January 1, 2021

January 1, 2021

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen… By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. – Hebrews 11:1,3

Happy New Year!

I wonder what does this new year hold instore for you? Many of us may not know the complete answer to that question, we may only have our hopes for what it might bring. However I invite you to contemplate on how faith will guide you this year, and offer this New Year’s Prayer.

God, Creator of all things, including the new heart in me,

I pray that we meet this year with gladness and rejoicing.  Even as we feel the impact of a pandemic continue in our lives, we pray for a new hope that things will get better this year.  We give thanks for the lessons learned from the past. Our hearts are glad for the ways you have forgiven our mistakes, and led us on the right path.

Lord, in your mercy and grace we ask that the coming year be much better than the last. We pray for a year filled with laughter, joy, and peace.  We ask that you guide us to look within to find these things in you, and that we may begin in our households and let the joy or your presence spread to those around us.  

Keep us alive in our faith, active in our work, and hopeful for the future. Lead us every close to you and to your people, Lord, as we seek to know your blessings, to share your blessings, and to be a blessing to others in your name.  Amen.

Grace, Peace, and a Blessed New Year to all of you!
Sam

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things… - Psalm 98

New Year’s Eve, or as the old Christians church has called it “watch night.” In modern times it has been a time for gathering and celebrating the end of a year and the dawning of a new one.  With all that has happened in 2020, we might be celebrating even more that this historically hard year is over.  Though for many of us, we know that just because the calendar changes over, doesn’t mean very much changes.

Yes, each new year has new possibilities, new hopes, new dreams. And for those willing to put in the work, these possibilities can certainly be realities. But one thing remains true, any change, starts from within.  The psalmist reminds us that we are to “sing to the Lord a new song..” it is a reminder that in the Lord, we have been changed from the inside.  We rejoice in the great things that God has done in our lives, and we allow those great things that God has done for us to shape and define how we choose to live from this point on.  This reminder does not erase our past, but helps us to remember that we are not our past, but we are who God has and is shaping us to be in His image.

There’s an old Scot’s hymn, Auld Lang Syne, we often sing on this day, and while not recorded until sometime in the early 1700’s it is believed to from a more ancient time among the Scots people to cherish the ‘old times’ but to remember to ‘take a cup of kindness yet’ The song imparts to us to remember old friendships, and cherish the memories of times past, but at the same time we live in a present moment.

And surely you'll buy your pint cup!
and surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

For a past year we may not soon forget, and for the blessings to a new year coming with a new song and new hope. Cheers to you and yours.  Happy New Year.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 30, 2020

December 30, 2020

Sharing from the congregation – David Petty

It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever,
who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
O give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
— Psalm 136:23-26

I heard once that the English word with the greatest number of meanings is “run.”  I don’t know what’s second or third, but I would guess that “love” must be in the top ten.  It can mean anything from how we feel about food (Christmas cookies?  red velvet cake?)  to something profound, not to mention tennis.  The Bible covers many of these meanings in one place or another, from romantic or physical love to divine love.  At the top of the range of meanings is hesed. 

Hesed is a great Old Testament word that is difficult to pronounce and even more difficult to translate.  Some versions of the Bible translate it as “steadfast love.”  Often when you see the word “mercy” in the New Testament, it represents an attempt by the original writer to translate hesed into Greek.  I would suggest “unchanging and unchangeable love.”  But that doesn’t really get it either.  Some words, it seems, have to be translated with the heart rather than with a dictionary.

Hesed occupies roughly the same place in Old Testament theology that grace occupies in New Testament theology.

I don’t think that the Pharisees, for the most part, intended harm.  I think they believed that following all those rules were necessary in order to change God’s love in their favor.  What they failed to understand is that they didn’t need to try to change God’s love, just as you don’t need to fix what’s not broken.

