Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday December 24, 2006
Luke 2:1-20 The Birth of Jesus
Acts 14 Paul in Lystra
The Birth of Jesus, big deal. Matthew offers only seven verses to the birth of the Christ child. He does however give another chapter to the deception needed to flee and thus save the child from the wrath of King Herod. Mark, the first of the gospels written, does not mention the birth of Christ at all. John goes off on a whole separate track of imagery and metaphor sufficing for any sort of a birth narrative.
In contrast, Luke contends he is writing an “orderly account” “after investigating everything from the very beginning.” Luke gives 20 verses to the birth of the child. Twenty verses that offer the story the family of believers have come to cherish and look forward to hearing every year. We never tire of the story. It never ceases to amaze us. We are always ready to once again hear how Mary and Joseph traveled into the Judean hill country to the small community of Bethlehem. Once there, they found no room available for them. Mary gave birth to the child in a crowded cow barn with the awesome glory of God surrounding them. Even the poor shepherds out watching the sheep on the surrounding hillsides were informed of this great news by the angels from heaven who could not keep silent.
Luke makes a place for the story that had no place, so that our hearts might find a place for the child. Perhaps as Kim Brouse said in his sermon at Wednesday’s WOW, “God wanted our hearts to be the place for the Christ child to be born on Christmas.” Yes, I think so.
So as the days slip closer to that day, may we all pause to acknowledge Emmanuel; God with Us. May each of us make room, in our own way, in our own hearts make room for Jesus. The child sent from God changed the world 2000 years ago and is still changing ours today. Make a place, invite the whole family and lets move just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Luke 2:1-20
Sermon Title: “Make a Place”
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
Thoughts for December 17, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday December 17, 2006
John 1 The Meaning of Incarnation
Luke 22:39-46, 23:26-49 The Crucifixion
In the beginning; is how everything starts. The story of creation in Genesis starts this way as does the gospel of John. John was recalling the story of Genesis and wants us to consider Jesus Christ as a part of that creative process. In the beginning has a nice ring to it. It feels comfortable when I say it aloud. In the beginning.
But, What? In the beginning, what? This is our question. Our minds and hearts are open for this question which we struggle to place something into a category such as spiritual, physical, or even meta-physical. What was in the beginning and what was going on? Simply put, Christ was. Jesus Christ was in the beginning and Christ had it “going on.”
When questioned, I find most folks outside the church see Jesus as a nice guy, a good person, who did good things. They see little more. More disturbing to me, I find a growing number of folks inside the church, even some clergy types, who think of Christ as a good prophet or nice role model. When pushed they struggle to find a deeper more profound quality to the life of Christ. My guess is that this is not new, and certainly is the main reason John wrote these words to a young church in hostile world who did not know that Jesus was more than just another nice holy guy.
John is clear. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. Simply put, this nice guy Jesus is God. Yes fully human, but also fully God at the same time. And no place other than in the idea of who created, who kicked off this biggest of all universal bangs, does the idea of Jesus as God become more clear in our understanding. He was in the beginning. Jesus is the co-creator of the universe along with the Father and the Spirit. Wow. All of sudden everything comes into view and I find I am just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: John 1:1-18
Sermon Title: “The One”
Sunday December 17, 2006
John 1 The Meaning of Incarnation
Luke 22:39-46, 23:26-49 The Crucifixion
In the beginning; is how everything starts. The story of creation in Genesis starts this way as does the gospel of John. John was recalling the story of Genesis and wants us to consider Jesus Christ as a part of that creative process. In the beginning has a nice ring to it. It feels comfortable when I say it aloud. In the beginning.
But, What? In the beginning, what? This is our question. Our minds and hearts are open for this question which we struggle to place something into a category such as spiritual, physical, or even meta-physical. What was in the beginning and what was going on? Simply put, Christ was. Jesus Christ was in the beginning and Christ had it “going on.”
When questioned, I find most folks outside the church see Jesus as a nice guy, a good person, who did good things. They see little more. More disturbing to me, I find a growing number of folks inside the church, even some clergy types, who think of Christ as a good prophet or nice role model. When pushed they struggle to find a deeper more profound quality to the life of Christ. My guess is that this is not new, and certainly is the main reason John wrote these words to a young church in hostile world who did not know that Jesus was more than just another nice holy guy.
John is clear. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. Simply put, this nice guy Jesus is God. Yes fully human, but also fully God at the same time. And no place other than in the idea of who created, who kicked off this biggest of all universal bangs, does the idea of Jesus as God become more clear in our understanding. He was in the beginning. Jesus is the co-creator of the universe along with the Father and the Spirit. Wow. All of sudden everything comes into view and I find I am just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: John 1:1-18
Sermon Title: “The One”
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Thoughts for November 19, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday November 19, 2006
2 Kings 4 & 5 Elisha’s Miracles
Luke 4:31-5:26 Jesus’ Miracles
This week we will have another story about an oil jar which does not run dry. This particular miracle by the prophet Elisha is similar to the miracle by Elijah we studied a couple weeks ago and both are similar to the miracles Jesus performed as recorded in Luke’s gospel. Miracles are miracles and we seem to live in their midst most of the time. We may or may not see our daily life events as miracles, but someone else probably does.
