Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Advent, week 3
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT – SHEPHERDS
ONE PINK CANDLE AND TWO PURPLE CANDLES
Scripture: Luke 2:8-12
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
LIGHT THE PINK CANDLE AND TWO PURPLE CANDLES
These shepherds were doing what they always did, watched sheep. Through the days lambs were led to the best pasture. This day the shepherds were given the night watch with the sheep. They lived with the sheep. God stepped into the shepherds’ daily routine and turned their world upside down. While going about their ordinary tasks an angel startled these humble people with the best news in the world: The Messiah is born! As if the heavens could no longer contain their excitement over this amazing news, thousands of angels broke through the skies with a joyful song. After going to see for themselves, the shepherds returned to their work but with what a difference! Now their hearts were alive with the miracle of what they had seen and heard. Praise filled them.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help us to remember that with you there are no ordinary days. Each day that we live in your grace is a day that is beyond the ordinary. We feel the joy of this. Joy yesterday, that you came into our world and forever changed it. Joy tomorrow, that you will come again and usher in the fullness of the kingdom. And joy today, that you give us opportunities to be Your hands and feet, so that our lives share the message of Christmas during this Advent season. Amen.
ONE PINK CANDLE AND TWO PURPLE CANDLES
Scripture: Luke 2:8-12
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
LIGHT THE PINK CANDLE AND TWO PURPLE CANDLES
These shepherds were doing what they always did, watched sheep. Through the days lambs were led to the best pasture. This day the shepherds were given the night watch with the sheep. They lived with the sheep. God stepped into the shepherds’ daily routine and turned their world upside down. While going about their ordinary tasks an angel startled these humble people with the best news in the world: The Messiah is born! As if the heavens could no longer contain their excitement over this amazing news, thousands of angels broke through the skies with a joyful song. After going to see for themselves, the shepherds returned to their work but with what a difference! Now their hearts were alive with the miracle of what they had seen and heard. Praise filled them.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help us to remember that with you there are no ordinary days. Each day that we live in your grace is a day that is beyond the ordinary. We feel the joy of this. Joy yesterday, that you came into our world and forever changed it. Joy tomorrow, that you will come again and usher in the fullness of the kingdom. And joy today, that you give us opportunities to be Your hands and feet, so that our lives share the message of Christmas during this Advent season. Amen.
Advent, week 2
ViaCordis has some begun some Christmas traditions that you're welcome to borrow and use in your own churches. We pray that they will bless you as they are blessing us.
We use an Advent Wreath to draw attention to the coming of the Messiah. This is the reading we will hear on Dec 6, the second Sunday of Advent.
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT--BETHLEHEM
SECOND PURPLE CANDLE
Scripture: Luke 2:1-5
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
LIGHT TWO PURPLE CANDLES.
It was a crowded city that night, Bethlehem, the city of David. People from all over had returned to the city of their fathers. Here they would register and a census would be taken. Joseph and Mary looked for a place to stay. An inn. A room somewhere, anywhere. A safe place from the chilly night air. But there was no place. At the city’s edge was a stable. There, in a stable, Mary and Joseph found warmth and protection. They would stay here until a new day brought light.
Why God chose to send his son into our world as a baby of humble birth, born in common surroundings, we do not know. What we do know is that God reached out to all people including the poor and wealthy, the simple and the wise, the powerless and the powerful. It is possible to know God because He came to us, at our level.
PRAYER: O Lord! God of the little and of the large, your love is as universal as all creation, and yet as individual as my small heart. Here at Christmas, you embrace the nations. I open the doors of my heart wide to all You have planned for me. Thank you for your humility and love which made room for me. Amen.
We use an Advent Wreath to draw attention to the coming of the Messiah. This is the reading we will hear on Dec 6, the second Sunday of Advent.
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT--BETHLEHEM
SECOND PURPLE CANDLE
Scripture: Luke 2:1-5
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
LIGHT TWO PURPLE CANDLES.
It was a crowded city that night, Bethlehem, the city of David. People from all over had returned to the city of their fathers. Here they would register and a census would be taken. Joseph and Mary looked for a place to stay. An inn. A room somewhere, anywhere. A safe place from the chilly night air. But there was no place. At the city’s edge was a stable. There, in a stable, Mary and Joseph found warmth and protection. They would stay here until a new day brought light.
Why God chose to send his son into our world as a baby of humble birth, born in common surroundings, we do not know. What we do know is that God reached out to all people including the poor and wealthy, the simple and the wise, the powerless and the powerful. It is possible to know God because He came to us, at our level.
PRAYER: O Lord! God of the little and of the large, your love is as universal as all creation, and yet as individual as my small heart. Here at Christmas, you embrace the nations. I open the doors of my heart wide to all You have planned for me. Thank you for your humility and love which made room for me. Amen.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Altar
Yet we also maintain a ritual that centers us in worship as we meet in our house churches. Each month a member is responsible for designing an altar to set up in the living room where we meet for worship. Right now the altar at one of the house gatherings consists of an open Bible on a cloth square with a light shining down on it. The Bible is laid open to Psalm 67 and the light serves as a reminder that God blesses us so we can bless others. The head phones signify and ongoing dialogue with God that involves both listening and talking. And the candle symbolizes Jesus as our one constant.
The altar changes living room or family room into a sacred space for the church gathering, then it gets packed up during the week. For the host, it provides a good visual reminder of sacred space and creates a boundary between your home and your church.
Monday, November 9, 2009
First Fruits
A German brother in Christ recently baptized his "first fruit" in the cold waters of a nearby stream. The person baptized - whom we'll call Peter- is a nationally known singer in Germany and is popular among fans of typical German folk music. Peter committed his life to Christ, confessed his sins and desired baptism - immediately! Please pray for Peter and his family as they seek to follow Christ in discipleship.
Monday, October 26, 2009
The God who heals
We have two hospitalized children we are praying for and visiting. Both have serious medical issues; one is a newborn and the other is the son of one of our regular attenders, who has pneumonia. As a church we regularly pray for healing and we have seen God answer in dramatic ways that have caused more than one doctor to pause and say things like, "Hmmm, that's highly unusual!" These are the two people for whom we are currently interceding.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
God is faithful
Remember how our Rancho Cucamonga church passed out backpacks to a community of homeless people? One of the recipients came to a BBQ hosted by the church and talked at length about his spiritual journey. Two weeks later he died. We thank God for His faithfulness to reach out to this man right until the very end of his life.
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