e love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
youtu.be/Cz48U8GleCQ
 
Jan 31, 2021   

Mission slide
GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
  
Moment of Silence to Prepare Our Hearts for Worship  
Even before a word is on my tongue,
          O LORD, you know it completely.

They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching — with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”
                                                                             Mark 1:27
 
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee                  CCLI 11259100

1 Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,
Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the gloom of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day.

2 All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain,
Call us to rejoice in Thee.

3 Mortals, join the happy chorus
Which the morning stars began;
Love divine is reigning o’er us,
Joining all in heaven's plan.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.

Call to Worship
Pastor Melody: What are we waiting for? Let us praise the Lord, with joy and song.
Marty: Let’s shout God’s praises for all to hear!
PM: We are here to listen to God’s word and ponder anew the mysteries of God.
Marty: Our God is an awesome God, greatly to be praised!
PM: Yes; let’s praise the Lord! 
Marty: and, delight in God’s works!
PM: Praise the Lord!  
Marty: and, rejoice in God’s word!
PM: Praise the Lord!  
Marty: and, praise the Lord’s Holy name! Alleluia, amen.
 
Our God is an Awesome God  (3 times)       CCLI 11259100
Our God is an awesome God, who reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power and love, our God is an awesome God!
 
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Mighty God, we love to hear your deeds of power and might, imagining that we would not tremble with fear, if we saw you before us in a pillar of fire or column of smoke. But as we wander, lost in our own wilderness, we know only too well our own fear and dread of being in your awesome presence. We come before you to confess our sins of pride, judgment, impatience, greed, lack of mercy and love. Have mercy on us as we confess our personal sins silently (time for silent prayer). . . Send us prophets to teach us your ways. Help us recognize them within our midst, so that we might hear your words in the lessons they teach. In Jesus’ name, amen.
 
Change My Heart O God           CCLI 11259100

Change my heart, O God
Make it ever true,
Change my heat, O God
May I be like you.
 
You are the potter;
I am the clay.
Mold me and make me;
this is what I pray.

Assurance of Pardon               
L: Who can rightly judge us? Only Jesus, because only He is perfect. But, Jesus does not judge; Jesus lived, died and arose, conquering the power of death over us. Jesus intercedes on our behalf. In the name of Christ, we, who seek forgiveness, are forgiven! Thanks be to God.
 
Gloria Patri
Passing the Peace
L: Since God has forgiven us in Jesus Christ, let us forgive one another.  The peace of our
Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  Let us pass the peace of Christ to one another.
 
Prayer of Illumination
P: Let us pray:  Thy word, O Lord is a lamp unto our feet. Today, right now, help us to hear and obey your call on our lives. Amen.
 
Psalm 111:1-10
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;                                                                                       
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!

Kum Ba Yah       verses 1-2    CCLI 11259100

1 Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

2 Someone’s crying, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s crying, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s crying, Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

The Gospel Reading  Mark 1:21-28
They went to Capernaum; and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy evil? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching — with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him. ”At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
L: This is the word of the Lord.   Thanks be to God.

Sermon:         Fighting Evil
 
          Our life education – what we learn by listening and watching others starts early in our lives. Perhaps it starts with such simple words as, “Our family does it this way”; therefore, that is the right way. Pretty soon, we have it figured out that it is us against them. The us being whoever does and says things like us. The them being anyone and everyone who does things differently or who questions how we do things. Sometimes there are clear lines, people who look different or speak differently are usually not with us; not on our team; and therefore, are less than us. In today’s scripture there are two people who are different from the rest. First, there is Jesus; one who teaches and speaks with authority. Secondly, there is a man with unclean spirits, one who interrupts and causes trouble. Our scripture doesn’t tell us, but, be sure that this man was not welcome; he was different; he didn’t act like anyone else and he was considered unclean; and not good enough. Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the World, knew what to do. He ordered the evil out of the man, thus changing that man’s life.

