Today is the Super Bowl....or so I've heard! for me if the Packers aren't involved, there is NO football. So now it's time to wait for baseball...pitchers and catchers report Feb 19^th!

Which reminds me, someone was inspired by Steve's sermon series on “why no one attends church anymore” and sent me this:

Reasons A Local Minister Stopped Attending Sports Events

Every time I went, they asked me for money.

The people I had to sit with didn't seem very friendly.

The seats were very hard.

The coach never came to visit me.

The referee made a decision I don't agree with.

Some games went into overtime and I was late getting home.

The band played some songs I had never heard before.

The games are scheduled when I want to do other things.

I don't want to take my children because I want them to choose for themselves what sport they like best.

My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up!

{From the book _Holy Humor_ by Cal & Rose Samra.}

Psalm 27 is a Psalm of David, it may have been written when he was about to be crowned King of Israel, or it may have been composed later when he had been fighting some battles as king. As we see in so many of the psalms, the writer has had strife, but is re-focusing, reminding himself and those around him of the depth of the love and protection of God. He intentionally brings himself back to God...And David writes...sings...”one thing I desire...”to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”

This, like so much of the Bible, pertains to the time that it was written; David was praying personally to be close to the Lord always, but it is also a foreshadowing..of eternity in heaven! It's a reminder that while things in life can bring struggle and may seem overwhelming, God's love and the promise of Eternal life, overwhelms even the hardest times we have.

Our Gospel lesson is from Mark..

Passage immediately follows Peter's declaration “You are the Christ!” and these verses are followed by Jesus predicting that he will be killed and after 3 days will rise from the dead! And the disciples just don't understand what that means.

Mark 9 NIV

The Transfiguration

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters―one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

This story, the Transfiguration, is told in the 3 synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. It is a turning point. From this point on, Jesus is on the path to his final destiny in Jerusalem.

Jesus took his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. Peter, the impetuous, action first, mouth running before brain is engaged, Peter. John who would refer to himself as the disciple Jesus loved. And his brother James. James and John were the ones Jesus called, “The Sons of Thunder.” So these 3 that Jesus took up the mountain with him, were far from perfect were they? Yet these are the 3 that Jesus was the closest to.

And they were the three that witnessed this moment..this moment when Jesus' divinity was revealed. Jesus, up on a mountain, echoing Moses meeting God on Mount Sinai. Jesus is radiant, with his clothes whiter than could be achieved by anyone! And Moses and Elijah with him, talking to him! And then a cloud and a voice coming out of that cloud!

Why do Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus? Moses is a symbol of the Torah, the books of the law in the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew Bible contains books of the Law, the Prophets and the Wisdom. God used Moses as the great deliverer of the Hebrew people. He led them out of 400 years of slavery in Egypt. He led them through 40 years in the desert wilderness. God was with them all the way, in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

Elijah was a prophet, who was 'taken up to heaven'- and according to the prophet Malachi, God would again send “Elijah the prophet-- before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes”.

Indeed, just a couple verses later, Jesus would remind the disciples of this, so they would understand that John the Baptist had fulfilled that role, telling that the Messiah, Jesus, was coming and pointing him out to the people!

the words, “listen to him” come from Deuteronomy, Moses' sermon to the Hebrew people, Deut 18:15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers―it is to him you shall listen”

Moses symbolized the Torah, Elijah the prophets. But once Jesus arrived, HE was everything. The law, the prophets, the wisdom. Each of these things is an aspect of God. God is so vast, that we, even though we are created in the image of God, we can barely fathom God. So we have these aspects of God, sort of like facets on a diamond or precious stone. Each facet shows a part of the whole and helps us to see the brilliance within the stone! But it is only one facet or one aspect, not the whole.

In the Bible there are many, many names of God, because there are so many aspects or facets of God. And we sometimes can relate to one aspect, or need one facet. Just as we all like different things...ok let's use coffee hour as an example...some may drink coffee, regular, or decaf, some may want it black, some with cream and sweetener. Some may have tea, or juice or a cup of water! We may have a cookie, or a big cream filled donut or piece of fruit. Maybe we're on a special food plan, so we bring an energy bar or cheese or wait till we get home. We all have our own tastes and preferences and it's all ok!!