A vast amount of ink has been consumed over the question of whether God can change. There is a whole area of theology called “process theology” about this, and the issue of predestination is tied to it as well.  I’ve come to believe that God can, and sometimes does, change God’s actions in response to prayer.  But I don’t believe God’s power changes and I don’t believe God’s love changes.

This week we celebrate love of all sorts: of food, family, friends, and the Lord’s faithfulness.  Thanks be to God.

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

December 29, 2020

December 29, 2020

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it. – 2 John 6

The second epistle of John is an interesting and short little thing.  It is written to “the elect lady” whom many believed to be the sister or sister-in-law of the apostle John.  Unlike so many of the letters or epistles we find in scripture that are shared among the churches, this letter (while it most certainly was shared) is personal in nature. 

John expresses the love that he has for this family (the elect and her children). He writes to them with great encouragement of the faith she has imparted to her children. Word has come to John letting him know of the great grace, mercy, and truth that has been seen in them.  With this, John sends a reminder to her and to all of us of what is truly expected.

“and this is love, that we walk according to his commandment”

We might ask, and which commandment is John referring? However, we should realize it is the one given by Jesus, to love the Lord our God, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Or more concisely, love one another as He first loved us. 

John’s gentle encouragement is to remind the elect, and us, that as we make our way in this world, the greatest joy and grace we can show is to love one another, for in doing so, we are abiding in the teachings of Christ.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 28, 2020

December 28, 2020

Sharing from the congregation – David Petty

At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord ... the remnant of Israel: they have shall do no wrong and utter no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths.  Then they will pasture and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid. — Zephaniah 3: 9,13

Although Zephaniah is one of the shortest books in the Bible (53 verses), I won’t try to reproduce much of it here.  Instead, I have just cited two verses that I think are important to understanding the movement of the book.

Unlike some of the other books of prophecy which move back and forth between hope and complaint or despair, Zephaniah has a simple structure.  Much of the book filled with death and devastation, but at about three fourths of the way through there is a turning point to hope and peace.

That turning point occurs exactly at verse 3:9. 

I think it’s significant that the turn begins with a change of speech.  Verse 13 re-emphasizes the importance of speech.  This is consistent with a common theme in the Bible, the power of speech itself to achieve things.  It goes back to the first chapter of Genesis, where God speaks the world and the cosmos into being. The Word of God is necessary for life (Deuteronomy 8:3, a verse cited by Jesus during his wilderness temptation) and can kill (Hosea 6:5).  Human speech is not like the Word of God, but still can be very powerful.

We have to decide for ourselves whether we believe this.  Maybe the idea of transformative speech is just magical thinking, rooted in ancient Middle Eastern superstition. 

Maybe it’s an enduring truth.

After a year of pandemic, unrest at home and abroad, a record number of hurricanes, new splintering of the Methodist church, and capped by a bitter election season, we could all stand a turning point.  Can we bring that about with speech alone? 

Of course we know that changed speech usually occurs along with with changed attitudes. The logical assumption would be that the attitude change effects the speech change.  Some studies, however, indicate that the reverse can be the case.  Simply changing our speech can apparently alter our thinking.

Maybe what the Bible says about this could apply to us.  Maybe in this new year we could turn the world around with our speech.  Maybe we should at least give it a try.

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

December 27, 2020

December 27, 2020

To join our online worship service at 9 am or after please visit: stmarkknox.org/sermons

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. – Luke 2:39-40

Another Christmas has come and gone. This year, I think we shared a little more the hope of a salvation to come to us that others.  We had a great hope that with the end of the year coming, there would be a pathway for us to overcome this pandemic, and life would get back to normal. We do have great hope in the vaccines that are rolling out, but we also know it could still be several months before many of us will have our chance to get one.

Even with hope, we still have the waiting.

At the end of Luke 2, after the glorious pronouncement from the angles, after the birth of the savior, after the earthly parents did what was required of them by the Jewish law, Luke tells us they simply went home.  Even though so much had already be told about this child born in Bethlehem, Jesus was still a baby, he needed time and a place to grow up.  Jesus needed the loving care of an earthly mother, and the tender support of an earthly father just as any of us. 

