​SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
January 23, 2022
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let me remind you quickly of our protocols for everyone’s safety.                  
·  Attendance was taken by Ushers as you entered.
·   masks are required by Session, as well as social distancing
   bulletins are placed in the pews to help with social distancing
· Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
· Please write your prayer request on the Yellow cards.  An usher will pick them up during the 1st hymn.
· Please join us after service for fellowship will be continuing with beverages only, in Calvin Hall
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
Gary Iverson, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Annette Conzett,  Jo Lefleur,  Dr Dyke,  Bonnie and Jon Pillers,  Mike Niles, Harlan Marx ,Tom Kelly, Lois Seger,  Jon Ryner,  Lucy Melvin. Bob Emmert, Abagail Niles, Helanah Niles, Rich Lewis, Kay Werner, Amanda Walston and Arlene Pawlik
 
PRELUDE
 
*WORDS OF WORSHIP (Unison) “Praise the Lord, all you nations! Extoll Him, all you peoples! For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 117)
 
*GATHERING PRAYER  (Unison) I will bless the lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together. Amen (Psalm 34:1-3)
 
*HYMN                  Joyful, Joyful, we adore thee”                                                                         #464
 
CONFESSION AND PARDON ((Unison) Creator of the universe, we stand amazed at Your power and glory. Honestly, we prefer You to be far above us, at a distance and not too close. We are glad to worship You and offer our praise, but we are reluctant to answer when we hear You speaking to us. We sing songs of praise and love in worship, but we shy away from listening for fear of what You may ask us to do. Forgive us. Forgive us when we keep You at arm’s length, safely boxed up in our definition of You. Forgive us when we forget Your claim on us, and Your promise to be with us always. O God, renew us with the power of Your ever-present love, and strengthen us to proclaim Your love throughout the world. Amen.
 
ASSURANCE OF PARDON ((Pastor) As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our sins from us. Because of God’s love and mercy we can confidently say, (People) we are forgiven people. Thanks be to God, Amen.
 
PASSING OF THE PEACE
 
OFFERING PRAYER
 
Interlude
                                                    Word
 
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Pastor) May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight O God my strength and redeemer. Amen
 
SCRIPTURE LESSON                Luke 4:14-21
14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 15 He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”  20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”
 
 
 