          In case we missed it, the evil spirit, the sickness, that demon asks, “Have you come to destroy evil?” Jesus replied, with authoritative words and actions: “YES!” That’s what Jesus did. He destroyed the evil that was there. We, the well-informed people of the 21st century, usually have a difficult time accepting the idea of evil spirits. We’ve been educated; we’ve lived life … studied science and watched TV. Science says little about evil. And, yet … with some thought, each of us can name evil events; like the Holocaust, like the bombing of the southern churches and the lynching of so many African people, and the destruction of the Twin Towers on 9-11-2001. We can’t always see it in the midst of the event, but we certainly can identify it afterwards. Be sure, the evil of this century is just as possessive, just as ugly and just as demanding as ever. And, we certainly see evil on TV:  shootings and other crimes; evil that really, really hurts others; that destroys families and deeply injures communities.

           I think evil is lurking on the edges of our lives; and sometimes, evil is very present in our lives. We certainly saw evil last year, when George Floyd was murdered. I know it is an uncomfortable topic and one that most of us would prefer to avoid. But, today, we are talking about evil, so I thought it would be a good time to consider Racism. It’s not going to go away if we ignore it. Thankfully, there are people at work; people inviting us to join in. “President Biden signed four executive actions Tuesday aimed at increasing racial equity across the nation, a move the administration said was a big early step in his efforts to dismantle systemic racism” (www.washingtonpost.com › politics).

          In my mind, systemic racism is an evil we must eradicate. Examples of systemic racism include denying Black men treatment for Syphilis, because the scientists wanted to see what happened with untreated cases. “In 1932, the Public Health Service, working with the Tuskegee Institute, began a study. It was called the “Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male.” The study initially involved 600 black men – 399 with syphilis, 201 who did not have the disease. The study was conducted WITHOUT the benefit of patients’ informed consent. Researchers told the men they were being treated for “bad blood,” a local term used to describe several ailments. In truth, they did not receive the proper treatment needed to cure their illness. In exchange for taking part in the study, the men received free medical exams, free meals, and burial insurance. Although originally projected to last 6 months, the study went on for 40 years” That group of Black men had been misled and they were never given adequate treatment for their disease. Even when penicillin became the drug of choice for syphilis in 1947, researchers did not offer it to the subjects.  (https://www.cdc.gov/tuskegee/timeline.htm). NO wonder people of color mistrust medical care in these United States!  That kind of thing happened again and again: Blacks being mistreated only because they were Black.

     Let me bring systemic racism a little closer to home. Ever since World War II, white people have been afraid that Black people would lower the value of their property, so they often wrote laws to prevent that; they often had unspoken agreements with the real estate companies. When I was a student nurse in Cedar Rapids, I had a Black doctor tell me how much trouble it was to buy a house in Cedar Rapids in the 1960’s, even though he was a successful doctor. Difficult because no one wanted a Black family to live next to them. He said, his family finally had a friendly white man purchase the house and have a private sale to the Black family. These things are evil; these things are systemic racism. If we are not working to stop these practices, then we are condoning and agreeing with this evil; with these dangerous practices.

      Like it or not, we, who are not people of color, are part of that systemic racism. I know we want to say and we want to believe that we aren’t racist. But, because we are white, because we are Christian, we have participated, knowingly and unknowingly in systematic racism. Let me give you a few examples: we can’t understand the fear Blacks have when they are stopped by law enforcement. Fear that they could die at any moment. If we are honest, we are more like the woman who accused a Black teen of taking her phone, because he was in the same vicinity as she was and he was holding a phone similar to hers. African American men and boys are afraid to jog in their own towns, because running “makes them look guilty” even though they aren’t doing anything but getting exercise and enjoying the day. Sixty years ago, some people from our church worked to have a community garden in Le Claire, and invited African Americans to come, share in the harvest. Those from our church had their houses egged and their children bullied because they were helping African Americans. I’d like to think we have grown in understanding and compassion but, in OK and here in Iowa, I have heard things again and again. My youngest daughter was in kindergarten and went to daycare after school. One day on the way home she asked, “I’m sad because kids said I can’t be friends with Tamika, because she is black. But, Mom! She’s not black, she’s brown and she is my best friend. We have lots of fun together. Why can’t I be her friend?” I’ve heard countless adults saying, “I forbid my adult children from dating or marrying someone from another race.” When I asked if a happy marriage to a person of color would be better than an unhappy marriage to a white person, most said, “No.” Recently I had a white colleague tell me that when she told her mother that she was engaged to a Black man, her Christian mother didn’t talk to her for three days. Finally, though the mother did talk, apologized and asked for forgiveness. My colleague said we must keep working to rid our country, our world and ourselves of racism.

