Call to Worship
Psalm 148
(responsively)
Opening Hymn
I Sing the Might Power of God
Invocation
O God, our heavenly Father, you came to us as an infant, a child of love; you lived among us as your son Jesus, a man of peace; you dwell now in our midst and in our lives as the Holy Spirit, our source of strength. Be present now, we pray, in this our time of worship. Help us to see what you have created and set before us; open our minds to the words and thoughts of those around us. As you have created us in your own image, so fill us with your love, and peace, and strength, that even in the face of adversity we may remember that in praying in your name, we shall be victorious over the power of Satan. Mold is in your hands, and make us instruments of your bidding. These things we pray through Jesus Christ, your son, our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Service of Relighting the Advent Wreath
Pastoral Prayer
You have heard our petitions on behalf of those in need, dear God; grant unto them
your love, your compassion, your healing grace. Make them to know that you are with them,
sustaining them, upholding them in their time of trouble, sorrow, and pain. Restore them, O God,
if it be your will, to fullness of life and health.
As we pause and take time to reflect upon you, O God, we become aware of your greatness. Out of nothing did you create all things; by your hand were made all living things; from dust you fashioned humankind, then breathed into our nostrils the breath of life. You gave humankind dominion over all the birds of the air and the fish of the sea and every other creature that lives upon the face of the earth. You gave abundance of all things that we would need to sustain ourselves for all time. And yet, Dear Heavenly Father, we have not been satisfied. We have taken the gift of knowledge, and turned it into self-pride. We have taken wisdom, and made it prideful greed. We have taken love, and made it into selfish fulfilment of personal desire. We ask
for more, and give no thanks for all that you have already bestowed upon us in abuncance.
Forgive us, Father. It is only in the greatest gift which you did bestow upon us, the gift of yourself in the body and person of Christ Jesus our Savior, that we become aware of our sinfulness. By his presence, we know the true meaning of love, wisdom and knowledge. For this we truly give you our thanks and praise. We turn again to you, and ask for your saving grace, that we might be made whole once more. Hear us, as we pause and offer unto you our personal prayers and needs, knowing that you will give us out of you abundance is we but ask.
As we have prayed four ourselves and our church, Dear God, so do we pray for all the world.
May your Spirit of Truth prevail/ we ask this in the name of Christ Jesus.
Amen.
Hymn
Go Tell It on the Mountain
Romans 12:9-31.
SERMON
Where Do We Stand?
Several years ago, I was asked to fill in one Sunday at a church near my home. As I began preparing for that service, a loud clap of thunder set my mind into motion. "Where do you
stand?" that thunder seemed to ask me. And I immediately began to think about all the things that had been in the news recently: the problems with a new street drug called "crack," Americans who were still being held hostage in Asia; the severe drought plaguing the South. And then I remembered all of the newspaper articles about children and young people expressing fears about death and about being blown up or injured and maimed by a nuclear war. With that came to mind these words: "Vengeance is mine, says the Lord."
As a child I had a playmate who was set apart from all the rest of us kids. He was handicapped by a speech defect as the result of an abnormal development of his tongue and mouth. He frequently was the object of ridicule by other kids who didn't know him. Yet in spite of this handicap, in spite of the constant teasing, in spite of all the shabby treatment he got, even from his friends and family, I cannot, even today, think of a single time he ever tried to get revenge on anyone for the things they did to him. Even the time that three or four of our "gang" grabbed him and held him down on the ground after he gave me bloody nose, (which I must confess happened purely by accident), and I hit him, giving him what he had given me, – the very
next day we were playing together again, just as if nothing had happened.
I don't believe that today my friend even remembers that incident, much less has harbored any vengeful thoughts toward me or any one of those old "gang" members. Although he has grown to adulthood, and has managed to be a better than average worker and laborer, he continues to be friend to all, no matter how they treat, or have treated him.
I tell you this story because I believe now as I did then, that in a very simplistic way, my friend's life is an example from which we all can, and should learn. My friend isn't a member of
any church or religious group; he has never read the Bible – he cannot read. Because of his inability to communicate on an intellectual level, he does not have the capacity to comprehend or interpret what we have heard so often. But in his own way, he seeks to do that which he believes is the right thing to do, never asking what there is in it for himself. Yes, he can get angry; he's ranted and raved at times, just like all of us have done; he has even complained about the way others have sometimes been treated; but he has never spoken about getting even or of hurting
anyone in retaliation. When he gets angry, it's directed at himself for something he done, or believes he's failed to do.
Within just the past two weeks we were witnesses to the young people of this congregation displaying their belief in God as they put on their Christmas program. Too often the messages we get from other sources about young people are filled with negativity, but these young people in this congregation continue to paint a picture of hope. Their simple faith lifts us in hope that no matter how bleak the future may appear at times, all is not lost. Young people in the church continue to show us that they believe in God, in his promises, and in that better life which he offers. They demonstrate a seeking to make this world in which we live a better place, quick to help, but slow to bet even.
But that clap of thunder came back and asked once more – "Where do you stand?" And once again I remembered those words: "Vengeance is mine, says the Lord."
Why did those words so suddenly taunt me – echoing over and over again in my head? Why did I keep hearing – "Vengeance is mine, says the Lord, – Vengeance is mine."
Maybe it was because I needed to be reminded that God alone may seek vengeance. Maybe I needed to be reminded that I am a weak mortal – only one of God's many creations – and that it is not I who judge, but God – and that I am His servant – called to care for his creation – to do a little good – and not to hold a grudge against my brother or sister. I am here to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to comfort the sick. I am called to be friend of the friendless, to love the unlovable. I am not to hate, or to harm, or to get even with anyone; rather, I am to heap goodness upon goodness, even upon my enemies, and leave vengeance to God. Maybe I needed to look to my friend, to the youth in the church, to Jesus, my savior, in order that I might restructure my life.
Maybe, just maybe, that clap of thunder was a warning from God – and a reminder, that vengeance is his, and his alone.
Amen.
Hymn
Lord, I want to Be a Christian
Benediction
As now we depart,
may the blessing of God be with each and everyone,
guiding you in all that
you do;
and may the Spirit of the Risen Christ
keep your hearts filled with his love.
Amen.