Tuesday 27 December 2016

Sermon for Christmas Day --- The Festival of the Nativity of Our Lord -- 25 December 2016


John 1:1-14

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
·        The readings for Christmas are so familiar, they could be recited by almost any of us here. The figures and symbols of the story are so well known that we expect to see them in a certain way and in a certain place and even in a certain light.
·        And then there’s the beginning of the the Gospel of John.
·        Again the words are familiar, so familiar that we know them by heart. What they mean is a different story. Without going into a lot of background, we’ll just say that John was writing to deal with a specific issue within the church of his day.
·        His writing is poetic and powerful. It is also hard to understand for many. The beginning of the Gospel of John may even have been a quotation from a hymn used in worship at the time. In any event, it is a sort of high theological poetry, expressing what mere words could not.
·        The Word, by which God made the world and all that exists, expresses God and exists with God always. That same Word became flesh in such a deep mystery that our minds cannot comprehend it nor can our minds wring all the meaning out of it.
·        John writes of light and life. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
·        This festival we celebrate today – the birth of Jesus Christ – is a celebration of that life and light. In John’s understanding, life and light are inseparable.
·        In our worship today, we see light and life joined together again in Word and Sacrament. In this service, we have baptized Katarina Marie and she now carries within her the same light of Christ as we all do. All of us here also renewed our Baptismal vows and that same light is renewed in us.
·        Some of us might wonder if celebrating a Baptism on the day of such a festival as Christmas is appropriate. In truth, there is no such thing as a bad day for a Baptism. A Baptism on Christmas Day reminds us all that Jesus came among us as one of us, and that his first experience of earthly life was that of an infant – small and helpless.
·        I think that our National Bishop, Susan Johnson said it well: There are many times in my life that I have taken great comfort in the knowledge of the humanity of Jesus: that God truly understands the joys and the sorrows of human existence.
I hope that, as I do, you can continue to take comfort and strength from the promise that Emmanuel, our God, is with us.
·        The eyes of our faith will see the heavenly light that overcomes all darkness, no matter what the situation. In the same way, our eyes of faith see the light that Katarina carries… and the light that we each carry.

·        As the Word became flesh in the Child of Bethlehem, the Word may be found in each of us as children of God, born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. In this, we are bearers of Christ. John is right; And the Word became flesh and lived among us… Emmanuel remains with us and his presence among us is the light that no darkness can overcome.

Sermon for Christmas Eve -- the Festival of the Nativity of Our Lord -- 24 December 2016

(Since the bulletin for Christmas Eve was rather large, it will not be included any blog entry.)

Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]

1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

[15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.]



