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December 6 Worship

11/30/2015

This Second Sunday in Advent brings us to look at the words of Zechariah, the priest, who was the father of John the Baptist and who broke out in a song of praise over the birth of his son. Here are some of the words of the text:

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them,...
thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remember his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham....
By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1

The one thing that stands out for me in these words of Zechariah is the faithfulness of God. God has stood behind the covenant made to Abraham and others. Can you imagine what would happen if God had a change of mind and broke covenant? Israel would not end up being a blessing to the nations of the Earth. Maybe no Messiah would have come. However, we have these powerful words that God "has remembered the holy covenant."

The promise of a Messiah would mean that a light would come to those who sit in darkness. Think of those who are in darkness in our world today and need the light of Christ. I would invite you to reflect on these words of Zechariah and you may want to read the entire text in Luke 1:68-79 in preparation for your worship this Sunday. Blessings on your worship this Sunday.

Pastor Marty

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November 29 Worship

11/23/2015

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This Sunday is the start of the Advent season and is a time for us to turn our thoughts to Jesus' coming - not only to his coming at Bethlehem, but also to his coming again at the end of time. On Sunday, my focus will be on Jesus' return as reflected in the words of Luke's Gospel. Here is some of the text:

"Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near....Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21: 27-28; 34-36

Here Jesus tells us to be watchful. Above all, we are not to be so consumed with this life that we are not expecting our Lord's return. I wonder how many of people live only for the here and now and really have little concern for his return? The question I would raise here is: Are you longing for Jesus' return? How much are you consumed with this life that it overshadows the hope or yearning for his return?

This passage of Scripture gives us great hope - the one in whom we have believed to be our Savior and Lord will not forsake us but will return at the end of time. We will all behold him. What we have believed in faith will now be seen.

In preparation for worship this Sunday, I would ask you to study these words of Luke or you might read the entire text in Luke 21:25-36. May God's blessing be upon your study of these words of Scripture and your worship this Sunday!

Pastor Marty

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November 22 Worship

11/16/2015

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On this Sunday, we come to the end of the church year. The year ends with Christ the King Sunday. The entire liturgical year revolves around the person of Christ, and now we read about his exaltation and seek to honor him as such in our worship.

My message will focus on the words from the book of Daniel:

"As I watched, thrones were set in place,
and an Ancient One took his throne,
his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire.
A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence,
A thousand thousands served him,
and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him.
The court sat in judgement, and the books were opened.
As I watched in the night visions,
I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven,
And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him.
To him was given dominion and glory and kingship,
that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away,
and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed." Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

How is that for providing a picture of God and Jesus! Jesus is described here as being one like a human being. We know that Jesus was both God and man. In this scene (one with an apocalyptic flavor to it) we have Jesus before the throne of God and where Jesus receives dominion, glory, and kingship.

Yes, Jesus holds a special place of honor in all of creation. Every person and nation is to be subject to him. In preparation for worship this Sunday, you might ask yourself, how well are you living under his rule? Is there any part of your life that you need to subject to him?

I wold encourage you to meditate on these words in preparation for worship this Sunday and come to church ready to affirm the kingship and dominion of your Savior and Lord.

Pastor Marty

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November 8 Worship

11/2/2015

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My message will be based on the Gospel for this Sunday which is Mark 12:38-44. This text will form the basis for my fall stewardship message. We have these words in our reading:

"He (Jesus) sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'"
Mark 12:42-44

We would admire the sacrifice that this widow makes. After all, she could have kept one coin for herself. No, she gave everything. It would be interesting here to reflect on what motivated her to do so. Was she especially grateful at the moment for a blessing? Was she trying to make up for past contributions that were missed for the temple? Whatever it was, Jesus took the time to give attention to her. She gave her all.

You and I may not be in a position to give everything we have to the church, yet we can think of the what it might be like to give a little extra if the church needed additional funds. Also, in thinking about stewardship, it goes beyond money. We would think of how we use our skills and our time and how we might sacrifice in these areas to help someone else. Might there not come a time when we would be moved to give our "all" for the sake of a cause.

I would ask you to reflect on these words for worship this Sunday and may your reflection and worship be a blessing to you!

Pastor Marty

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December 6 Worship

November 29 Worship

November 22 Worship

November 8 Worship

I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

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