Sermon Title                   this scripture has been fulfilled
 
Our reading for today is really the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry in Luke. In the verses just before this, Jesus was alone in the wilderness being tempted by the Devil. After he had resisted all the temptations, he set his face toward Galilee and was ready to announce to the world what it was he was going to do among the people as he proclaimed the gospel to all the people.
After he left the wilderness, Luke says, “a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone” we don’t know where he went, we have no records of what he said and we do not know if he performed any miracles during this time. What we do know is, he was becoming well known. When he entered a new town, he would present himself to the local synagogue and was accepted as a visiting preacher. Because he was beginning to be well known he was usually invited to read the lesson of the day and comment on it. We have to keep in mind that, in that time, there were no pastors as we understand the term. The synagogues were run by a group of men but they did not serve as a session, they were respected by the synagogue and chosen to be the leaders of the synagogue. in many churches today, someone might read the scripture before the sermon, here  when it was time for worship this group would ask someone to read the lesson of the day and make some comments on it.
When Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue as was his custom. It is simple sounding thing but, there is more to this than it may appear. After I had been ordained, whenever I went back home to see my mother, somehow word would get to the church that I was going to be in the area and, someone from the church would call me and ask if I would be willing to preach since I was going to be there. I had been preaching for a while and my stage nerves were pretty much under control but preaching at the “home church” would always bring them back in full force. These were the people who knew me when I was a “smart-alec” kid. These were the people who knew some of the antics I had gotten into years ago. It is not an easy thing to preach to the people who knew you before you became a pastor and I am sure Jesus felt some of the same feelings.
When the synagogue leaders saw Jesus, they had already heard about his mounting fame. People from all over the area had been spreading word about how he had spoken and the impact some of the things he said had affected people. They immediately asked him to be the worship leader that day. Again, we need to remember there were no pastors as such in that time. Any man from the congregation could be asked to read the lesson of the day and then speak upon what that passage meant to them. Jesus was handed the scroll from Isaiah and it was up to him to select the lesson he wanted to read and then make any comments he wanted to make about the verses he had just read.
The selection he read was where Isaiah was proclaiming what had happened to him as he was beginning to fulfill the role of prophet. He was proclaiming what he, as a prophet had been called to do. When Jesus began to read these words, the people immediately recognized them as being familiar. They settled in and awaited to hear what Jesus was going to say about these things.
Because the Torah was a sacred book, the person who read from it stood as a sign of respect and reverence. When Jesus read from the scroll, he stood honoring that tradition. When he finished the reading, he handed the scroll to the attendant and sat. that was what teachers did. They proclaimed themselves not to be above their listeners but sat among them. The audience waited in anticipation and Jesus said, “today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”. The scripture you have heard so many times, the scripture you revere, is no longer a word from the past, it is no longer a prediction, what you have heard so many times is now a reality. This is the role I am called to fulfill among you. It is a reality from this minute forward.
What Jesus is really doing is proclaiming to the people what sort of messiah he was going to be. He was giving them the vision he was going to follow as he went about them. It was not what they expected. The common understanding among the Jews was that when the Messiah came, he was going to restore Israel to its former greatness. The vision the people had was the golden time of King David when Israel was a nation to contend with rather than the captured kingdom it now was. The peace, wealth and respect the nations had for Israel was going to be restored. This was the common image among the people of what the mssiah was going to be. What Jesus was saying was something quite different and was hard for the people to hear.
When a politician begins to run for office, they develop a platform, a series of things they will accomplish if the people elect them to office. It is their contract with the people and the thing by which they ask the people to judge them while they are serving. Here, in this statement from Isaiah Jesus is telling the people the things he holds important while he is performing his ministry. He is, in effect, telling the people what his platform will be. He is, at the same time, telling the people the things they will be challenged to do if they follow him. If they choose to be his disciples these are the things they will need to incorporate into their lives. We are going to look at these claims and see the ways Jesus plays them out and, at the same time, see the ways we are fulfilling those same claims.
He begins by stating, “the spirit of the lord is upon me”. All the prophets of old acknowledged they were set aside in a special way. They were marked by God as special people. The things they said and the things they did were not of their own making. They were established by the power of God to proclaim the things God wanted said to His people. The prophets were saying that something larger than themselves was in charge of their lives and they were merely following what God had laid out for them. When Jesus said the spirit of the lord was upon him, he was saying the same thing. He was not a mere man, he was one who had been marked by god in a special way. His words and his actions were not merely his, they were guided by the spirit which had been laid upon him.
When we become truly aware of what it means to be part of the church, we begin to understand we are not our own masters. We understand we are the children of God and, because of that, we are set aside as special people. We are called to act differently than others, we are called to speak differently. We are now called to be guided by the things God has given us to do as we try to be faithful to that call. We ask the spirit of God to be upon us so we can work to fulfill the things God has told his people to do. We may not have said those words, but we have asked the spirit of God to be upon us so we can be the light to the world.
Jesus continued, “he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor”. As Jesus performed his ministry he seems to pay special attention to the poor, a part of the population that easily gets overlooked. Again and again, he stresses how difficult it is not to let the possessions we have get in the way of the things that are truly important. Again and again he makes it clear the judgements of God do not depend on the wealth or position in society one has but God’s judgement is based on the way a person attempts to adhere to the things God has declared are important. By doing this Jesus if urging his followers to see the people we all tend to overlook. Again and again, he reminds people God sees and loves those who are on the edge of society.
In every age and in every country where there is a Christian presence, there are many expressions of concern for the poor. From homeless shelters, to food pantries, to medical concerns to schools where fees may make it difficult for parents to send their children to school the church has managed to find ways to minister to
those who are deprived of these things because of the lack of money. In Morrison, the churches have bonded together to form a food pantry. Each congregation donates based on their membership to provide the funds to keep the pantry functioning and each church takes a turn in stocking the shelves and helping distribute the food. Here, in Clinton, there is the victory center, a faith-based group that provides both shelter and food to those who are in need. It too is supported by some of the congregations in the area so those who have needs can be served. Concern for the poor is acted out in many different ways but it is something most congregations share in doing in one way or another.
Next, Jesus proclaimed, “Recovery of sight to the blind.” Jesus restored the sight of at least two blind men in his ministry. This brought special attention to him because, of all the great miracles the prophets of the Old Testament performed, none of them restored sight to a blind person. When Jesus did this, therefore, people noticed immediately. Clearly, he was in a different category than those of the past. If Jesus was able to do something no other prophet had done, he must be special in some way. They probably began to pay more attention to the things he said and did. Not only did he give sight to the blind some of the things he said about God, about forgiveness, about the way you are called to treat those who are different also gave people a new vision about themselves and some of the things they had always thought were true.
There are many Christian organizations that sponsor mobile cataract surgery clinics that are sent to many places around the world where this sort of service is not easily available. These teams will go for 2-3 weeks performing as many as 30 surgeries each day and also giving the patients the follow up they need. This is a literal way in which many churches give sight to the blind. In addition to that, there are other types of blindness the church deals with as well. When you look at the leadership of the civil rights movements of the ‘60s, you will see many church leaders you will find name after name that comes from the church. As these leaders withstood the blast of fire hoses, the beatings of police and the attack of dogs, our society watched on the evening news and slowly began to see the injustices this movement was protesting against. More recently the “black lives matter” movements have forced us as a society to see that, while we have made some progress, society began to see there were things that needed to be done. more recently, the “black lives there are still things that need to be done. as we see the disparity among people of color and the impact of the covid spread, we again have to train our eyes to see that things are not where they should be in a country that is supposed to stress equality for all people. Because some are, as the late John Lewis said, “Making trouble, making good trouble, makig necessary trouble” we are seeing more and more clearly the places where we need to make stronger and stronger efforts to achieve that equality.
Next on his agenda, Jesus said, “he has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives. Now, to be honest, Jesus never freed anyone from captivity in slavery nor did he free anyone from captivity in prison. Nevertheless, the things he said and did freed many people. The captives of which he speaks are of a different category. Jesus cast out deamons which freed people from a captivity of one sort. Jesus healed lepers freeing them from the isolation they were forced to endure because of the disease they had. Jesus pronounced many people free from the captivity of sin by which they were with people who were captive to a wide variety of issues and every time he encountered one person like that, he set about to bring them freedom.
There are countless churches across our country that sponsor homeless shelters for abused women so they are no longer captive to abuse. There are countless churches who sponsor AA groups or NA groups where people can come together and deal with the forces that hold them captive. These groups exist because the church wants to fulfill the demand to release the captives. Many of the famous hospitals across our country owe their existence to some church. When the hospital was formed, it was because some church saw the need to help free people from the bondage of illness. The hospital may have long ago dropped the name of the group that started it, but when you look into the history, you will find the beginning because of some church or denomination that saw a need. Each of these groups is continuing to work to free people from a bondage of some sort because some church or group of churches wanted to bring freedom to people who were being held captive.
In conclusion Jesus said, “today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” No more were these words only a part of history, from that moment on, they were a reality. No more were they the words of an ancient prophet, from that moment on they were the things Jesus was going to be demonstrating as he went across the countryside. No more was the emphasis going to be on restoring the greatness of the land of Israel, from that moment on, the emphasis was going to be on the poor, the outcast, the captive, the blind. What Jesus was proclaiming was a change in the way people looked at one another. To change our focus from the rich and powerful and look, instead, on those who were in need, those who were sometimes overlooked.
Whether we sponsor a food pantry or we give to support a food pantry, we are dealing with those who are hungry. The action we take will not put an end to hunger, we all know that but by doing what we can to feed those within our reach we are helping to fulfill the call of Jesus to care for those who are hungry. When we support an AA group or a NA group, we are ministering to those who are captive. We know when we do this, we will not end the problem. Nevertheless, because we are ministering to those who have needs, we are helping to fulfill the challenge to release the captives. We will not end the problem, but by playing a part in the work that needs to be done we are helping to fulfill the challenge Jesus left us.
 
 
*Hymn                               “Be thou my vision ”                                                            #339
 
​*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH          Apostle’s Creed (Ecumenical)     p. 14
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
He is seated on the right hand of the Father,
And he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
 
*The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever."      -- Amen.
 