she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
·        The pictures these verses bring to our mind are always quite memorable. Mary and Joseph gathered around the manger with the child, all wrapped up in cloth, lying quietly in the hay. The animals stand by and look on in their animal way. Shepherds arrive to see this incredible sight, one that had been told to them by an angel with accompanying choirs and then they leave, glorifying and praising God. There’s usually snow and a gentle glow of light, too.
·        This is how we picture it and how we see it depicted on Christmas cards and in most other visual ways. Many churches even make a three-dimensional show of it, some even using live actors and real animals.
·        Whether or not the birth of Christ came about in just the way we imagine it does not matter quite so much. All of this has become traditional for us. It can be heart-warming… or it can just be cute.
·        But is it over-whelming? Is it astounding? Is it humbling?
·        It is, if we think about it a while.
·        Christmas, the festival of the Nativity of Our Lord, can be over-whelming. This is not so much because of all that has been added to the festival – the lights, the gifts, the pastries, the visits, which are all enjoyable even as they add to our stress. It is over-whelming because the festival is filled with awe, something the dictionary defines as “a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.” The truly awesome birth of Jesus Christ deserves respect… and wonder… and fear.
·        The Creator of all lies hidden as the youngest child. The All-powerful One has become as helpless as an infant because the All-powerful One has been born an infant. The Saviour of the world and all of humankind wears a diaper and shivers in the night.
·        Christmas can be astounding and it should be. We cannot wrap our minds around what is actually going on. It is and will always remain beyond us. It is not possible for us to comprehend what has taken place here in what might be called one of the most common human experiences. Think for a moment: haven’t we all been through being born? It really is the only way we know how to get here. And tonight we celebrate God laying aside all power and glory and majesty… to become like us, to be as we are.
·        Christmas and all that it encompasses is humbling. Christ is born in the most humble circumstances – born in a stable because there was no place for them in the inn. His birth is attended by his family, some animals, and later some poor and despised shepherds. The angels are not there at the stable, at least they don’t make their presence known. The angels do sing the praise of God and tell the shepherds of this great event out in the field where the shepherds’ flocks can be found, but at the manger they are silent.
·        What is truly humbling is the reason why this birth came to pass. The angels told the shepherds to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. The One who was promised and awaited was here, but not as many had expected. The humble circumstances of his birth is humbling and up-lifting to us at the same time. As John would write “THE WORD became flesh” which uplifts us and “The Word became FLESH”, which humbles us.
·        Throughout the history of the Church, Christians have looked at this mystery with wonder and amazement. The presence of Jesus as both divine and human is beyond our understanding and shows God’s willingness to join with us and all of creation in the brokenness of the world just as it is. The fact that God became one of us was the most wonderful thing Martin Luther could imagine. It shaped everything else he thought, did, and felt. He wrote this:
Upon a manger filled with hay
In poverty content he lay
With milk was fed the Lord of all
Who feeds the ravens when they call.
·        We Christians of this present day can only stand in wonder of what we know of the event we celebrate. Over the past few weeks, I was blessed to find an ancient Christian hymn that expresses this wonder. It’s not well known in the West and it comes from the Christians of the ancient churches of Syria and the Middle East. Here is text of it:
Today is born of a Virgin,
     he who holds creation in the hollow of his hand.
he who in his essence cannot be handled
     is wrapped in swaddling clothes.
God, who in the beginning established the heavens,
     lies in a manger   
He who rained Manna on the people in the wilderness,
     is nourished with milk from his mother’s breast.
The Bridegroom of the Church summons Magi.
     The Son of the Virgin accepts their gifts.
We worship your birth, O Christ.
     Show us also your Theophany.
God bless and be with us all this Christmas… for that is why Jesus, the Word, became flesh.

Sunday 18 December 2016

The Bulletin for Advent IV ---- 18 December 2016

December 18, 2016                   Service of Holy Communion

GUIDE TO WORSHIP

Prelude Music

Ringing the Bell
Announcements


Advent teaching


Lighting the Advent Wreath

(See the facing page.)
Advent Wreath Hymn
*
#248  People, Look East, vs. 1-4
The Apostolic Greeting
*
Pg. 147  (Setting #4)
Prayer of the Day
*
(Celebrate - Pg. 1)
First Reading

Isaiah 7:10-16  (Celebrate - Pg.1)
Responsorial

Ps. 80:1-7, 17-19 (Spoken) (Celebrate Pg. 2)
Second Reading

Romans 1:1-7  (Celebrate - Pg.3)
Gospel Acclamation
*
Pg. 151  (Alleluia.)
HOLY GOSPEL
*
Matthew 1:18-25  (Celebrate - Pg.3)
Sermon


Hymn of the Day
*
#257  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
The Apostles’ Creed
*
Pg. 105
 Prayers of Intercession
*
(Celebrate - Pg. 4)
The Sharing of the Peace
*

Presentation of  the Offering
*
#253  He Came Down
 Offering Prayer
*
Pg. 107  {if you wish to follow}
Preface & Holy, Holy, Holy
*
Pg. 153
The Great Thanksgiving
*

The Lord’s Prayer
*
Pg. 154  {prayed together}
Communion Hymns
{hymns will be sung as needed}

Pg. 154  Lamb of God
#293  That Boy-Child of Mary
#245  Creator of the Stars of Night
Post-Communion Canticle
*
#501  Come With Us, O Blessed Jesus
Prayer & Benediction
*
Pg. 114
Closing Hymn
*
#242  Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn
Dismissal
*
Pg. 115 (Rsp:“Thanks be to God”)
Postlude



* = congregation stands (as able)

448 Talbot Street West,  Aylmer, Ontario  N5H 1L1
P & F:  519-773-2175     E-mail:  info@stjohnsaylmer.ca
Rev. John Goldsworthy  519 -207-2224
E-mail:  Jgoldsw00@aol.com
Organist:  Karin Barrie


When Mary gives birth, the time is fulfilled.  When we hear the Word, the time is fulfilled.  When we receive Jesus’ body and blood, the time is fulfilled.  When we come to believe, the time is fulfilled. Now is the day of salvation.  Now is always the day of fulfillment. Jesus saw to that.