It’s hard to imagine simply going home after something as spectacular as what these parents experienced, but home is also where Mary and Joseph wanted to be.  It’s true, after a long journey there is no place like home.

For many of us home is where we have been since March, and at this point, we might actually think it’s be nice to get away from home for a bit. However, we remain there for now, waiting, hoping, and remembering – home is where the child grew, became strong, and was filled with wisdom.

As we turn our attention away from Christmas and towards a new year, let us work towards a deeper faith filled with the knowledge and wisdom of Christ, and find new ways to share in Christ’s love for all.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 26, 2020

December 26, 2020

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and we may walk in his paths… - Micah 4:2

It’s the morning after Christmas, so what now? I know that some families may have traditions that stretch out the twelve days of Christmas of which this is day two, by the way. In my experience, this is a good time to relax and be a bit lazy. 

There are usually plenty of leftovers from the great Christmas feast, there may be some new present which requires assembly, or installation. There might be a new movie or book we would like to enjoy.  The day should seem simple and relaxed.  Yet, as I turn the page and begin to look ahead to a new year, I come across these words form Micah, and think about all that might be as we seek the presence of God in the days ahead.

During Advent we talk about awaiting Emmanuel, God walking with us. So, often, that thought disappears after Christmas. At Christmas we say God is here in the babe born in Bethlehem. Truth is God was there in that manger bed, but God is also here now. The days that we walk of Christmas and beyond should lead us to know Christ more intimately, to live more intently on God’s call on our lives. We celebrate that love is with us. Now, let us walk in that love, walk in the ways of His path, learning to celebrate the presence of Christ with us not just at Christmas, but always and forever.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 25, 2020

December 25, 2020

But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. – Luke 2:19

            Advent Lighting – Light the Christ Candle

Merry Christmas!

I hope this day meets you with light and love.  On this great day of celebration, I share one of my favorite verse from the Christmas story.  In the midst of the spectacle that is the Angels singing, and the shepherds visiting the place where Jesus lay, we have this small verse that I think very much speaks to us on this Christmas morning.

Mary treasured all that was said and pondered it in her heart. Mary knew before she ever became pregnant what the angel Gabriel has said about this child she would bring into the world.  Yet in the quiet after the visitors had left, hearing their story she cherishes what she has heard. 

I wonder what things we will cherish this year? I know it may seem hard, we may not be with those whom we would usually celebrate. Yet, at the same time it is a perfect year to reflect on what is most important – the love of Christ. A love that connects us with family and friends, and makes those whom we love worth treasuring in our hearts.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020

Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020

To join our online Christmas Eve service please visit: stmarkumc.org/sermons

And the Word became flesh and lived among us… - John 1:14

            Advent Lighting – Light the Christ Candle

God is with us. God came to be among us. Our Emmanuel is here.

Even now, even here, though we are displaced from the time of his birth, we are reminded that these ancient words have great meaning. The One who was, and is, and is to come, the ever-loving God who created and is creating is revealed to us, most precisely, and most preciously in the babe born in Bethlehem. 

When John says the Word become flesh, he isn’t simply saying that the Word was an ambassador of heaven, but that the Word is fully God, was there at the beginning, and will be long after the end.  It was the fullness of God that loved us so much that he became flesh to create a personal connection between the human and he diving, grounded in a loving grace that would meet us where we are.

The grace made evident in the word made flesh is a grace that is willing to live out the human experience, to show us a more perfect way, to interact with the problems and difficulties of our world, and help to know more fully the love God has for us. Grace that gives us a light that blots out the darkness we see in this world, blots out the darkness found in our own hearts and calls us to follow in Christ love in all that we say and do.  This love humbles us, and in humility we bow before a baby in a manger, and rise to reflect the true light of love to those around us, bringing peace, joy, and hope to those around us.

