Advent reflections, week three

As we continue in our Advent pilgrimage, we pause in anticipation of the birth of Christ.

 

Each week, a reflection will be sent out (and posted on Facebook) that was written by one of our Worship & Music Committee members. We thank Pastor Jen for this week’s reflection

 

Also, you are invited to offer your own reflections, photos, etc. on the “word of the day” during this month. Here are this week’s words:

15) Celebrate

16) Preparation

17) Radiance

18) Promise

19) Community

20) Faith

21) Darkness

Advent reflections

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14

                  Matthew 1:18-25

Last week, our ladies of WELCA had their annual Christmas party at Camp Herrlich.  Always a wonderful time of fellowship, good food and laughter.  We paused amidst our meal and remembered the purpose of our gathering as we heard again the familiar words of the Christmas story (Luke 2) and sang Christmas songs.

As a part of this re-telling, we heard as well from the different “characters” in the story as people shared short reflections about what their chosen people (or thing) was thinking or experiencing in this time.  We heard from Jesus, Mary & Joseph, the angels, innkeeper and shepherds, and even the manger and the star.

Rather than just hearing the story, place yourself in its midst.  Who would you be?  What might you be thinking or feeling?  What does it mean that our God became flesh and lived among us?

We remember and celebrate Immanuel (God with us) as Jesus is born.  Where is Immanuel in your life today?  How might you bring the presence of God into the lives of others?

As a part of your reflections on these questions, I share with you a poem written by Ann Weems from her book, Kneeling in Bethlehem.  In her words, she invites us further into Advent and the Christmas story as we wait and watch and prepare.

In Search of Kneeling Places

In each heart lies a Bethlehem,

  An inn where we must ultimately answer

    Whether there is room or not.

When we are Bethlehem-bound

  We can no longer look the other way

     Conveniently not seeing stars

       Nor hearing angel voices.

We can no longer excuse ourselves by busily

   Tending our sheep or our kingdoms.

This Advent let’s go to Bethlehem

  And see this thing that the Lord has made known to us.

In the midst of the shopping sprees

  Let’s ponder in our hearts the Gift of Gifts.

Through the tinsel

  Let’s look for the gold of the Christmas star.

In the excitement and confusion, in the merry chaos,

  Let’s listen for the brush of angels’ wings.

This Advent, let’s go to Bethlehem

   And find our kneeling places.

Advent Reflections, week two

As we continue in our Advent pilgrimage, we pause in anticipation of the birth of Christ.  

Each week, a reflection will be sent out (and posted on Facebook) that was written by one of our Worship & Music Committee members.  We thanks Michael Boyd for this week's reflection

Also, you are invited to offer your own reflections, photos, etc. on the "word of the day" during this month.  Here are this week's words:

8) Light

9) Rejoice

10) Peace

11) Good News

12) Believe

13) Prayer

14) Justice

Advent Reflection

[Read John 1:1-28]

As some of Trinity’s adults have met for Faith Formation Class in recent weeks to study and 
reflect on Marcus Borg’s book, “The Heart of Christianity,” participants have stated again and 
again how meaningful our small group conversation time has been.  Many of us also found 
some of the content of Borg’s thoughts quite challenging. Among other things, Borg spoke 
of a different way of biblical understanding. It is one that moves away from literalism and 
more towards a metaphorical method of understanding Scripture's meaning (metaphor
 merely being defined as, “a way of seeing”) - and this is true even for entire Bible
 narratives.

In this week’s text in John 1 (verses 1-28) for example, we hear of one named John who 
came to testify concerning “the light” (here referring to Jesus) for the purpose that all 
might believe through him (Jesus). While all of us are very able to see the Bible writer’s 
use of metaphor as John’s gospel writer describes Jesus as the coming “light” of the 
world, it is harder for us to take this entire story as one big metaphor. Were we able 
to do that, however, the greater  truth we would see beyond the story characters 
(John, Jesus, the Pharisees, etc.) and their interactions  is that the writer wants us 
readers to trust in God as we say “yes” to the way of living Jesus models  for us. 
We are to respond to who Jesus is by loving God in a similar way as Jesus, and to then
 go  out into the world and live lives in ways reflective of our love for the things that 
God loves.