Please note:  The Advent wreath prayers are to be found below. For Advent, we continue to experiment with different sorts of prayer for this part of the service.

Order for Lighting the Advent Wreath
P. God of love, may this wreath and its light remind us that Jesus came to save us from our sin.  Bless this wreath and all who gather around it as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christmas.  Come, Lord Jesus, bring hope, faith, and life to our world.
C.  Amen.
P.  Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts.  As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us.  Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter.  Our hearts are open to you, Jesus
C.  Amen.
All.  Joyous light of glory of the immortal Father,
   Heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ,
   We have come this day
   And we look to this rising light in a dark season.
   We sing to God, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
    You are worthy of being praised with pure voices forever.
    O Son of God, O Giver of Light,
   The universe proclaims your glory. Amen.
(The hymn follows.)

Welcome!

Everyone is invited to stay for fellowship after the service.

We pray today for all the sick in our congregation, especially Colin & Elfriede Hayes, Else Kalmbach and her son, Nancy Mayberry, Hilda Moritz, George & Astrid Simonis and John Weninger.  May God grant all of them His healing grace in Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Offering Envelopes - Everyone has unnumbered envelopes, so please remember to put your name, date and donation amount on the front of each envelope so you get credit for your donations.  If you need more envelopes, there are some in the Fellowship Hall. 

PAR – Pre-Authorized Remittance – Your church needs you!  Signing up for PAR allows you to make donations on a monthly basis even if you’re not in church.  Application forms are available on the table in the Fellowship Hall.  All you have to do is complete the form, attach a VOID cheque and put it in the offering plate or in the church office.

Communion Cards are required to be completed once per year per person.  If you have not completed one yet this year, please ask the usher for one.

The communion supplies for Advent and Christmas Eve have been donated in loving memory by the family of Meta and Steve Boehm.

The flowers on the stands are donated by Herb & Jeannette Kebbel in memory of their parents, Adolph & Emma Kebbel and Neil & Eva McPhail and by Frieda Neukamm in memory of her husband, Emil and her parents August & Helene Kebbel.

Corner Cupboard
Christmas is a good time to support the Corner Cupboard.  Please help by bringing in non-perishable goods and placing them in the box outside the Sacristy.  Monetary donations are also accepted.

Hats & Mitts & Socks For Kids
Some children go to school without hats, mittens and socks.  Let’s help keep the children warm this winter!  Donations of children’s hats, mittens/gloves, socks (store bought or hand-made) will be accepted during Advent.  There will be a Christmas tree in the Fellowship Hall to decorate with donated hats, mitts and socks.

Aylmer Optimist Toy Drive
Every year, the Aylmer Optimists collect new toys for children, up to age 15, for Christmas.  Let’s help make Christmas special for some area boys and girls.  Unwrapped, new toys can be left under the Christmas tree in the Fellowship Hall during Advent.

Christmas Eve Service – Saturday, December 24
7:00 p.m. – with Holy Communion

Christmas Day Service – Sunday, December 25
10:30 a.m. – with Holy Communion

Annual Church Supper – Sunday, April 9 @ 5:00 p.m.
Volunteers are needed for selling tickets, cooking, serving, making fruit flans, setting tables, cleaning up.  Mark your calendar and plan to attend and help.  Tickets are available at The Flower Fountain, Campbell’s, Kebbel’s Funeral Home @ 519-773-8400 and Frieda Neukamm @ 519-773-8895.

Get your tickets early before they’re sold out!  They make great Christmas presents too!!!