Merry Christmas! May Christ’s light shine in you!

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 24, 2020

December 24, 2020

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. – Colossians 3:14.

            Advent Lighting – Light the four candles of Advent; hope, peace, joy and love.

NOTE: If you are following Advent at home, the Christ candle will be lit in tonight’s Christmas Eve Service, or can be lit with tomorrow mornings devotion.

It is Christmas Eve, and perhaps the festivities in your household have already begun, or the preparations for Christmas dinner.  In our house, while things are different, and plans gather with some family members are paused.  There is one part of our tradition that will remain – cookies will be made from scratch.  This is not a tradition I grew up with, but it one that Samantha and I started when our first born was a baby.  We wanted to make sure St. Nicholas was rewarded with some wonderful Christmas cookies, should he happen to stop by. 

Samantha is quite the baker, and I very much look forward to ‘sampling’ the batches of chocolate chip cookies she makes.  But as anyone may tell you about their special recipe, we all know the secret is love.  Love may come in the form or real butter, or a pinch of salt, but it is really is the in the shared event of making something together, creating something that is meant to be given away.  Love invites us to give, because love gave us Christ.

On this day, we remember that God sent His son into the world.  We are the people whom God so loved, that he would give the very best to us.  And the apostle Paul reminds us that love is something that we choose, we ‘put it on’ or ‘clothe’ ourselves with God’s love.  The love of Christ we have inside of us binds us together – even in a year when we are apart. When we choose to do something, or give something out of love we are reflecting the love of God in our lives, and sharing it with others that we might see that perfect harmony with those in our world.

Today, as we sit back and enjoy the celebration of the coming of Christ, our Emmanuel, as we get on the video or phone calls with family and friends, let us be sure to share the love, the joy, the peace, and hope of Christ. Let that love warm the hearts of the faithful, and bind us together until we can gather together again.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 23, 2020

December 23, 2020

…love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends… - 1 Corinthians 13:7-8

            Advent Lighting – Light the four candles of advent; hope, peace, joy and love

It’s getting closer, the day of Christmas is almost here.  At our home, children are anxious to open the presents under the Christmas tree.  I’m sure they have tried to spy which ones might have their names written on them.  They will surely find something of which to love when the gifts are opened on Christmas morning. 

Love is a lot of things, and is found in a lot of things, and maybe if you find yourself with the opportunity to ask a child during these holy days, you should ask, ‘what is love to you?’ The answers might be genuine, or humorous, but children do start to get the concept of love even at an early age.  Sometimes, I think the ideas of a child are so genuine, that we forget as adults, the genuineness of love that we may have once had.

We might realize that we don’t show love as often as we should, or in all the ways that we could. Yet, if we stop and listen for a moment, especially at Christmas time, we might hear love speak directly to our hearts.  We might even find love is present in that very room.

There’s an old hymn that says; “love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, love divine; love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.” While love came incarnate at Christmas, the love of God was working long before that. Some theologians say that the first incarnation of love was found in creation itself. that everything around us was and is created out of love.  Love is a grand legacy it can endure all things because it is in al things. It binds us, unites us, and leads us ever closer to the source of our love, which is in the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

John Wesley wrote: O grant that nothing in my soul may dwell, but Thy pure love alone!  O may Thy love possess me whole, my joy my treasure and my crown. Strange fires for from my heart remove – my every act, word, thought, may it all be love!

For Wesley, and for us, the great legacy of Christmas is the love that can be born in us anew, and shared as the light of Christ for the world. It begins as we love one another as Christ first loved us.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 22, 2020

December 22, 2020

…as it is written:  “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9

            Advent Lighting – Light the four candles of advent; hope, peace, joy and love.