As we are preparing for Nov. 19th, our Stewardship Celebration Sunday, we would do well to consider these miracles. Even on some of my worst days, I am still very blessed. I need to grow in ways to express my thankfulness. Not because it is required for entry into eternal life, but rather, precisely because I have been offered eternal life I need to offer gifts as an expression of God’s grace. It (what ever “it” is) all is a gift from God in the first place anyway. I am only a caretaker of all that is placed before me.
If I consider myself as God and offer myself the position of one who creates and decides, then I will also do with the resources around me as I see fit. If I consider myself as unworthy to even participate in that wondrous thing God is doing and then neglect the need to invest the treasure in self and others, then I again fail and fall short of God’s plans for those to whom much is given.
I think we need to do our part. Be faithful, in season and out. I think we need to listen, reflect and then act outwardly toward the stranger and widow who have no hope. As we are faithful and see our lives full of love and peace as the jar of oil not running dry, I believe we will move just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7
Sermon Title: “The Price of Oil”
Sunday November 19, 2006
2 Kings 4 & 5 Elisha’s Miracles
Luke 4:31-5:26 Jesus’ Miracles
This week we will have another story about an oil jar which does not run dry. This particular miracle by the prophet Elisha is similar to the miracle by Elijah we studied a couple weeks ago and both are similar to the miracles Jesus performed as recorded in Luke’s gospel. Miracles are miracles and we seem to live in their midst most of the time. We may or may not see our daily life events as miracles, but someone else probably does.
As we are preparing for Nov. 19th, our Stewardship Celebration Sunday, we would do well to consider these miracles. Even on some of my worst days, I am still very blessed. I need to grow in ways to express my thankfulness. Not because it is required for entry into eternal life, but rather, precisely because I have been offered eternal life I need to offer gifts as an expression of God’s grace. It (what ever “it” is) all is a gift from God in the first place anyway. I am only a caretaker of all that is placed before me.
If I consider myself as God and offer myself the position of one who creates and decides, then I will also do with the resources around me as I see fit. If I consider myself as unworthy to even participate in that wondrous thing God is doing and then neglect the need to invest the treasure in self and others, then I again fail and fall short of God’s plans for those to whom much is given.
I think we need to do our part. Be faithful, in season and out. I think we need to listen, reflect and then act outwardly toward the stranger and widow who have no hope. As we are faithful and see our lives full of love and peace as the jar of oil not running dry, I believe we will move just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7
Sermon Title: “The Price of Oil”
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Thoughts for November 05, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday November 05, 2006
1 Kings17, 18, 19 Elijah’s Witness
Luke 7:18-35 What Jesus Saw in John
Sin likes to hide. It finds a way to lay dormant for days and weeks and then strikes like a viper when we are weak or unaware. Sin is cunning and willing to wait without being nurtured for long periods. Sin can appear from a clean slate we assumed had been fully cleansed, like the weed patch which quickly grows after a slab of concrete has been overturned after many years. Sin likes to hide.
Perhaps closer to the truth is that we like to hide our sin. At least in respectable circles and in places of societal advantage we like to appear sin-less. And so we stuff our sin into a pair of baggy pants, attempting to hide that which is a constant and painful reminder that we are only human.
However, I have noticed that as of late it is becoming the fashion statement to display sin, boldly. The current culture offers sin on display at every corner. We seem proud to watch Madonna strut, or the pro athlete attempt to remember the number of children they have propagated. Our culture feasts on visual depravity, physical abuse, and verbal profanity in a mind-numbing quantity in a variety of unfortunate contexts. No one feels safe. No place is sacred.
In some strange way, God is now more powerful than before. When we kept everything hidden, sin still lurked, but was more difficult to discern. Today we can easily tell who has Christ and who stands in need. Actions and language easily and functionally separate those who are humble before God and those who are calling out for attention. You see that is just the issue. These sinful actions out in the open are “not so subtle” cries for help.
It would seem to me that our task is not to condemn and pass some sort of hokey “I got Jesus and you don’t” religious judgment, but rather we are called to bring Christ in love to those most in need. Jesus said, “It is the sick who need the doctor.” And that radical love which brings all things into the light also brings us all together and just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-24
Sermon Title: “Stronger Than Sin”
Sunday November 05, 2006
1 Kings17, 18, 19 Elijah’s Witness
Luke 7:18-35 What Jesus Saw in John
Sin likes to hide. It finds a way to lay dormant for days and weeks and then strikes like a viper when we are weak or unaware. Sin is cunning and willing to wait without being nurtured for long periods. Sin can appear from a clean slate we assumed had been fully cleansed, like the weed patch which quickly grows after a slab of concrete has been overturned after many years. Sin likes to hide.
