Come Away

“Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.”

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 (New Revised Standard Version)

30The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
53When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

ELCA Book of Faith Devotional Questions:

  1. What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text? What do I have questions about?

Have you ever had one of those days?  A day where you check something off of your “to do” list, and three more things seem to be added to it?  A day where you thought it was going to be nice and easy, and things took a turn, and you didn’t even have time to eat?  Did you know that the apostles had this experience as well?  It is challenging to me that even the ones closest to Jesus didn’t have things all together.  It reminds me that proximity to Jesus doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing, or an easy life, or easy answers to the suffering of the world.  Instead, it seems that once the eyes of the apostles were opened to the need for God’s power and presence in the world, they couldn’t shut them again.  Do I really want my eyes to be truly opened, if that’s what following Jesus means?

  1. What delights me in this text? What is my favorite part, and why?

I love that Jesus encourages them to “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.”  As I write this, I am preparing for our annual week at Confirmation Camp, which is an opportunity for our 5-8 graders to get away to a deserted place, if only for a few days.  I am always amazed at the growth in faith that occurs during this intense experience, and it seems that it has the opportunity to be deep and wide because we are away from the familiar.  I am hoping to help our students to appreciate the power of rest, and stillness, and mindful concentration during this year’s camp, and will keep these words of Jesus close at hand.

  1. What stories or memories does this text stir up in me? How does this story connect to the story of my life?

Also as I write this, I am preparing to lead our group to the National Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas.  We are being sent, from the Tri-Saints, to experience a new city, and new people, and a new sense of what it means to be church, along with 37,000 of our closest Lutheran high school friends.  I am certain that, when we return from this life-altering experience, we will have many stories to tell and experiences to share.  We will be like the apostles, all crowding in on Jesus to shatter about our encounter with God’s mighty grace and power.  I hope that you will take the opportunity to take our youth aside to a deserted place and hear their stories of renewed, refreshed, and rejuvenated faith for yourselves.

  1. What is God up to in this text? What is God calling me to do or to be because of this message?

As I look forward to all of the experiences that are coming up this month, I pray that God will open my eyes to see how God is working in our world, country, and backyard.  I pray for rest and rejuvenation.  I pray for partners on this journey of serving the last, the least, the lost, and the lowly.  How might God be calling you?

In Christ, Pastor Breen Marie Sipes

 

Peace! Be Still!

Peace be Still Shabby Shack on Pinterest

Mark 4:35-41 (New Revised Standard Version)

35When evening had come, [Jesus said to the disciples,] “Let us go across to the other side.” 36And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

ELCA Book of Faith Devotional Questions:

What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text? What do I have questions about?  One of my mentors, Pastor Carol Tomer, would always say the following on the occasion of a baptism:  “God does not promise us a life without rain or storms.  God promises that God will go with us through them.”  This is challenging, isn’t it? There are times in life when we also call out to God, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”  It is hard to confront the problem of evil in this world and not wonder where God might be in the midst of it all.  Is God there at all, especially when our boat is swamped, and the wind is fierce, and the waves threaten to overwelm?  Where is God when I don’t feel God’s presence?

What delights me in this text? What is my favorite part, and why?  My favorite part of this text is when Jesus wakes up and says “Peace!  Be still!”  When I am in frantic mode, unable to settle or trust or even call out to God, I try to keep these words of Jesus close to my heart.  For me, it might even be “Stop!  Be still!  Peace!”  It is when I take the time on my yoga mat to pray, or pull out a coloring prayer page I have been working on, light a candle, turn on my favorite hymn playlist, and make the time to just be.  That is where my peace is recovered, I recall that I am a beloved child of God, and I remember that God through the Holy Spirit is as close to me as my next breath.  Ahh…the blessed rest of peace.

What stories or memories does this text stir up in me? How does this story connect to the story of my life?  This story has always been a memorable one since I led a group of confirmation students on a sailboat on the south shore of Lake Superior.  As we were sailing one day, a storm began brewing.  The captain of the sailboat, who had many years of experience sailing just these waters, said to me, “We have two choices.  Try to get to land and off the boat before the storm comes in, or ride it out on the water.”  I asked him which option was safer.  He told me that, if the students and I were willing to do exactly what he said to sail the boat, it was actually safer to ride it out.  Making for shore meant that there was a possibility that we might wreck, and the boat was made for storms such as these.  We decided to ride it out.  What an exciting, exhilarating, terrifying ride!  We made it safely through the storm, and the sunset over a lake as smooth as glass that evening was one of the most beautiful I had seen.  Then came the crazy part.  When I pulled out our pre-prepared devotion that night, it was this very story!  You can imagine that the students, captain, and I had quite the deep discussion for Bible study that night.

