A Year Untried

A new year is approaching with all of its requisite resolutions, hopes, and fears. I like to remind my

children during times of uncertainty that we might not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. Many will start January 1 off with the best of intentions, but old habits and routines are hard to break. What are some positive changes we can make in the coming year? We can all pray more, read the Bible more, worship more, and serve more. Resolutions are easily broken, but they are much stronger when we have a community to encourage us and hold us accountable. I hope you will make a decision to attend worship services, educational classes, and fellowship opportunities on a regular basis in the coming year. If you have to miss worship, I encourage you to catch up by watching past sermon videos online at our website: discoverstmark.org. I recently found the old poem, A Year Untried, from R.M. Offord, and I think it speaks to our hopeful future.

A year untried before me lies, What it shall bring of strange surprise, Or joy, or grief, I cannot tell; But God my Father knoweth well. I make it no concern of mine, But leave it all with Love Divine.  

Be sickness mine, or rugged health, Come penury to me, or wealth; Though lonesome I must pass along, Or loving friends my way may throng; Upon my Father’s word I rest, Whatever shall be will be best. 

No ill can come but He can cure, His Word doth all of good insure: He’ll see me through the journey’s length For daily need give daily strength. ‘Tis thus I fortify my heart, And thus do fear and dread depart.  

The sun may shed no light by day, Nor stars at night illume my way; My soul shall still know no affright, Since God is all my life and light. Though all the earthly lamps grow dim, He walks in light who walks with Him. 

O Year untried! — thou hast for me Naught but my Father’s eye can see; Nor canst thou bring me loss or gain, Or health or sickness, ease or pain, But welcome messenger shall prove From Him whose name to me is Love!

In Hope and Confidence, Pastor Dave

Firstborn of Every Creature

Colossians 1:15-20Modern English Version (MEV)

15 He is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of every creature. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all fullness should dwell, 20 and to reconcile all things to Himself by Him, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him, I say—whether they are things in earth, or things in heaven.

The Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[b] praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”[c]

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Footnotes:

1. Luke 2:11 Or the Christ
2. Luke 2:13 Gk army
3. Luke 2:14 Other ancient authorities read peace, goodwill among people

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Lighting Christ Child Candle

Call to Worship

The light of the star shines again in the darkness.

The song of angels echoes again around us.

We have hoped for this night.

We have waited for this night.

We have prayed for this night.

We come not knowing what to expect, yet we come just the same.

To see the child, to witness his birth, to ponder in our own hearts what God has done.

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Preparing the Light

During Advent, we have hoped for God’s wondrous gift.

O come, let us adore him.

During Advent, we have waited upon fulfillment of God’s promise

O come, let us adore him.

During Advent, we have prayed for God’s glorious arrival.

O come, let us adore him.

Tonight, our waiting is over, God’s light shines in the darkness, we hear the Christmas angels.

We behold God’s promises fulfilled in the birth of a child. O come, let us adore him.

Sharing the Light – 

Responding to the Light

O God of Wonder, at the darkest time of the year we burn candles to remind us of the coming of a great light. We search the sky for the light of a luminous star. On this holy night, we look toward Bethlehem to see the radiance shining from a humble stable. Open our hearts to your gift to us of Jesus Christ. May the light of his life be born in us tonight, God with us, God for us, God in us. Amen.

Love

                                                                               

AND LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH                                                     

Reader 1    Last Sunday we lit the candle of Hope, remembering the hope which comes in Christ, the candle of Peace, remembering God’s dream of a peaceful world, and the candle of Joy, remembering the Spirit within us who brings joy.).  Today we light the fourth candle of Advent, the candle of Love.

Reader 2    Scripture tells us “There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out fear.”  God created    this world in love and this world will end in the love of God.  God’s love pervades all aspects of this life.  From birth to death, pain to delight, strangers to lovers, God’s love is there.  We light this candle remembering that God is Love.  Let us pray.