*Hymn                                      Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing                            # 538
 
 
Sending
 
*CHARGE & BLESSING
(Pastor) Go into the world in peace, render to no person evil for evil but render good for evil. Seek Justice, love mercy and walk humbly before God. Receive the blessings of God the father, God the son, and God the Holy spirit now and always. Amen,
 
 
Postlude
 

​SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
January 16, 2022
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let me remind you quickly of our protocols for everyone’s safety.                   
·  Attendance was taken by Ushers as you entered.
·   masks are required by Session, as well as social distancing
   bulletins are placed in the pews to help with social distancing
· Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
· Please write your prayer request on the Yellow cards.  An usher will pick them up during the 1st hymn.
· Please join us after service for fellowship will be continuing with beverages only, in Calvin Hall
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
Gary Iverson, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Annette Conzett,  Jo Lefleur,  Dr Dyke,  Bonnie and Jon Pillers,  Mike Niles, Harlan Marx ,Tom Kelly, Lois Seger,  Jon Ryner,  Lucy Melvin. Bob Emmert, Abagail Niles, Helanah Niles, Rich Lewis, Kay Werner, Amanda Walston and Arlene Pawlik
 
PRELUDE
 
*WORDS OF WORSHIP (Unison) “I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord, let the humble hear and be glad, O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name forever” (Psalm 34:1-3)
 
*GATHERING PRAYER  (Unison) Lord God, we rejoice You have called us Your children. As we come before You today, help us open our ears, our hearts and our minds to hear what You have for us. amen.
 
 
HYMN                  When morning guilds the skies                                                   #487
 
CONFESSION AND PARDON (Unison) O Holy One, we call to you and name you as eternal, ever-present, and boundless in love. Yet there are times, O God, when we fail to recognize you in the dailyness of our lives. Sometimes shame clenches tightly around our hearts, and we hide our true feelings. Sometimes fear makes us small, and we miss the chance to speak from our strength. Sometimes doubt invades our hopefulness, and we degrade our own wisdom.Holy God, in the daily round from sunrise to sunset, remind us again of your holy presence hovering near us and in us. Help us to see and follow that presence now and always. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
 
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Pastor) The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. Because of God’s mercy and love we can say together (Unison) we are forgiven people, thanks be to God, Amen
 
PASSING OF THE PEACE
 
OFFERING PRAYER
 
Interlude
                                                    Word
 
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to You O God. Amen
 
SCRIPTURE LESSONS                John 2:1-11
 
2 Now on the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine left.”4 Jesus replied, “Woman, why are you saying this to me?  My time has not yet come.” 5 His mother told the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.”  6 Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washing, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the water jars with water.” So they filled them up to the very top. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the head steward,” and they did. 9 When the head steward tasted the water that had been turned to wine, not knowing where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), he called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the cheaper wine when the guests are drunk. You have kept the good wine until now!” 11 Jesus did this as the first of his miraculous signs, in Cana of Galilee. In this way he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
 
 
Sermon Title “And His disciples believed in Him”
 
