A Good Start

First Sunday of Advent Year A November 30, 2025 Matthew 24:36-44 A Good Start Prelude Greeting Good Morning to everyone hear, it is good to see you, and I thank God that you were able to make it here safely, also good morning to those who are joining us online. We have changed our platform to youtube. I usually post the service on Facebook later. I am also glad to see you all here, and Glad that through technology – we are able to be united in the spirit of God during this worship service. If you look around, you can tell that it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Well actually it looks like advent – the time of preparation for Christ. Advent is not the count down to Christmas, it is a season within itself. A season for us to be intentional about our relationship to the spirit of love in the world. As you know each of the 4 Sundays of Advent has a theme. The theme for the first Sunday of advent is hope. Hope is not having a positive attitude, it is not finding a positive solution to our own problems. Biblical hope is waiting on God and trusting God to provide. The word wait appears in the OT over a hundred times. In all circumstances, we are encouraged to wait on God. Once again waiting is not standing still – it is anticipation the presence of God in our lives. God is our light when we can’t see in the darkness, that is why we light so many candles in church. Advent Lighting First Reader: The prophet Isaiah calls to us from the past to imagine the future when God’s reign will be fully realized and recognized throughout creation. When that time comes, God “shall judge between the nations and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4). All: Today, we choose to live in hope, believing that the time of God’s reign has come and is coming among us. Second Reader: We light this candle of hope as a sign of our promise to follow the Light as we answer God’s call to transform our hope into reality today and in the days to come. Light the first candle of the Advent wreath. (United Methodist Board of Discipleship) Call to Worship Beloved, once again, we embark on the Advent path that points us to the coming of Jesus. We journey together toward the day that all the earth awaits. We remember the signs and the times that heralded the arrival of the baby Jesus, God Incarnate. We journey together toward the day that all the earth awaits. We tell the stories once again as we learn how to discern the signs and the times, watching for glimpses of God’s here-and-not-yet kingdom among us. We journey together toward the day that all the earth awaits. Come, let us worship God who shines a light to guide us on the path to peace and flourishing for all creation. Come, let us worship as we journey together toward the day that all the earth awaits. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, May 2025 Song O Come O Come Emmanuel UMH 211 A Sermon for all Ages Children’s Sermon: “The Gifts God Gives Us” Theme: Spiritual Gifts Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4–7 (optional) Gather the children Good morning, friends! I’m so happy to see you today. I brought something with me… (hold up a wrapped gift box) Object Lesson: The Gift Box Ask: “Does anyone like getting gifts?” “What kind of gifts do you usually get? Toys? Books? Games?” Those are all great gifts! But today I want to talk about a different kind of gift—one that doesn’t come from a store. God Gives Us Gifts Too The Bible tells us that God gives each of us special gifts—spiritual gifts. These aren’t wrapped in paper, and they don’t need batteries. But they are just as exciting because they help us love God and help other people. Examples of Spiritual Gifts for Kids Ask a few questions and let them raise hands: • “Some of you are really good at helping—that’s a gift!” • “Some of you love to sing or create art—that’s a gift!” • “Some of you are great listeners—that’s a gift!” • “Some of you love to pray for others—that’s a gift!” • “Some of you are wonderful at being kind—that’s a gift!” Each child has something special God put inside them. The Gift is Not for Keeping Now, here’s something different about God’s gifts: They are not for keeping all to ourselves. God wants us to use them to help the church and the world. Just like a flashlight is made to shine, and a pencil is made to write, your gift is made to share. Body of Christ Illustration Hold up the gift box again. “This box is like the church. Inside, God puts different gifts for different people. If everyone had the same gift, it wouldn’t be as special. But when we all share our gifts together—helping, praying, singing, leading—we become the body of Christ.” Closing Thought You might be small, but your gift is BIG. God has placed something important inside you. And when you use your gift, God smiles! Closing Prayer “Dear God, thank you for giving each of us special gifts. Help us discover them, use them, and share them so your love can shine in our church and in our world. Amen.” Responsive Reading (with music) Psalm 122 UMH 845 Passing of the Peace Scripture Matthew 24:36-44 Sermon A Good Start The Post-it Note I hope you had a most meaningful and relaxing Thanksgiving. I did hear of one poor woman who had to patch up a friendship with a co-worker at the office. It seems that Mary was planning her Thanksgiving Day meal. Her in-laws were all going to be there, and she was in quite a tizzy trying to make sure everything turned out perfectly. She had post -it notes everywhere, reminding her of things she needed to pick up and things she needed to do. Her friend Sharon stopped by her desk at lunchtime on Wednesday. “Are you ready for lunch? This is the day you promised to take me out to Appleby’s for my birthday.” “Oh, yes indeed, Sharon!” said Mary as