So just as we have differences at coffee hour, we have differences in the way we think of God and worship God. Some need a lot of quiet to meditate and pray. Some may find God more in nature. Some may sense God's presence when they are busy, taking care of others! Some of us have days of needing quiet and other days of being busy! We all come to God and experience God in different ways and that's good! So we have different names of God to help us recognize God in our need, and in our worship. This is why over time worship changes, and we have different styles of worship.

That's one of the best things about our Community Lenten services. We get to go to other churches, hear other pastors preaching, other styles of music, different orders of worship. But it IS all worship, it all serves God, and can all speak to us, if we are open. And the fellowship afterwards is great too! We can renew acquaintances and make new friends. Our services coming up will have an even wider variety of churches represented than last year!

Getting back to our story, Moses and Elijah symbolized the Law and the Prophets! But when God spoke and said This is my son―some translations say “My Beloved Son” “listen to him!” then Moses and Elijah disappeared. And there was Only Jesus. Because now Jesus is all that is needed. He IS the Law and the Prophets and the Wisdom, because he Is God's own son, part of God, “the Father is in me and I in the Father” he said, present at the beginning of time and will be present at the end.

Savior, Messiah, Redeemer and Friend

Savior –the One who 'saves' us from sin. When each of us says, I want Jesus to be Lord of my life, He is our savior. He is the One who bridges the gap between each of us and God, the one who took all our OUR sin to the cross, so that when we face the judgment of God, we CAN face God. Jesus took it all. He is Savior!

Messiah- the anointed one―the Chosen one of God. The one of whom God said, “This is my beloved Son, Listen to him!” the Messiah who delivers ALL of God's people. You see, we need Jesus as individuals, but we also need him collectively. This is how we become the Body of Christ! We go from being a congregation or a nation or an ethnic group, to becoming the Body of Christ because of Jesus the Messiah.

Redeemer. --the One who said “this is my body, given for you, This is my blood, shed for you” because we are saved, (when we are saved, we belong to Jesus for all time!) but, being flawed human beings will still mess up. So we need redemption! This is why we do communion regularly.

Friend...even though Jesus is Lord, he IS God-- he is personal. He is one we can take everything to in prayer. We can share our joys, our frustrations, our grief, our thankfulness! And as we share, the Holy spirit brings us closer to God, helping us to be guided and to learn how to live our faith and to be more Christ-like. That is the ideal, the goal, to be more like Jesus. To love well, to care for all of God's people...which is all people! To acknowledge our flaws and failings, but to know that if we align ourselves with Christ, we can find the joy of having God within every day, to be in the presence of God every day, and one day we will all dwell with Our Lord forever and ever!

Let us pray... Precious Lord, we are so grateful for Your Word which teaches us, for the Law and the prophets and the wisdom books, but most of all we are grateful for Jesus, our Lord, savior, messiah, redeemer and friend.

We ask that we may dwell with You always, and gaze upon your beauty, and help bring your love and light to others, today and every day! In Jesus' Name Amen.

a serene scene

Sunset over the river. It's a scene of solitude and quiet. I love the hints of color in the sky. We've had more vivid sunsets lately, but this scene is subtle and restful. Sometimes we need a moment of peace and rest. 

“But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” 
(Habakkuk 2:20)

A couple photos

I took this photo yesterday at a park in town. I love the look of the single-file paw prints in the snow. And the blue shadows, so typical of a winter scene. The park has many plantings native to Wisconsin and the Midwest, which leave their stalks upright through the snow. Here are more native plants along the shore of the icy river. They've been planted in the past couple years to help stabilize the shore line and also to help control the geese that stay around. Geese don't like tall plants as predators can hide behind them. It's interesting that after decades of removing these weedy-looking plants, we've learned that they are good for the environment in many ways! So now native plants are considered to be desirable. 

Sharing Stories

 Sharing Stories (Given at Sun Valley Presbyterian Church)  

Psalm 148
148:1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
148:2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
148:3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
148:4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
148:5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
148:6 He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
148:8 fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
148:9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
148:10 Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
148:11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
148:12 Young men and women alike, old and young together!
148:13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
148:14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the LORD!