As we all know, this is much easier said than done, especially when we reflect on all that 
follows Jesus’ amazing proclamations and ministry, namely, his being willing to be put 
to death because he stood against the state and religious leaders of his day and time. 
Not being content  with the status quo, Jesus instead seeks justice that neither leaders 
nor rulers want any part of. We are to note however, that those who have need do see 
and do welcome what Jesus offers. 

So rather than seeing Jesus as merely suffering and dying for our sins so we could go to 
heaven one day after we die, this narrative, like most biblical narratives, is instead much 
more about seeing in Jesus qualities and characteristics that help us see a glimpse of who 
God is. The end purpose of  this is so that we might be more deeply relating to God and 
all that is, while also looking for  personal transformation in this life. We are to seek to know 
God and to love the things that God loves.

And so in our text, John (the Baptist) is seen as in no way equal to Jesus, but instead telling 
of one coming who is full of “grace upon grace.” He is the One that demands we “make 
straight the way of the Lord.”

What this says to me is that in this season of Advent we are to continue to seek to know 
who Jesus is, and to then tell truthfully by our living and dying of God’s great love within 
and among us (the Word made flesh that now resides within us). When we live in such a 
self-sacrificing manner, and when we  love as Jesus loves, we are living in a way that truly 
honors the one whose thongs on his sandals we [too] are not worthy to untie. 

Will you pray with me that we might love God and others more fully and faithfully as we 
anticipate the  birth of Immanuel (God-with-us)?

Amen.

Advent devotions, week one

As we enter into the Advent season, we pause to reflect on the advent of our God.  Each Tuesday, a reflection will be sent out (and posted on Facebook) that was written by one of our Worship & Music Committee members.  We thanks Mary Beth Commisso for this week's reflection

Also, you are invited to offer your own reflections, photos, etc. on the "word of the day" during this month.  Here are this week's words:

 

1) Hope

2) Advent

3) Anticipation

4) Waiting

5) Caring

6) Awake

7) Generous

Advent Reflections

…keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.

Are you one of those people whose home is always “guest ready”? Everything in order, clutter free, nothing askew or out of place? I’ve always admired those folks – but I’m not one of them. I remember a time early in our marriage when we were settled in for a relaxing evening and a knock came on the door. We both jumped – “who could that be?!” He ran to the door and peeked out to see that we were about to have an unexpected visit from a relative. I ran to the kitchen to hide the unwashed pots from dinner in the stove. Why is there an unmatched sock under the kitchen table? (always easy to blame the cats!). Quick! Put the laundry basket in the closet. Then calmly go back to the living room to greet the guests and hope they don’t notice the dust bunny peeking out from under the couch.

Advent is a “get ready” time. The reading from Mark warns us not to be asleep but to keep alert, ready for the coming of the Son of Man. And while this reading is talking about the Second Coming – the return of Christ to earth – I think we can also take it as good advice about being alert to the many ways Jesus comes to us in our everyday life. Jesus comes to us when we are shown kindness, love and compassion, especially when we don’t deserve it. He comes to us in the gentle touch of someone using their abilities to care for us or for a loved one who is sick. Jesus is there when we turn to him, burdened with fears or guilt or struggling with our feelings, and ask to be held, forgiven, strengthened. Jesus is there when we gather at Trinity to share in the meal of bread and wine that refreshes and renews us. If we keep alert, and if we keep ourselves ready, we can both experience and be for others a “little Christ” right here and right now. But if we don’t keep our focus on God we may miss these everyday miracles.

There’s no special time to get ourselves ready to experience the love and marvelous gifts of Jesus. Fortunately, we have a chance every day to clean up the dust bunnies in our lives and do our best to live as God would have us. But Advent is a time that shines a special light on that opportunity to be renewed and be alert.

Let us pray,

God, the source of all good, help us take advantage of this Advent season as an occasion to reawaken our faith and grow in our love for you and for all our sisters and brothers throughout the world. As we prepare for Christmas, fill our hearts and minds with compassion, wisdom and patience. We ask these things in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

The reading for today: Mark 13:24-37

“But in those days, after that suffering,

   the sun will be darkened,

   and the moon will not give its light,

   and the stars will be falling from heaven,

   and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say

Easter devotions: April 20, 2014

April 20, 2014                         Acts 10:34-43

Resurrection of Our Lord          or Jeremiah 31:1-6

Easter Day                               Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

                                                Colossians 3:1-4

  or Acts 10:34-43

                                                Matthew 28:1-10

  or John 20:1-18

Christ is Risen Indeed!