What is God up to in this text? What is God calling me to do or to be because of this message?  I have been listening to a recording of “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” by the Norton Hall Band at Southern Seminary lately.  When I read this story from Mark, it reminds me of a couple of lines from the hymn:  “In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.”  In the storms of life, where is my anchor fixed?  Who walks with me through the dark times?  How do I seek God’s face, even the valley of the shadow of death?  Jesus promises to go with us, to be present, to give us peace and strength and hope.  “All other ground is sinking sand.”  I am looking forward to Dwelling in this Word with you over the course of the month.

In Christ,

Pastor Breen Marie Sipes

On the Way

IMG_20180423_135707466

 

Acts 1:1-11 (NRSV)

[Luke writes:] 1In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

ELCA Book of Faith Devotional Questions:

  1. What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text? What do I have questions about?

The challenging part for me in this text is that I like my life to run on a schedule.  I am always making plans, and once something has made it onto my calendar, it might as well be set in stone.  Here, Jesus says “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority” (Acts 1:7).  The disciples want to know when the next stage of God’s salvation plan will begin, and Jesus tells them that knowing is not a part of the plan.  I know that God works on a time table that is vastly different than ours is, but knowing this and being comfortable with it are two different things.  When was a time in your life when you wanted God to work on your time table?  How did it work out?

  1. What delights me in this text? What is my favorite part, and why?

The true delight to me in this text is that Jesus does not leave us alone.  The Ascension is another part of God’s rescue plan, and that plan includes the indwelling of the Holy Spirit among us.  It is the Holy Spirit that gives the disciples to power to launch the Christian church all the way out to the edges of the known world.  In my own life, it is the wisdom and courage of the Holy Spirit that helps me to step out in faith, even when I am not sure of the next step.  When was a time in your life when you knew or felt the presence of Jesus or the Holy Spirit in your life?  What difference did it make?

  1. What stories or memories does this text stir up in me? How does this story connect to the story of my life?

When I was serving in central Pennsylvania, Ascension Day was a major holiday in our community.  The local Amish took the day off to go fishing, and it was a time to gather together as a community to celebrate.  One year, another local pastor and my self had commissioned the Boy Scout Troup to build rockets to launch as a part of the celebration.  We all gathered on the church lawn to launch the rockets.  As soon as all of us were looking skyward, trying to catch the last glimpse of the rockets at their zenith, the other pastor quoted the white-robed men in Acts, “[Men and women of Kratzerville], why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”  I will always remember his perfect timing with that quote, because it reminds me not to hold on to the things that are past and gone, even if they were wonderful, but to keep my feet firmly planted on the earth and be open to where the Spirit is leading, here and now and in this place.  What parts of the past are you holding onto?  How is the past keeping you from seeing where God is working in the present?  How are you being called to see your life, your church, your community with new eyes?

  1. What is God up to in this text? What is God calling me to do or to be because of this message?

God is calling Jesus back to his rightful place at the Father’s right hand in glory.  God is preparing to send the Holy Spirit, and to release the disciples as witnesses to the power of Jesus’ resurrection, all the way to the ends of the earth.  He is calling me to live into this good news as another joyful witness who is always looking for the presence of God working, in and among us.  In what ways is God calling you to be a witness, in your life, in our community, across the world?

I look forward to celebrating the Ascension with you, Easter people!

In Christ,

Pastor Breen Marie Sipes

Watch and Pray: Maundy Thursday to Easter

11b65f8104d3e5a1637d86726f844382

I developed this resource for the Tri-Saints this Holy Week to help us all to watch and pray throughout the Three Days.

You can find a pdf of this resource here:  Watch and Pray:  Good Friday Seven Last Words

You can find the children and family version of this resource here:  Watch and Pray:  Good Friday for Families

Tenebrae:  The Seven Last Words of Jesus

     The word “tenebrae” comes from the Latin meaning “darkness.” The Tenebrae is an ancient Christian Good Friday service that makes use of gradually diminishing light through the extinguishing of candles along with the Seven Last Words, or phrases, that Jesus said from the time he was crucified until he died.

