Month: December 2020

Sermon Dec. 27,2020

Father, you have revealed your love by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into our world. Help us to welcome him with joy, and to make room for him in our lives and homes, that we may abide in him and in us, Through the same Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, world without end Amen.

May you see Christ in others, 
Be Christ to others, 
That we may dwell in him, and he in us. 

Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Israel offers thanksgiving for God’s triumph in restoring the people to their land. The Lord has wrapped faithful servants in a robe of victory. The Joy can be compared to a bride and bridegroom as they dress themselves for a wedding. 

The restoration of Judah’s is described as the growth that springs from the earth to call forth praise in presences of all nature. We are being called to not sit idly by and wait for righteousness to spring up in us. We are being called to cultivate the righteousness and trust that God will do the rest.

Psalm 147

Psalm 147 is a song of praise and thanksgiving which tell us about how God is faithful in keeping his promise to his people. God not only shapes all things in the natural world but also cares for us. As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ in his life, death and resurrection is the revelation of God.

Galatians 3:23-25; 4: 4-7

When Paul wrote to the Galatians, he was defining the process by which the believers could appropriate the salvation that the name of Jesus represented, the letter identified ways in which salvation could not be secured. Paul ties our adoption into the family of God to the coming of our Savior. God’s instruction had been designed against failure. It had also limited the creative and initiative, with the arrival of the Anointed One; gaining our trust in him has made us children of God and set us free from limitations. The human presence of God’s eternal Son has enabled other humans to be adopted as God’s children. We are heirs to God’s Kingdom.

John 1: 1-18

“THE WORD” is a theological phrase which expresses the absolute, eternal, and ultimate being of Jesus Christ. In the new testament the Gospel of John stated, “and the word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The word made flesh in the person of Jesus Christ calls us to grow into the lives he wills for us and to accept God as our Father. The “Word” we can see in the humanity of Jesus the anointed One is full of grace and truth. We all have received grace and truth from Jesus. While no one has ever seen God, Jesus the “Word” as God’s only Son makes God known.

“O God cause us to manifest in the world the light of your incarnate Word:  Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, ne God, now and forever. Amen

Sermon
Nativity-The Birth of Jesus Christ
Year B
December 24, 2020

First Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus: 2:11-14
Gospel: Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Collect:

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; wherewith you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen

Good News Of Great Joy

Gospel: Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Joseph and Mary have traveled 90 miles to the city of Joseph’s ancestors: south along the flatlands of the Jordan River, then west over the hills surrounding Jerusalem, and on into Bethlehem. 

Joseph’s was a descendent from the house of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged.  

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.

For hundreds and hundreds of years, they have been waiting for this very birth.

Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who wailed in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shine. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named…

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I cannot tell you much about this miracle birth of the messiah, that you have not already heard throughout the years, of being told over and over again, how the “Great I AM” Jesus has come to live among us. A divine human and yet a fully human like you and I. 

This is how God intended it to be, a story that gets told for thousands of years, reminding us what a blessed birth it is, no matter… who tells the story about Jesus, God’s greatest gift to us!

I think of him as “divine” at Christmas, but after Christmas, I focus on his teachings, then I start thinking back to Jesus, the human Jesus.  Yes, he is still divine and he is, the one who saved us from our sins.

Yes! This Jesus!

“The Jesus that cried with us, the Jesus that healed the crippled and made the blind see and the deaf to hear.” 

“The Jesus who prayed and taught his disciples… how to pray.”

“The Jesus who said “I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life! (John 14:6)” The baby born tonight! A baby wrapped in a white cloth, being held by Mary as Joseph looks over them. 

And so, it is at this time, when I, again see him as divine Emmanuel “God is with us! The manifestation of God himself…as Jesus. 

He wasn’t born in a temple, but in a wooden structure with a grass roof and surrounded by animals. Can you just picture how they must have felt…no place for them in the Inn? Because of the census, the town was full. They had a difficult long journey…tired, I am sure…they both knew the importance of this birth.

Was Joseph nervous? Did he say…but, my wife is having my baby, the Holy and Blessed one?  

Personal Story:

I recalled a story my father would tell us when growing up. We lived on an Indian reservation; all the none Indian’s had to go off the reservation to have their babies. About 20 or 30 miles.  

The owner of one of the trading post, his wife was expecting and they had their bag packed and ready. She woke him up and said, Johnny, it’s time, I am having the baby!  He jumps up, grabs the bag rushes to the car and he was out of town when he realized he forgot Ruth. 😊  

I am sure Joseph and Mary were nervous, but they knew that all had been planned out for them and this was how it was suppose to be told.

The Annunciation to Shepherds and Their Visit.

A star above, oh yes, the shepherds living in the fields…and the angel of the Lord stood before them, and startled them, by saying, “Do not be afraid; for see…I am bringing you good news of great Joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.  

The angels, God’s messengers are sent to the shepherds to give them the message, that the newborn Jesus has been born. It tells us that God sent his messengers to those who were the recipients of his promise—not kings, theologians, or even relatives, but those whom a grown-up Jesus would long to gather under his wings: 

Isn’t it fitting that we have not see the Christmas star for 800 years! And this year it was here, just a few nights ago. For all of us to see and know that we are about to witness great joy for all people! It is a message for all of us and yes, we should have goose bumps.

