Call to Worship for Easter 3 Year B, Luke 36b-48

L: We are witnesses,
P: That the Messiah suffered and died and rose again on the third day.
L: We are witnesses,
P: to God’s love, poured out for us and for all.
L: We are witnesses,
P: sharing God’s love with all we meet.
L: We are witnesses,
P: to the hunger of our neighbors, the cries for justice in our streets.
L: We are witnesses.
P: Our lives and actions proclaim the goodness of our God.
L: Through our witness, may all experience the Risen Lord.
All: Alleluia! Amen!

Prayer for Baptism of the Lord Sunday following Attempted Coup

Siblings in Christ,

We have just responded to the word of God by reaffirming our baptisms and the vows we have made there within.

We would be remiss during this time of prayer to not reflect on how our baptismal vows, our calling as children of God, and recent world events coincide.

Bishop Easterling released a statement that was endorsed by The United Methodist Church Council of Bishops. I would like to read you part of his statement:

“It is tempting to call for peace, for order and unity. And while we do need to reclaim the peace, we can only do so while speaking the truth of today's horror. It is time to name our reality, to name the deep divisions and hatred being played out in the Senate chamber and throughout the People's House. It is another watershed moment; a time to raise our voices to heaven and take stock of who we, as Americans, have become.

This alarming occupation and violence at the U.S. Capitol are symptomatic of the vitriol and poison that now infects our culture. It disheartens. The rioters who climbed the steps and walls of the Capitol sought to overturn the law, a fair election, and justice, and claimed their motivation was to defend God and their freedoms. They waved banners emblazoned with the words, "Jesus Saves," but this is not what Emmanuel came to earth to embody. This is a perversion of the Gospel. This should drive all of us to our knees.”

As the Bishop said, this should drive us all to our knees. And so at this time, let us pray.

As we pray I will say, “God of our Baptism” and together we will respond, “Help us live as your children.”

Lord, today we do renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of our sin.

We name them now before you:
We renounce the pervasive power of sin: that which separates us from perfect love of God and neighbor: Lies, prejudice, envy, greed.
We reject that deep seated and pervasive and desperate desire for power that infects us all. A desire to keep power which breeds corruption and violence - of which we saw the deadly effects of yesterday.
We repent of all of this. We recognize that which is within us and we pray Lord, root it out. Wash us clean with your baptismal waters.

L: God of our Baptism,
P: Help us live as your children.

Lord, truly help us to accept the freedom and power you give us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.
May we start by naming them for what they are: white supremacy, racism, xenophobia, bigotry, violence.
There is much evil. And there is much confusing evil and good. Our world can get us all turned around thinking up is down and down is up. Help us center ourselves on you, Lord. Give us the freedom to see clearly that which is good: You and loving our neighbor and that which is Evil: violence, power struggles, war. Empower us to resist. Empower us to repent. Empower us to recognize when we need to turn around, and return to you.

L: God of our Baptism,
P: Help us live as your children.

Lord, may we place our whole lives in your grace. May our actions and our words reflect your goodness. May we bring glory to you in all we do and profess. Through us may all the people, people of all ages, nations, and races, know the love and goodness of Christ.

L: God of our Baptism,
P: Help us live as your children.

God, you are good. May we ever thank you for all you’ve given us and for the gift of baptism: that you adopt us as children and if children then heirs together with Christ. We lift up our thanksgivings before you, awash in the waters of baptism.

L: God of our Baptism,
P: Help us live as your children.

Redeemer, you know our hearts. Break them open for what breaks your heart. May we be instruments of your love and peace. It is with open hearts and open hands that we hand over to you in prayer those whom we love; those who are suffering in body, mind, or spirit; those who are dying, the mourning, the dead. Be with all in need of your grace and mercy.

L: God of our Baptism,
P: Help us live as your children.

We are your children, you, our good and faithful parent who hears our prayers. And so now, let us pray with the confidence of children of God, the prayer that Jesus taught us.

Our Father...

"Soon." Christmas Eve Sermon, 2020

Christmas Eve Sermon, 2020

Luke 2:1-20

“Soon.”

Preached Thursday, December 24, 2020 at Vermilion Grace United Methodist Church via FB Live

As members of my congregation know, I have just barely returned from maternity leave. I gave birth to my first child, Agnes, on September 11. I knew when I was pregnant that I would be returning to work, the church, just before Christmas. And within the first week of my leave, as I reflected on my experience in labor, I actually wrote this sermon - not yet on paper, but in my head, knowing that I would be sharing these thoughts on Christmas Eve. So a content warning, I will be referencing childbirth and labor but only in the literal sense for the introduction of my sermon. 