“What wondrous love is this, oh my soul, oh my soul, what wondrous love is this oh my soul. What wondrous love that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul…”

I would love to know what Alexander Means felt as he penned these mighty words.  He must have gotten a glimpse of that love of the love with which God loves him and all of us.  I believe we all get glimpses of that love form time-to-time, we just never know in full what the Father knows in full, but only a portion as has been given.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:12: “…now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known.”  God knows how much he has loved each one of us, yet he also sees what each of us has done with such love.  So what do we do with God’s love once we have it? 

Much of that answer depends on the openness of our relationship with God.  If we have a completely open relationship with God then there is nothing holding us back, and as we grow closer in that relationship we see and begin to know more fully the love that God has for we. We also see the way we can show such love to others and fulfill the promise of God’s love in our sharing. The is becomes true, that we are Christ’s disciples because we love as he first loved us. (John 13:35).

If you hold back, and try to hide from God; things in your innermost self, then God is pouring his love out, but you do not know it fully, only partially.  You may find yourself wanting to know God more, but are unable to attain it, because you are holding back, and that which you hold back has become a barrier in your relationship.  When we create such barriers we cannot know the love of God, fully, because God is not fully welcomed.  That is not to say that we do not know God, but we lack letting God love us and convict us, which keeps us from the experience of joy overflowing because of God’s love. 

Finally there are those who do not know the love of God at all.  For one reason or another, their backs are turned away from God, and their sin has built a solid barrier around them that keeps the out-pouring of love and grace from sinking into their soul.  However, in all situations the power of Jesus blood is enough to wash it all way, to break down any barriers and build a stronger relationship one based on love between that person and God.  Alexander Mean tells us how in his hymn wonderful hymn.  Verse 2: when I was sinking down…Christ laid aside his crown for my soul. Verse 3: I began to pray for my soul…thus the word of God said Christ is the truth and the way.  Verse 4:  He shed his heavenly light…to disperse the gloom of night, now it shines with radiance bright.  Verse 5: To God and to the lamb I will sing…who is the great “I AM” while millions join the theme.  Verse 6: And when from death I’m free…I’ll sing and joyful be, and through eternity I’ll sing on. 

May the love of God lift us up, and allow us to sing on for all eternity because of the love with which God has poured out upon us through the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 21, 2020

December 21, 2020

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. – John 3:16

            Advent Lighting – Light the four candles of advent; hope, peace, joy, and love.

John 3:16 is, perhaps, one of the most quoted verses in Scripture. It is often one of the first verses that many of us had committed to memory, and some might say the very heart of God’s message to humanity or the gospel summed up in one simple verse.  The verse is so recognizable that even people who have never attended church have probably heard it.  So what makes this verse so widely known?

I would submit that it is become it is a message that people long to hear.  In a world that is often seen as cold and cruel, to know that one is loved is a powerful and penetrating message.  Especially during this year and all of its hardships, or this time of year and the loneliness that so many feel.  We, as a people, desire love.

Please allow me to remind you of something today, you are LOVED.  Above all else that is between you and God, you are loved.  You have been loved since before the stars began to shine, and you will be loved long after they no longer flicker with light.  God’s promise to you is that He loves you, and regardless of what you have done, or what you could do, He will always love you.  

The very nature of God is love; therefore, there is nothing apart from love that God could ever be.  1 John 4 explicitly tells us that “God is love,” and that we should love because we are part of God, but regardless of our ability or inability to show love, because we belong to God, love is a part of who we are. 

I’ve met people in life that don’t understand why they don’t feel happy, or are constantly insecure, but the reality is those people often forget that they are loved.  God loves all His people and all His creation.  Some might say “God does not love me because of _____.”  Though it is untrue, and a construct of their own minds. God does love that person very much, but the world has made this person feel so unloved and so insecure that they can’t realize that love. 