Today’s reading begins with the words, “on the third day” and we are left wondering, the third day after what? If we go back a few verses, we discover Jesus had just called Phillip and Nathaniel to be followers. Just before that, John the Baptist had described Jesus as “the lamb of God”. In John’s gospel this is the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. He was beginning to lay out the framework of what His version of the messiah was to be.
Also, there is some hidden meaning in mentioning that it was the third day. The number 3 carried some weight in Jewish thinking. It carried a meaning of permanence  or completeness in their thinking. To say something three times meant it was really important and needed to be heard in that way. Later in the gospels, Lazarus will be raised after three days, Jesus resurrection will be on the third day and Jesus will ask Peter three times if Peter loves him. That was a question of deep significance. Do you love me no matter what? Do you love me even though it when imay mean you give your life for me? It was more than a mere question, it was a dividing question and peter understood it that way when he heard it. So, by saying this was the third day, the gospel was saying that what happened here had some importance and needed to be heard as more than a reporting of the events themselves but that it carried some importance and needed to be heard in that way.
The story takes place during a wedding. We need to remember a wedding at that time of history was a different thing that what we experience. Because travel was much slower a wedding then was often a several day affair. Friends and relatives came from some distance and time needed to be allotted for people to make the journey. Planning for a wedding, then, involved the need to allow for the people to arrive and express their good wishes to the couple and the family involved. Instead of thinking only of the day itself, the family needed to plan for 2-3 days for all the people to be taken care of.
When it comes to the people you invite to a wedding, who is usually on the list? Family members, close friends, people hwo are special in some way or another to the family or the couple. We try to think of those who will in some way or another add to the joy of the event. Some conservative voices of the past had tried to downplay this story because they could not accept the idea Jesus might actually drink wine or in some way enjoy being at a celebration but this is not the image we see in the gospels. The gospels, as a whole, do not have this picture of Jesus. Many times we see Jesus in the midst of small children and the children seem to be comfortable with his presence. Little children and animals seem to have a special radar that helps them judge adults. As a whole, children would rather be around people who are easy to be with rather than people who are bristly in some way. They have an ability to separate themselves from those who are doom and gloom types and would rather be around cheerful upbeat people. Jesus was invited to the wedding because, in the eyes of the family, he was one who would not be a wet blanket at the festivities.
Because a wedding was well known to be a several day event, one of the responsibilities of the host was to plan accordingly. It was a mark against a person’s reputation if anything was not well planned. To give a wedding and run out of any of the necessary things was something that would be the gossip of the town. “you know at the levi’s wedding, they actually ran out of wine” would spread like wildfire through the town. When Mary came to Jesus with the report they had run out of wine, she was in effect asking Jesus to do something that would help protect the host family. She seems to assume Jesus can, and would do something though she does not seem to know what he would do because she tells the servants, “ do whatever he tells you” and then seems to leave the matter to Jesus. When Jesus speaks to the servants, he sends them to get the Jars set aside for the rite of purification. They had the wine jars that had been empty. It would be the normal thing to use them if there was a need for wine. The jars set aside for the rite of purification were much larger, John says they held 20-30 gallons of water each. The Jewish ritual of purification involves the need to symbolically cleanse oneself whenever you had contaminated yourself in some way. It may have been contact with some dead thing, it may have been a woman’s monthly cycle, it may have been something else but there was a need to make oneself clean so they could participate in the rites of worship again. A person was required to cleanse whatever part of the body had been contaminated and to wash thoroughly. When they had done this, they were ready to rejoin the worshipping community again. By using these jars, Jesus was acting out a parable which may not have been seen at the time. He was saying the people who received this water were, in fact, being cleansed in a way they may not have understood. What they received was a cleansing preparing them for the events which were to come.
As we are thinking about the water, did you really hear how big they were? John says they were 20-30 gallons each. If the jars were the little ones of 20 gallons, six jars would mean there was 120 gallons of water which was transformed and brought to the master of the feast. That would supply a pretty good-sized party with adequate wine. When this was brought to the master of the feast, he declared it was the best wine that had been served so far.
At this point of the story, I always have to think about the servants and what was going on in their minds. They had gone to the same well they went to all the time. They had filled their jars with that water to supply the needs of the house every day. That was the water they brought to the master of the feast and then, suddenly, he declared it was the best wine of the day. What do you suppose they thought or felt? What was going on in their heads? What if you went into your kitchen, ran a glass of water for a friend and they declared it was the best wine they had ever had? Clearly, something very much out of the ordinary had happened here but no one seems to know what it was.
The last thing the gospel says about the incident is: “and his disciples believed in him”. Again, remember they had only been with him three days. They were going about their everyday business when Jesus came before them calling them to be followers. There was something about him, the way he approached them that urged them to leave their homes, their friends, any occupation they may have had and go after this man. Something urged them to hear more about what this man was saying. They may have decided to “check this out” and see what it was about but there was nothing they had seen as of yet. Now, they had something. They had seen this work and clearly, there was something more there than ordinary. There was something behind this Jesus that was out of the ordinary. We have to remember that they had not yet understood he was the messiah, that comes later on in the story but for now, what they had just witnessed made it clear he was something out of the ordinary and they believed he was worth following.
We are going to look at three parts of the story today: the water Jesus used, how much water was used and the end result of the miracle. Each of those seem to carry a message that is informative about the way God deals with we humans. Each of these seem to carry a message that has something to say to us as we struggle in our own attempts to be part of the gospel story. the word itself can be translated good news or or completeness in their thinking. To say something three times meant it was really important and needed to be heard in that way. Later in the gospels, Lazarus will be raised after three days, Jesus resurrection will be on the third day and Jesus will ask Peter three times if Peter loves him. That was a question of deep significance. Do you love me no matter what? Do you love me even though it when imay mean you give your life for me? It was more than a mere question, it was a dividing question and peter understood it that way when he heard it. So, by saying this was the third day, the gospel was saying that what happened here had some importance and needed to be heard as more than a reporting of the events themselves but that it carried some importance and needed to be heard in that way.
The story takes place during a wedding. We need to remember a wedding at that time of history was a different thing that what we experience. Because travel was much slower a wedding then was often a several day affair. Friends and relatives came from some distance and time needed to be allotted for people to make the journey. Planning for a wedding, then, involved the need to allow for the people to arrive and express their good wishes to the couple and the family involved. Instead of thinking only of the day itself, the family needed to plan for 2-3 days for all the people to be taken care of.
When it comes to the people you invite to a wedding, who is usually on the list? Family members, close friends, people hwo are special in some way or another to the family or the couple. We try to think of those who will in some way or another add to the joy of the event. Some conservative voices of the past had tried to downplay this story because they could not accept the idea Jesus might actually drink wine or in some way enjoy being at a celebration but this is not the image we see in the gospels. The gospels, as a whole, do not have this picture of Jesus. Many times we see Jesus in the midst of small children and the children seem to be comfortable with his presence. Little children and animals seem to have a special radar that helps them judge adults. As a whole, children would rather be around people who are easy to be with rather than people who are bristly in some way. They have an ability to separate themselves from those who are doom and gloom types and would rather be around cheerful upbeat people. Jesus was invited to the wedding because, in the eyes of the family, he was one who would not be a wet blanket at the festivities.
Because a wedding was well known to be a several day event, one of the responsibilities of the host was to plan accordingly. It was a mark against a person’s reputation if anything was not well planned. To give a wedding and run out of any of the necessary things was something that would be the gossip of the town. “you know at the levi’s wedding, they actually ran out of wine” would spread like wildfire through the town. When Mary came to Jesus with the report they had run out of wine, she was in effect asking Jesus to do something that would help protect the host family. She seems to assume Jesus can, and would do something though she does not seem to know what he would do because she tells the servants, “ do whatever he tells you” and then seems to leave the matter to Jesus.  When Jesus speaks to the servants, he sends them to get the Jars set aside for the rite of purification. They had the wine jars that had been empty. It would be the normal thing to use them if there was a need for wine. The jars set aside for the rite of purification were much larger, John says they held 20-30 gallons of water each. The Jewish ritual of purification involves the need to symbolically cleanse oneself whenever you had contaminated yourself in some way. It may have been contact with some dead thing, it may have been a woman’s monthly cycle, it may have been something else but there was a need to make oneself clean so they could participate in the rites of worship again. A person was required to cleanse whatever part of the body had been contaminated and to wash thoroughly. When they had done this, they were ready to rejoin the worshipping community again. By using these jars, Jesus was acting out a parable which may not have been seen at the time. He was saying the people who received this water were, in fact, being cleansed in a way they may not have understood. What they received was a cleansing preparing them for the events which were to come.