See, during my labor and the days and weeks that followed I could only pray one word prayers. Christian writer Anne Lammott says that there are really only three types of prayers and they can be summed up in one word each: Help, Thanks, and Wow. And I have found this to be infinitely true.

Lately I have been praying a lot of help prayers. In fact every night I pray a "help" prayer. The prayer is just one word over and over "sleep sleep sleep sleep sleep." And since I'm talking to God I do throw in a couple of pleases. "Please Lord, let us all just sleep. Sleep sleep sleep sleep please."

But there have also been plenty of wows and plenty of thanks.

So much can be said with a wow or a thank you.

Deep appreciation for one's body and what it's been through. Gratitude for community that surrounds you with love. Appreciation for the beauty of nature, whether that be in a newborn's face or the fresh fallen snow.

But the one word prayer that I want to focus on this evening is the prayer "Soon."

Soon. Soon. Soon.

When I was in the throes of labor this is all I could think. All I could pray, in my head or outloud.

Soon. Soon. Soon.

As the pain of birth and labor intensified. I prayed soon. Soon. Soon.

I could only think the word "soon." But there was so much intensity of emotion and thought behind it.

Let this pain be over soon.

Let me meet my baby soon.

Let all be well and healthy SOON.

Soon. Soon. Soon.

The Christian tradition of Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas where we prepare for Christ's birth, are rife with labor metaphors and not just because of Mary's pregnancy.

I wonder if Mary prayed the one word prayer of soon:

Let this long journey on camel be over soon.

Let us find a place to stay soon.

Let this child come soon.

Let God do this new thing through me soon.

Soon. Soon. Soon.

Advent is, in a way, us praying a one word pray over and over to God: Soon. Soon. Soon.

Let Christmas be here soon.

Let these dark nights and short days end soon.

Let the world be filled with hope, peace, joy, and love soon.

May we experience Christ's presence with us soon.

Soon. Soon. Soon.

In Advent we wait.

We wait for the celebration of Christ's birth. An event that happened in the past.

We wait for Christmas morning, for gifts and laughter and joy.

And Advent isn't just about Christ's birth, it's about his return. So we wait. We wait for that day where Emmanuel, God With Us, will truly come and dwell among us again, bringing the Kingdom of God to fruition here on Earth.

Our Advent prayers are:

Soon - remind us of the wonder and love of God.

Soon - let us once again experience the magic of Christmas day.

Soon - come into our lives and world once again, Jesus. Redeem us. Redeem all of creation. Make us whole.

Soon. Soon. Soon.

All the earth is crying out in the labor pains of Christmas, awaiting Jesus's second coming. This Christmas, may we recognize the twangs of pain for what they are.

Where there is violence and war may we hear all of creation crying out - bring us peace, Lord! Soon!

Where there is disease may we hear all of creation crying out - bring us healing, bring us hope - Soon, Lord, soon!

Where there is pollution and devastation, eroded coastlines, failed crops - may we hear all the earth crying out - Soon, Lord! Make us whole!

Where there is oppression. Where there is hunger. Where there is isolation. Wherever there are pains in this world may we begin to hear them as all of creation crying out to God: Soon! Soon! Soon!

Soon! End our pain. Soon! Give birth to a new thing. Soon! Let God's Kingdom reign.

Christmas is a reminder that the day of "soon" has already come - God was born into this world in the form of a newborn baby. God is with us. We are never alone.

Christmas is a reminder that soon can come right now. What new thing is God doing in you this Christmas? Where is God calling you to birth peace, hope, joy, and love into this world, this Christmas?

And Christmas is a reminder that soon is yet to come. And we set our eyes on that day. That the final soon has not yet arrived but God promised that it would. That the work that God begun through Jesus will be completed. That one day, God will descend to us again. That one day God will redeem all creation, birthing a new heaven and a new earth where all will be at perfect peace and perfect love. A Kingdom that will know no end, no death, no tears. A Kingdom that will be filled with the power of the resurrection of Easter and the wonder and love of Christmas Day.

And so this Christmas, with all of creation, we pray: Soon. Soon. Soon.

Amen.

