Wednesday Words for December 19, 2012
from Pastor Carrie Smith
Thought for the Day, in light of the Newtown tragedy:
“When the old Christendom spoke of the coming again of the Lord Jesus, it always thought first of all of a great day of judgment. And as un-Christmas-like as this idea may appear to us, it comes from early Christianity and must be taken with utter seriousness … . The coming of God is truly not only a joyous message, but is, first, frightful news for anyone who has a conscience. And only when we have felt the frightfulness of the matter can we know the incomparable favor. God comes in the midst of evil, in the midst of death, and judges the evil in us and in the world. And in judging it, he loves us, he purifies us, he sanctifies us, he comes to us with his grace and love. He makes us happy as only children can be happy.”
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer, martyred Lutheran pastor and theologian, in “God is in the Manger”
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In our prayers: Cole Gaffney (now recovering at home), Bill Kohl, Carol Stupar (now recovering at home); Alice McDonald (in home hospice care); all who are grieving the loss of loved ones this week; teachers and other school workers; and for all schoolchildren, that they would feel safe and secure each day in school.
Tonight at Bethany: We gather at 7 pm for “The Longest Night: A Service of Reflection during Advent”. This is an opportunity to gather and remember the loved ones we miss; to pray for a world shaken by violence, and ask God to heal our hearts broken by loss. We will sing, pray, and write our griefs and concerns on paper stars to be hung on a tree in the front of the church. These stars will remain through Christmas, a visible sign that God comes to be with us in the midst of our pain. All are welcome to attend this service.
Sunday at Bethany: We…are…almost…there! Join us for the 4th Sunday of Advent, when our theme will be “Living Together in Peace.” We’ve spent the last few weeks reflecting on the violence in us and in the world. We’ve confessed our part in furthering a culture of hate and exclusion. And we’ve prayed for Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to guide us into the way of peace. Now, we will gather to celebrate that the wait is almost over! Our hearts are ready, the path is cleared, our prayers have been offered, and the baby is about to be born!
Special Music will be offered by Bethany Choir at 9 am and by Jeanna Hoekstra and Andy McKay playing a saxophone duet at 10:45 am. I will be preaching, and Pastor Paul will preside at the table. Join us for a service of joyful anticipation!
Christmas Eve Information: Worship on Christmas Eve will be at 5 pm, 7 pm, and 10:30 pm. The 5 pm service is designed especially for families with children. Pastor Paul will preach, youth will be doing the readings and serving in other ways, and children will have a chance to ring jingle bells as part of our Christmas music-making! At 7 and 10:30, you can expect a more formal Christmas festival, including 30 minutes of pre-service music at 6:30 and 10 pm. I will be preaching at these 2 services. Holy Communion will be celebrated at all three services. I hope you see you all there!
Bishop Mark Hanson expresses grief over the Sandy Hook shootings: “Today we express our sorrow for lives lost in Newtown, and we are being drawn together as a people. May this tragic moment become the occasion to experience the depth of God’s mercy and the love of Jesus,” said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop. “May our mourning move us to join together to turn back a rising tide of violence, for this is not the world that God desires for God’s children. In this season of Advent, we bear witness that our hope is in Christ, the prince of peace,” said Hanson.
Need last minute gifts? You can give something unexpected this Christmas: a duck, a goat, or even an alpaca! ELCA Good Gifts are gifts that make a difference. Click here to give now: ELCA Good Gifts
Upcoming opportunity at the Raue Center: Documentary about the foster care system ("From Place to Place") January 6, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Free admission! Sponsored by CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of McHenry County. To reserve seat: 815-356-9212 or casafilm@rauecenter.org
Questions? Call Bethany member Debbie Groat at 815-236-0605
Texts for this Sunday: Advent 4
Micah 5:2-5a
5Now you are walled around with a wall; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the ruler of Israel upon the cheek. 2But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. 3Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. 4And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; 5and he shall be the one of peace.
Hebrews 10:5-10
5Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; 6in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’ (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).” 8When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Luke 1:39-55
39In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” 46And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Peace,
+ Pastor Carrie Smith