As we are thinking about the water, did you really hear how big they were? John says they were 20-30 gallons each. If the jars were the little ones of 20 gallons, six jars would mean there was 120 gallons of water which was transformed and brought to the master of the feast. That would supply a pretty good-sized party with adequate wine. When this was brought to the master of the feast, he declared it was the best wine that had been served so far.
At this point of the story, I always have to think about the servants and what was going on in their minds. They had gone to the same well they went to all the time. They had filled their jars with that water to supply the needs of the house every day. That was the water they brought to the master of the feast and then, suddenly, he declared it was the best wine of the day. What do you suppose they thought or felt? What was going on in their heads? What if you went into your kitchen, ran a glass of water for a friend and they declared it was the best wine they had ever had? Clearly, something very much out of the ordinary had happened here but no one seems to know what it was.
The last thing the gospel says about the incident is: “and his disciples believed in him”. Again, remember they had only been with him three days. They were going about their everyday business when Jesus came before them calling them to be followers. There was something about him, the way he approached them that urged them to leave their homes, their friends, any occupation they may have had and go after this man. Something urged them to hear more about what this man was saying. They may have decided to “check this out” and see what it was about but there was nothing they had seen as of yet. Now, they had something. They had seen this work and clearly, there was something more there than ordinary. There was something behind this Jesus that was out of the ordinary. We have to remember that they had not yet understood he was the messiah, that comes later on in the story but for now, what they had just witnessed made it clear he was something out of the ordinary and they believed he was worth following.
We are going to look at three parts of the story today: the water Jesus used, how much water was used and the end result of the miracle. Each of those seem to carry a message that is informative about the way God deals with we humans. Each of these seem to carry a message that has something to say to us as we struggle in our own attempts to be part of the gospel story. the word itself can be translated good news or  good story and we are part of that good story as we attempt to live out the things we understand God has called us to do.
When Jesus told the servants to fetch the water, he did not use anything special. He pointed them to the same well they used everyday. The water the house used to cook, care for any livestock, bathe and do all the ordinary things the household needed water to do. There was nothing special about this water that was used. When I used to do baptisms as an active pastor, I would often call the children forward but instead of sitting on the first row for a children;s sermon, I would call them up to the baptism font. I would take the lid off and ask them to tell me what was in the font. After a few seconds, one would say, water. Then I would ask them if there was anything different about the water and they would study a second or two and say no. I would ask them to touch it and see if it felt different and they would say no. then I would tell them God often uses plain ordinary things to do great work and the water itself was not what made baptism special but it was, indeed, an act of God that made it special and that God used ordinary water to make it clear how available the gift was.
Time and time again, Jesus told parables, stories that helped people understand something about God. One thing you notice as you read the parables is almost all of them use common everyday things. The birds of the air, the lilies of the field, a child that abandons their family. Almost always they were things everyone had seen in some way or another and Jesus took those things and wove them into a story that helped us see something about God. He used the common things first because they were common, people knew these things but secondly, he opened a doorway. He put great mysteries about God before them in such a way they could see how these things fit into their lives.
Look at Jesus disciples, fishermen, tax collectors and other second-class people of the day’s society. there were no great officials, none of the movers and shakers of the society of their time. Just plain everyday people with nothing to have any claim to fame. Yet, this group of plain, ordinary people became responsible for the gospel to get into every known country of the world. If Jesus had picked the movers and shakers, if he had taken the leaders and used them as his disciples we would not be surprised at what had been accomplished, after all, look what he had to work with. by using the common, the ordinary, it becomes obvious it is not the group itself that was responsible for what was accomplished but it becomes clear it is the power of God working that leads to the results.
There is nothing exceptional about this church. You are not the largest church in the presbytery, you are probably not the oldest, there are not any senators, congress members, governors or famous sports people who attend here to draw attention to you. There is not much here that seems all that noticeable. Just a few people who gather together on Sunday to worship and sometimes we feel unsignificant. Yet, because this group meets, prays and acts together great things happen. We support some local missions, a food bank, a homeless shelter, some worker across the world because ot the offering we put in the plate. We, and countless others participate in the work and ministry no only of our church, but of the church around the world. Each thing we do can be multiplied because of the each of the denomination of which we are part.
Then there were the jars themselves. Remember, John said they held between 20-30 gallons. To make things simple, I am going to assume they were the small ones, the ones holding only 20 gallons. If there were 6 jars that means there was 120 gallons of water brought to the master of the feast. That means there was enough wine for 1920 eight-ounce glasses of wine now for the wedding party. The host;s problem was over. There was no longer any danger of running out of wine. What had looked, a minute ago, like an embarrassing problem had now been solved more than sufficiently. Not only was there more than enough wine, but the steward had pronounced this was the best wine that had been served.
There are several stories in the Bible where God supplied things that were needed. The great prophet Elijah was in the land of Zarapeth, a gentile country during a time of great famine. He came upon a widow who was preparing the last of her flour to feed herself and her son and then prepare themselves to die of hunger. Elijah asked her for food and she replied she was fixing the last bit she had. Despite that, she gave Elijah what she had and, the flour and oil she used was multiplied to the point we read, “she, her household and elijah had sufficient for many days.” We read in the gospels of a crowd in the wilderness that was listening to Jesus and it was time to eat but there was no food. A small boy’s lunch was brought but even the disciple who brought it said it was of no use in the face of such a crowd. Jesus took the lunch, blessed it and when the crowd was fed there were 12 baskets of food left over. There are many stories in which, when God provides it is never just enough. It is abundant. Full and running over. Like the bandana that comes out of the circus clown’s sleeve, it seems to have no end.
The point of all these stories is God’s care for people is never just sufficient, it is not just enough to meet the situation. It is filled to the brim, it is overflowing, it is excessive. God does not promise he will provide for us, he promises us more than we can imagine. We worry about our daily bread but God promises us eternal bread. God is never stingy in what he provides but in Luke 6:38 we are promised that when we give “It will be given to you, a good measure, shaken down, running over”
Last, we read that when the disciples had seen all this, “they believed in Him” after all was said and done, after the party was over, after everyone had left they knew they had seen something out of the ordinary. They knew they needed to know more about what Jesus was saying. They had followed because when he spoke to them earlier they felt a pull they could not resist. He had found them at their home and spoken to them in such a way they had to see more. Something in that voice made them come after him. Now, they had seen this great work and they knew there was something more than they had originally thought. Now, they believed he was something even greater than they had thought and they wanted to be part of what he was doing.
In the same way, we followed without really knowing what we were getting into. As a youth, we may have taken our confirmation because everyone else was. We went to class, we answered the questions, but we really did not know what we were saying. As an adult, we may have joined the church because it was the thing to do. We were starting our family, we were becoming responsible adults and it was the thing to do but we did not yet understand what we were doing of saying. Not really.
We know from first-hand experience God can take a tax-collector, a fisherman, a farmer, a housewife, a clerk in a store and use them in ways that stagger the imagination. People who can manage a food bank for their community, people who can supply a well for a country they may  not even be able to find on a map. Because we have seen these things again and again, we begin to believe with a different understanding. We have seen  and read of great thigs and we have had our own experiences of the ways we have been changed in our own understanding of how God has worked right in front of our face to do things we did not think would happen.
We have seen plain ordinary people doing things that were far outside their comfort zones because they were people challenged by the words they read in the Sunday school lesson or read in the newsletter. We have seen times when we thought we were out of the energy, imagination and love it takes to do the work we are challenged to do and suddenly, there was an energy, an enthusiasm that was more than enough to meet the challenge. We cannot explain this any more than the servants could explain what happened to the water they brought to the master of the feast but we know because of what we have seen that we believe and follow.
 
