Scripture
– NRSV
Isaiah
9:2-7 –
The
people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a
land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied the
nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the
harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken
as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the
garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has
been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he
is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the
throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice
and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the
Lord of hosts will do this.
Matthew
1:18-25 –
Now
the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had
been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be
with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and
unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But
just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a
dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your
wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a
son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their
sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through
the prophet:
“Look,
the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the
angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital
relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
Bob’s
thoughts:
Today
we hoped to be led to a church that was celebrating Advent and it was a special
treat to be here for the family candle lighting. It was done well, and I was
grateful to be present.
The
leader of the Moment for Ministry talked about addressing the physical and
spiritual needs of those to whom they hope to minister, an important starting point.
The
pastor brought up an often-overlooked piece of the Christmas story, the love of
Joseph. What I liked: “If Joseph needed a savior, we do too.” And a favorite: “We
are called to do more than we think we can do but not more than God can do.”
I enjoyed
the harmony of the Praise Team, especially in the offertory Trust in You, as it was strong and
powerful. A favorite line from that song: “When You don’t part the waters I
wish I could walk through.”
Early
in the service I was pleased to hear it identified as Christ’s church.
Jan’s
thoughts:
We
slipped into a back pew just as the service got underway so there was no
opportunity to greet anyone prior to worship. The pew arrangement is unusual and
we were on the far side but could still see some of the front.
I
enjoyed the three ladies leading the Praise Team. Their voices blended and
harmonized so well and their sound was distinctive.
The
message was entitled Birth Love,
referring to the love a parent experiences for their newborn. The pastor
focused on Joseph and his love for Mary and Jesus, including a soliloquy and
poem written from Joseph’s perspective. In one of them it was stated that
Joseph was known to be a righteous, obedient man, and asked if Joseph needed a
savior, don’t we also?
He
pointed out that Joseph experienced God’s love even before Jesus’ birth and
that God is with us, even today, from birth through death, and beyond. He loves
us and He is trustworthy. Amen.
The
beautiful offertory, Trust in You,
was a new song to me, but one line struck me: “How could Heaven’s heart not
break the day You came?”
This
concept came to me when I dealt with our son’s death and realized that from my
human perspective, I was sad to see my son leave his life here. But surely,
even as we celebrate Christ’s entry into our world, God the Father must have mourned
His leaving Heaven, especially knowing the horrific suffering He would
experience. Wouldn’t God the Father have experienced the birth of our Savior as
something of a death? That was when I began to take comfort knowing that my son
suffers nothing now and into eternity, and I praise and thank Christ for His
willingness to suffer to make salvation possible.
We
were greeted and kindly invited to stay after worship for a luncheon, but were
unable due to a prior commitment.
Our
prayer for this church:
Lord,
we pray You will continue to guide and bless this congregation as they strive
to minister in Your name. Amen.
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