she tried to cover herself for having forgotten Sharon’s birthday. Sharon was a sensitive sort who got her nose bent out of shape at any perceived slight. Mary thought everything was just fine as they got into the car. But then, as she settled into her seat, Sharon, in a very sarcastic voice shouted, “Thanks a lot, Mary!” Mary asked, “What’s wrong now?” Her friend pointed to the post-it note stuck to Mary’s dashboard. It read, “Take out the turkey!” Staff So this is the Sunday where we make the big switch from fall harvest to advent. Thanksgiving was only 3 days ago, but I feel that I have aged so much since then. People picked up their final leaves of the season, we have had one of the biggest snow storms in ages, Wilmington has won the state championship. Eating turkey seems like a distant memory. In three days the world has literally been turned upside down. Today is the first Sunday of Advent, where we start at the end of the story. Matthew 24 is the beginning of the end of Jesus’ story. He has not been crucified yet, he is still alive to give is last lesson to his followers. He warns us to stay woke, to pay attention to life. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. We need to be prepared for the times when God breaks into our normal routines. Jesus ways that you never know when God will catch us off guard and change our lives forever. I think that there is one thing that we hate more that change. That is being caught off guard. I think that is why we spend so much time creating routines, rituals and plans. We don’t like surprises, we want to be prepared for everything that happens to us. We work so hard at creating a world that we understand, and yet life still happens. Being caught off guard is a natural part of life, but we spend billions to avoid it. Everyday the world shifts under our feet just a bit, and we have to choice but to adapt, or better yet, to transform. Every day we have an encounter with God – sometimes a big encounter, most of the time a small encounter. Coming face to face with God is uncomfortable, and it leaves us feeling vulnerable. But each time we meet with God we are changed for the better. Advent is the time when the coffee pot gets overturned. Jesus challenges us to let God enter our lives in new and refreshing ways. Matthew 24 is a warning and a promise. Jesus uses a flood, a kidnapper and a thief to shake us up our of complacency. The flood that caused Noah to build an ark, the kidnapper who took one farmer out of the field and left the other, and a thief who broke into a house in the middle of the night all have one thing in common – they were unexpected. Jesus says that you can’t prevent the unexpected, but you can learn how to respond to it. Jesus advice is to pay attention, and not get so distracted with life that you don’t recognize God knocking at the door. Be Prepared at all Times There was once an absent-minded professor who became so absorbed in his work that he forgot the simplest details. One morning his wife said, "Now Henry, remember, we are moving today. Here, I'm putting this note in your pocket. Don't forget." The day passed by and the man came home to his house. He entered the front door, and found the place empty. Distraught, he walked out to the curb and sat down. A young boy walked up to him, and he asked him, "Little boy, do you know the people who used to live here?" The boy replied, "Sure, Dad, mother told me you'd forget." How often do we become so absorbed in "the little things of this world" that we forget who we are and whose we are and where we are going... Donald L. Deffner, Seasonal Illustrations, Resource, 1992, p. 6. There is a story called What is the world like. God and a man are walking down a road. The man asks God, What is the world like? God replies, I cannot talk when I am thirsty. If you could get me a drink of cool water, we can discuss that the world is like. There is a village nearby, go and get me a drink. The man goes into the village and knocks at the door of the first house. A beautiful young woman opens the door. His jaw drops, but he manages to say I need a glass of cool water. Of course, she says smiling. But it is midday. Would you care to stay for some food? I am hungry he says looking over his shoulder. And your offer of food is a great kindness. He goes in and the door closes behind him. Thirty years go by. The man who wanted to know what the world was like and the woman who offered him food have married ad raised five children. He is a respected merchant and she is an honored member of the community. One day a terrible storm comes in off the ocean and threatens their lives. The merchant cries out Help me God. A voice from the midst of the storm says where is my cup of water? I think all of us know What it is like to get so busy with the life in front of us that we forget our relationship with God. TS Eliott says that we get comfortable with living and partly living. Advent is time to reclaim our relationship. A Jewish doctor says that she remembers her relationship with God when she washes her hands to treat a patient. She says a prayer of purification to remind her that she is doing God’s work with her hands. A businessman says that during Christmas he stops by the tree in the hallway of his building, it helps him to get in touch with his connection to the Holy. What are some ways that you can pause in your daily life to give honor to God? • Jesus warns us that it is our routines, rituals and plans to lull us to sleep in the spiritual life. They can rob God of the power to change our hearts. Between the times - Karl Barth o We live between Creation and re-creation, looking backward to what God has done, assured of God’s presence in the current moment, and (Advent!) looking at what God is doing/culminating