Though I am writing this as there is still much snow on the ground, I am hopeful for spring.  Though the official date of spring has past and we are not sure of the exact day when spring will finally show herself, I am hopeful that she will indeed appear.  I base this hope on past experiences and the promise of the barren trees.

Spring is that visual sign of the resurrection for us.  We tell the story of the empty tomb each year.  We hear the doubts and exclamations of Mary, Peter and Thomas.  We look towards the promise of the resurrection on the dead as we proclaim in our creeds.  We know the words, we share the story, but we experience its reality each spring.

The resurrection is a promise.  Not just for tomorrow or on the last day, but is it a promise as each new day dawns.  In proclaiming our belief in the resurrection of the dead, we are pointing not just to the gravestones, but to those places, situations and relationships that are broken, that may seem dead or hopeless. We look at life with hope and promise because of Christ’s resurrection.  In the face of the impossible, we see that in God’s hand, through Christ’s death and resurrection, all is truly possible.

We are assured of this because of the witness of those who first proclaimed it from the empty tomb.  We trust in this promise because we have seen and experienced the power of the resurrection in our world today – from the spring time flowers, the transformed life of Nelson Mandala (prisoner to president), from the death of a loved one that enables another to live through organ donation, from an estranged child and parent, reunited.  These are the signs of the resurrection today – that Christ continues to resurrect the world.  This is not just a past event or a promised future, but the present hope and reality of Christ.

Prayer: With our whole body and soul, we pray that we may reflect Christ’s resurrection power that is at work around us.  Lord, in your mercy; hear our prayer.  Amen.

Pastor Jennifer Boyd

Lenten devotions: April 19, 2014 (Holy Saturday)

April 19, 2014                         Romans 6:3-11

Resurrection of Our Lord        John 20:1-18

Vigil of Easter            

Reflecting on today’s reading, I am reminded of Baptism through which we are transformed. We die to sin and receive new life in Christ, as if we had died and were reborn. We now live in the Spirit and are no longer slaves to sin. Adam’s sin brought death to mankind. Through His death on the cross, Jesus brought forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal life. How great is God’s love for us!  

Let our prayer be John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

Joan Bradley

Lenten devotions: April 18, 2014 (Good Friday)

April 18, 2014                         Isaiah 52:13—53:12

Good Friday                             Psalm 22

                                                Hebrews 10:16-25

  or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

                                                John 18:1—19:42

A day of sadness when Jesus was crucified but not for us who know the outcome is the beginning of our forgiveness. He died for our sins and He was resurrected on Easter.  What a glorious thought!  We remember this day with solemn events but look forward to a future with God.  I can remember as a child not being able to do anything that would be considered "fun" on Good Friday.  We went to church in the evening but had to be quiet from noon to three in observance of the hours of crucifixion.  A powerful remembrance of this day was attending the Passion Play in Oberammagau, Germany in 2000.  This play, performed every ten years, tells the entire passion story in words and music.  All the actors are members of the town and when Jesus is nailed to the cross you can feel the agony in the audience.  How this is done is a mystery but I remember it sure felt real; It was a moving experience and one that I relive many times in my mind. Just think, Jesus did this all for me - what a love.

Father we give You thanks for the sacrifice of Your Son on this day thousands of years ago.  We ask that You help us to always remember the true meaning of love and forgiveness that has been given to us especially on this very holy day.  This we ask in Jesus' name.  Amen.

Dorothy Kafalas

Lenten devotions: April 17, 2014 (Maundy Thursday)

April 17, 2014             Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

Maundy Thursday       1 Corinthians 11:23-26

                                    John 13:1-17, 31b-35

                                   

Bonaventure (1221-1274)

The Tree of Life

Among all the memorable events of Christ’s life, the most worthy of remembrance is that last banquet, the most sacred supper. Here not only the Paschal lamb was presented to be eaten but also the immaculate Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world… In this banquet the marvelous sweetness of Christ’s goodness shone forth when He dined at the same table and on the same plates with those poor disciples and the traitor Judas. The marvelous example of His humility shone forth when, girt with a towel, the King of Glory diligently washed the feet of the fishermen and even of His betrayer. The marvelous richness of His generosity was manifest when He gave to the whole Church and the world, His most sacred body and His true blood as food and drink so that what was soon to be a sacrifice pleasing to God and the priceless price of our redemption would be our viaticum (provisions for a journey) and sustenance. Finally the marvelous outpouring of His love shone forth when loving His own to the end. He strengthened them in goodness with a gentle exhortation, especially forewarning Peter to be firm in faith and offering to John His breast as a pleasant and sacred place of rest.