     Living in Le Claire we mostly see white people. In fact, for the most part, our experience with Black people is seeing their mugshot on TV. Hopefully, we are growing in our understanding that some African Americans are wrongly arrested, solely because they are Black and in the wrong place at the wrong time. Of course, some, maybe most Blacks are guilty of what they have been charged. Just as like most whites who are arrested, are mostly guilty of what they have been charged. My point is that as we watch TV, as we see commercials and TV shows with people of color, let us realize there are many, many successful, accomplished people of color in our state, in our country and in our world.

       On the advice of a friend, I am reading three books,  Waking Up White, White Fragility and White Rage, to increase my understanding of what was and what is. Our Presbytery is asking us, as Christians, to get out of our comfort zone and learn about the evil of racism so we can make changes. The Presbytery says, “The time is now.  We, the church, must commit our time and resources to anti-racism work.  As witnessed by the Black Lives Matter Movement and other efforts to examine systematic racism and white privilege, there is much to be learned before we can most effectively begin to participate in the building of God’s Kingdom where ALL of God’s people experience justice and the opportunity to flourish and live (MJS, PEIA). 

     Waking Up White, is written by Debby Irving, who describes herself as “a middle-aged white woman raised in the suburbs” (Page xii). She says, “No one alive today created this mess of racism, but everyone alive today has the power to work on undoing it. People are not born racist. Racism is taught, and racism is learned. Let’s try to understand how and why our beliefs developed along racial lines…” (page xii). Irving says, “The way I understood it, race was for other people, brown- and black-skinned people. I thought all those other categories, like Asian, African American, American Indian, and Latino, were the real races. I thought white was the raceless race – just plain, normal, the one against which all others were measured” (Page xi). Just like we think people in Iowa don’t have an accent, we often think white people aren’t a race. Irving goes on to say: “I believe most white people would take a stand against racism if only they knew how, or even imagined they had a role. When trying to understand racism, most of us have said or thought “What is going on here? I wish I could make a difference” (page xi). We tend to think “I can help people of color by teaching them to be more like me. And, racism is about bigots who make snarky comments and commit intentionally cruel acts again people of color” (page xi).

     “When, actually it is more about the idea of white superiority.” Irving writes, “I think of no bigger misstep in American history than the invention and perpetuation of the idea of white superiority. It allows white children and white adults to believe they are exceptional and entitled, while allowing children and adults of color to believe they are inferior and less deserving. Neither is true; whites are not better; people of color are not inferior; both statements distort and stunt development. Racism crushes spirits, incites divisiveness, and allows us to separate entire groups of people who, like all humans, come into the world full of goodness, with a desire to connect, and with boundless capacity to learn and grow”. Irving continues, “Unless adults understand racism, they will, unknowingly teach it to their children, just as I taught it to my children” (page xii). We did not start this, but unintentionally and maybe intentionally, we have perpetuated the idea that whites are better than people of color, in nearly everything. This is an evil that we continue to promote by our thoughtless words and actions.  Irving says, Racism is a “massive social dysfunction in which we all play a role.”  With some effort and thought, we can “discover our power to make the world a more humane place to live, work, and thrive” (Waking Up White. Debby Irving. page xiv).