Kingdom of God Matthew 24 is called apocalyptic literature. There are these stories all throughout the bible. They are stories of how God’s transformation breaks into everyday life. It is popular to talk about these stories as endtime stories. Transformation is unsettling – so we are afraid of it. But in God’s world, for every ending, there is always a new beginning. o Jesus talks about 2 people being in a field and one is taken and one is left behind. In our popular understanding God kidnaps one person and take that person to heaven and leaves the other person behind to go on about their life with no hope of salvation ever. The verbs that get translated “swept away” and “left behind” could have been “hauled off” and “forgiven” which makes much more sense in the context of the rest of this passage But what if we take that popular assumption of left behind and turn it upside down. What if the one left behind and goes on with life gets a chance to realize their sins and pray for forgiveness and learns God’s grace? What if that person gets the chance in life to change their lifesstyyle and they find the true definition of salvation. I don’t believe it is possible to continue to go through life and have no hope, no peace, no light. Life means that God is with us. The bible says that God is a God of the living. My friends, each one of us lives in the shadow of the apocalypse - the dark reality of the end of our time and the end of the world's time. That is the warning of Advent. But there is also good news. There is also the promise of Advent - the promise that in the darkness, in the shadows, in the unpredictable anxiety of our unfinished lives, God is present. God is in control, and God will come again. With each candle we light, the shadows recede a bit, and the promise comes closer. With each candle we light, we are proclaiming that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness will never overcome it. The promise is that wherever there is darkness and dread in our lives, wherever there is darkness and dread in the world around us, God is present to help us endure. God is in charge, and hope is alive. And as long and as interminable as the night seems, morning will come - in God's good time and God's good way. Susan R. Andrews, The Offense of Grace, CSS Publishing Company o “what if this week, as our homework, we take stock of their lives, asking what it is that they most fear about an uncertain future, and then reminding them of the promise that whether or not their immediate fears are realized, we were created for more than fear because Jesus, the Son of Man and Son of God whose coming birth we anticipate, has promised to come always to be both with us and for us” (David Lose, Workingpreacher.com) • Charles Dickens story of Ebenezer Scrooge is also a warning tale of taking our everyday life too seriously. We all know the story. Like Dickens’s beloved character Scrooge, the future is never set, but it is always coming. We are left to prepare for the future. Lighting candles in the midst of growing darkness is the Christian way. Not giving into the darkness is the epitome of discipleship. We know not the details of the future. We know not just how dark it may get, but we know that the light of a single candle can hold it off. Let is pray……. Song We’ve a Story to Tell the Nations UMH 569 Prayers of the People In the hushed anticipation of your coming, O Lord, kindle in us the desire to remain awake; that we might be ready for your coming and eager to pray. O God, in days to come, the mountain of your house will be established, and your joy shall reign. We pray for the church (especially…), that you might teach us your ways and that we might walk in your paths. Come, Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer. Out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and you, O God, shall judge between the nations. We pray for our nation, and all nations, that your peace would be manifest in every corner of the earth. Come, Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer. In your Kingdom, O Lord, wolves lie down with lambs and children play with serpents without fear. We pray for the sick, the suffering, and those in distress of any kind (especially…); that you would heal all injuries, comfort all grief, and settle all wrongs. Come, Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer. In your Kingdom, O Lord, even the wilderness and dry land are glad and rejoice. We pray for those who rejoice this week as they celebrate their birthday (especially… and anniversaries…); that they might obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing might flee away. Come, Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer. In the fullness of time, O God, you sent your son to be born of our sister Mary. And his name was Emmanuel: God with Us. We thank you for your Presence with us, and we pray that you might be always present with those whom we love but see no longer. Come, Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer. Come among us, O God, and hear our prayers; so that when your Son Jesus comes among us with great might, and in manger mild, we might recognize his face and his voice, and come to adore him. Amen. Written by Fr. Rick Morley and posted on rick morley, Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “A prison cell (is one) in which one waits, hopes…and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside. (N)ot a bad picture of Advent.” Today we begin the season of Advent, recognizing in some ways how we, ourselves, live behind the bars which can only be opened from the outside. Gratefully, we seek to follow the One who came to set people free. And, when we claim that freedom, we become people who can open the doors for those still bound by