O how marvelous are all these things, how full of sweetness, but only for that soul who, having been called to so distinguished a banquet runs with all the ardor of its spirit so that it may cry out with David:

                As the stag longs for the springs of water,

        So my soul longs for You, O God.

Lenten devotions: April 16, 2014

April 16, 2014                         Isaiah 50:4-9a

Wednesday in Holy Week       Psalm 70

                                                Hebrews 12:1-3

                                                John 13:21-32

Thomas a Kempis is best-known for his imitation of Christ. We are all simultaneously saints and sinners. As such we find salvation through God’s grace and forgiveness. I connect immediately to the prophet’s statement that the Lord has given us the tongue of a teacher. Our great model is the precious Savior who is our brother as well as our teacher. When I began as a public school teacher I found it a tremendous culture shock. University teaching was far different. There was no conflict, no day-to-day backbiting, nor obstacles between you and the disseminating of information. In the public arena, many positioned themselves against me almost at once. Experiencing despair, I relied heavily on my relation to Christ and prized His guidance and support. Within a relatively short time, friendships turned into spiritual support. I encountered the great cloud of witnesses Paul speaks of who ministered unto me and held me up in my spiritual crises. Two sisters from the Adventist Church were, and are, great allies and their prayerful support during my illness was a tremendous comfort. The Lord our God is always at hand, even in our darkest hours and even when the betrayer clouds our vision of the prize, the Holy Spirit is there to guide and uplift us, delivering us from the darkness.

Dear Lord, Jesus, thank you for being my teacher, my guide, and my comfort in times of trouble.

Franklyn Commisso

Lenten devotions: April 15, 2014

April 15, 2014                         Isaiah 49:1-7

Tuesday in Holy Week             Psalm 71:1-14

                                                1 Corinthians 1:18-31

                                                John 12:20-36

The lessons from 1^st Corinthians and John struck a very strong chord with me.  1^st Corinthians discusses the wisdom of man versus the wisdom of God, and states that no man, regardless of how wise they are, can begin to understand God’s wisdom.  John’s lesson ends with that fact that if you do not walk in God’s light, you will be walking in darkness without knowing where you are headed.

In 2001, within a little over a month’s time, I lost two members of my family.  Both of these losses occurred through terrible circumstances.  For many years, I tried to understand God’s reasons and wisdom behind the loss of my family members.  At one point, I even fell away from God because I could not understand why he let these things occur.  However, over time I began to realize, as John says, that I was walking in darkness, not knowing where I was going.  I came to understand that I will never understand God’s reasons, and that I would be lost in the darkness if I continued down the path I was on.  I realized that I must always walk in God’s light, no matter what the circumstances are.

God – Please give me the strength to accept what I cannot understand and allow me to always walk in your light regardless of the circumstances.

Arnold Schuff

Lenten devotions: April 13, 2014

April 14, 2014                         Isaiah 42:1-9

Monday in Holy Week             Psalm 36:5-11

                                                Hebrews 9:11-15

                                                John 12:1-11

Thomas Merton (1915-1968)

Thoughts In Solitude

What is it that has made me evil and hateful to myself? It is my own folly, my own darkness, which have divided me, by sin, against the light which God has placed in my soul to be the reflection of His goodness and the witness of His mercy.

Shall I drive evil out of my soul by wrestling with my own darkness? This is not what God has planned for me. It is sufficient to turn away from my darkness to His light. I do not have to run away from myself; it is sufficient that I find myself, not as I have made myself, by my own stupidity, but as He has make me in His wisdom and remade me in His infinite mercy. For it is His will that my body and soul should be the Temple of his Holy Spirit, that my life should reflect the radiance of His love and my whole being repose in His peace. Then will I truly know Him, since I am in Him and He is truly in me.