This past couple weeks, with all the hoopla over the new Star Wars movie, a couple of pastors' websites suggested that Christmas sermons could be titled "Long Ago in a Galilee, Far Far Away" 

Psalm of praise –don't you just love the imagery? When God is glorified, ALL of creation celebrates! All the heavens, all the creatures, in the oceans and in the mountains...and the mountains themselves will praise the Lord! And in that final verse....

14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the LORD!

The Horn of an animal is a symbol of strength and confidence! Horn instruments are also symbolic of strength, as they are powerful and can be heard a long way! A horn was used as a call to worship! This could also be a play on words...God has raised a horn, he has raised a powerful leader....for all his faithful.

This song of praise tells a story, of all of creation praising God. From the highest heavens, to the earth itself and all her creatures, and all God's people.

Stories help us remember, help us figure out things and ideas, help us identify with one another, to find our common bonds. They help us laugh and cry together and learn together. Stories help us build community. Everyone has a story, everyone needs to be able to share their stories.

{GOSPEL LESSON}

Luke 2:41-52
2:41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.

This Gospel lesson seems to be one of those family stories that gets told often, maybe every year as the family is again on the road home from Jerusalem.

Luke says at the beginning of his Gospel that he set out to write “an orderly account” and that he “carefully investigated these things” So he isn't just repeating tales that were floating around 30 years after Jesus’ life. He talked to the sources as much as he could. Scholars believe that Luke personally spoke with Mary, mother of Jesus. This is the only story we have in the Scripture from Jesus’ life from the time between his infancy and the beginning of his ministry. Maybe this was one of those family stories that got told every so often. And it gives us some insight into Jesus’ formative years.

The family had gone to Jerusalem for the annual Passover festival. This was, and is, the most important of holidays for Jewish people. The Passover commemorates the escape from enslavement in Egypt. Going to Jerusalem for the Passover was one of the things that a devout Jewish family did every year. So we see from this story that Mary and Joseph followed their faith, raising Jesus in their traditions.

In Biblical times, traveling could be a challenge. Ordinary people walked most places. And when making a lengthy trip, they traveled in groups.-extended families, neighbors. A trip like this, going to Jerusalem for Passover, would have had a lot of people going at the same time, so there could have been quite a contingent of people together. Women and children traveled together, the men together. So we can see that Mary and Joseph were not bad parents for losing him! Each would have assumed that Jesus was with the other group. Mary perhaps thinking Jesus, a young man of 12, was traveling with the men. Joseph, possibly thinking Jesus still a kid at only 12, thought he was with the women and children, helping out with younger kids. Families traveled during the daylight hours and made camp at night so they didn’t discover Jesus missing until then.

So - the Passover festival was done, at the end of a day's travel towards home, they realized that Jesus was not with them at all. He was lost. Knowing, as a parent myself, how anxious they must have been, they probably slept out of the exhaustion of travel, but wouldn’t have slept well! So the next morning they hurried back . And on the 3^rd day, searching through the city of Jerusalem, finally they find him at the Temple! He is talking with the rabbis. The rabbis, teachers of the Jewish faith, would welcome men to join them in the Temple courtyard. The rabbi would sit to teach, the men could stand and ask questions and discuss points of doctrine. So here is Jesus, 12 years old, sitting with the rabbis, discussing and answering! And they were all astonished at the depth of his knowledge. I think this point is one of the main reasons we have this story in Luke’s Gospel. The next piece is why scholars believe that Luke got this story right from Mary. We see her reaction is very much the parent of an adolescent! “Why have you treated us like this?! Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you!” And Jesus' reply is, “Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"

This is an interesting family story isn't it?

We all have stories to tell....each of us individually, and our families...

our churches have a story too. We have the stories of our origins, and of things we have done with other churches. We tell of projects we have undertaken, such as building renovations!

it's important to tell our stories, and to tell them well. It's important to hear stories, to listen well when someone is telling their story! For it is only when we really listen to another that we can connect. Psychologists have found that our brains respond in certain ways we tell or listen to a story. They've used MRI scans to find that there is activity in certain areas of the brain of the story teller, and when people listen, they have activity in those same areas of their own brains! The emotions of the story teller are transferred in a sense, to the listeners.