fear, poverty, or pain. Our financial gifts today will help keep the ministries of this congregation able to serve those whose lives are restricted (name a particular ministry, or a particular Advent effort of your congregation). Your generosity today may well be the gift which allows someone to know the freeing power of the Holy. Let us receive our morning offering, tithes and gifts. Prayer of Thanksgiving Generous God, Thank you for all you have given us. Thank you for the ways we’re set free in Jesus, the Christ. Receive now these offered gifts. Help us use them to transform the world as we work to be the strong hands and feet of the Body of Christ, here and now. Open us each day to more ways to give in this season of giving, so we might both make change and BE the change you desire to lean us all toward true freedom. Amen. (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook We do not leave this sanctuary and leave God behind. God’s call to prepare our hearts, our minds, our communities and our world for the coming Christ is clear. May this call be ever before us; guiding us, inspiring us, enabling us to be Christ’s body — his hands, his feet, his heart — in this, God’s world. May the grace, hope, peace and love of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, be with us all, now and forever. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Terri McDowell Ott) Community Time – Sharing of Joys and Concerns Benediction Advent people, go from this place in the blessing of God who journeys with us, guiding our path as we wait, watch, and work for the day when we beat swords into plowshares and follow the path of peace until God’s kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven. Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, May 2025. Additional Illustrations

The Christmas Promise

Christmas Eve Isaiah 9:2-7 Year C Opening Song Welcome Home Lighting of the Advent and Christ candle Opening Prayer O wondrous God of the stars, we come tonight with breathless wonder to see the babe who will change our lives. We hear the names “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Prince of Peace,” and we are in awe. You have touched the earth this night with your unconditional love. Touch us— touch our hearts and minds and souls. May we never tire of this story. May we never take it for granted. Make this night magical again. Amen. Song Hark the Herald Angels Sing UMH 240 Invitation to the Offering Come now and kneel before the Christ child. Bring all that you are and all that you have. Offer your gifts in wonder and surprise and awe. Offer your gifts in joy and delight. Prayer of Thanksgiving So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come, peasant, king, to own Him. The King of Kings salvation brings. Let loving hearts enthrone Him. This, this is Christ the King whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring him laud the Babe, the Son of Mary. Dear Lord, accept our gifts to your mission on earth. Amen. TELLING THE STORY (Please use leader and people instead of presider and assembly) Presider: The Light of Christ is born anew this night as your heart. Assembly: And also yours. Presider: In the beginning, Light shines in the darkness – Loving, Beautiful, Good – giving birth to all creation, the center, the heart, of unfolding life. The Light graces all creation as God’s presence. Assembly: The Light is Christ. Presider: The Light is the child of Mary and Joseph. Assembly: The Light is Love. Presider: The Light is a Jewish mystic, sage, and prophet. Assembly: The Light is Beautiful. Presider: The Light is life in the midst of death. Assembly: The Light is Good. Presider: May Christ, the Light, reveal to all who would see the wisdom and wonder of God’s boundless love. All: Amen. We sit. Scripture Isaiah 9:2-7 [a] The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. 3 You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy. They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest, as those who divide plunder rejoice. 4 As on the day of Midian, you’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them, the staff on their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor. 5 Because every boot of the thundering warriors, and every garment rolled in blood will be burned, fuel for the fire. 6 A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be vast authority and endless peace for David’s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of heavenly forces will do this. Song Away in the Manger UMH 217 (verses 1, 3) Christmas Message Living By the Light Jesus Christ is the promise of Christmas. Steve Thomason is a Lutheran Pastor who tells the story of a promise that his older brother made to him as a child. He was a third grader and his brother was a junior in high school – you can predict how this promise will go. One year his mother was making his favorite cookies, thumbprint cookies. He loved the jelly inside of the thumbprint. So his brother promised him cookies if he went upstairs and cleaned his brother’s room and did all of his chores. Young Steve went upstairs and did the best that he could to make his brother happy. After he finished, he ran downstairs, his brother met him at the bottom of the steps with his hands behind his back. Steve waited in anticipation – and when his brother revealed his hand – sure enough there were thumbprint cookies. His brother laughed when he revealed that that the cookies had no jelly in them. Steve grew up and never forgot the so called promise that his brother made. Life is full of promises. The bible is full of promises. Christianity is full of promises Christmas is full of promises. Our scripture in Isaiah is a promise. Isaiah promises that the people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. People