God sent the Son, the very incarnation of love to let us know we are all loved. Though we may be far from understanding that love, just like the son who returned to his father after walking away, when we turn back to God’s love we will find it waiting for us, ready to wrap us in celebration.  You, my friends, are loved, and together we celebrate such love now and always.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 20, 2020

December 20, 2020

To join our online service at 9 am or after, please visit: stmarkknox.org/sermons

            Advent Lighting – Light four candles, hope, peace, joy, and love

…and she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger… - Luke 2:7

As we come to the week of celebration, anticipation growing for the coming of Christmas morning, we stop and reflect for a moment on the last light of advent, the candle of love.  Love is many things, and can be found in many ways. Love is seen in the way we care for those who first loved us. Love is seen in kind gestures to strangers. Love is seen in the giving away of toys to those who might not have a Christmas otherwise. Love is offering a warm meal to someone who is hungry. Love is sitting next to the bedside of someone who is ill. Love is sharing a cup of coffee with someone you care about.  Love is found and seen in so many things; yet as we turn to the Scriptures, we find that love is found as the very nature of God.

God is love we might read, and at Christmas we see the love of God become incarnate in more than just the baby Jesus in the manger bed. We see the love of God in the young mother who does what she can to offer the baby somewhere warm to lay. We see the love of God in a unprepared Father who does whatever he can for his betrothed to find them shelter. We see the love of God in the shepherds who come to see this wonderful thing God has done among humankind.  The love of God is found in so many faces, and in so many ways.

The idea that love becomes incarnate is also found in us.  We celebrate Emmanuel (God with us) during this time of year, but the truth is that God is with us always, and God’s love becomes incarnate in us as we do, speak, and act out of His love. 

The days may be getting closer to the great celebration, and that celebration may seem strange this year, as we remain apart from one another. However, the love of this season is very much with us, and in us as we share in the love of God that binds and unites us even while we are yet apart.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 19, 2020

December 19, 2020

Sharing from the Congregation – David Petty

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believer, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

Jurgen Moltmann is a German theologian whose career spans six decades —he is 94 and his latest book was published in 2019.  He writes about what he calls “theology of hope.” I know very little about theology; I haven’t read much of what Moltmann wrote and probably would not understand much of it if I did.  However his basic idea seems pretty straightforward.  (You don’t have to be an aeronautical engineer to appreciate what the Wright brothers did.)

The word ‘hope’ occurs 291 times in the Bible, by one count.  Most of the usages fall into two categories, which I will call national and eschatological.  “National” hope, the predominant type in the Old Testament, is hope for Israel, either hope to reach the promised land or, after the exile, to return to it. “Eschatological” (end times) hope, which is mostly New Testament (there’s some overlap), concerns a future life in heaven or “heaven on earth.”  Moltmann speaks of eschatological hope, but he means something a little different from what I mean.

For Moltmann, eschatological hope is not simply a consolation that sustains us until we reach some better time in the future.  Rather, it infuses and energizes the present, such that we are moved to work to advance God’s kingdom now, in real time.

Sam here with a little addition – The idea of eschatological hope comes from an ancient idea that the Christ that has already been here is the same as the one who is to come.  It’s why we have our great creeds that reminds us that He “was, and is, and is to come” the combination of these things helps us to recognize that we are part of a hope, a peace, and a joy that is “already and not yet” at the same time.  Therefore, even if our present circumstances aren’t as great as we would hope, we can look both backwards to good time, and forward to better time, and know that God has it all in his hands.

Here are some [Moltmann] quotes: “Christian hope draws the promised future of God into by the present day, and prepares the present day for this future.”  “Those who hope in Christ can no longer put up with reality as it is, but begin to suffer under it, to contradict it ...” this hope “makes the church the source of continual new impulses towards the realization of righteousness, freedom, and humanity here in the light of the promised future that is to come.”  

I have written that John Wesley believed in an “active peace.”  Somewhat similarly, Moltmann seems to believe in an “active hope.”

At the end of this horrible year, it’s good to have a season of hope.  May we carry that hope with us as we enter a challenging new year.