It is in listening to each other that we connect, we find commonalities, and that we recognize that we all have 'stuff' inside-our emotions- and 'stuff' that we have gone through, that makes us who we are. As individuals, as families, and as communities...as churches :) it's in listening to one another, in those connections, that we remember...in the literal sense of the word...to bring to mind again, to again be members together! Sharing stories builds community.

When we hear a good story, we want to do 2 things. We want to tell one of our good stories too! And we want to tell somebody else the new story we just heard. When we share stories, when we tell a bit about ourselves, we are helping to know each other and understand where we've been and where we are going. We learn what we have in common. And how to work through whatever differences there are to embrace the commonalities. This is how we learn to truly love one another, as Jesus taught.

Going back to our Gospel lesson...

As I said, this story is the only one in the Bible from Jesus’ formative years. And this story of Jesus’ life is the last mention of Joseph in the Gospels. Throughout the Gospels we see several mentions of Mary, but no more mention of Joseph. The traditional belief is that he died some time before Jesus began his ministry. And since this was a typical family of the times, most likely Joseph was at least a few years older than Mary. In this time, men followed their father’s trade and generally would not marry until they were able to support a family. Women married soon after reaching child bearing age, so generally the husband was older than the wife.

So we learn from this story that Jesus grew up in a typical family. They followed the customs of their faith. They were parents who were anxious about their son. And after this, Luke writes that “as Jesus grew up, he increased in wisdom and in favor with God and people” This shows that Jesus grew intellectually, spiritually, and socially. So this was overall a healthy family for him to grow to adulthood.

Hearing this story, most of us who are parents or spend lots of time with kids, may find ourselves thinking about it from Joseph or Mary’s perspective. As a mom I certainly could relate to Mary's feelings!

Don't you think Mary would have remembered this incident, maybe each year as they traveled again to Jerusalem for the Passover, certainly on the way home from there! “Jesus, are you with us?” “Yes Mother!” She would remember the terrible anxiety of believing her son was lost, and how lost she felt as well!

And I am positive she remembered this incident many years later, after another trip to Jerusalem for the Passover. Another morning when she had to go to look for Jesus, on the 3^rd day, for a much different purpose. This time the women were going to a borrowed tomb, to anoint his lifeless crucified body. What anguish must have been in her heart that morning.

The baby Jesus, whose story we told just a few days ago, with our songs and readings, Jesus the adolescent who worried his mother, was born to go to the Cross. That was His story, His purpose.

But it's not the end of the story.

Because of course when the women went to the tomb, they found it empty!

Jesus had risen! The birth, death and resurrection is THE story, the greatest story.

so when we hear a great story? we want to share it! Share that story today. Tell others about the incomparable love of Jesus Christ. Tell them about the love that is here in Sun Valley Presbyterian, and in United Church of Beloit, and all over Beloit, and tell how we are looking ahead to the New Year together, to reach out in His Love.

Christmas Eve memories

As the #2 pastor in my church, I participate in the worship services, but I don't routinely preach the sermon on the “big” holidays. That is the job of the Senior Minister. But I did get to do just that in the 11 months that I served as solo pastor while we were seeking a new Senior Minister. In planning the Christmas Eve service, the music director and I chose scriptures to be read and music to tell the story, and I preached a short message. As we began the service, my friend John stood up to read. He reminded us that on Christmas Eve 1968 these same words from Genesis were read by the Apollo 8 astronauts as the TV audience watched the first-ever live footage of the Earth from the space capsule orbiting the moon.

Genesis 1 KJV

1  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

3  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

4  And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

5  And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

Many in the congregation that evening were old enough to remember that broadcast. Though I was in my early teens then, I was profoundly moved by the grainy images of Earth from space and the incredible beauty of the words being read. John's brief sharing of that memory was a powerful reminder of the beauty and timelessness of the Word of God.