          The Good News is that Jesus came to destroy evil and to free all of us from all evil, just like He rescued that man and that community we heard about today. Throughout His life, Jesus liberated people again and again by modeling God’s love. Jesus came not only to free us from evil but to EMPOWER us to join Him in defeating evil, with the power of love. Jesus showed us how to treat others, even as He explained the Golden Rule again and again, with parables, and with simple, powerful and authoritative actions. We can join Jesus, fighting evil. In the past, we have partnered with Jesus in destroying evil; so now let us learn about racism and work to make the world a loving place for everyone.

          Let’s watch this video that the Presbytery is using to promote a book study. The Mission and Social Justice Committee of the Presbytery is offering a book study during Lent. It will be via Zoom. If you don’t have access to the internet, you can come to church to join in the book study. This committee is providing grants so we can purchase the book at little to no cost to us. We will be reading White Rage, by Carol Anderson.

      Sometimes, we are slow in realizing both the presence of evil and Jesus’ amazing, authoritative POWER in defeating evil. But, when we see, hear and experience Jesus’ love, we are both changed and empowered to live changed lives: lives of love, gentleness, presence, forgiveness, healing and wholeness. As we embrace change brought about by Jesus’ power to defeat evil and, as we live into a brighter, more loving world, we are able to defeat evil.

     Today and every day, let us be open to learning more about better ways to live and work alongside all people including people of color. Let us be honest; that we are part of the problem, AND, let us be willing to learn to be and do differently. Because we follow Christ, who calls us to love one another as we are loved. And, because all people, regardless of color, regardless if they are the same or different from us, ALL people are God’s beloved; all people are our family, our brothers and sisters in Christ. Now and forevermore in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen.
 
Kum Ba Yah       verses 3-4    CCLI 11259100

3 Someone’s singing, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s singing, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s singing, Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!
 
4 Someone’s praying, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s praying, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s praying, Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

Offering
 
Doxology
 
Prayer of Dedication:
Let us pray. Precious Jesus, may these gifts of money and ministry be like wings to the exhausted and strength to the powerless. May these gifts bind up the broken-hearted,
and welcome the outcast. And may our offerings of time, talent, and treasure sing your praises and be a cause of delight throughout your marvelous world. Amen 
 
Prayer / Film by The Work of the People
A Prayer for the church by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Lord…
We thank you for your church, founded upon your Word, that challenges us to do more than sing and pray, 
but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon you. 
Help us to realize that humanity was created to shine like the stars and live on through all eternity. 
Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace. 
Help us to walk together, 
pray together, 
sing together, 
and live together 
until that day when all God’s children 
- Black, White, Red, Brown and Yellow - 
will rejoice in one common band of humanity 
in the reign of our Lord and of our God, we pray. 
Amen. 
- The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 
 
The Prayers of the People
We pray for these, our family and friends,
Thank you God, for this day. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for the Holy Spirit. We love you God. Help people who are hungry; people who don’t have a home and people who are sick. Thank you for the people who work to make our country, our state and our town a better place. Thank you for our neighbors, our teachers and the schools. Thank you for the rain, snow and sun. Thank you for clean, clear water, this earth and our clean air. Help us to take care of these gifts. We pray for people who are alone and people who are lonely. Help us to be helpful and friendly. Thank you for our church. We thank you for our families and friends, and these whom we now pray for:
Lords Prayer

Breathe on Me, Breath of God           CCLI 11259100
1 Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.

2 Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.

3 Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine
​.
4 Breathe on me, Breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life
Of Thine eternity.

Charge
May Christ’s love transform you. May the joy of God’s grace sustain you. May, The Holy Spirit fill you with boldness to do God’s will.
 
