A Mystery Revealed in Plain Sight

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1 NATIVITY NEWS DECEMBER 2017 Pastor s Ponderings It s December and you don t need me to tell you what that means! As you go about your hectic schedule, I would like to offer the following article by Donovan Riley. His is a needed reminder of what really matters all the time but especially during this time of the year. Please take a few minutes to read his work and don t forget to check out the 1517 Legacy Project. There you will find a variety of stuff about the Word of God that has come for you. Peace and Grace Scott A Mystery Revealed in Plain Sight God's Word became flesh. That is a concrete, real fact. This means that the mystery of how God comes to us, to win us back from sin and death, is hiding in plain sight. The physical appearance of God's Word in time and place means we cannot look for God's rescue of sinners in some mystical, spiritual, take the third exit after the tollbooth to find him, kind of place. The mystery of how God saves sinners is located in a specific person, at a specific place, Who speaks a specific word of grace and truth to those who treat Him as enemy. God comes and tabernacles amongst us, and the name He chooses for Himself (the only name by which we may be saved) is Jesus. The mystery of God's saving grace is the mystery of Jesus, God's incarnate Word. But, sinners have a notoriously bad memory, especially in relation to God's chosen means of salvation. We have a mind of our own, after all. We do not need God to put a straight jacket on us in regard to His works and ways. We need freedom freedom to choose to move towards our Savior. We can choose our politics, hobbies, exercise routine, dietary wants, what musical genre we prefer, and even which theology we will subscribe to, so surely we must also have freedom in relation to the object of our thoughtful, heart-felt devotion. What good is a mystery, after all, if we are not provided the opportunity to solve it? How can we be authentic, authoritative proclaimers of the Gospel, the Good News of God in Christ, if we are not competent in our handling of the central mystery of our Christian faith? This approach has a number of built-in booby-traps though. First, and most important, is that it buries the Gospel. Once the Gospel is buried, the God-man is not the One who came to save sinners. He is instead, in our way of seeing things, the One who comes to judge sinners and, in some cases, to turn sinners into non-sinners. When we bury the Gospel we bury the power of God that reveals who Jesus is for us: the God-man Who has come to set us free from sin and death by His bloody suffering and God-forsaken death.

2 The Gospel Reveals But, the whole New Testament declares that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. This does not include our choosing, or God's threatening and frightening us into submitting ourselves to his judgment. God does not locate Himself in the manger so we can pay attention, follow His life and career, then use it as an example for how to get our life together. Jesus dies and rises for all those who cannot get their life together, do not get their life together, or do not want to clean up their act. As St. Paul writes, "while we were STILL SINNERS, Christ died for the ungodly." But, of course, this is too easy. The Gospel is too freeing for us. It is all too simple. We are justified by grace through faith in Christ alone? What about our effort, our good intentions, our time and money and energy dedicated to thanking, praising, and serving our God? Does that not count for anything? And this leads us into the deadliest booby-trap of all. We use theology to bury the Gospel. We turn words about God into words about the godly. We convert descriptions about our Savior into a recipe for self-salvation. We translate Jesus into a system of checks and balances intended to secure dogmatic, moral, and spiritual choice for ourselves. In short, when the Gospel is buried, our theology keeps Jesus on the bench until we are ready to put him in the game. In Christ, the Word become flesh, this is a concrete, real fact. It is the bedrock foundation of the Gospel. DONAVON RILEY The Gospel, on the other hand, reveals that the mystery of God's incarnation means the game is already won before we ever think to step on the court. We do not have to search for the proper metaphor or analogy to get a handle on the mystery of God's Word made flesh. He provides it for us in his parables, foremost among them being the Prodigal Son. The father forgives the prodigal before he does anything. He is simply a witness to the Good News that in Jesus' death and resurrection all debts are settled, not because we are competent or incompetent but because in the mystery of the God-man, God is the subject of all the verbs of our salvation. We are simply the object of his grace and favor. In Christ, the Word become flesh, this is a concrete, real fact. It is the bedrock foundation of the Gospel. It is the revelation of the mystery of how and why, where and when, and most importantly who God is for us. Not some truth we must pursue. Not some problem that needs to be solved if we are to enter into the wedding feast of the Lamb. Just Jesus, God in the flesh, our grace and truth today and always.

3 The annual Christmas Luncheon Party for the ladies of Harbor House will be Saturday, December 9 th from 10 a,m, to 1 p.m.. Volunteers are needed to serve as hosts/hostesses, help with crafts and prepare food and cookie dough. See the sign-up sheet in the narthex and help show these ladies that Nativity cares. Twenty six years ago Nativity Lutheran Church in Brandon began its annual live nativity scene. The tableau will be staged this year on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. both nights. Members of the congregation will again portray all the traditional human figures: Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the three men. The figure of the baby Jesus was a gift from a visitor who carried it by hand back from Mexico City. Also inhabiting the stable will be live animals including a cow, donkey and sheep. One of the wise men s camels will also be present. As always, the scene will be accompanied by the voice of Bob Holland, former Director of Radio at Mississippi Public Broadcasting, narrating the events that took place over 2,000 years ago. Each year preparations for the scene begin early when the costumes are checked, repaired and renewed. Then the weekend before Thanksgiving, the stable is set up and the star hung. The morning of the scene, hundreds of luminaries are set out filled with sand ready to be lit as evening approaches. Finally the animals are brought in and the scene is set for the annual event. The scene is located in front of the church at the corner of Crossgates Blvd. and Old Brandon Road. Visitors are invited to drive by or park and walk up and begin the month by remembering the true meaning of the season. As a reminder, each family will received a free nativity scene decoration to take home and make. Hot refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall.