     The increasing darkness symbolizes the approaching darkness of Jesus’ death and of hopelessness in the world without God. The service concludes in darkness, sometimes with a final candle, the Christ candle, carried out of the sanctuary, symbolizing the death of Jesus. A loud noise may also sound symbolizing the closing of Jesus’ tomb. The worshipers then leave in silence to ponder the impact of Christ’s death and await the coming Resurrection.(http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/what-is-a-tenebrae-service)

     We invite you to watch and pray throughout the next Three Days (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday) by reading these Words over and over again and considering their meaning for you in your life.  A blessed continuation of the Three Days to you.

First Word:  Luke 23:32-38                              

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.  When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.  [Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”] And they cast lots to divide his clothing.  And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!”  The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”  There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Second Word:  Matthew 27:45-49                   

From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.  And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.”  At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink.  But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.”

Third Word:  Luke 23:39-43                            

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”  But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”  Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Fourth Word:  John 19:25b-27                        

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.”  Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

Fifth Word:  John 19:28-29                              

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.”  A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.

Sixth Word:  Luke 23:44-46a                           

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

Last Word:  John 19:30                                    

When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. http://www.biblegateway.com

Heart Promise: Dwelling in the Word March 2018

2d6d5967df1ff37995b9e5c09132055d

This year during Lent, our readings from the Old Testament will focus on the five covenants, or promises, that God made with the people of Israel before the coming of Jesus.  Each covenant makes a shift in the people from past to new future that reminds us of our baptism.  This is the fifth covenant, which God makes as a future promise to Israel.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 (New Revised Standard Version)
31The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

Devotional Questions from the ELCA’s Book of Faith Initiative:
What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?  What do I have questions about?

What delights me in this text?  What do I like about it?

What stories or memories does this text stir up in me?  You might remember a time when you learned something by heart, or suddenly remembered something that you had learned by heart in time’s past, for example. 

What is God up to in this text?  What is God calling you to do or to be because of this story?

Rainbow Promise: Dwelling the the Word February 2018

This year during Lent, our readings from the Old Testament will focus on the five covenants, or promises, that God made with the people of Israel before the coming of Jesus.  Each covenant makes a shift in the people from past to new future that reminds us of our baptism.  This is the first covenant, which God makes with Noah after the flood.

 rainbow near finland by lyza by nc sa 2.0

Genesis 9:8-17 (New Revised Standard Version)

8God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9“As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. 11I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Devotional Questions from the ELCA’s Book of Faith Initiative:

What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?  What do I have questions about?

I do not like flooding.  When my family and I lived in central Pennsylvania, flooding was an almost yearly reality.  The thing about flooding that I especially did not like was the anticipation.  When there is a tornado or snowstorm, it happens, and it is over, and then the clean up begins.  With flooding, you know that it is raining, and that it is going to flood, but you have all sorts of time to think about it, to watch it rise, to endure it, and then to watch it slowly sink back away.  It is an extremely helpless feeling, and a reminder that, ultimately you have no control.  I am challenged by the story of the flood because I know the dread that I feel in relation to flooding, and I can’t imagine having to endure a world-wide flood, especially in response to the sin of others.  I wonder how Noah’s family endured such a difficult thing.  Did it draw them closer to God?  To one another?  Did they learn that they had strength beyond what they had imagined before?

What delights me in this text?  What do I like about it?

When we lived in central Pennsylvania, most of the flooding that occurred was because of hurricanes on the coast.  As nasty as the rain, wind and flooding were, my favorite days of weather were always the day after a hurricane.  The morning would dawn sunny and clear, the air would smell clean and fresh and new, and it seemed like anything was possible.  I wonder if that’s how Noah and his family felt when they were finally released from the ark.  Were they relieved?  Did the world seem fresh and new?  Were they ready for a new start?

What stories or memories does this text stir up in me?  You might remember a time when someone made a promise to you, or you made a promise to someone else, for example.

This story reminds me to take the time to look around.  To see the rainbow, or the sunrise, or the beautiful configuration of the stars.  I am reminded to listen for the cry of the hawk, or the rushing of wind through the trees, or even the sound of sheer silence, when it feels like even nature is holding its breath and listening for God to speak.  God spoke to Noah through the rainbow, and I wonder what it was like to remember God’s voice, God’s promise, living through the flood, each time a rainbow appeared after a storm.  What was it like to be God’s people of the rainbow promise?

What is God up to in this text?  What is God calling you to do or to be because of this story?