John 1

In the beginning was the Word,  and the Word was with God,  and the Word was God.  2  He was with God in the beginning.  3  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  4  In him was life, and that life was the light  of all mankind.  5  The light shines in the darkness,and the darkness has not overcome it.

The Word here is Jesus. God's Son, present with God at the very beginning of time, became the living embodiment of the scriptures. These scriptures tell of God's creation, people, and love, even through the constant failings of the people!The scriptures tell of a savior, a messiah, who would redeem God's people.

At Christmas, we remember the birth of Jesus, the baby who gave up heaven to live in and with His own creation. Jesus became human to be with us as fully as possible, purely out of love. Jesus being human means that he felt hunger, thirst, fatigue. As an adult, He felt the aches and pains of a long's day's work, the struggle of a sleepless night. And He would ultimately face the worst form of execution that humanity could dole out, again purely out of love. As we celebrate this Christmas, let us remember that Love, that incomparable, nearly unfathomable love. Let us endeavor to live in that love throughout the holiday season and the coming year. Celebrate with the Bible, God's Word; and with the Living Word, Jesus Christ, always in our hearts.

Merry Christmas! 

"Earthrise" photo from the Apollo 8 mission. from Nasa.gov site.

What does the Lord require?

Laughing at myself...I put on music while editing a few entries for a Lenten devotional booklet. The music playing was instrumental Christmas. That worked until a song came on with a familiar lyric. Even though it was instrumental music, my head "heard" the lyric and so I was singing along in my mind. Since I am reading Lenten material and hearing Christmas, that didn't quite work out! So I switched to regular instrumental background music Soon a song that came on titled “Cast Your Fate to the Wind”

We certainly can NOT ‘cast our fate to the wind” but need to follow Jesus!! and again, laughing at myself and being reminded that we all can follow more closely.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

–Micah 6:8 NIV

Thank You, God for reminders every day and help me to draw near to you more and more. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

A pause to refresh

This weekend was very nice, warm for December in the Midwest! Saturday I heard a woodpecker tapping away in a tree. I didn't remember that some of them are here all winter! I enjoyed watching the little bird for a few minutes. Then yesterday afternoon, I went outside and noticed these clouds. I love the look of the 'curls' against the blue sky, with bare tree branches echoing some of the cloud shapes. It was a fleeting few minutes as they blew past and heavier clouds rolled in. It reminded me that beauty comes in many forms and we may miss it if we fail to pay attention. Had I not gone outside, or if i'd been texting, or cleaning out my car, i would have missed these 'curly' clouds! 

How often do we miss a glimpse of beauty because we are so absorbed by tasks? There is so much in nature for us to enjoy. May I suggest you take a moment today to pause and take a look around you. and look up to see what there is. I pray you find some refreshment in nature today. 

Job 37:14-16 "Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders.

 Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? 

Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?

Isaiah 9, Luke 1,Blessed Mary

Sermon given at United Church of Beloit

Isaiah 9: 6-7

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Luke 1:26-45

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39  At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,40  where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.  41  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  42  In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,and blessed is the child you will bear!  43  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord  should come to me?  44  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  45  Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

There's a cartoon going around online among some of our pastor friends, 2 panels, the first, the pastor is in the sanctuary in front of the advent wreath with a couple of the candles lit, saying, “Slow down, shh, it's Advent”. 2^nd panel, same pastor in the office, with all around her, “Got the services planned, got the music yet?” “are the poinsettias ordered?, who;s making wreaths?” “Christmas party? At your place?” “Got your shopping done yet, Mom?”

Yes it's advent, the beautiful season when we attempt to slow down in anticipation of the birth of Jesus. And everywhere around us is hustle-bustle of planning, shopping, mailing, cleaning, baking, shopping, wrapping, cooking.... where is the rest? Where is the time to wait..in silence? To quietly embrace the mystery of the stories that happened so long ago, yet move us so powerfully today?

So let us have a moment of quiet.....

Holy God thank you for a chance to be still and wait...in anticipation of You. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to You, oh Lord our Rock and Redeemer, amen.