 
*Hymn “My faith looks up to Thee”                                                                                                                        #383
 
 
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed (Ecumenical) p. 14
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
He is seated on the right hand of the Father,
And he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
 
 
 
*The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever."      -- Amen.
 
Sending
 
*CHARGE & BLESSING
Loving God, we thank you for hearing our prayers, feeding us with your word, and encouraging us in our worship together. Take us and use us to love and serve you, and all people, in the power of your Spirit and in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
 
 
*Hymn                                      Love divine, all loves excelling                             # 376
 
Postlude
 
 
* Sections of the service preceded with * are times to stand if you are able to do so.
Bold text is to be read together aloud as a congregation.

​SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
January 9, 2022
1st Day of Christmas
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let me remind you quickly of our protocols for everyone’s safety.                  
·  Attendance was taken by Ushers as you entered.
·   masks are required by Session, as well as social distancing
   bulletins are placed in the pews to help with social distancing
· Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
· Please write your prayer request on the Yellow cards.  An usher will pick them up during the 1st hymn.
· Please join us after service for fellowship will be continuing with beverages only, in Calvin Hall
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
Gary Iverson, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Annette Conzett,  Jo Lefleur,  Dr Dyke,  Bonnie and Jon Pillers,  Mike Niles, Harlan Marx ,Tom Kelly, Lois Seger,  Jon Ryner,  Lucy Melvin. Bob Emmert, Abagail Niles, Helanah Niles, Rich Lewis and Kay Werner
 
PRELUDE
 
*Call to worship  
We are gathered to worship our God. Thus says the Lord:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
This day we remember our baptism, and we offer our thanks and praise to you.
Thus says our God: For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
 May our worship be acceptable in your sight, our Lord and Savior.
 
*Call to Confession
Knowing our need to be in unbroken fellowship with our Lord, let us confess our sins to God.
 
*Prayer of Confession
God of love, as your Son was baptized, so also have we been baptized in water and the Word. But we are imperfect. We turn away from you and worry instead of trust, treat others unkindly instead of with grace, withhold generosity instead of sharing our blessings, and more. As we are in a New Year, may we continue to seek you and walk in your ways, following your leading, filled with your Spirit. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
 
 Assurance
The creator who gave us life also gave us new life in Christ. Through him, we are forgiven completely.
Thanks be to God.
 
Interlude
 
Scripture Readings
 
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
 
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,
John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."…
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened,
and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
 
Philippians 1:3-11
 
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight  to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
 
Prayer of Illumination
 
Holy God, as we reread these familiar texts, we ask you in Spirit to illumine us with your truth, and inspire us to continue to seek and to trust you. Touch us with your lovingkindness this day. Amen.
 
Sermon Title                   “We’re on the Way”
 
A traveler came upon a laborer who was fiercely pounding away at a stone with hammer and chisel. The traveler asked the worker, “What are you doing?” The laborer answered, “I’m trying to shape this stone for a pathway.” He came upon another man who was also chipping away at a stone. “What are you doing?” The worker answered, “I’m shaping this stone for a building.” He came upon a third stone worker. “What are you doing?” The worker smiled and replied, “I’m building a cathedral.” If someone would happen to see God chipping away at the rough edges of my life or yours and ask, “What are you doing?,” God just might answer, I’m building a cathedral. Why? Because my Spirit dwells within this person. During Advent last month many of the Old  Testament prophets predicted the Lord’s coming, more in the descriptions of his second coming. For example Malachi’s prophesy for speaks of the sudden coming of the Lord to his temple. He comes as a refiner’s fire to purify the descendants of Levi. Others describe the outcome of the arrival of the promised One. Israel will be restored to glory; the knowledge of God will cover the world across the seas. But Jesus’ first coming was rather subtle. Yes, angels, shepherds and wise men were made aware, but mostly, he came as a baby born to a family on the road, so to speak, and cared for as best they could in a crowded city. John the Baptist speaks of the arrival of the Messiah with a strong call to repentance and with the fire of the prophets before him. But Jesus looks to John to baptize him along with those repenting. (By the way, the word “baptize” was used in the dying of cloth, that the cloth becomes “identified” with the dye. Likewise, Christ is “identifying” with the people seeking to follow God. We are baptized as a sign that we identify with Christ.) So again, while the prophesies given to us by the Lord himself and by his disciples describe a more momentous, obvious appearance, when he comes in the clouds, when all prophesies will be fulfilled, we live between those to comings of Christ. Theologians refer to the “now” and the “not yet” of our faith. Yes, two thousand years ago the Lord came to be with us as one of us. Then the Lord came to each of us when we believed. And some day, the Lord will come for us, either at our death, or at his grand return to earth. As we live between Christ’s coming to us and his coming for us, we live knowing we are forgiven. In faith we seek to fulfill God’s call to serve him in holiness and righteousness. We are guided by the Scriptures. One text we look at today is from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. What does it really mean for us to live in this “now” and “not yet” reality of faith—that the Lord has come, and will come again. The Philippian church begins as Paul has a vision to go to Macedonia in Greece. He meets Lydia, the first European convert to Christianity, and thus in Philippi of Macedonia, a congregation is formed. His letter to the Philippians is his most personal and affectionate of his New Testament letters to the churches. He thanks God for them, prays for them day and night, and is able to continue his evangelistic travels to others because of the funds they send to him. They even send funds to help the poverty-stricken church in Jerusalem. So Paul writes to thank them. But, in the verses we just read, Paul shares this marvelous theology of our being transformed by the Lord. Verse 6: “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Even though Paul’s work with them in person is done, they will continue to grow and flourish in their faith until God’s transformation is complete. Paul, though sad to leave them because he holds them in his heart, and they hold him, he asks God on their behalf:
• He prays they would be perfected (that is, made complete) in their relationships. “I pray that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and discernment….”
• He prays that they would be perfected in their morality, “…so that you may approve the things that are excellent…”
• He prays that they would be perfected in righteousness: “…in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ, having been filled with the fruit of righteousness…” (I think to be righteous includes being people of truth and goodness in a world, then and now, that is filled with lies and behaviors that are not so good.)
This is an excellent prayer that all of us can pray for ourselves and others: that we would be growing in love, in approving excellent things, in making right choices, and in becoming, in the eyes of the Lord, sincere and without blame until he returns for us.
Remember the fad a few years ago when so many were wearing bracelets with these initials, GIFWMY? God isn’t finished with me yet. Very true. Between the Christmas first coming of Christ, and the second coming of Christ at the end of time, we live in what many call the “now and the not yet.” Christ has come to us, and Christ will come again for us (either at our homegoing, or when he returns to earth in glory). And so in this in-between time, God is at work in us. Paul repeats the idea in his Philippian letter:
v. 6: God began his good work in us, and will complete it at Christ’s return
v. 9: we are filled with the fruits of righteousness right now, because God dwells within our hearts.
2:13  It is God who is at work in us for God’s good pleasure
4:13  We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
At the first Advent of Christ two thousand plus years ago, as the prophets foretold, God comes to us in Christ to be a refiner, God’s Spirit a purifier of our needful souls, that we may serve the Lord in love, spreading the good news of God’s love and grace and ministering to the needs of others.
That is our calling right now as we look back to Christ’s coming, and look forward to Christ’s return. We aren’t perfect yet, but in this process we are being perfected. Our continued transformation brings glory to God.
When by faith we worship and seek to love and serve others, the Lord is actually chipping away at our rough spots like a stone mason, to make us fit to be his cathedral. Individually God dwells within each heart. But also, we are stones together being built up into the house of God. We are individually temples and collectively we are stones built together to be the church, the cathedral of God.
None of us is perfect… no church is perfect, but God isn’t finished with us yet! Through him we are forgiven and made holy and called into service to him that others may know his love and grace. No, we aren’t perfect… but because he came, we have hope. We are being perfected by the hand of the creator, the potter, the stonemason, the carpenter who will some day, come to take us to his home where he has prepared a place for each one of us. So let us live in this truth: God isn’t finished with us yet, but we are on the way!
 