Perhaps closer to the truth is that we like to hide our sin. At least in respectable circles and in places of societal advantage we like to appear sin-less. And so we stuff our sin into a pair of baggy pants, attempting to hide that which is a constant and painful reminder that we are only human.
However, I have noticed that as of late it is becoming the fashion statement to display sin, boldly. The current culture offers sin on display at every corner. We seem proud to watch Madonna strut, or the pro athlete attempt to remember the number of children they have propagated. Our culture feasts on visual depravity, physical abuse, and verbal profanity in a mind-numbing quantity in a variety of unfortunate contexts. No one feels safe. No place is sacred.
In some strange way, God is now more powerful than before. When we kept everything hidden, sin still lurked, but was more difficult to discern. Today we can easily tell who has Christ and who stands in need. Actions and language easily and functionally separate those who are humble before God and those who are calling out for attention. You see that is just the issue. These sinful actions out in the open are “not so subtle” cries for help.
It would seem to me that our task is not to condemn and pass some sort of hokey “I got Jesus and you don’t” religious judgment, but rather we are called to bring Christ in love to those most in need. Jesus said, “It is the sick who need the doctor.” And that radical love which brings all things into the light also brings us all together and just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-24
Sermon Title: “Stronger Than Sin”
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Thoughts for October 29, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday October 29, 2006
Galatians 5:1-6:10 Fruits of the Spirit
Luke 6:27-49 Love Your Enemies
To love is to risk. Allowing the Holy Spirit of God to have control of our lives is risky. Love is required by the Holy Spirit. Relationships are always risky. Mostly we shrink away from the Spirit because of the unknown risk involved. We would rather retreat into unhealthy attempts to follow laws and regulations rather than fly with the freedom of love.
It is curious; that we believe that there is less risk, less pain with the path that avoids a full movement within the Spirit. And yet the truth of Gospel message is that the opposite is true. When our lives are filled with Spirit and we move to God’s call of love our lives will be less painful, less uncertain.
The Church is no different. A dead church attempts to control everything and everyone. Demands are made to put everyone and everything in their proper place to align with the law of the local church law-giver. This may be the pastor or it may be a controlling family or dysfunctional group usurping Spiritual presence and power for building up personal identity and ego. We have all seen it. Too many times.
The Spirit –filled church will feel chaotic at times, maybe even out of control. However the church alive in Spirit will also be offering the fruits of the Spirit as testimony. Love will abound. Grace and peace will follow. Justice will be demanded by the Spirit. The voice of the one bent low by the forces of this world will be heard singing praise to the King of Heaven. Outward expressions of gratitude and fellowship will prevail. It may be messy at times. Tears of joy may flow. Unrehearsed shouts of joy and hands raised as a banner toward heaven may be experienced in the presence of the gathered body. Even quiet reverence, not a stuffy shushed down quiet, will be offered.
This Spirit-filled church is the one I want to serve. I believe it is also the church to which you seek to build as we all move just a little closer to home. Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Galatians 5:13-14
Sermon Title: “Love-Able”
Sunday October 29, 2006
Galatians 5:1-6:10 Fruits of the Spirit
Luke 6:27-49 Love Your Enemies
To love is to risk. Allowing the Holy Spirit of God to have control of our lives is risky. Love is required by the Holy Spirit. Relationships are always risky. Mostly we shrink away from the Spirit because of the unknown risk involved. We would rather retreat into unhealthy attempts to follow laws and regulations rather than fly with the freedom of love.
It is curious; that we believe that there is less risk, less pain with the path that avoids a full movement within the Spirit. And yet the truth of Gospel message is that the opposite is true. When our lives are filled with Spirit and we move to God’s call of love our lives will be less painful, less uncertain.
The Church is no different. A dead church attempts to control everything and everyone. Demands are made to put everyone and everything in their proper place to align with the law of the local church law-giver. This may be the pastor or it may be a controlling family or dysfunctional group usurping Spiritual presence and power for building up personal identity and ego. We have all seen it. Too many times.
The Spirit –filled church will feel chaotic at times, maybe even out of control. However the church alive in Spirit will also be offering the fruits of the Spirit as testimony. Love will abound. Grace and peace will follow. Justice will be demanded by the Spirit. The voice of the one bent low by the forces of this world will be heard singing praise to the King of Heaven. Outward expressions of gratitude and fellowship will prevail. It may be messy at times. Tears of joy may flow. Unrehearsed shouts of joy and hands raised as a banner toward heaven may be experienced in the presence of the gathered body. Even quiet reverence, not a stuffy shushed down quiet, will be offered.
This Spirit-filled church is the one I want to serve. I believe it is also the church to which you seek to build as we all move just a little closer to home. Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Galatians 5:13-14
Sermon Title: “Love-Able”
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