Our scriptures this morning are from the Prophet Isaiah and from the gospel of Luke...Isaiah was writing to the Jewish people several hundred years before the time of Jesus. Isaiah's 61 chapters have many of the prophecies of Jesus, including those of birth and of the 'suffering servant' we read during Good Friday services. This particular verse is read this time of year. Chapt 9 is one of the very key chapters of all of the book of Isaiah and these verses powerfully point to the birth of Jesus! In Isaiah 7 -as Steve shared last week, is the prophecy of the virgin birth, here we are told more about that child...that he is indeed a descendant of King David and that his will be a reign of peace, justice and righteousness.....

and so we await that time...the birth of this child who will bring peace. And yet we await....

the candles we light during advent symbolize Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. On Christmas Eve we will light the center candle, which is pure white...the Christ candle.

Let's look at our Gospel lesson...

Luke himself, the author of this gospel and of the book of Acts, was not one of the people who followed Jesus, but came a bit later. He accompanied Paul, was 'the beloved physician” and bible scholars agree that Luke spoke personally-interviewed many of the people written about, including Mary herself.

Mary is a young woman, pledged to be married. In these times to be betrothed was more of a legal, binding covenant than even an engagement is in our time. A betrothal could only be ended by a divorce decree. But this was not the same as marriage. The couple did NOT live together..but were preparing for marriage, the young man working at his trade, and perhaps building a home, the young woman learning from her female relatives how to be a wife, homemaker and mother.

She lived in Nazareth, in Galilee. We've talked before about Nazareth, it had a reputation as a rough town. And Galilee didn't have good rep, either, people from Galilee were considered to be uncultured.

We know from later in Luke that she and Joseph were not financially well off, so they were not a remarkable couple in any way.

Well they were in one way...they were faithful. As in FULL of Faith. They kept to their traditions, raising Jesus well in their faith, and they each had a personal faith. Nevertheless, being a young woman, not yet married, living in a town in the middle of nowheresville....and an angel appears to her!! Greetings..you who are highly favored, the Lord is with you!”

and this angel tells her the most amazing things!! she is to become pregnant, by the holy spirit, and have a child who will be a savior....

I have a feeling there was a long pause before Mary spoke, a VERY long pause.

Can you imagine, just going about your business and an angel appears?! And says the most extraordinary things are about to happen!?

I do know someone who says he saw God, but he also wasn't taking his medication! So I think Mary paused a long time...but then she only asked, how will this be, she didn't ask in a doubtful way, she just wanted to know how it could happen, And the angel explained, and Mary's response was “I am the Lord's Servant. May it be as you have said...” She gave her consent, even tho she was not married. In this time, to be pregnant before marriage―she'd be considered an adulterer and could possibly be stoned to death. But she said “May it be to me as you have said.” Remarkable.

Perhaps the angel telling her about her cousin Elizabeth helped Mary.

Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist....this is a miracle pregnancy, she and her husband are OLD! (Sarah and Abraham all over again) but Elizabeth is pregnant at long last, with a son who will be a great prophet...the one who announces that Jesus is the Messiah! Elizabeth and Mary are relatives. So Mary goes to her.

author Barbara Brown Taylor writes “Elizabeth is the first one to hear what Mary has to say, maybe because she is the first one willing to listen.” BBT Home by Another Way

We have to be willing to listen. To listen to God and to one another. Mary was willing, because she listened well to the words of the angel. She knew she could trust because she followed her faith's teachings well, and she knew that even though she wasn't anyone special in the eyes of the world, she was special to God. As are ALL of God's children.

Mary knew that she was a child of God and so her faith helped her to say YES to this amazing life change! And she went to enjoy the company of her cousin Elizabeth, who was in the midst of an amazing life change, who was the first to recognize Mary as Blessed!

And said “Blessed is she who has believed the Lord will fulfill his promises to her!” Elizabeth is saying this to Mary but it applies to herself as well! Both of our scriptures this morning refer to this! Isaiah “the zeal of the Lord God almighty will accomplish this”

and the Angels says to Mary “For no word from God will ever fail.”

God's promises WILL be fulfilled...for all of God's Children! And the Lord has promised Hope, Peace, Love and Joy, because the Lord gave us Jesus.