Benediction
Now may the love of God, the peace of Christ and the community of the Holy Spirit be with you, with your family and with all of God’s family. Amen

The mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Le Claire is to continue to be a warm and welcoming church that actively shows the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
 
Jan 10, 2021   
 
GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Moment of Silence to Prepare Our Hearts for Worship  
We lift our praise to you, O Lord. 
  My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day. Psalm 71
 
I Lift My Eyes Up                  CCLI 11259100

1 I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from You, Maker of Heaven
Creator of the earth
 
2 Oh how I need You Lord, You are my only hope
You're my only prayer
So I will wait for You to come and rescue me
To come and give me life
 
Call to Worship
Marty: When the world is unjust and cruel,
Pastor Melody: we gather in hope
M: In moments when it is easy to see God’s presence,  
P: We gather in hope.
M: We gather together as God’s people, doing God’s work in God’s world.
P: We gather in hope!
 
All Creatures of our God and King  vs 1-4    CCLI 11259100

1 All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing,
alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
thou silver moon with softer gleam,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
 
2 Thou rushing wind that art so strong, 
ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O sing ye! alleluia!
Thou rising morn in praise rejoice, 
ye lights of evening, find a voice,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 

3 Thou flowing water, pure and clear, 
make music for thy Lord to hear,
alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright, 
that givest us both warmth and light,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
 
4 Thou fertile earth, that day by day, 
unfoldest blessings on your way,
O sing ye! alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow, 
let them God’s glory also show,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 
 
 
Prayer of Confession
Infinite God, there is no shortage of pain in your world. We are surrounded by unjust systems that separate your creation as though some are more deserving than others. Yet, we go along with others, too afraid of the risks you may call us to take. We see communities that are forgotten and instead of turning our attention to them, we hoard our own resources and pretend not to know what is happening outside our own doors. We know the weight of trauma that rests in the hearts of many. Forgive us when we demand that people “get over it” so that we don’t have to participate in the healing. Stir us from our settled ways. Give us hope and understanding, so that we may continually praise you, by caring for one another. Now, have mercy on us as we confess our personal sins silently (time for silent prayer). . . In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
 
Assurance of Pardon
Our continual hope is met by God’s continual grace, calling us in through the generosity of the Spirit so that we may find in Jesus Christ, a forgiveness that moves us to action. Let us be moved! Let us act! Let us give thanks! Amen.
 
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.  Amen. Amen.  Amen.  Amen.  Amen.  Amen.  Amen.
 
Passing the Peace
L: Since God has forgiven us in Jesus Christ, let us forgive one another.  The peace of our
Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  Let us pass the peace of Christ to one another.
 
Prayer of Illumination
Gracious God, we long to see Jesus. Quiet our thoughts, open our hearts. Let us hear your word read and preached, so that we might see our Lord, Jesus. Amen.
 
Psalm 71:1-16
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
    let me never be put to shame.
 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
    turn your ear to me and save me.
 Be my rock of refuge,
    to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.
 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
    from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
 For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
    my confidence since my youth.
 From birth I have relied on you;
    you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
    I will ever praise you.
 I have become a sign to many;
    you are my strong refuge.
 My mouth is filled with your praise,
    declaring your splendor all day long.
 Do not cast me away when I am old;
    do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
 For my enemies speak against me;
    those who wait to kill me conspire together.
 They say, “God has forsaken him;
    pursue him and seize him,
    for no one will rescue him.”
 Do not be far from me, my God;
    come quickly, God, to help me.
 May my accusers perish in shame;
    may those who want to harm me
    be covered with scorn and disgrace.
 As for me, I will always have hope;
    I will praise you more and more.
 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
    of your saving acts all day long--
    though I know not how to relate them all.
 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
 