who were living in oppression and frustration will see freedom, as a leader is born who will lead them into a better life. This fortells the birth of Jesus. Christmas is full of promises. Christmas promises peace, joy, love and hope. Beautiful words that we hear every Christmas – but do you ever wonder if they will be fulfilled? Christmas eve in worship is perfect. But as soon as you watch the next newscast, we will be reminded that Christmas is not full of peace, joy, hope and love. Just last night I watched in horror as a shooting in Oakbrook mall occurred. All I could think of was being a parent sending my child Christmas shopping alone for the first time, only to hear that the mall was in lock down. I think that with all that is happening in our lives today – we can wonder if the Christmas promise even matters any more. And every year at Christmas we are reminded of the promises of Isaiah. It was a promise to the people of the time, but it was also a promise to the world. – that the current suffering would end. That promise manifested itself again thousands of years later when a baby was born in the manger. The promise manifest itself today – when we continue to have faith, even in the midst of a pandemic. We continue to hope that things will get better. Isaiah says that a son will be born and his name will be Immanuel – God is with us. he shall be called wonderful counselor, mighty god, eternal father, prince of peace. He shall be a savior. His name is Jesus. Does the Christmas promise still matter today – I think that is up to each of us. His Name at the Top _ missionary A Payne I had the nicest Christmas list, The longest one in town, Till Daddy looked at it and said, "You'll have to cut it down." I knew that what he said was true Beyond the faintest doubt, But was amazed to hear him say, "You've left your best friend out." And so I scanned my list again, And said, "Oh, that's not true!" But Daddy said, "His name's not there, That Friend who died for you." And then I clearly understood, 'Twas Jesus that he meant; For Him who should come first of all I hadn't planned a cent! I'd made a Christmas birthday list, And left the Saviour out! But, oh, it didn't take me long To change the list about. And though I've had to drop some names of folks I like a lot, My Lord must have the most---because His name is at the top! As long as we remember to keep Christ name at the top of our list, then God’s promises will come true. Is Christmas just a day in our life, or is our life contained in this day? Christ has to come first in all that we do, in order for the Christmas promise to make a difference for us all. If Christ is present in our hearts – then the promise will be fulfilled in the world. I leave you with the words of this poem May the Christmas GIFTS remind us of God’s greatest gift, His only Son. * May the Christmas CANDLES remind us of Him who is the “Light of the world.” * May the Christmas TREES remind us of another tree upon which he died. * May the Christmas CHEER remind us of Him who said, “Be of good cheer.” * May the Christmas FEAST remind us of Him who is “the Bread of Life.” * May the Christmas BELLS remind us of the glorious proclamation of His birth. * May the Christmas CAROLS remind us of the son the angels sang, “Glory to God in the Highest!” * May the Christmas SEASON remind us in every way of Jesus Christ our King! Let us celebrate the fact that the Christmas promise still lives today. Pastoral Prayer God of bright and shining stars, we come this evening with the reminiscences of the old, old story in our hearts. For many here, the story has been heard numerous times, flooding their lives with warmth and love; For others the story is new, surprising, causing wonder and surprise. All around us are symbols and reminders of the miraculous Birth. We see the greens which remind us of your eternal presence and love for us. The candles shed their glowing light helping us to remember the many ways in which you have brightened our lives and offered light to our journey. The colors, the music, and aromas, the people, invite us again into your wonderful presence in the world in the birth of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. In this world in which your holy land is in such turmoil, shed your light anew, that your healing Love may bring Peace and Hope to people in conflict. We ask that you protect all those who are in harm’s way; all those who live lives of anguish, poverty, oppression. We ask your loving presence to be with those who refuse to believe in you; who see your word through the church as a tradition, but see very little impact in their daily lives. Let the Light of Jesus Christ penetrate that darkness of alienation and bring Hope and Peace to all your people. May the light of the stars which sparkled in those dark skies, again illuminate our lives, guiding, healing, leading us to you, Blessed God.. As we gather in this time and place, hearing the story of the birth, remind us again that you are born continually in our lives. In gratitude we offer our praise and our love to you. AMEN. Invitation to Communion This is a magical night. God-with-us has come to touch our world, our lives. God-with-us has come to bring us out of darkness into a glorious light. God-with-us invites us now to come to the table, believing in the promises of God fulfilled tonight. Here we hear angels, and see shepherds, and are transformed by a baby. Here love is offered, and love is found, in the sharing of bread and cup. Here we find our journey’s end and its beginning. Communion – page 13 PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION We are filled with joy for we have heard good news of great joy. We are filled with love for we have tasted the sign of God's great love. We