NATIVITY NEWS DECEMBER Pastor s Ponderings

Transcription

1 NATIVITY NEWS DECEMBER 2015 Pastor s Ponderings Martin Luther was quite fond of the Advent and Christmas season because in it he recognized the miracle of all miracles: Immanuel, God with us. Luther was captivated not only by God living among us but also the lowly state of Christ s incarnation. Struck by Jesus humbleness, Luther once preached in a Christmas sermon, If Christ had arrived with trumpets and lain in a cradle of gold, his birth would have been a splendid affair. But it would not be a comfort to me. He was rather to lie in the lap of a poor maiden and be thought of little significance in the eyes of the world. Now I can come to him. Now he reveals himself to the miserable in order not to give any impression that he arrives with great power, splendor, wisdom, and aristocratic manners. Indeed, who would have ever thought that God almighty would smell of a stable? Because of Jesus humble beginnings there is a subtle theological danger that has exploded on the scene these days concerning Immanuel, and it has become quite popular. Appearing new, the danger is simply the old patripassion heresy that has plagued the church for years. Patripassionism is the belief that God, specifically God the Father, suffers. The list of those who have revived it reads like a virtual who s who list of contemporary theologians. Their names may not be familiar to you, but my hunch is their influence has impacted you in ways you don t even recognize. If you ve ever heard the haunting theme song for the television show Joan of Arcadia, you know what I m talking about. In One of Us, Joan Osborne wonders aloud what it would be like if God was one of us, just a stranger, a slob on a bus. Her conclusion is he d suffer the same loneliness people often suffer as he sits waiting all alone in heaven for someone to call. Thus, for Osborne, God is relatable because he is a fellow sufferer along the path of life. Sadly, this song is thought by many to be Christian. It is not. While the song certainly highlights the problem of God not preached, it does nothing to relieve the angst created by the hidden God. We are simply left to make sense of God by wondering if he is for

2 us or against us or if he even matters. God remaining behind a mask is always the problem of God as fellow sufferer. Now we must be careful at this juncture because it is true that Jesus is God and Jesus did in fact suffer. Theological precision is required so that we don t diminish the work of Jesus Christ, or simply collapse Jesus and God together and forget the Doctrine of the Trinity. It is more proper to say God is involved in the suffering of Jesus rather than an unqualified use of a phrase like God suffers. That brings me to my point, while Jesus humble state makes Christ available to all, including the poor and suffering, the Scripture teaches us that Christ went even deeper in human flesh to that state ever human, regardless of socioeconomic status, inhabits, life under the law. Born of a woman, born under the law, we read about Christ. Now those who are under the law are under a curse because the law demands perfection and who among us is perfect. Thus, Jesus position under the law certainly makes him a fellow sufferer of the law with us, but Jesus, because he is God, went deeper still to a place we cannot go. Not only was he under the curse of the law, he became the curse by taking the sins of the world. In other words, Jesus became sin; he became the only sinner and bore the entire condemnation of the law and it killed him. Far from simply identifying with the poor in their suffering, the purpose of Christmas was for Immanuel to take the sins of the world and bear them away so that they are no more. Yet, it pleased God the Father to raise God the son from the dead, minus the sin. That means there is hope for us because salvation, justification, freedom from the curse and condemnation of the law has been obtained by Jesus, and he did this for us. Remember his words to the disciples in that room where they were hiding after the crucifixion? Peace be with you, is what he said. They deserved judgment and death for betraying the Lord. Instead they got forgiveness, and forgiveness always results in peace with God. Therefore, alll that remains is to deliver the goods, to give you the promise that Christ came incarnate and died to obtain, the good news, and that is why I say to you, you are forgiven unconditionally by the Father because of Jesus and what he has done for you. Merry Christmas! Peace Scott Christmas Cookie Swap. Sunday, December 20 th, immediately after the 10: :30 service. If you would like to participate, bring two dozen cookies and we will swap goodies. Please sign up on the Cookie Swap sign-in sheet in the narthex so we have an idea of how many will be participating. Any questions, please see Hannah or Debi Poole.