What I can say is… what I feel still today and every year when I hear the Christmas story. 

That God meant it to be this way, that the birth of Jesus Christ was such a…wonderful gift to us. Jesus will always bring good news and great joy to all the people. 

He is and will be the greatest gift to all of us for ever and ever.

As we celebrate Christmas this holiday, lets focus on the future and the gift given to us year after year.

Yes, as we look in the rear-view mirror of 2020, we pray for cures and healing of our nation and world, but we never forget the sacrifice of all the millions who lost their lives to the corona virus and those who still suffer. 

We also see all the good that happen this year and all the people and organizations that step up to help those in need. All the donations of gifts, food and kindness. This is what we are to be thankful for.

May the God of Hope fill you with Joy and Peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of The Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)  

Amen
The Reverend Lola Culbreath

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Sermon
Second Sunday of Advent
Year B
December 6, 2020

First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85: 1-2,8-13
Second Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-15a
Gospel: Mark 1:1-8

Collect:

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

We Can Not Lose Hope

God’s people are comforted……
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. (Isaiah 40:1-11)

In this and every Advent season, we focus on the promise that God made to his people and how that promise was fulfilled in Jesus.

Change is among us in this time of Advent expectation. Many of us may have already experienced the kinds of change that faith can bring, but that doesn’t mean the change is over. 

Yes, a year older this Advent season, one more year of knowledge, another year immersed in the life of faith. A year of uncertainty, loss, isolation, suffering for so many. 

Advent is a reminder that change is upon us, and while those changes may cause some temporary tears, they also will have moments of joy! 

Advent is also that unchangeable season when the same concepts, the same words rise over and over again, year after year, to challenge our hearts and minds. I can honestly say, mine has been challenged this year. I do however find comfort in God!

With the year we have had in 2020, it has been a challenge for all of us, learning new ways of worship. 

Isaiah (40:1-11)
The Old Testament in Isaiah, he tells the people of Israel that they will be Comforted, 

A voice cries out: In the wilderness and prepares the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 

The Lord is going to come and free them again, from the suffering and their anguish, the Lord will once more rule over them, as a compassionate shepherd.    

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
John the Baptist

The Second Sunday in Advent and our attention is turned to John the Baptist in our Gospel reading today. 

John the Baptist is the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth who preached a message of repentance and salvation, John saw himself as a forerunner of God’s promise of the savior of the world, who will be coming. 

John is the last of the old covenant prophets. Since he was in his mother’s womb, he was chosen by God and he has been expecting Jesus, so why shouldn’t he be the one in Advent to help us prepare the way? 

Mark, gets right to the point, He takes a page from Isaiah and says…

The Beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God….As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:  “ Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” 

We all know John was different, a man that was quirky, that dressed different and he preached up a storm, you better repent and clean your life up, that was your only hope to be saved. Get baptized now, before it’s too late! It worked, he scared people, some thought he was Elijah coming back from the grave and some thought maybe he was the Messiah that had been promised to them, but John wouldn’t have it.

“I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.

I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Good News we have Hope:

Advent and Christmas calls us to praise God as we actively await the coming of Christ, prepare our hearts and lives for his arrival, and claim and celebrate the new hope we have in Jesus Christ.

God didn’t come into this world with a fortune of money and power and influence, God chose to become human and live among us and the Savior of the world was born a vulnerable child. 

We are now in the second Sunday of Advent we hear from the prophet Isaiah, who God had spoken to and Isaiah speaks tenderly to Jerusalem… “Comfort, O Comfort my people, “says you God. 

Psalm :85: 8,10

I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, *for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.

Mercy and truth have met; *righteousness and peace have kissed each other

Conclusion:

This is a time, where we can change our own behavior, as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ our savior, we face our own failures, fears and sins. It is a time that we need to help those who are suffering and we can’t be much help to them, if we have not faced our own sins and failures.

Comfort, O comfort my people! God hears your prayers, he hears and knows your pain, he will lead you through the wilderness and prepare you for the day the Lord comes again.

God knows how much people have suffered and how many have suffered a loss of a loved one, but he has not left their side, he suffers with us.

I had to remind myself during this past year and just recently, just how much I need God, how much I need to listen to him and remember that he is in charge of my life.

Each year we realize that this ever-changing world. So, we change and renew new ways to live a life that maybe we are not accustom too and it’s difficult to change. But we have to change and grow and that is how we learn to draw closer to God, without difficulty and suffering, we can’t learn from our past.

 St. Peter scripture says: 

“What sort of persons ought you to be…. in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for the hastening the coming of the day of God.”

Open your hearts to change and know that God hears your cries, but also knows that just like he tenderly comforted his people of Jerusalem, he will comfort us. 

The greatest gift of all was Jesus Christ, God himself, come to earth because he loved us. Nothing else compares. But he also brought other gifts. He brought hope and peace. 

Amen
The Reverend Lola Culbreath