Peace often must begin with ourselves: "Love is not a vague feeling or an abstract idea. When I love someone, I seek what is best for them. If I begin to take the love of Christ seriously, then I will work toward what is best for my neighbor. I will seek to bind up the wounds and bring about healing, no matter what the cost may be."  -Billy Graham, cited in Peace Prayers

(have you seen our signs outside the church? What do they say-- EVERYONE is invited!} because everyone is a child of God.

Mary, blessed Mary, received the grace of God, and became the means for the Incarnation, for God to become human in the world! This was no accident, but a wonderful expression of the free will given by God. Mary bore Jesus as her very own child, and we can bear Jesus in our hearts as our very own savior and bearer of Love and Light and of God's grace and peace..of Shalom. That perfect peace of God for which we all yearn. WE yes, even we who live in a nondescript town can be the bearers of Jesus to the world!

During his adult life, one of the stories about Jesus goes like this “A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”

33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

as a Mom, I suspect that Mary gave Jesus the LOOK when he said this....but she likely got the point too. That yes, we are to care for one another ...all the time!

yes we are to be Jesus' brothers and sisters and mother...by doing His will! By listening, heeding the Word of God, by following Jesus- by remembering that there is a BIG picture! God has love and plans that are FAR beyond what any one of us can fathom alone, but we are to help bring about those plans!!

it's a challenge to preach on Peace when the news has been so full of anything but. We pray for the families of those who were murdered. But there are atrocities happening every day. People do not have enough to eat, or a safe place to sleep. People act as if no one else matters and “SELF” must get ahead at any cost, shoving aside any concerns for others. We fear the stranger and sometimes even the neighbor! And Jesus weeps. I believe Jesus weeps every single day, over this country as He wept over Jerusalem.

Found a wonderful quote from Dr. David Lose: "It’s not violence that is the greatest threat to us today, but fear. Fear that drives us to forget who we are, to see people in need as the enemy, and to place securing our safety and comfort above meeting  the basic needs of those in distress. Fear is more dangerous than violence because fear can lead us to forget our deepest identity and betray our most cherished values." (11-15-2015)

Couldn't God just fix everything? If God is so great why is the world such a mess? Author Ann Spangler writes, “God.... decided to take the long way round, quelling the world's rebellion not by brute force but by the power of divine love. That strategy requires restraint. It takes patience. It means justice in a final sense has to be delayed. It means evil is played out to the bitter end so that love can draw as many people as possible into the kingdom.    To say it another way, the weeds and the wheat are allowed to grow up together until the world's last day.h

and what if WE who profess to love Our Lord are to be part of the response?

Richard Foster phrases it this way:"Human beings are so important to God that the divine purposes are worked out through the messiness and sprawl of human history. Apparently, it is more important to God that human beings learn his ways in freedom than it is to get things done efficiently."

We are to learn God's ways and accomplish God's will! Yes God could make the world perfect again. But in order for humans to be fully in relationship with God and each other as we are created to be, we are to learn God's ways and help bring about that perfect Shalom.

This is why Jesus was born, lived, died and rose again. Jesus came to show us the Kingdom of God. God's kingdom is a place of Shalom. Peace. The perfect peace of God, which is no fear or violence of any sort, everlasting peace! But Shalom is also safety and protection, well-being for all of God's creation, completeness and harmony, perfect harmony. That is what Jesus came to earth to bring. But He didn't come to bring it all by Himself. Although he could! He came to model it for us. We are to live as he did, and love as he did, and bring His kingdom to one another. We live in hard times, violence, divisiveness and anger everywhere. If we do everything WE can to live our faith, we shine a light into the darkness and the darkness can not comprehend that light. So we keep on living in the Light. Look! I have faith! I bring you a meal. I bring you a Vacation Bible school lesson. I bring you back packs filled with school supplies by volunteers from 12 churches in Beloit! Look we have beautiful music to share with you! We have cookies to bake with you! Its God's kingdom breaking out here in Beloit!! This is what we individuals are here for, this is what our church is here for. To reach out to ALL of God's Children in the Name of the beautiful babe for whom we wait once again.

an ahhh moment.

Behind on my blogging, and a few other things....

