A video worship service for Christmas 2020 at First Presbyterian Church. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. And the government shall be upon his shoulder. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Author Archives: First Presbyterian Church
God Removes the ‘If’
Peering ahead to the next bend of the swift-flowing river, the kayaker spied a heron standing tall in the lightly iced shallows that lined the snow-dusted bank. Desperately wanting a close-up glimpse of the slender-but-majestic bird, she paddled upstream against the strong current as hard, but as quietly, as was possible. When she finally managedContinue reading “God Removes the ‘If’”
Video meditation: Lighting the Fourth Candle of Advent
“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’” (Luke 1:30) Of three possible responses to fear – fight, flight or freeze, Mary is, perhaps, frozen by the appearance of the angel, whose greeting and message leave her perplexed and pondering. But fear doesn’t paralyze Mary, whoContinue reading “Video meditation: Lighting the Fourth Candle of Advent”
Connecting the Dots
It was a rookie mistake, and I made it. I’d been serving here just a couple years, and a few weeks out from Christmas, I sat down to assemble the elements for the Christmas Eve service. To refresh my memory, I dug out the bulletins from previous Christmas Eves and noted that we always endedContinue reading “Connecting the Dots”
Video meditation: Lighting the Third Candle of Advent
Sowing seeds is always an act of faith that always feels risky and feeble. How can something so small become something so beautiful, so big, and so nourishing? Some seeds won’t germinate and instead remain buried in the ground. Of those seeds that do, some of the weak sprouts must be weeded out for theirContinue reading “Video meditation: Lighting the Third Candle of Advent”
From the Pastor: A Christmas of Sacrifice
December 10, 2020 Members and friends, To stem the spread and ease the burden of COVID-19 on our community, Session voted Tuesday night to extend our suspension of in-person worship through Sunday, Jan. 10. Sadly, that includes the Christmas Eve service. At our meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 12, the elders and I will re-evaluate ourContinue reading “From the Pastor: A Christmas of Sacrifice”
Something New Begins
The gospels of Luke and Matthew tell the Christmas story as we much prefer to have it told. But the gospel of Mark takes a much-different tack to welcome Jesus to our world. Mark skips all the stuff of peace on earth and mercy mild and gets right down to brass tacks. His version of events opens with a quick nod to the Old Testament prophet Isaiah and a cameo appearance by John the Baptist.
Video meditation: Lighting the Second Candle of Advent
John the Baptist calls God’s people into the journey of repentance and transformation. (Mark 1:1-8) Similarly, we are called to prepare the way for God’s message of love and liberation to be shouted, heard and received. Those who dream make way for “righteousness and peace to kiss, for faithfulness to spring up from the ground.”Continue reading “Video meditation: Lighting the Second Candle of Advent”
Like Those Who Dream
Even as most of us are flipping the switch that turns on the holiday lights, the Church points us toward a Gospel reading for the first Sunday of Advent that looks ahead to that great, coming day when all the lights will go out – for good! As we prepare to celebrate assurance of theContinue reading “Like Those Who Dream”
Video meditation: Lighting the First Candle of Advent
The opening verses of Psalm 126 provide the theme for our celebration of Advent and Christmas this year: “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.” What does it look like to live as those who dream? The biblical characters of Advent and Christmas – John the Baptist, Mary,Continue reading “Video meditation: Lighting the First Candle of Advent”