This Sunday is Epiphany Sunday. The day of Epiphany is January 6th, but we celebrate this day on the Sunday before. The word epiphany means an appearance of a god or God. In the Christian Calendar, this day celebrates the way that Christ was made known to the gentiles, or the Wise Men.
And so, our readings also focus on the Wise Men:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Matthew 2:1-12
This story differs in many ways from the story of Jesus' birth as recorded by the Gospel of Luke. Luke's Gospel tells us of poor shepherds who heard the news, saw the baby, and went away rejoicing. Matthew's story is different. It tells of priestly astrologers from Persia who observed the rising of the star and came to seek the new great Jewish king. The story also tells us the panic that spread through Herod and all of Jerusalem when this news was announced. Far from being excited the people were frightened.
It seems strange that these priests of another religion entirely saw the signs for a great king, and then went to worship him. In contrast, the Jewish leaders who should have been excited about this new king who came for them, were frightened. The Magi came with gifts worthy of a king. Herod sent soldiers in an attempt to prevent the new king from rising.
The gifts and the attitude that they brought to Jesus were radically different from one another. My commentary (The New Interpreter's Bible Commentary) points out that most preaching about the magi emphasizes their actions. "They acted on the light they had; they went to Bethlehem while the scribes who knew the Bible did not; they gave precious gifts to Jesus." These things are very important. We need to remember and follow the example of the magi who took great risk and sacrifice to come and present their gifts to the king.
Yet, we must be careful not to focus solely on their actions. The commentary concludes by saying, "their action is a response to the divine initiative. Here as elsewhere, God's grace precedes human action." We must remember that all worship is God initiated.
Questions to ponder...
What might the reaction be today if God came again? Do people want to hear about God's presence in our world, or are they frightened and skeptical like Herod and the people of Jerusalem?
Even more, how do we respond to God today? Do we worship God as the Magi did, bringing everything to God?
What are the gifts that God would have us bring to worship?
How does it change our attitude of worship, if we remember that we worship because of "Divine Initiative," or because God loved us first?
May God be with you as you worship this week.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
A New Resolution...
The New Year is almost here and that means it is time once again to make those annual New Year’s Resolutions. We promise to diet or exercise or do all of those good things that we know we should be doing. We want so very much to try harder and to be better, but so often by February or March the resolutions have been forgotten, and we are back where we started.
This year I’d like to suggest a different kind of resolution. Worship God. That’s it. It seems pretty simple, and in many ways it is. Worship is a part of the Christian way of living. It is how we give thanks for all the ways we see God working. Worship should flow out of us naturally each and every day.
And yet, we often find worship difficult, because we get so busy that we forget about God. Not only that, but many of us aren’t really sure what worship is. Is it just about singing? Is it only saying thank-you? What is worship really? And, how can we worship more fully?
This January and February, I encourage you to join us as we answer these questions together. Each week we will explore how to truly find the “Heart of Worship.” I believe that as we seek to worship God more fully, we will find many gifts waiting for us. Christmas Day may have come and gone, but God’s gifts for us are still coming. As we worship, we discover that a deeper relationship with God is worth more than anything we could ever buy.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been worshiping God from the cradle, or if you are brand new to church, God longs for us to worship. So, come and explore with us what it means to worship.
This year I’d like to suggest a different kind of resolution. Worship God. That’s it. It seems pretty simple, and in many ways it is. Worship is a part of the Christian way of living. It is how we give thanks for all the ways we see God working. Worship should flow out of us naturally each and every day.
And yet, we often find worship difficult, because we get so busy that we forget about God. Not only that, but many of us aren’t really sure what worship is. Is it just about singing? Is it only saying thank-you? What is worship really? And, how can we worship more fully?
This January and February, I encourage you to join us as we answer these questions together. Each week we will explore how to truly find the “Heart of Worship.” I believe that as we seek to worship God more fully, we will find many gifts waiting for us. Christmas Day may have come and gone, but God’s gifts for us are still coming. As we worship, we discover that a deeper relationship with God is worth more than anything we could ever buy.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been worshiping God from the cradle, or if you are brand new to church, God longs for us to worship. So, come and explore with us what it means to worship.
The Light of Christ
We had a very interesting experience here at MUMC on Christmas Eve. It started out like any other Christmas Eve Service, but ended with a strange twist.
I planned to end our service with the traditional Candelight Service. We were going to sing, "Silent Night" and I was going to take the light from the Christ candle and share it with the congregation to remind us of how the light of Christ moves out into the world.
Just as I was explaining the meaning of this part of the worship service, the lights went out. It was only seconds before we planned to turn them out anyway. At first I thought someone had just "jumped the gun" and turned them out early. Then I realized that my microphone wasn't working either. The lights flashed on and off several times, before going out completely. It turned out that the ice on the powerlines caused us to lose our electricity.
Not wanting to be controlled by faulty powerlines, we continued the candlelighting service. Someone ran up to help our guitarist see his music so that we could sing Silent Night. The lights from the candles lit up the sanctuary and made a beautiful sight. Slowly and worshipfully everyone left the sanctuary while still singing.