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

December 18, 2020

December 18, 2020

Sharing from the Congregation – David Petty

So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. – John 16:22

            Advent Lighting – Light three candles; hope, peace, and joy

If you’ve ever spent time in southern Louisiana, or perhaps even if you haven’t, you might be familiar with the word “lagniappe.”  Lagniappe is a Cajun-French word that means “something extra” or “a bonus.”  For example , if you open a new bank account and get a free calendar, radio, calculator, etc., that’s lagniappe.  At some Cajun restaurants the word is used on the menu to indicate dessert.

For me, joy is the lagniappe of Advent.  All the other themes of advent — hope, peace, love, and Christ — are things we desperately need (this year hope seems especially needed).  The scriptures repeatedly promise us all these things.  But what about joy, which perhaps we don’t actually need?   Do we get that too?  Yes, we are promised even that.  It’s an extra.

The difficulty is in the waiting.  It can be helpful to remind ourselves of something we already know (but might have overlooked), that the relationship between joy and happiness is a bit like the relationship between climate and weather.  One is a long term state and the other is a temporary condition.

Merry/joyful Christmas to you all.

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

December 17, 2020

December 17, 2020

I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth. – 3 John 1:4

            Advent Lighting – Light three candles; hope, peace, and joy

No matter how deep, or poetic, fervent, or passionate words may be, the idea of joy is almost impossible to describe. Joy is best understood through our own experiences, it is an internal language, or song that reverberates in us to let us know that something great is happening.  We do find joy in the experiences of our own lives, and that joy is deep, penetrating, and even defines a little of who we are.  Yet, I would venture to say, that this joy is amplified even more when as we read in John’s third epistle, that we see or hear our ‘children’ walking in truth.

John is referring, of course, to those who have believed the message of the messiah, and have become children of God. However, there is something to be said of all who would be considered children. Whether biological, adopted, or simply loved by an older generation.  When they walk in a way that brings honor to Christ, especially if we have imparted any wisdom to them, their actions amplify our teaching, and more importantly, amplify God in this world. Our hearts burst in joy when the greatness of our God is expanded.

Theologian and Evangelist Charles Spurgeon wrote about this once. This is why he had to say about expanding on how great is our God.

First, we must think on His greatness, really praising him. If our minds are focused upon him.  There is no reason to speak in this, just concentrate, ponder, wonder, meditate, ruminate on the great attributes of our Lord Most High.  Begin with his mercy and move towards His holiness, concentrate on each attribute and let it fill your mind.  In this, you are giving your mind to God, He will allow you to think on Him, to let your imagination run wild as your concentrate on him.

Second, we make God great by drinking Him in.  The lilies of the field simply stand and worship God by their beauty, drinking in the sunlight, and the rain, which simply adds to their beauty.  So, us too, let us stand before the Lord, daily, let us stand and drink Him in, let Him pour into you His love, mercy, grace, delight, and let it grow you faith.  It’s like going to the ocean and breathing in the salty air, putting your feet in the tide and letting all the worries of life slip away, while you are being filled with all the goodness of the Lord, and being remade into His likeness, His perfect holiness, then you make Him great by what you do as you walk forth. 

The Joy the rises as we are being made in the likeness of our Lord, that we are His lowly servant being given a new life, begin lifted from the ashes, having such gratitude in our hearts at what God would do for us, that we can't help but share that message of joy to the entire world.

Jesus was not born into the most usual circumstances and definitely not the most kingly, however, the joy of his birth burst forth through the generations and meets us year after year as we celebrate a great beginning of a new or deepening relationship with God.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 16, 2020

December 16, 2020

make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. – Psalm 100:1

            Advent Lighting – Light three candles; hope, peace, and joy.

It is amazing how many times the psalms equate joy with singing. The tones, rhythm, vibrations in the sounds found in music do something to uplift our spirits and give us hope. Music is said to open up a gateway to the soul.  Having grown up in a house full of music, and with a mom who taught music to others, I greatly appreciate music’s place in history.  There is a history behind the different chord structures, and sounds, and tonal vibrations and how they impacted a peoples long ago, and continue to do so even now. 