I am looking forward to walking with you through these promises of God during Lent this year.  Together, we will remember the rainbow (Noah), the stars in the sky (Abraham), the Ten Commandments (Moses), the bronze serpent (Moses), and the law on our hearts (Jeremiah).  Together, we will listen for God’s voice calling us to baptismal remembrance.  Together, we will discover God’s call for us, here and now and in this place.  As always, I am looking forward to discovering what this old, old story has to say to us.

In Christ’s promise,  Pastor Breen Marie

New Year, New Opportunity

Pastor’s Report–January 2018

thayer county

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I want to begin my report by thanking you for an amazing five years of ministry together!  It is hard to believe that five years have gone by so quickly, and I am grateful to God for the opportunity to serve among you.  As we enter this next year of ministry together, I wanted to let you know about a new opportunity that we will be embarking upon in this year.  The Rural Ministry Network of the Nebraska Synod has asked Tri-Saints to be the host site for their annual Rural Immersion Experience for pastors-in-training from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.  The event is for a week in May, and would include up to 10 students and 2 faculty members.  It is sponsored by the Nebraska Synod, and its purpose is to give students training to be pastors a taste of what serving in a rural area might be like.  All three councils have discussed it individually, and in November, we welcomed Pastor Gretchen Ritola, the chairperson of the Rural Ministry Network, to our Super-Council Meeting to answer questions and give us more information.  The councils all agreed that this would be a good opportunity for us and for the students, and we accepted the invitation.

Over the next few months, Rex Kirchhoff and I will be involved in several planning meetings with the Rural Ministry Network, and your councils will be helping to work on details of the experience.  We will need volunteers for housing (they prefer to be housed in pairs, so that they know someone where they are staying), providing meals (we will activate various groups for potlucks and other options), and showing the students around the area and talking to them about rural life (the Men in Mission have already agreed to help out with this, though we welcome more input).  We will let you know about other needs as they become apparent.

Our parish was chosen because we are a vibrant parish who works well together and is involved in many aspects of ministry, from local to global concerns, and I can’t wait to show you off!  One of the questions that all of the councils asked me as we were considering this opportunity was “Why would anyone want to come and see what is happening in Byron and Hardy, Nebraska?”  I have many answers to this question, and I am looking forward to discerning with you how you can answer this question for yourselves in the coming months.  The fact is that most first call pastors will be sent to a rural church for their first call, and it is essential that pastors in training get the opportunity to see what it is like for themselves before they make this move.  When I was in seminary, I went to inner-city Chicago for my cross-cultural immersion requirement and discovered that inner-city ministry was something that I was not called to do at that time.  All cross-cultural immersion experiences help these students to learn how God is calling them, using both “yes” and “no, thank you.”

If you have further questions about our plans for May, please talk to me or Rex Kirchhoff, or a member of your councils.  May God bless this new opportunity for ministry among us!

In Christ,  Pastor Breen Marie Sipes

Anniversary Reflection January 2018

Butterfly & Balloons Birthday Cake by stephenliveshere
Photo by stephenliveshere on flickr.com CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, happy anniversary!  Did you know that on December 13th, we celebrated five years in ministry together?  It’s true, and it’s also hard to say where these five years have gone.  We have come so far down the road together since that snowy, blowy December in 2012, and I am excited to see where God will continue to lead us.  With both this anniversary and our upcoming annual meetings in mind, I thought it would be a good idea to take this opportunity to reflect on what God has been doing among us, as well as where God is calling us into the future.  As part of this reflection, I am going to give you a few questions to ponder ahead of the meetings.  Our councils will also discuss these questions at their January council meetings, and we all look forward to what you will contribute to the conversation.  Please take the time before the meetings to prayerfully consider your answers, so that our group discernment may be fruitful.  Here’s to another five faith-filled years of ministry together!

In Christ, Pastor Breen

Questions to Ponder

In the Past

  1. In December of 2012, what were your hopes and dreams for your church? For the parish?
  2. In December of 2012, what were you nervous about in regards to your church? The parish?
  3. Where did you think God was calling us?

In the Present

  1. In the past five years, what about our church have you been excited about? The parish?
  2. In the past five years, what have been some things that made you nervous?
  3. How has God been working, in and among us?

Into the Future

  1. In January 2018, what are you nervous about in regards to your church? The parish?
  2. In January 2018, what are your hopes and dreams for your church? For the parish?
  3. Where do you think God is calling us now (it might be the same or different from the past)?
  4. Where are some places in our homes and communities that need the light of Christ?
  5. What are some gifts that we have that God is calling us to share with the world?