Lenten devotions: April 13, 2014 (Palm/Passion Sunday)

April 13, 2014                         Matthew 21:1-11

Sunday of the Passion             Isaiah 50:4-9a

                                                Psalm 31:9-16

                                                Philippians 2:5-11

                                                Matthew 26:14—27:66

  or Matthew 27:11-54

“Hosanna in the highest heaven” (Matthew 21:9)

“Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:23)

It is this contradictory cries that most confront me every Palm Sunday.  As we move from that glorious welcome of Jesus into Jerusalem to the harsh treatment of the one who was once hailed, I am shaken again by their reactions.

Yet, how often do we see this in today’s world?  Maybe with not the same kind of lasting or powerful effect, but it is nonetheless here.  From those on the public stage – be they athletes, entertainers, or politicians to those with whom we live daily - even our family, friends or neighbors.  When have you seen or experienced this kind of changed behavior or reaction to another person?  Was it when they did not fulfill a promise?  Broke a trust?  Failed their task?  Hurt us?  Or something else?

Jesus continued to be who he promised to be.  He came to fulfill his purpose in revealed both the depth of God’s love for us as well as how that same love can overcome the power of sin and death in our world.  He endured the brutality of this world on his body that we might see with our own eyes the strength of God.

Our cries may fluctuate, but it is the steadfastness of Christ that is lifted up this day.  In our wavering, we see the certainty of God.  It is not our words that we cling to this day, but the Word made flesh.

Prayer: God of steadfast love, be with us as we watch from the sidelines this journey of grace.  As we trace your steps, may we look to you as the One who never wavers from his love for the world.  We pray this in the name of the Christ, the crucified and risen one.  Amen.

Pastor Jennifer Boyd

Lenten devotions: April 12, 2014

April 12, 2014                         Psalm 31:9-16

Saturday                                  Lamentations 3:55-66

                                                Mark 10:32-34

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

A Reflection on the Cross

The cross teaches us to believe in hope even when there is no hope. The wisdom of the cross is deeply hidden in a profound mystery. In fact, there is no other way to heaven than taking up the cross of Christ. On account of this we must beware that the active life with its good works, and the contemplative life with its speculations, do not lead us astray. Both are most attractive and yield peace of mind, but for that very reason they hide real dangers, unless they are tempered by the cross and disturbed by adversaries. The cross is the surest path of all. Blessed is the man who understands this truth.

It is a matter of necessity that we be destroyed and rendered formless, so that Christ may be formed within us, and Christ alone be in us…Real mortifications do not happen in lonely places away from the society of other human beings. No! They happen in the home, the market place, in secular life… “Being conformed to Christ” is not within our powers to achieve. It is God’s gift, not our own work.’

He who is not crucianus, if I may coin a word, is not Christianus: in other words, he who does not bear his cross is no Christian, for he is not like his Master, Jesus Christ

Lenten devotions: April 11, 2014

April 11, 2014                         Psalm 31:9-16

Friday                                      Job 13:13-19

                                                Philippians 1:21-30

“Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27a)

I remember a time when we had to dress up before we flew on a plane to my grandparents in Texas.  I never quite understood it as a child – since we were just going to be sitting there for a few hours and as soon as we got to Austin, we would be putting on our play clothes.  Yet, that is what people did then.  The same could be said – or even more so – when people attended worship at church.  Many would never think of wearing jeans or sneakers or to go without gloves or a tie.  This is what was expected; this was considered living our lives in a certain way and manner that was worthy of attending church.

I am certainly glad that this has changed – I can’t imagine having to be dressed up to fly, especially as there is less and less comfortable space.   And it seems that for awhile church attire became far more important in some congregations than faith itself.

Living our life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ is not about outward appearances.  We do not live our lives in this manner to prove anything to ourselves, others or certainly not to God.  It is not so much about fulfilling expectations, but rather it is about the Gospel of Christ – Christ himself.

Christ came in love, welcoming all.  Christ came offering grace and forgiveness because of this love.  Christ came to lift up hope in the face of the impossible.  Christ came and transformed that which was dead into something wholly – and holy – new.  This is the Gospel of Christ.

We are called to live in love, offering grace, lifting up hope and seeking to offer the transformation of Christ to the world.  This is living our lives in a manner that is worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Prayer: Christ of grace, as we continue through this journey of Lent keep us steadfast in your gospel of grace.  Help us to embrace the gospel not just for our own lives, but to share it with all whom we encounter this day.  We offer up this prayer in the name of Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Pastor Jennifer Boyd