Mark 1:4-11
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
 
Sermon      Hope
          I’m not sure if it is the time of year or my state of mind but today’s Old Testament reading of Psalm 71 really caught my attention. In addition to Covid 19 and the promise of the vaccine, the new year also reminds us that, God-willing, we will be another year older. As one of my friends said, “Soon, I will be celebrating my 72nd trip around the sun … and I’m starting to feel my age!” It certainly sounds like the author of this Psalm was an older person, looking to make a statement, both to,  him or herself, and to God. The Psalmist starts with a reminder that he is and has been faithful to God. He has looked for and found safety – refuge – a place to hide in God. As he remembers how God has shielded him, he again asks God to be his protector. “Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked.” We aren’t ever told who his enemies are – whether it is another tribe or clan, or an illness, unpaid taxes, a poor harvest or a displeased family member. Perhaps, like us, through his long life, he has had all of these and more as enemies. Doesn’t it just seem like sometimes, there is always someone after us, wanting more and more, pushing, grabbing and demanding that we give and, then, give more. Sometimes it is a person; sometimes it is our own weak bodies, failing or giving in to illness or injury.
Today’s author looks back and remembers God’s goodness and faithfulness in his own life. Of course, he doesn’t remember his own birth, but perhaps his mother told him of a challenging delivery or an unsafe political situation into which he was born. The Psalmist gives thanks that God was there, caring for him at his birth and throughout his youth. God’s continual presence strengthened and empowered the author. And, now he is an example of old age and “success” to others. Living beyond, surviving and thriving because God is present; God is faithful; God is his refuge. But, even as he praises God, he knows his own fragility and weakness. One moment he is praising God. The next line he is asking for help: “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” The Psalmist is aware; he knows even if the old enemies are gone, there are new enemies, new accusers to come after him. People who will doubt and deny God. But the Psalmist knows; he knows that God is ever present; ever faithful. So, full of hope, the author calls to God again, “Come quickly, God, to help me.” And, his prayer inspires more hope, more praise, as he speaks about God’s righteousness. Because the Psalmist has grown up in a family and atmosphere of faith, he is confident of his future, which like his past and present, will be with God.
Author Max Lucado “talks about growing old as a normal part of aging and, the next step in getting closer to our forever home. He reminds us that a flower bud is tightly closed, but opens, spreading it’s petals and fragrance, to become more beautiful. He says we don’t get a girdle or plastic surgery to keep the flower bud tight and firm; no! We celebrate and rejoice at the changing beauty, right before our eyes. Oh, that we could do that as we go one more time around the earth. Let’s celebrate who we are and what we are becoming. A colleague half-jokingly complained that soon she will be 40 years old. I reminded her that she would not be the capable, delightful, unique person she is IF she hadn’t lived those previous 39 years; that each year, every joy and sorrow, every experience taught her about love, compassion, forgiveness, strength and God. That is the gift the author of Psalm 71 has given us – a reminder that God is good and God is great; and God is here for us.
Our New Testament scripture – the baptism of Jesus reminds us that we’ve been doubly blessed. Because God in Jesus came to show us what love and forgiveness really looks like. Now, we have heard. Now we see. Just as God claimed Jesus, as His beloved Son, so too, God claims us as God’s beloved children! Now we have more. As the “father of Presbyterianism”, John Calvin says, “Now we have faith. That is, we have the firm and certain knowledge of God’s benevolence; (God’s goodness toward us) founded upon the truth of the promise in Christ,
(the promise of love, forgiveness and eternal life)
which is both revealed to our minds and sealed upon our Y hearts through the Holy Spirit.
When I was in Seminary, I spent one summer as a student hospital chaplain intern. This hospital was as big as the University Hospital in Iowa City; and as you can imagine it has a large emergency department. As student chaplains, we spent several weeks in the emergency department, prepared to give emotional and spiritual support to families and patients. One man left an impression on me. I might even say, he could be the author of today’s Old Testament reading. Except, maybe he wasn’t quite old enough. He was both a doctor and a son. He came to the emergency room because his 80-year-old mother was brought in by ambulance. She was in critical condition; she was not responding to treatment. The son was torn because he wanted to be involved in every medical decision and he wanted to be present for his mother. Finally, the emergency room doctor suggested that for that night, he only be “SON”. And, reluctantly, he agreed. After an hour or so, the emergency room doctor came to the waiting room to tell the son that  his mother had died. Nothing more could be done. The son and I visited about his mother and her faith. He cried. We prayed. I talked about the HOPE we have in Jesus. The Son said, “I don’t have hope in Jesus. I have sure knowledge that my mother is with Jesus right now. To me, hope sounds tenuous – shaky and unsubstantiated. I have clear and firm faith that because Jesus lives, my mother lives!”
I thought that was what I was saying but it wasn’t quite what he heard. I’m glad he was able to clearly articulate what he believes and what he means. I saw with my own eyes how his belief, his faith, and yes, his hope in Christ gave him the strength to withstand this enemy; the enemy of death and dying that takes so much from us. Each of us and all of us have our own enemies; enemies otherwise called fear, doubt,  political unrest at the Capital, loneliness, grief, changing health concerns, financial burdens, depression and other mental health concerns. We have several reasons to feel stressed this day and this winter season. It has been an exceptional gray winter with little sunshine. Christmas was much quieter and with fewer people this year. We still need to wear masks and stay socially distant. We are unsure when we can get the vaccination. I could go on … but you understand what I am saying. It’s a new year and yet, there are many unanswered questions! If ever you are feeling discouraged or overwhelmed; perhaps too exhausted to face your enemy, then remember the psalmist, the son and … remember God’s faithfulness. A faithfulness you may have known since birth. A faithfulness that has been with you, showing you the faithful love, mercy and strength of God. Rest in that hope, your experiences, and the clear knowledge that God is Great. God is Good. And, God is for us, now and forever more. For that, we can say, Alleluia, amen!
 