Christmas Confession (Based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

Christmas Confession (Based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

Forgive us, Lord, for when we get so caught up in the darkness that we forget to look at the light.
Forgive us for all the time we spend in the valley:
Fighting amongst ourselves
Focusing on worldly success
Just going day to day without rest, praise, or pray.
Forgive us for when we fail to ease the burden of our neighbors. Forgive us still for when we add to it.
Forgive us Lord. Help us repent. Turn our hearts toward you and our eyes towards the sky.
May we see light shining in the darkness. May you increase our joy. May you rescue the oppressed. May you empower all to live into the light and joy of Christmas.
Until that day when there is endless peace and Christ reigns with justice and righteousness, guide our steps ever toward Bethlehem that we may be filled with wonder and love at the sight of Christ the newborn King.
Amen.

L: Hear the Good News! Christ came into this world, God incarnate, in flesh, while we were yet sinners, This proves God’s love towards us. In the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven.
P: In the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven.
All: Glory to God. Amen.

Christmas Eve Advent Wreath/Candle Lighting Liturgy

Christmas Eve Advent Wreath/Candle Lighting Liturgy

L: Through the darkest nights of the year we have prayed:
P: Come, Lord Jesus.
L: In a world where all can seem lost, we have looked toward this night for hope.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Bringer of Hope.

*lights candle of hope*

L: Our eyes and ears are bombarded with war, violence, disruption, but at the manger there is peace.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace.

*lights candle of peace*

L: In what is sold as a season of merriment, we know that hardship and grief abound. May we not lose sight of our joy in you.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Child of Joy.

*lights candle of joy*

L: Our hearts ache to reach out and touch each other, for kindness to spread like warmth, we long for the fundamental need of all humanity: to love and be loved.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Lover of our Souls.

*lights candle of love*

L: Too long we have walked in the darkness...but on Christmas, 2000 years ago and Christmas today, tonight, a Light has entered the world and the darkness cannot overcome it.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Light of the World,

*lights Christ candle*

L: Christmas is here. Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love are here!
P: Jesus is here, Bethlehem's matchless child!
L: Christmas is here! All the world rejoices!
All: Christmas is here! Let us worship Christ the King!

Mini-Devotional on Mary

Normally we hear about Mary and read her song, The Magnificat, on the third Sunday of Advent. This year it’s on the fourth Sunday.

I was particularly pleased to discover this because it’s my favorite passage of Scripture and by it being on the fourth Sunday this year - I didn’t miss out on the chance to preach on “Mary Sunday.”

And Mary has been on my mind a lot lately - it’s kind of hard for me to be going through the season of life I’m currently in - AND it being Christmas time - without thinking of Mary.


Mary doesn’t loom large in our Wesleyan tradition - Wesley barely talked about Mary - except in his “Sermon to a Roman Catholic” he does mention that he believes in Mary’s perpetual virginity - although I wouldn’t call that Wesleyan or Methodist doctrine by any means.


But I think we lose out by our tradition not talking much about Mary - and not in a way that glorifies her beyond recognition as a human woman - but by really focusing on her humanity.


When we think of the birth and child-rearing of Christ, we think of a sanitized version.

But what would it really mean to acknowledge the full humanity of Mary in birthing and feeding Jesus?


To have an infant, a newborn, to have GOD as an infant, a newborn, fully dependent upon a human woman for nourishment and love. For her aching back and swollen feet in pregnancy. For her blood, sweat, screams in birth. For the nourishment of her breasts in infancy.


What does that tell us about God’s relationship to us? To humanity? To women?


That God is willing to be vulnerable with us

That God loves us the way a mother loves a child AND the way a child loves a mother - unconditionally, fully, without hesitation

That God wants to be with us more than anything - not only to hold us in the arms of God - but for us to hold onto God, cradling Divinity, wondering at it, being overcome with the magnitude and joy of it, caring for and nurturing our relationship with the Divine as an all-consuming act of Love, that takes body, mind, soul together…


Let us this Advent and Christmas ponder on Mary, the infant Jesus at her breast, and contemplate how God loves us so.

Advent Wreath Lighting, 4B, Love

Advent Wreath Lighting, 4B, Love

L: Christmas is coming. We feel it in our hearts, in our to-do lists, and in the crisp winter air.
P: Love is coming.
L: The space between us and the Holy is thin - if we just looked up, around, opened the eyes of our hearts we might be able to see angels.
P: Love is coming.
L: Christmas has the power to change everything - it changed everything for Mary. It can change everything for us.
P: Love is coming.
L: May we be ready for Christmas - may we be ready for change - may we be ready for Jesus.
P: Love is coming.
L: And so we light this candle of Love, inviting the God who is love, born on Christmas Day, into our hearts.

*Lights candle*

P: Love is coming - Love is here - God who is Love. God with Us.
All: Amen.