 
*Hymn                               “When Jesus Came to Jordan”                                               #72
 
Offering
 
Prayer of Dedication
Gracious God, we offer to you a portion of your blessing to us, as an act of worship. We do so with faith that your good news will fill our hearts and go forth from this place. Amen.
 
 
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed (Ecumenical) p. 14
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
He is seated on the right hand of the Father,
And he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
 
 
Prayers of the people
 
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord.
It is right to give our thanks and praise…
 
The Lord’s Prayer
 
*Hymn “More Love to Thee, O Christ”    #359
 
*Benediction
 
Postlude
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

​ 
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
January 02,2022
1st Day of Christmas
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let me remind you quickly of our protocols for everyone’s safety.                  
·  Attendance was taken by Ushers as you entered.
·   masks are required by Session, as well as social distancing
   bulletins are placed in the pews to help with social distancing
· Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
· Please write your prayer request on the Yellow cards.  An usher will pick them up during the 1st hymn.
· Please join us after service for fellowship will be continuing with beverages only, in Calvin Hall
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
Gary Iverson, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Annette Conzett,  Jo Lefleur,  Dr Dyke,  Bonnie and Jon Pillers,  Mike Niles, Harlan Marx ,Tom Kelly, Lois Seger,  Jon Ryner, Family of Jack Braden, Lucy Melvin. Bob Emmert, Abagail Niles, Helanah Niles, and Rich Lewis is having more tests this week.
 
PRELUDE
 
*CALL TO WORSHIP Isaiah 60:1,3, CEB
Arise! Shine! Your light has come;
    the Lord’s glory has shone upon you.
Nations will come to your light
    and kings to your dawning radiance.
 
 
*GATHERING PRAYER
Child of Bethlehem, we come bearing our gifts to worship you as the kings of old once did. We bow in respect for the King of Glory you came to be in our lives. We shine because your light shines through us. We celebrate not only your birth but your place in our lives today.
 
*HYMN The First Noel #56
 
 
 *CONFESSION
Let us confess our need of God’s grace.
God of Grace and Glory, as we enter a new year we confess our sins of the past. We confess our failure to care for one another or care for the earth. We confess our fears and the good we avoid because of them. We confess our lack of understanding and compassion. We confess our failure to bear your light to the world. Help us in this New Year, not to just make resolutions but to do our best each and every day to live in a manner that truly honors you. Amen.
 
 
WORDS OF ASSURANCE Ephesians 1:13-14, MEV
In Him you also, after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and after believing in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Through Christ we are forgiven.  Thanks be to God!
 
*SONG OF PRAISE Gloria Patri #579
 
*PASSING THE PEACE (facing those across the aisle from you)
Left: May the peace of Christ be with you.
Right: And also with you. May the peace of Christ be with you.
Left: And also with you.
(You may be seated.)
 
 
     INTERLUDE
 
THE WISE MEN’S VISIT Matthew 2:1-12
We Three Kings #66
 
Word
 
GOSPEL LESSONS John 1:14
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
 
Matthew 25:34-40
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
 SERMON    Living God’s Word in the Flesh
 
​The gift of Christmas is that God came in the flesh to live among us. John’s Gospel expresses that gift.
“The Word” refers to God as the Word that spoke the world into being at creation.
“The Word became flesh” emphasizing that God became human to experience life as we experience it and to be more relatable to us.
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Perhaps you remember hearing before that word translated as dwelt actually refers to a tent. So, God came, in human flesh, and pitched his tent to live among us as one of us.
“And we saw his glory” Ah, but while we are grateful for Jesus’ humanity, we dare not forget his divinity. It is the conundrum of the ages that Jesus is fully human and fully divine. I can’t explain it scientifically. I can only strive to accept it theologically on faith.
“We saw His glory, the glory as the only Son of the Father.” John is calling to mind for his Jewish readers, the Tent of Meeting or tabernacle made in Moses’ time according to God’s instructions. That tent traveled with them wherever they went. When it was set up, God’s Spirit, God’s Glory came and filled the tent with God’s presence. When Moses entered the tent to meet with God, Moses’ face shone brightly enough as he came out that he had to wear a covering over his face for some time afterward. Jesus, God’s Son, reflected that same bright glory. The disciples glimpsed it once on the mountaintop when Jesus was transfigured, and his face and clothes shone as he talked with Moses and Elijah.
“The glory as the only Son of the Father full of grace and truth.” The NIV Study Bible notes suggest the corresponding Hebrew words might be translated love and faithfulness. I recognize that as a common pairing in the Old Testament, especially in Psalms.
In the New Testament grace is one way of referring to God’s agape, self-giving, self-sacrificing love that we cannot earn or deserve. It is a free gift from God. A love that is filled with compassion and mercy. That is the grace that comes to us in Christ.
Truth is an important word for John, referring to reality. This grace and truth combine as I think about a later verse in John’s Gospel. It is because of grace that Jesus is the truth that sets us free.
What was born in Jesus on Christmas was God’s presence clothed in human flesh, pitching tent to live among us, a nomad like his human ancestors, yet so filled with God’s glory that his Spirit shines and we can glimpse the grace and truth, the love and faithfulness God offers to us. That is the gift of Christmas to all of us, to all of humanity, to all the earth.
 
That gift of God’s grace was so dazzling that God marked it and celebrated it with a star that shown brightly enough to catch the attention of foreign astronomers who interpreted its coming as a marvelous sign. They were convinced that a very special king had come. They left everything else behind but their convoy of camels, provisions for the trip, and three very special gifts to honor this king. Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh are gifts for a king, gifts for a deity, and even a gift that hints at the future death of Jesus’ human form. They are a model for us to bring our best to honor Jesus. They beg us to accept Jesus as our King. They remind us of Jesus’ divine nature and also his sacrifice of love for us.
 