My Hope is Built on Nothing Less       CCLI 11259100

1 My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
 
On Christ, the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
2 When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
 
On Christ, the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand


 
3 His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
 
On Christ, the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
 
4 When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found,
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
 
On Christ, the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

Offering
Doxology
 
Prayer of Dedication
God, you have emboldened us to find your presence throughout your creation. We hear your voice in others, as voices join to ease pain and provide resources urgently needed. We see your hands in the places where health is restored, pain is relieved, and muscles are strengthened, so that other-abled persons can have fulfilling lives. We recognize your face in our brothers and sisters, those who look like us and those who are beautiful in other ways; in those who are hopeful and those who have no hope. We feel your love and joy wherever and whenever we hear the laughter of children, from one to 99 years old. We give today, so that we may celebrate these gifts of your creation and those who do your work in the world. May this offering be but a small part of the generosity and hope you have stirred in our hearts. Amen.
 
Holy Communion
 
The Prayers of the People
Gracious God,
Because we are not strong enough to pray as we should, you provide Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit to intercede for us in power. In this confidence we ask you to accept our prayers. Strengthen pastors and Elders and church staff, that they may faithfully tell the Good News of Jesus in word and action. Help us to remember that each of us is empowered to be a vessel of love and hope for the world.
 
Creator of all, you entrusted the earth to the human race, yet we disrupt its peace with violence and corrupt its purity with our greed. Prevent your people from ravaging creation, so that coming generations may inherit lands brimming with life.
Sovereign God, you hold both the history of nations and the humble life of villages in your care. Preserve the people of every nation from tyrants, heal them of disease, and protect them in time of upheaval and disaster, that all may enter the kingdom that cannot be shaken.
 
God of mercy, hear our prayer for these the people of our church family: June, Pat and Jim, Kaye, Phyllis, Jessie, Sandy, Tom, Donna, Sue and Steve, Jan and Kirk, Sally, Gary, L.C., Paul, Pryce, Ken, Amy, Anna, Brad, Candy, Amber, Joan, Tom, Kari, Randy, Ahlgren family on the death of Mary Ahlgren and, Mission Starfish in Haiti.
 
Now hear us as we pray as Jesus taught us…
 
The Lord’s Prayer
 
Canto de esperanza / Song of Hope              CCLI 11259100

May the God of hope go with us every day,
Filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
 
Praying, let us work for peace,
Singing, share our joy with all,
Working for a world that's new,
Faithful when we hear Christ's call.


May the God of justice speed us on our way,
Bringing light and hope to every land and race.
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