4 The angel tree to help families at the Center for Violence Prevention is up in the narthex. As always there are two angels (one for toys, one for clothes) for each child. Social Ministry will add treats for the mothers from funds raised at major events. Please take an angel (or two or three there are a total of thirty representing fifteen children who have received shelter and/or services this year from CVP) Sign your name next to the number you take from the tree on the sheet on the table. Return your gifts unwrapped no later than Sunday, December 10 th. Be sure to put the angel number on your gifts. MIDWEEK ADVENT SERVICES December 6 th, 13 th and 20th. Suppers are at 6 PM and services are at 7 PM. We need volunteers to sign up for the meals which are usually soup and sandwiches. A sign-up sheet for the meals is posted in narthex. It is time to order poinsettias for Christmas. The last day to order is December 13th. Order Blanks are in the narthex for pick up. We still have copies of our excellent newest cookbook: TASTE AND SEE. This would be a great gift idea for the office Christmas gift exchange or a special gift for Great Aunt Edith who collects cookbooks. See the display on the Baker s rack in the hall by the kitchen. Be sure tp check out our bundle special! Our Youth are selling Christmas Cards and calendars for 2018! Please see the display in the Fellowship Hall. The funds will be used for Youth Activities and Summer Church Camp! Nativity Prayer List Please pray for: Moses Cage. Iris Loland, Roland Tyler, John Mc Innis, Nell Caldwell, David Brothers and Marie McAlpin.

5 December & January Birthdays Anniversaries Ruth Burgess 12/06 Kenzie Seward 12/07 Tony & Sue Caldwell 12/12 Alex Weisser 12/09 Walt & Marie Weysham 01/26 Dorothy Leavell 12/11 Hack Walston 12/16 Cindy Braatz 12/19 Chuck Gallagher 12/27 Charlie Thatch 12/29 If you wish to participate, please look for Pat Anderson 12/31 the sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex Kyle Voong 01/01 and provide your birthday and/or anniversary Ned Balsley 01/04 month & day only by your name so we can Debi Poole 01/04 wish you a Happy Day! Christopher Ketchum 01/11 Dan Behringer 01/13 John Halverson 01/20 Larry McClellan 01/24 Happy Birthday & Anniversary to All!!! Treasurer s October Report of Budget(Operating)Expenses* Planned Actual Actual Actual Expense* Paid Expense* Offerings* Difference Oct ,277 12,679 18, ,188 Oct ,439 12,599 18, ,328 YTD , , ,189-16,699 YTD , , ,121-12,197 * excluding special fund Consider Charitable Contributions of Appreciated Stock to Nativity One way to boost your charitable contributions is to give shares of appreciated stock instead of cash. You deduct the shares' fair market value and avoid income tax on the capital gain. Nativity then sells the shares and has the money to use to proclaim the Gospel. You may electronically transfer ownership of stock to Nativity s account by contacting Ann Starr, To transfer stock ownership electronically, the DTC number and Nativity s account number will be needed.

6 CALENDAR OF EVENTS December 2 December 3 December 6 December 9 December 10 December 13 December 17 December 20 December 24 December 25 10:00 AM Preparation for Live Nativity 5:30 PM Workers to light luminaries, set up food, etc. 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Live Nativity 8:00 & 10:30 AM Services with Holy Communion 9:15 AM Sunday School & Adult Bible Study 11:30 AM Service of Healing and Anointing with Oil 5:30 PM Workers to light luminaries, set up food, etc. 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Live Nativity 6:00 PM Advent Light Supper/7:00 PM Service 10:00 AM Harbor House Ladies Luncheon 8:00 & 10:30 AM Services with Holy Communion 9:15 AM Sunday School & Adult Bible Study Angel Tree gifts due 6:00 PM Advent Light Supper/7:00 PM Service Last day to order a Poinsettia 8:00 & 10:30 AM Services with Holy Communion 9:15 AM Adult Bible Study Return Stewardship commitment envelopes 6:00 PM Advent Light Supper/7:00 PM Service 7PM Christmas Eve Candle light Service The only service this Christmas Eve Sunday Merry Christmas!

7 NLC December, 2017 Volunteer List 10:30 Service December 3 December 10 Greeters Pamela Kirby Greeter Debi Poole Ambassador Lynn Templeton Ambassador Linda Tucker Ushers Halverson Family Ushers Keith Anderson/Tommy Templeton Lector Mitch Leavell Lector John Halverson Comm. Asst. Mitch Leavell Comm. Asst. John Halverson Nursery Hannah Poole Nursery Marcia Weaver Counters Boyde Bergum/Mitch Leavell Counters Keith Anderson/Norma Swanson Acolyte Wade Caldwell Acolyte Katie Mae Rials December 17 Greeters Kathy Peters Ambassador Meade Entrekin Ushers Hunt Family Lector Ed Van Cleef Comm. Asst. Ed Van Cleef Nursery Sue Caldwell Counters Hack Walston/Kathy Peters Acolyte Dane Stevens December 31 Greeters Ann Starr Ambassador Ruth Burgess Ushers Mitch Leavell/Rick Kirby Lector Keith Anderson Comm. Asst. Keith Anderson Nursery Lynn Templeton Counters Lynn & Matthew Templeton Acolyte Vivian Stevens December 24 Christmas Eve Greeter Meade Entrekin & Clyde Hatten Ambassador Joe Hunt Ushers Tony Caldwell/Kathy Peters Lector Joe Hunt Comm. Asst. Joe Hunt Nursery Pamela Kirby /Katie Mae Rials Counters Renate Hunt/Sue Caldwell Acolyte Matthew Templeton/Cameron Kirby / Cindy Braatz If you cannot serve on the dates shown, please try to swap with someone and let the office know of the change. Thanks. There will not be a January 2018 newsletter published. Please read announcements in the worship guides for news/activities in January. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!