Some classic sounds remain with us throughout the times. And as we approach the seasons of advent and Christmas, there are those melodies that ring true in our ears and bring joy to our hearts.  Hearing ‘joy to the world, the Lord has come…’ or ‘O Come, o come Emmanuel…” and many, many other wonderful hymns of this season we are reminded of the joy we have found in Christ, and at Christmas.  Even when we are apart from the one’s we care for and love most, hearing and singing the songs of the season is a way to reflect, remember, and rejoice even today, as God uplifts us through the music that helps us focus on the joy he brings to us every day, through Christ our Lord.

So, today, I hope you put on some joyful music to help you through your daily tasks, and enjoy the sounds that bring you hope in this season and beyond.

Grace and Peace,
Sam

December 15, 2020

When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. – Matthew 2:10

            Advent Lighting – Light three candles of advent; hope, peace, and joy.

A few years ago, on Christmas Eve night as I was finishing up at the church’s 11 pm candlelight and communion service, as storm came upon us.  It wasn’t the typical winter storm brining snow. Instead it was a strange thunderstorm and all of a sudden the lights went out.  Our power had been lost at the church.  They were only off for a moment, and returned as I said the benediction, concluding the service.  In the back of my mind, however, I wondered about our home.  The parsonage was a couple of block away, but on a different power grid.  The difference often meant that our power would go out when the church did, but hardly ever came back on as fast.

As I locked up the church and made my way home in the dark, I arrived at a suspectedly dark house.  I went in and tried to do my normal Christmas Eve activities of preparing for the morning ahead.  Though some aspects where much more difficult by lantern light, and it was already getting colder in the house with the power out.  I went to bed hoping the next morning would be better and our power restored, but skeptical since it was Christmas Eve.  When the kids woke up the next morning, it was still a little dark outside, and cold because the power was still out. We had the boys put on their winter coats, and sat down by the tree and opened presents. We already had plans to leave the house and visit with family, and Samantha and I decided to go ahead and get out earlier than planned.  We loaded up the car, and were relieved by the heat of warm car as we made our way to Knoxville. The night had been long and cold, but now we were on our way to somewhere warm with family, and warm food waiting, and the joy of Christmas was restored. 

We’ve all had those times that seem difficult as we go through them. The pandemic of this year has made some previous difficulties seem miniscule in comparison. The days seem to have gone by slower, and seem longer.  It seems darker than at other times.  But like the star stopped over the place where the baby messiah resided, so too, this dark journey will end. At that time we will rejoice with great joy. However, we have reason to rejoice even now, as we know that even in dark times, we have our Emmanuel, our God is with us.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 14, 2020

December 14, 2020

…the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people…” – Luke 2:10

            Advent Lighting – Light three candles of advent; hope, peace, joy

At the birth of Christ, we hear of the great pronouncement to the shepherds, who are in the fields watching their flocks by night.  We might wonder why the good news of great joy was given to those who were working the night shift? Perhaps it is because they were the only ones outside at the time. However, I tend to believe the inclusion of the shepherds in this Christmas story is part of Luke’s inclusivity of all.  Luke is the only gospel writer who is not born Jewish.  Luke is a Greek, and so the focus of his gospel has an underlying theme that all are included in the salvation that comes from God through Christ.

The beauty of this message begins even here in the opening chapters as the shepherds, those who would be unnamed, who by societies standards would be consider unimportant, yet, they receive the great announcement of the birth of their and our savior.

The Savior of the world, is exactly that, the one who came to save the entire world, including all people and all creation.  The great joy we have is when we become aware that we are a part of this great salvation.  It is a sign that we are loved by God, no matter our past, because God has plans to give us blessed future of hope in Christ name.  My hope is that we would remember the great joy of our salvation, and in that joy seek to share it with others as we proclaim the goodness of our God.  In such joy we are revived, because we know we are alive in Christ now and forevermore.

Grace & Peace,
Sam