And then, right where we would normally extinguish the candle and put it back in the box for next year, we realized that we still needed the candles!
People went out of their way to help others. Two people stationed themselves on the steps to help others see the way. Others stationed themselves at the coat rack to help people put on their coats. Someone else ran and got a flashlight from their car to help others see outside. Everyone pitched in to help others find their way.
Reflecting on this experience later, I realized that we really were "the light of Christ." We were doing exactly what we should be doing ... helping others to find their way.
May we all be candles for the world that on the darkest night, our light from Christ can shine brightly to help others find their way.
I planned to end our service with the traditional Candelight Service. We were going to sing, "Silent Night" and I was going to take the light from the Christ candle and share it with the congregation to remind us of how the light of Christ moves out into the world.
Just as I was explaining the meaning of this part of the worship service, the lights went out. It was only seconds before we planned to turn them out anyway. At first I thought someone had just "jumped the gun" and turned them out early. Then I realized that my microphone wasn't working either. The lights flashed on and off several times, before going out completely. It turned out that the ice on the powerlines caused us to lose our electricity.
Not wanting to be controlled by faulty powerlines, we continued the candlelighting service. Someone ran up to help our guitarist see his music so that we could sing Silent Night. The lights from the candles lit up the sanctuary and made a beautiful sight. Slowly and worshipfully everyone left the sanctuary while still singing.
And then, right where we would normally extinguish the candle and put it back in the box for next year, we realized that we still needed the candles!
People went out of their way to help others. Two people stationed themselves on the steps to help others see the way. Others stationed themselves at the coat rack to help people put on their coats. Someone else ran and got a flashlight from their car to help others see outside. Everyone pitched in to help others find their way.
Reflecting on this experience later, I realized that we really were "the light of Christ." We were doing exactly what we should be doing ... helping others to find their way.
May we all be candles for the world that on the darkest night, our light from Christ can shine brightly to help others find their way.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Open The Doors -- Welcome Home!
While I was in Seminary, I had the opportunity to serve at a church in Dubuque by working with their "Food for the Soul" program. They served a free meal every Saturday night to anyone who was in need. I worked as the Hostess for the meal. My job was to make sure that everyone felt welcomed, to pray for the meal, and to help with other logistics.
One night while I was working there, I saw a man reading a book. I asked him what he was reading and found out that he was reading Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky. I was surprised that this homeless man was reading such a difficult book. This discovery opened the doors to a rather long and unexpected conversation about Classic Literature and our favorite authors.
Afterwards, I called my sister to share this strange happening. I told her that I couldn't believe that he had read so many classic books, I am ashamed to admit that I assumed most of the people were at a very low reading level. My sister, (being a fount of wisdom) said, "you were probably right about most of the people, but it's those other 10% that get you every time."
"The other 10%.." I've never forgotten that phrase, and sometime would like to do a whole sermon series about how God uses those "other ten percent" in powerful and mighty ways.
This theme can be powerfully seen in the passages for this week:
Micah 5:2-5a
Luke 1:39-45
Luke 1:47-55
Surpisingly it is little and insignificant Bethlehem that is the birthplace for the Messiah. It is two unlikely women that God chooses to bear John the Baptist and Jesus. It is the lowly that are lifted up in Mary's Magnificat. It is the proud that are scattered. God turns the tables on our assumptions and prejudices and helps us to see "the other 10 percent." God welcomes us home not because we are rich or proud or mighty or intelligent. God welcomes us home because we are faithful.
Questions to ponder...
Who are the "other 10 percent" in your world? Who have you ignored, or forgotten, or made assumptions about? How do these passages challenge us to reach out to the least, lost, and forgotten of the world?
What does it mean that God uses the lowly and the forgotten to be bearers of God's message?
Where have you told God, "no" because you thought you were too insignificant? How might God be challenging you through these passages to step out in faith?
Remember that whoever you are, and wherever you are, God loves you! And despite how small and insignificant you may feel, you play a special part in God's plan. So, this week, remember that God has opened the doors for you (and the other 10 percent of the world we forget about) and is calling us home.
One night while I was working there, I saw a man reading a book. I asked him what he was reading and found out that he was reading Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky. I was surprised that this homeless man was reading such a difficult book. This discovery opened the doors to a rather long and unexpected conversation about Classic Literature and our favorite authors.
Afterwards, I called my sister to share this strange happening. I told her that I couldn't believe that he had read so many classic books, I am ashamed to admit that I assumed most of the people were at a very low reading level. My sister, (being a fount of wisdom) said, "you were probably right about most of the people, but it's those other 10% that get you every time."
"The other 10%.." I've never forgotten that phrase, and sometime would like to do a whole sermon series about how God uses those "other ten percent" in powerful and mighty ways.
