Dec 2008
Here with Us- Now
12/21/08
Advent 4
Luke 1:26-38
Dear friends in Christ,
I’m sure you’ve all seen custom, personalized license plates. Some of you even have them. There are many clever ones out there. For example, see if you can read the message from this over extended driver. ( Show on screen- 2XPENSV) Or how about this message on a car owned by an attorney (CU N QRT) Then there is this one on a florist truck (A BOK 4U) This one appeared on a Coca-Cola truck (H8 PEPZ) This was on a 1991 Red Corvette convertible, a rather proud owner I’d say. (O2 BE ME). See if you can figure out this religious one, a prayer to God. (HLPMLRD) And then there is this last one, also religious, which at first glance may seem to be a message by someone that does not believe in God. (GDSNWHR) This could be taken to say, “God is Nowhere.” And there are some people that sadly feel that way. But there is another way to read it, a much more hopeful way. Indeed, reading it this way brings the very message of Christmas to us. Do you see it? Do you see what I see, as the carol says? (change slide) God is Now Here. That’s right. God is Now Here- God is with Us. Read More...
Luke 1:26-38
Dear friends in Christ,
I’m sure you’ve all seen custom, personalized license plates. Some of you even have them. There are many clever ones out there. For example, see if you can read the message from this over extended driver. ( Show on screen- 2XPENSV) Or how about this message on a car owned by an attorney (CU N QRT) Then there is this one on a florist truck (A BOK 4U) This one appeared on a Coca-Cola truck (H8 PEPZ) This was on a 1991 Red Corvette convertible, a rather proud owner I’d say. (O2 BE ME). See if you can figure out this religious one, a prayer to God. (HLPMLRD) And then there is this last one, also religious, which at first glance may seem to be a message by someone that does not believe in God. (GDSNWHR) This could be taken to say, “God is Nowhere.” And there are some people that sadly feel that way. But there is another way to read it, a much more hopeful way. Indeed, reading it this way brings the very message of Christmas to us. Do you see it? Do you see what I see, as the carol says? (change slide) God is Now Here. That’s right. God is Now Here- God is with Us. Read More...
Here with Us- To Bring Us Joy
12/14/08
Advent 3
1 Thess. 5:16-24, Psalm 126, Luke 1:47-55
Dear friends in Christ,
What is the one, over riding emotion that we normally associate with Christmas? What mood is usually predominant this time of year? What emotion does the Bible speak about? It is joy. Remember the angel’s word to the shepherds, “Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people.” This is the season of joy. Read More...
1 Thess. 5:16-24, Psalm 126, Luke 1:47-55
Dear friends in Christ,
What is the one, over riding emotion that we normally associate with Christmas? What mood is usually predominant this time of year? What emotion does the Bible speak about? It is joy. Remember the angel’s word to the shepherds, “Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people.” This is the season of joy. Read More...
Here with Us- To Call Us Back
12/07/08
Advent 2
Mark 1:1-8
Grace and peace to you in the name of the triune God who was, who is, and who is to come. Amen
We are now into the second week of the season of Advent. And it’s beginning to feel that way. The first week often gets lost in the 4 day Thanksgiving break and all the after Thanksgiving sales. But now it’s December. It’s gotten cold. Snow has arrived. The decorations are up, “it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.” In some ways Advent is kind of an odd time, not really fitting with all the secular activities of the holidays. For Advent isn’t about Black Friday and cyber Monday sales, or Lorie Line Holiday concerts, or school winter programs, or visiting Santa at the mall. Those things are all well and good, but they’re not Advent. Rather, think of Advent in this way. Advent is a spiritual blanket covering all the other activities. Like snow blankets the landscape, Advent covers the season and calls us back to the spiritual message we so need to hear. Read More...
Mark 1:1-8
Grace and peace to you in the name of the triune God who was, who is, and who is to come. Amen
We are now into the second week of the season of Advent. And it’s beginning to feel that way. The first week often gets lost in the 4 day Thanksgiving break and all the after Thanksgiving sales. But now it’s December. It’s gotten cold. Snow has arrived. The decorations are up, “it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.” In some ways Advent is kind of an odd time, not really fitting with all the secular activities of the holidays. For Advent isn’t about Black Friday and cyber Monday sales, or Lorie Line Holiday concerts, or school winter programs, or visiting Santa at the mall. Those things are all well and good, but they’re not Advent. Rather, think of Advent in this way. Advent is a spiritual blanket covering all the other activities. Like snow blankets the landscape, Advent covers the season and calls us back to the spiritual message we so need to hear. Read More...