Here is a photo taken this week at one of my fave spots at Riverside Park. The mix of clouds and blue sky, sun sparkling on the river...so pretty and relaxing. 

Sometimes i just stop here for a few minutes on my way around town to say hello to the trees and sky and take a moment to relax. I pray you find an "ahh" moment today and every day :)
Shalom!

a Thanksgiving Prayer

Thanksgiving. It's a holiday that means lots of food, usually with family and friends, and maybe a football game on TV. Thanksgiving can be an attitude. We can remember to give thanks every day, not just once a year over a table groaning with food. I pray that we give thanks for a great meal, and remember those who do not have enough to eat most days. I pray that we are grateful for our homes and remember those without. And I pray that we, who are so richly blessed, help out the less fortunate by giving our money and our time to organizations devoted to their assistance. I pray also for those who serve and protect, in our military, in police and fire departments. And for those who must work on holidays, in hospitals and care facilities, and in restaurants and other businesses, and emergency personnel.

I pray for those who are grieving this holiday season. Many of us have lost loved ones this year. The first round of holidays after a loss is rough. And even if it's been many years, sometimes the ache of loss wells up unexpectedly. If you know someone who may be grieving or lonely, do give a call or send a note or message. Even a quick “hello” means a lot at these times.

I pray that each of us remembers how much we have every day. And that we know that even if our budget is tight, we are rich in love. We love because God first loved us. And God so loved the world--the ENTIRE world, all of creation--that God sent God's only Son, our Lord Jesus. It in His Name we pray, Amen.  

letter writing

Monday evening....It's been a day of odds and ends. It was a day off, mostly. I drove by the church building and took photos of the roofing crew at work, then emailed pics to the church secretary and put one on Facebook. I also went to the riverfront and took some pics. A highlight of the day was getting a letter from a dear friend who lives in another city. She and I have been friends since grade school! We've both had ups and downs, and we don't always stay in touch as well as we'd like. So a nice long letter was a real treat. And I am grateful that I had time to write a nice long letter back to her! My note to her has a Maya Angelou stamp on it, and hers to me has a Jimi Hendrix stamp :) We are both proud children of the Baby Boom era! Glad our US Postal Service honors such a variety of people on stamps. It's a fun way to add some “personality” to mail.

I must admit, I do not write letters often. When I do, I type, my handwriting was always bad and it's gotten worse over the years. I can type faster than I can write longhand. When I have “serious” writing to do, like a sermon or bible study, then I do make notes longhand on a writing tablet, or write it out completely that way. Not sure why, but when I am 'stuck', writing longhand seems to help. I have read that writing longhand stimulates more areas of the brain than typing on a computer. So for a recent start to a writing project, I bought a set of writing tablets, in different colors, and gel pens. I haven't done all that much with them, but they look great!

So I am “catching up” on my blog posts. I pray it's been a nice day for you too, dear reader. Shalom.

Thanksgiving Traditions

Ooops, behind in my blogging. But we knew that would happen didn't we?

It's Thanksgiving week. I like to cook the big dinner, for a couple reasons. I like the leftovers! And with allergy issues, I'm picky. Over the years we've modified the menu a bit to be healthier. We have turkey for sure! For sides, we have roasted or steamed vegetables, and/or salad; sweet potatoes steamed or baked, with butter, no sweetener. Yes, we have potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and dessert. And one can choose to eat those things in moderation-or not! :)

This year we will spend the holiday at the apartment of older son and his girlfriend. She and I will cook together. We did phase 1 of the shopping yesterday and had fun and were quite efficient! Phase 2, the fresh veggies etc will be purchased Tuesday. It's working out well, and I think we are beginning a new tradition.

Holiday traditions are important. Sometimes when our life circumstances change, we want our traditions to stay exactly the same, but that's not feasible. We need to be able to honor traditions, but perhaps modify them to honor our new situation. My family is honoring my wish to cook, but at their apartment, which quite frankly has a much better kitchen!

I pray your holiday is wonderful, with people you love, with some old and new traditions, and some healthy choices along with some treats! 

I don't have a past photo of Thanksgiving dinner, 

so here is the "cornucopia" decorations from church :)