This theme can be powerfully seen in the passages for this week:
Micah 5:2-5a
Luke 1:39-45
Luke 1:47-55
Surpisingly it is little and insignificant Bethlehem that is the birthplace for the Messiah. It is two unlikely women that God chooses to bear John the Baptist and Jesus. It is the lowly that are lifted up in Mary's Magnificat. It is the proud that are scattered. God turns the tables on our assumptions and prejudices and helps us to see "the other 10 percent." God welcomes us home not because we are rich or proud or mighty or intelligent. God welcomes us home because we are faithful.
Questions to ponder...
Who are the "other 10 percent" in your world? Who have you ignored, or forgotten, or made assumptions about? How do these passages challenge us to reach out to the least, lost, and forgotten of the world?
What does it mean that God uses the lowly and the forgotten to be bearers of God's message?
Where have you told God, "no" because you thought you were too insignificant? How might God be challenging you through these passages to step out in faith?
Remember that whoever you are, and wherever you are, God loves you! And despite how small and insignificant you may feel, you play a special part in God's plan. So, this week, remember that God has opened the doors for you (and the other 10 percent of the world we forget about) and is calling us home.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Home Is Where We Find Welcome
We began our journey of talking about home as the place for which our heart is longing. Just as the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) eventually longed to return to his Father's house, our hearts are programed to long to be in God's house. We long for the joy and the peace that only God's home can provide. Last week we talked about how the journey home requires preparation. We must prepare our hearts to receive the good gifts that God has waiting for us. And that means recognizing, confessing and repenting of our sins. This week we again look at repentance and the incredible gifts that come after one repents.
This weeks passages are:
Luke 3:7-18
Zephaniah3:14-20
"You brood of vipers!" This is how John starts his sermon to the people. Reading this passage can feel a bit like a slap in the face. You think, "how dare you, John, call me a viper!!" John's harsh message of repentance can be hard to swallow. But, here's the interesting thing. You would think that a crazy man railing in the desert would be largely ignored by the people. Maybe you'd get a few people going to see this novelty, but you'd think that most people would get offended and leave. But they don't.
Instead, as the passage continues, we see that there are crowds around him, not just listening, but even more asking him for advice on how to live their lives. Even more, the crowds contain the hated tax collectors and soldiers. How is it that this crazy preacher with such a severe message attracts such a wide variety of followers?
I think, it comes because people know truth when they find it. These people knew they needed to repent and turn around and live a new life, and they were thrilled when someone was bold enough to confess it. The notes in my Study Bible say, "John's message emphasizes judgement, but even news of judgement can be good news if it brings people to genuine repentance and moral transformation."
The news of judgement brought people from every walk of life: peasants, tax collectors, soldiers. All were welcome to hear and receive this news. And even better, to those who receive it, they find the peace and joy that comes through repentance.
The JOY of repentance is found in the passage from Zechariah in which God rejoices and sings and gathers and renews the repentant Israelites. After the harsh punishment of exile, the people have repented and returned to God and now they find the welcome and joy that only God can give.
Questions to ponder...
How do you react to John's message of judgement and repentance?
Spend some time in prayer. Are there places in your life where you need to turn around and repent?
Can you imagine God rejoicing over you with singing?
As you walk through the call to repentance remember that God asks us to repent not to beat ourselves up with guilt, but so that we can be in relationship with God and realize that our God rejoices over us with singing! Praise be to God!!
This weeks passages are:
Luke 3:7-18
Zephaniah3:14-20
"You brood of vipers!" This is how John starts his sermon to the people. Reading this passage can feel a bit like a slap in the face. You think, "how dare you, John, call me a viper!!" John's harsh message of repentance can be hard to swallow. But, here's the interesting thing. You would think that a crazy man railing in the desert would be largely ignored by the people. Maybe you'd get a few people going to see this novelty, but you'd think that most people would get offended and leave. But they don't.
Instead, as the passage continues, we see that there are crowds around him, not just listening, but even more asking him for advice on how to live their lives. Even more, the crowds contain the hated tax collectors and soldiers. How is it that this crazy preacher with such a severe message attracts such a wide variety of followers?
I think, it comes because people know truth when they find it. These people knew they needed to repent and turn around and live a new life, and they were thrilled when someone was bold enough to confess it. The notes in my Study Bible say, "John's message emphasizes judgement, but even news of judgement can be good news if it brings people to genuine repentance and moral transformation."
The news of judgement brought people from every walk of life: peasants, tax collectors, soldiers. All were welcome to hear and receive this news. And even better, to those who receive it, they find the peace and joy that comes through repentance.
The JOY of repentance is found in the passage from Zechariah in which God rejoices and sings and gathers and renews the repentant Israelites. After the harsh punishment of exile, the people have repented and returned to God and now they find the welcome and joy that only God can give.
Questions to ponder...
How do you react to John's message of judgement and repentance?
Spend some time in prayer. Are there places in your life where you need to turn around and repent?
Can you imagine God rejoicing over you with singing?
As you walk through the call to repentance remember that God asks us to repent not to beat ourselves up with guilt, but so that we can be in relationship with God and realize that our God rejoices over us with singing! Praise be to God!!
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