All             Merciful God, we give thanks that you send messengers to call us to greater faith. Lead us to lives of prayer and acts of holy compassion.  Teach us your ways of love and grace that we might touch others in your holy name.  Amen

Patience

Isaiah 7:10-4 New International Version (NIV)

10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you[a] a sign: The virgin[b] will conceive and give birth to a son,and[c] will call him Immanuel.[d] 

Footnotes:

1. Isaiah 7:14 The Hebrew is plural.
2. Isaiah 7:14 Or young woman
3. Isaiah 7:14 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls son, and he or son, and they
4. Isaiah 7:14 Immanuel means God with us.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Gabriel

Luke 1:26-38 New International Version (NIV)

The Annunciation by El Greco, c. 1590–1603, Ohara Museum of Art, Kurashiki, Japan

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[a] 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.

Footnotes:

1. Luke 1:35 Or So the child to be born will be called holy,

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Stories

Tell a Christmas Story

Luke 2: 1-7

It is not only the little children who stop everything else to listen when they hear the magic words "Once upon a time."  Everyone likes a story.  And if it is a Christmas story, so much the better.

Year after year, one of the favorite Christmas Eve broadcasts is Charles Dickens' famous story, A Christmas Carol, with Scrooge and Tiny time and the merry ending, "God bless us, every one!"  And how often the children gather round to hear Kate Douglas Wiggins' talks of The Birds' Christmas Carol or the jingle that begins, "'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house. . ." There are stories of Santa Claus and of Christmas fairies; stories from history like Henry van Dyke's The First Christmas Tree; stories of tender human affection like The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry.

But none is quite so moving as the story which is told in our New Testament.  "And it came to pass. . ." As Luke tells his wonderful tale, we see weary pilgrims seeking lodging in a Judean town; a baby born in a cave with the animals and laid in a feed-box.  There are shepherds and angels and a burst of heavenly music.  "Now in the dos of Herod the king. . ." In Matthew's account there are wise men following a star, gifts as to a crown prince, and a futile plot to end the baby's life.  It is a story we never tire of hearing.

Prayer:  Thank you, heavenly Father, for doing something so wonderful that the story must be told again and again.

Reprinted from St. Mark Presbyterian's 1985 Thoughts on Advent by the author who wishes to remain anonymous.

Praise

Psalm 146New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Psalm 146

Praise for God’s Help

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
    I will sing praises to my God all my life long.

3 Do not put your trust in princes,
    in mortals, in whom there is no help.
4 When their breath departs, they return to the earth;
    on that very day their plans perish.

5 Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God,
6 who made heaven and earth,
    the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;
7     who executes justice for the oppressed;
    who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;
8     the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
    the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the strangers;
    he upholds the orphan and the widow,
    but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

10 The Lord will reign forever,
    your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord!

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Shepherds

Shepherds and Kings

"8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

While pondering the life of a shepherd and remembering a sheep dog trial we once attended in Wales, I realized how much of the birth of Jesus involves the shepherds---not the Three Kings with their treasures, but the shepherds.

The shepherds were minding their flocks when an angel appeared to them (not to the innkeeper, not the kings, not Herod, but shepherds).  Those simple shepherds didn't question what they saw or heard, but immediately headed to Bethlehem. They responded with faith and were the first to see the newborn child.

Those migrant shepherds who moved around the hills with their flocks also began spreading the good news of Jesus's birth: "All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them."  Again, these were not the people in power or the people with wealth, but simple shepherds to whom everyone listened and were amazed.  

As a contrast, no angels appeared to the three kings: they followed a star.  When they reported to Herod, why they were going to Bethlehem, Herod began plotting to kill them and to kill the child.  So while the shepherds announcement brought hope to the people, the kings brought fear and destruction with their announcement.

Although called "King of the Jews", Jesus preferred to be called the shepherd.   The simple, constantly migrating shepherd, not the king, is what he identified him.

John 10:14-16 New International Version (NIV)14 :“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

From the beginning of Christ's story, Christianity was a "grass roots movement" among the poor, the marginalized, the enslaved---even beginning with Jesus's birth.  We are forgetting the "roots" of our religion when we forget about the simple, the poor, the migrant and the value they bring compared to the kings with all of their power and wealth.  The spreading of the Word began with the shepherds.