But as I said on the First Sunday of Christmas, while it is important to receive the gift, that isn’t enough. The gifts of God through Jesus are gifts we are meant to share. The parable we read in Matthew is so familiar perhaps we take it for granted. It comes much later in Jesus’ life, in his time as our teacher. The point of the story is of course, that when we do something for others, for the least or lowliest around us, it is as if we do it for Jesus. Martin the Cobbler and other Christmas stories have shared a theme of waiting with a special gift to offer Christ, but instead finding oneself caring for others in need. Let’s take a deeper look at what is shared in Matthew’s parable.
 
You might recognize that this is not the full parable, but only the last paragraph of it.
We commonly call it the Sheep and the Goats, because the image is of sheep (representing those who helped others) being separated from the goats (those who did not), and this separation determines their future. The King who is the judge in this scene, the one doing the separating, is either God or Jesus, and in my own thinking that’s pretty much the same thing, they are of one mind and Spirit. NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible notes that it was common in Jewish parables for the King to represent God and talk about “the righteous ‘inheriting’ the kingdom or the world to come.” The next two verses talk about how those who expect to inherit should behave.
 
Verse 35 gives us the basics of hospitality. When a guest comes to your home for more than a few minutes, you likely offer them something to drink, even if it is just water, and if they stay longer you might bring out refreshments or ask them to stay for a meal. I’ve probably shared this before, but it reminds me of visiting Barb and Wade years ago. Wade always handed me a drink. Barb set a place for me at supper. Heather, who was two at the time, even figured out how to make room for me to stay the night. We are all a lot older, but occasionally I still get to visit. Last time Barb and I had gone to a gal’s reunion dinner, then I stayed with Barb and Wade. I was still handed a drink, given a bed to sleep, and food was available for breakfast. As the verse points out, hospitality may be for a friend or for a stranger. We might provide food or clothing or shelter, but these are simple gifts we are called to share when the need arises. When I was in college several families made room in their homes for me to stay. In later years I could pay that forward when one of David’s countrymen lived with us for a while. There was even a night when we were one of several church families who took in strangers who were stranded in a snowstorm. Think of the many ways hospitality has been shared with you, and how you share it with others.
 
Verse 36 doesn’t let us just stay home to serve our Lord, but sends us out to offer acts of kindness. It talks about visiting the sick and those in prison. Of course that is more difficult in the pandemic, but even when we cannot physically go to see someone, there are other ways of reaching out with care and encouragement. Think about times someone has visited you when you were in the hospital or brought food when you were sick. Perhaps there was a phone call or a card or flowers. Maybe someone offered to help in some way picking up groceries, doing some laundry, or caring for a pet. There are ways you can also bring help and encouragement to someone needing a lift.
 
Jesus’ words are framed in a way suggesting he has received all these acts of kindness, and those being praised for their good works are genuinely surprised. They don’t recall such an opportunity to serve their Lord in these ways. Jesus’ response in verse 40 is the key. When they did these things “to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” Of course scholars have debated who these brothers and sisters are. As the NIV Cultural Bible Study Bible sums it up, some believe it refers to the poor while others think it refers to Jesus’ disciples. I suppose I can see it either way.
 
I hadn’t considered before that Jesus could be encouraging his followers to take care of each other, but in the early church they did indeed share what they could so that everyone’s needs were met. That even included caring for those who were imprisoned for their faith. Taking care of each other in the family of faith was and continues to be a genuine need. Of course Jesus wants us to do that, but I don’t think that is all we can do. I think as we have opportunity, we are also called to reach out beyond those we know, beyond those with whom we have something in common. If we are to “let [our] good deeds shine out for all to see,” as Matthew suggested earlier in his gospel (Matt. 5:16) so that others will praise our God, then outreach to others is important, even imperative. There are countless ways we do that as a church, locally or through our mission agencies, and there are simple ways you can help those around you or strangers who cross your path.
 
It’s not that hard to be one of the sheep in this story. When we share what we have to help or encourage someone else, it is a gift we also give to Jesus. Think what a difference that has made in your own life when someone has done even some small thing to help you. Now recognize that you can also do some small things to help someone else. As we go into a new year, even in the ongoing frustration of a pandemic, even with all the other major challenges that will continue to dominate the news and whatever else may come, we can each as individuals and together as the Church offer kindness and encouragement to those around us, and that will make this a better world.
 
Did you catch an ongoing theme of a light shining in the darkness? It was in an earlier verse of John’s Gospel and the reference to Jesus’ glory. It was in the star that led the Wise Men to Bethlehem. It was in Matthew’s gospel reference of letting our good deeds shine for others to see God at work. Jesus came to be that shining light for us, and we can be that light for others.
 
I want to challenge you to make 2022 a year of kindness using Matt 25 as a springboard. Start a journal or make notes in your calendar of two things.
First, note when someone has done something that was helpful to you. Over time see how often that has happened each week or the whole month, and be sure to give God thanks for each one.
Second, jot down the opportunities God has given you to do something for someone else and how you responded. You are not doing this to brag about it, but to recognize the ways God asks you to care for others and the resources God has given you to use for that calling. Again, give God thanks for each one and perhaps continue to pray for some of the people you have helped.
As you review your notes in the months ahead, I hope you see the hand of God at work for you and through you. I hope you also see that whatever else may happen, God is bringing something positive to our world through all these acts of kindness. May 2022 be that year of kindness as God’s light shines for and through you!
 
 
 
*HYMN        Bring We the Frankincense of Our Love                                 #62
 
 
PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
 
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
 
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever. Amen.
 
OFFERING OUR LIVES
Word of God, we offer ourselves to live as you did, to share your love with the world around us. Strengthen us for the task to serve you well in the year to come. Amen.
 
 
*DOXOLOGY Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow                   #592
 
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed (Ecumenical) p. 14
 
 AFFIRMATION Apostle’s Creed, Ecumenical Version
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
He is seated on the right hand of the Father,
And he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
 
INVITATION AND INSTRUCTION FOR HOLY COMMUNION
 
GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, …
 
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with the celestial choirs
and with all the faithful of every time and place,
who forever sing to the glory of your name:
 
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
 
You are holy, O God of majesty,…
 
With thanksgiving we offer our very selves to you
to be a living and holy sacrifice, dedicated to your service.
 
Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life.
Lord Jesus, come in glory.
 
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us …
 
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, now and forever.
 
Amen.
 
*HYMN I Come With Joy                                              #502
 
 
*CHARGE & BLESSING
 
 
*POSTLUDE
 
* Sections of the service preceded with * are