 

 

Lessons and Carols for the Home: #jesusbirthatoz

Each year, I am fortunate enough to get to do a little Christmas service at two of our local assisted living facilities.  These folks are wonderful, wise adults who bring their entire lives of faith to Bible study each month, but my favorite is when we gather at Christmas time.  This year, I developed a resource to use with them, and it occurred to me that it might also be a great devotion for families who are gathering for Christmas.  It combines the old tradition of my family of singing Christmas songs together around the tree (you get to pick the songs you want to sing) with readings from Bible about the Christmas story and questions that any member of the family is more than qualified to answer, no matter their age or stage.  I hope that you enjoy this time together during one of the holiest times of the year!

Christmas Lessons and Carols for the Home

nativity by smichael cc by nc 2.0

Gathering Prayer:
Dear God, we thank you for sending Jesus to us in human form on Christmas.  Be present in our time together, in our lives, on our lips, and in our hearts.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Song: group choice

The Birth of Jesus Foretold:  Luke 1:26-38 NRSV
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Question:  Mary was surprised by the angel.  When was a time that you remember being surprised?

Song: group choice

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah:  Matthew 1:18-25 NRSV
18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Question:  We learn that Joseph is a righteous man.  When was a time that you tried to do the right thing, even if it wasn’t popular?

Song:  group choice

The Birth of Jesus:  Luke 2:1-7 NRSV
2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 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.

Question: These are probably the most familiar few verses of the entire story.  What is the best Christmas memory that you have?

Song:  group choice

The Shepherds and the Angels:  Luke 2:8-20 NRSV
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Question:  The shepherds received the gift of being the first to be told of the birth of the Son of Man.  What was the most memorable gift that you ever received?

Song:  group choice

The Visit of the Wise Men:  Matthew 2:1-12 NRSV
2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Question:  The wise men came a long way to give gifts to Jesus.  What is the most memorable gift that you ever gave?

Song:  group choice

The Word Became Flesh:  John 1:1-14 NRSV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Question:  This reading from the beginning of the Gospel of John describes the coming of Jesus as the coming of light into a dark world.  Where have you seen the light of Jesus shining in this past year?  How have you been able to be a reflection of Jesus’ light?

Song:  group choice (end with Silent Night)

Dismissal:  Go in peace.  Christ is coming.  Thanks be to God.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Questions and order of service ©Pastor Breen Marie Sipes, Tri-Saints Lutheran Parish, ELCA 2017.  Please give credit where credit is due.

Photo “Nativity” by smichael on flickr.com CC BY-NC 2.0

Speechless: #jesusbirthatoz

Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so_ For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.”.png
photo by jeremybrooks on flickr.com

Luke 1:5-25 (New Revised Standard Version)

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

8 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10 Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 16 He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” 19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”

21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. 23 When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, 25 “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”

Devotional Questions from the ELCA’s Book of Faith Initiative:

What scares, confuses, or challenges me about this Bible reading?  What do I have questions about?  One thing that I have learned about myself over the years is that it is hard for me to change plans.  I identify with Zechariah, because he had resigned himself to being childless, and denied the gift when it was given to him.  This Bible reading challenges me to be open to changing my plans, and to spend more time listening when God is trying to speak to me.

What delights me about this Bible reading?  What do I like about it?  What is the good news here?  One thing I love about this Bible reading is that God is acting to bring good things into Zechariah’s life, even over and above his protests.  God desires our life, and our happiness, and all good things for us, even when we deny him.  How am I denying the good in favor of the bad, just because it is a part of my plan?

What stories or memories does this Bible reading stir up in me?  You might remember a time when you were completely surprised, or said “No” to something you wished for, or weren’t able to speak for a length of time, for example.  Those of you who know me will not be surprised to learn that the biggest surprise in my life finding out that I was pregnant with twins.  It was a blessing beyond expectation, and also one of the most difficult times in my life.  I am beyond thankful that God gifted me with a community to surround me in love, even when I was speechless during this time, both in joy and in fear.

What is God up to in this Bible reading?  What is God calling you to do or to be because of this?  Maybe it’s because we are entering Advent, a season which has always been marked by quiet contemplation for me, but I hear God reminding me to be quiet, to listen, and to believe.  Sometimes, in this over-busy, over-scheduled, over-expectation-full world, this is just exactly what we need to hear.

May God bless your work and your rest, your action and your contemplation, during this hoy season of waiting in hope!

In Christ, Pastor Breen