are filled with hope for the angels still sing in our world and there is a Light for us to follow. Passing of the Light Silent Night – UMH 239 Benediction May the light that began at creation, continued through the witness of the prophets, and has come to fullness at the Birth of Jesus Christ , be in your hearts and minds this evening. As you go from this place may your spirits be filled with joy and hope; for God’s precious Light has been given for you. Go in Peace and know that God’s peace always goes with you. AMEN. Additional illustrations Slow Down and Welcome Christmas “The Christmas spirit comes on me more slowly than it used to,” writes Joan Mills, a mother of three children, in her book Christmas Coming. “But it comes, it comes. Middle-aged (most of the time) and jaded (some of the time), I complain of plastic sentiment, days too brief, bones too weary. Scrooge stands at my elbow muttering, “Bah!” and “Humbug!” as I total the bills. But when I acknowledge the child I once was (and still am, somewhere within), the spirit of Christmas irresistibly descends.” “For Christmas is truly for children those we have, and those we have been ourselves. It is the keeping-place for memories of our age in lovely ritual and simplicities. “I’m tired,” I say fretfully. “There’s just too much to do! Must we make so much of Christmas?” “Yes!” they say flatly. “But bayberry, pine and cinnamon scent the shadowed room. Snow lies in quiet beauty outside. I hear someone downstairs turning on the tree lights while another admires. I lie very still in the dark. From the church in the village on the far side of the woods, carillon notes fall faint and sweet on winter clear air. “Silent night,” my heart repeats softly. Holy night. All is calm All is bright. “As I take the stairs lightly going down, no bones weary now, my whole self is thankful; once again, I am flooded with the certainty (call it faith) that there’s goodness in the world, and love endures.” Leonard Sweet, adapting Joan Mills, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com Pick Up the Baby Sam Levenson tells a wonderful story about the birth of his first child. The first night home the baby would not stop crying. His wife frantically flipped through the pages of Dr. Spock to find out why babies cry and what to do about it. Since Spock’s book is rather long, the baby cried a long time. Grandma was in the house, but since she had not read the books on childrearing, she was not consulted. The baby continued to cry. Finally, Grandma could be silent no longer. “Put down the book,” she told her children, “and pick up the baby.” Good advice. Put down the book and pick up the baby. Spend time with your children. Particularly at Christmastime. We have the mistaken notion that good parents give their children lots of things. Wrong. In a survey done of fifteen thousand schoolchildren the question was asked, “What do you think makes a happy family?” When the kids answered, they didn’t list a big house, fancy cars, or new video games as the source of happiness. The most frequently given answer was “doing things together.” Notice the joy with which Mary and Elizabeth greeted the news of their pregnancy. King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com After unwrapping all of his presents, a little boy was asked, “Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?” He thought a moment and said, “No, but then, it’s not my birthday.” Source: The Speaker’s Quote Book, Roy B. Zuck

The Meaning of a Blessing

Genesis 32:22-31 August 3, 2014 8th Sunday after Pentecost The Meaning of a Blessing We acknowledge to You, O Lord, that You are our God, as You were the God of our ancestors, forever and ever. Rock of our life, Shield of our help, You are immutable from age to age. We thank You and utter Your praise, for our lives that are delivered into Your hands, and for our souls that are entrusted to You; and for Your miracles that are with us every day and for your marvelously kind deeds that are of every time; evening and morning and noon-tide. Thou art good, for Thy mercies are endless: Thou art merciful, for Thy kindnesses never are complete: from everlasting we have hoped in You. And for all these things may Thy name be blessed and exalted always and forevermore. And all the living will give thanks unto Thee and praise Thy great name in truth, God, our salvation and help. Selah. Blessed be Thou, O Lord, Thy name is good, and to Thee it is meet to give thanks. This is the final benediction of the amidah- the standing prayer that one should say every day. It is 19 blessings to God. It is 19 acknowledgements of what God does for us daily. In the Jewish tradition every blessing is a blessing of God. We are the ones to bless God. Blessing simply means a praise, We praise God for what he had done for us. And we can admit that God has done a lot for us. Today, I want to talk about another Jacob story. This is the story of how Jacob became Israel. The name Israel means one who strives with. But us not Jacob who strives with God, it is God who strives with Jacob. God strives with each one of us and we are all better because of it. Everytime that I hear this story –I love it more and more. This is the story of each of us –sinners who reach a point in our lives that we need God’s help to survive. To prevail over our circumstances. Jacob had finally reached the point in life – where his chickens had come home to roost. He stole a blessing from his older brother, he had spent his life running, now it was time to come home, and in order to be at home, he had to face his brother. He had ruined his brother’s life, and would his brother pay him back by ruining his. He wouldfind that our tomorrow, but tonight he encountered someone else. Some people say the stranger in