Epiphany Sunday - January 4, 2009

Epiphany of the Lord
You may find a link to the biblical texts at
http://www.textweek.com/
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 147:12-20 (UMH 859)
Ephesians 1:3-14
John 1: 1-18

Initial thoughts.
I have always loved the beginning of Isaiah 61 - Arise, Shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. The first chapter of John continues this theme. One of my favorite theological books is "Lighten Our Darkness" by Douglas John Hall. However, I am concerned about the implications of seeing light as the good and darkness as the bad.

What does it mean when we cast 'darkness' in the role of being absented from God? How does that connect with a world that has elevated people based on the color of their skin? What other images, that are not as voluble, might work?

FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS - PROPHETS

DECEMBER 28, 2008

As I read the Luke text my first reaction was oh, here is the Song of Simion- but then I thought, oh my, I forgot Anna. So, here are two early prophets of the church - Simion and Anna.


You may follow the textweek link to find online versions of the listed scriptures.
Isaiah 61:10 - 62:3
Psalm 148
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
http://www.textweek.com/yearb/christmb1.htm

CHRISTMAS EVE - BIRTH

Here are the readings for Christmas Eve. You may follow this link to find online versions.

http://www.textweek.com/festivals/christmas.htm

United Methodist reading for Christmas Eve: Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

United Methodist reading for Christmas Eve: Isaiah 9:2-7

United Methodist reading for Christmas Eve: Psalm 96

John Wesley wrote a sermon entitled "New Birth."
( http://gbgm.umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/45/
What are the connections between the birth of Jesus and the idea of New Birth and the idea of New birth - either Wesley's or your own!

DECEMBER 21 - DOXOLOGY

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Luke 1:47-55
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:47-55

http://www.textweek.com/yearb/adventb4.htm

In the first chapter of Luke, Mary discovers that she is with child. After a conversation with an angel, Mary recognizes her pregnancy -

38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

.

We also find a beautiful song of praise - The Magnificat

“My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

The theme for this week is doxology, which can be translated as praise, thanksgiving, or glory. What do you think about this?

SUNDAY DECEMBER 14 - Baptism

The texts we will be using for the Third Sunday in Advent are:
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126 (UMH 847)
I Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28

There are many places you can find online versions of the Bible. I usually go through www.textweek.com.

Deliverance (from stuff!)

The Advent lectionary readings today led Broadway pastor Nancy Nichols to preach on "stuff." She read portions of a Leonard Pitts syndicated column published this past week on the topic. Another interesting resource is storyofstuff.com.