the night was God, some say an angel, some say God, some even say it was leviathan, the river demon that God defeated in the creation story to bring order out of chaos. Jacob was next to a river, and there was a belief that every river had a demon that lived in it and protected the water. If you got too close to the water, then the demon would rise up and attack you. Some one attacked Jacob in the night and they fought all night. This story is in Genesis, intended to answer a lot of questions about the history of the Jews. According to the story, they do not eat meat surrounding the hip, because that was where Jacob was injured in this fight. There is a lot of symbolism and mystery in this story. Jacob fights this man all night, neither win, but neither give up. When the man is tired and ready to walk away, Jacob will not let him go until he gets a blessing. Only God can give blessings, so Jacob names the place Panuel – the face of God. We are all a lot like Jacob, we know what we have done in life, we know who we are – but all we want in life is a blessing. Someone to say that they care and that they love us. This is from a writer named Mary Ann Bird: I grew up knowing I was different. I hated it. I was born with a cleft palate. When I started school, my classmates made it clear how I looked to others. Little girl, misshapen lip, crooked nose, lopsided teeth, garbled speech. When schoolmates asked, 'What happened to your lip?' I'd tell them I'd fallen and cut it on a piece of glass. Somehow it seemed more acceptable to have suffered an accident than been born different. I was convinced nobody outside my family could love me. Then there was a teacher in the second grade we adored, Mrs. Leonard. Annually we had a hearing test. Mrs. Leonard gave the test to everybody in the class. Finally, it was my turn. I knew from past years as we stood against the door and covered one ear, the teacher sitting at her desk would whisper, and we'd have to repeat it back, something like, 'The sky is blue' or 'Do you have new shoes?' I waited there for the words. God must have put in her mouth those seven words that changed my life. Mrs. Leonard said in a whisper, 'I wish you were my little girl.'" To people made ugly and twisted by sin, God whispers through Jesus, "I wish you were my little girl. I wish you were my little boy." All those blessings flow from the Cross; Blessed,blessed, blessed, blessed. It was those words of blessing that made all of the difference in the world. That is why Jacob was looking for a blessing. And the only person who could fill the hole in his soul completely was God. Jacob says I prayed, I persisted,I prevailed, and Iwas preserved. That is life for all of us. The request for a blessing was the request of a desparate man in a desparate situation. This is the story of all if humanity. We have to strive with God day by day. We wake up. Face the day and we prevail. Things are not perfect, but as long as God is with us, we have enough fight in us to deal with the day. Is it my strength that helps me to prevail, or God’ strength, it God blessing me or am I blessing God. Jacob becomes Israel because God and man went toe to toe and both prevailed. That is what it means to be blessed – to be in God’s favor. In the Jewish understanding of blessing, we bless God, in the Christian understanding God blesses us. But what does that mean. It is just a difference in focus. All things in our life come from God. So we say thank you. Christ reminds us that God blesses us, so that we can be a blessing to others. John Ortberg, a Presbyterian pastor says that the story of Jacob is important – because the people of God identified with this story. They themselves became Israel- ones who strive with God. Jacob was blessed his whole life, but he didn’t know what to do with it. He received his blessing from his dad. In those days there was only one blessing –for the oldest child. But Jacob took it. When it was time for Jacob to pass the blessing on, he gave it to all twelve of his sons. He loved them all. He even blessed his grandsons. He crossed his hands so that he could bless the younger one before the older one. Joseph assumed because his dad was blind he didn’t know what he was doing, so he uncrossed his hands. But Israel crossed his hands back – and gave the least the blessing. Jesus continues that tradition with us – which is why we are blessed. Jesus spread the blessing to all, even those who were outsiders and sinners and didn’t deserve a blessing. Through God’s grace we got it anyway. At age 16 Andor Foldes was already a skilled pianist, but he was experiencing a troubled year. In the midst of the young Hungarian's personal struggles, one of the most renowned pianists of the day came to Budapest. Emil von Sauer was famous not only for his abilities; he was also the last surviving pupil of the great Franz Liszt. Von Sauer requested that Foldes play for him. Foldes obliged with some of the most difficult works of Bach, Beethoven, and Schumann. When he finished, von Sauer walked over to him and kissed him on the forehead. "My son," he said, "when I was your age I became a student of Liszt. He kissed me on the forehead after my first lesson, saying, 'Take good care of this kiss--it comes from Beethoven, who gave it to me after hearing me play.' I have waited for years to pass on this sacred heritage, but now I feel you deserve it." Source Unknown. There are actually three elements to a blessing. First there is a touch, a kiss or a hug. That is why we lay hands on people- touch is a part of the blessing. Then you give positive words of encouragement, then you promise to do all you can to make the blessing a reality. – all of this is in the story – God touches his hip, God gives him a new name, and them God gives peace that surpasses all understanding so that Jacob can face the challenges of tomorrow. God blesses us, so that we can bless others. The blessing of Israel was extended to all who strive with God and who through God’s grace are able to prevail. Who have you blessed today? It is not too late – the day is still early, and there are still those in your life who need to know that they are loved. Bless someone – because you have been blessed. Here are some of the blessings promised in the bible. F.E. Marsh has enumerated some of God's blessings: An acceptance that can never be questioned. (Ephesians 1:6). An inheritance that can never be lost (I Peter 1:3-5). A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinthians l:10). A grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9). A hope that can never be disappointed. (Hebrews 6:18, 19). A bounty that can never be withdrawn. (I Colossians 3:21-23). A joy that need never be diminished (John 15:11). A nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13). A peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27). A righteousness that can never be tarnished (2 Corinthians 5:21). A salvation that can never be canceled (Hebrews 5:9). F.E. Marsh. One morning R.C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was asked how he was feeling. "I'm burdened this morning!" was his reply. But his happy countenance contradicted his words. So the questioner exclaimed in surprise, "Are you really burdened, Mr. Chapman?" "Yes, but it's a wonderful burden--it's an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude!" Seeing the puzzled look on the face of his friend, Chapman added with a smile, "I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He 'daily loads us with benefits.'" Source Unknown. Amen. Extra illustration…… Historically, God has always worked with people, and through people, to get things done in the world. Remember, please, that it was with the food the disciples brought to Jesus that he fed the multitude. And he didn't feed them, really; it was the disciples who did that; it was from their hands those people received that food that day. It is the way of God to use human instrumentality to accomplish his purpose. Perhaps he could by-pass the human instrumentality and get his work done without the participation of his people, but he rarely does, if ever. A story has long been told concerning a country preacher who came upon a member of his parish working in his newly-made garden alongside the road. With an air of great piousness, the preacher said, "Brother William, you ought to be very grateful to God for all the beautiful tomatoes and potatoes and beans the Lord will give you in your garden this year." Glancing up and down along neat rows of planted vegetables, Brother William slowly replied, "Yes, Parson, I suppose so, but, you know, you really should have seen this patch of ground last year when the Lord had it all by himself." Leonard W. Mann, Life-Size Living, CSS Publishing Company Children’s Sermon…… Some Things Money Can Buy, For Everything Else There's Grace by Brett Blair Passage: Isaiah 55:1-13 • Lectionary: Proper 13 Item 2 of 2 | Back to Results Exegetical Aim: God's gift of mercy is given without cost. Props: Give everyone a nickel, a dime, or a quarter. The money should work out so that the children can make the first two purchases. Additional props: Can of Sprite, a toy from a gumball machine (e.g. small deck of cards or one of those gooey toys-leave the toy in the container), a freshly cut tree branch that is budding, and a communion chalice. Optional: A small table to set the objects on while they are being sold. Lesson: Good morning. (response) How much money do you have on you this morning?(response) Everyone dig in your pocket count your money and tell me how much you've got.(response) That's not a lot. Let me give you some more. Give everyone a dime. Ok, I am the store and I brought some things with me to sell but now I don't know if you can afford them. The first thing for sell this morning is this. What is it? (can of sprite) How much is a can of sprite? (fifty cents) Does anyone have enough? (response) If no one has fifty cents suggest that some of them team up to buy it. Here is a hard question for you: Why is that can of sprite worth fifty cents? (response) The second thing for sell this morning is this. What is it? (small deck of cards) How much is the small deck of cards? (fifty cents) Does any body else have enough? (response) Suggest again that some of them team up to buy it. Why is the small deck of cards worth fifty cents?(response) The third thing for sell this morning is... What is this? (a stick) What is it worth? (nothing, it's a stick) Ok, now look a little closer. What's on the ends? (buds) What do those buds mean?(getting close to summer) It means spring is almost here. In fact this Tuesday is the first day of Spring. Now I would like to sell spring to you. How much is Spring worth? (you can't sell spring) Why not? (response) Place the chalice on the table The last thing for sell this morning is God's forgiveness. How much is God's forgiveness worth? (response) I can't sell God's forgiveness either? (response)Why not? (response) Application: You are right. And the Old Testament book of Isaiah tells us that there are things money can buy but for everything else hold up the branch there is grace. We can't buy Spring but we can enjoy it because God gives it to us. We can't buy God's Forgiveness but we can receive it because God in his mercy gives it to us. Let's Pray: Lord, we thank you for all kindness and mercy you show us. And, we thank you that there is no cost for them. They are worth more than we could pay! Amen. OT Children's Sermons, Brett Blair, ChristianGlobe Network, 2001, 0-0000-0000-1