3 The angel tree to help families at the Center for Violence Prevention is up. There are thirty angels, two angels (one for toys, one for clothes) for each of fifteen children. Be an angel, take an angel (or two or three) and help make Christmas brighter for families being served by the Center for Violence Prevention (CVP). Please sign your name next to the number of the angel(s) you take from the tree. Add some paper and ribbon and return unwrapped gifts to the church by December 13 th. Be sure to clearly mark your gift with the number of your angel. LIVE NATIVITY Nativity Lutheran Church's Live Nativity Scene will be staged this year on Saturday, December 5 th, f rom 6 to 8 p.m. and on Sunday, December 6 th, from 6 to 8 p.m. Celebrating twenty-four years as a community tradition, the scene in 2015 will again depict all the traditional figures. Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, shepherds, and the wise men will be portrayed by members of the church. Adding to the authenticity are live stable animals including a cow, donkey, sheep and goats. Even one of the wise men's camels will be present. Narration by Bob Holland (formerr Director of Radio for Mississippi Public Broadcasting) accompanies the scene describing the events that took place over 2000 years ago. Preparations for the scene begin in the summer when the ladies of the church check, repair and renew the costumes. Then the weekend before Thanksgiving the church men set up the stable and hang the lights for the star. The youth help the morning of the scene filling the 300 luminaries with sand, setting them out and lighting them as evening approaches. Finally the animals arrive and the scene is set for the annual event Visitors are invited to drive by or park and walk up and begin the month by remembering the true meaning of the season. Hot refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall. Volunteers are needed for all the characters, greeters, food service, and help with costumes. Please sign up in the narthex.

4 HOLIDAY LUNCHEON Our annual luncheon for Harbor House is coming up December 12 th. You ve invited to join their ladies for morning fellowship of crafts followed by a delicious lunch. Please sign up in the narthex and help brighten the holiday season for those who are struggling with difficult times in their lives. OTHER HOLIDAY GIFTS Your social ministry committee will use funds raised at the rummage sale/craft fair to purchase small Christmas gifts for the residents of Whitfield and Grace House. MIDWEEK ADVEN NT SERVICES START DECEMBER 2n nd. Suppers are at 6 PM and services are at 7 PM. We need volunteers to sign up fo or the meals which are usually soup and san ndwiches. A sign-up sheet for the meal ls 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.

5 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 to check out our bundle special! 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. $$$$$$$Treasurer s October Report of Budget(Operating)Expenses*$$$$$$$ Planned Expense* Oct, ,315 Oct, ,837 YTD, ,154 YTD, ,371 Actual Actual Actual Paid Expense* Offerings* Difference 12,246 18, ,683 11,706 11, , ,757-10, , ,378-5,166 * excluding special funds

6 December & January Birthdays Anniversaries Ruth Burgess 12/06 Kenzie Seward 12/07 Alex Weisser 12/09 Dorothy Leavell 12/11 Hack Walston 12/16 Cindy Braatz 12/19 Lauri Gregory 12/20 Claudia Sendelweck 12/22 Chuck Gallagher 12/27 Charlie Thatch 12/29 Pat Anderson 12/31 Kyle Voong 01/01 Ned Balsley 01/04 Debi Poole 01/04 Christopher Ketchum 01/11 Jake Koch 01/12 Dan Behringer 01/13 Mark Gregory 01/17 Samantha Gregory 01/17 John Halverson 01/20 Lauren Edwards 01/21 Larry McClellan 01/24 Tony & Sue Caldwell Jake & Carly Koch Walt & Marie Weysham 12/12 12/18 01/26 If you wish to participate, please look for the sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex and provide your birthday and/or anniversary month & day only by your name so we can wish you a Happy Day! Happy Birthday & Anniversary to All!!! Nativity Prayer List Please pray for: Moses Cage, Clyde Hatten, Slavo Mulik, David Mancuso, Brian Johnson and Bobby.

7 CALENDAR OF EVENTS December 2 Noon Bible Study 6:00 PM Advent Light Supper/7:00 PM Service December 5 10:00 AM Preparation for Live Nativity 5:00 PM Workers to light luminaries, set up food, etc. 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Live Nativity December 6 December 9 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 5:00 PM Workers to light luminaries, set up food, etc. 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Live Nativity 8:00 til. Clean up after Live Nativity Noon Bible Study 6:00 PM Advent Light Supper/7:00 PM Service December 12 10:00 AM Harbor House Ladies Luncheon December 13 December 16 December 20 December 24 December 27 8:00 & 10:30 AM Services with Holy Communion 9:15 AM Sunday School & Adult Bible Study Angel Tree gifts due/ Last day to order a Poinsettia Noon Bible Study 6:00 PM Advent Light Supper/7:00 PM Service 8:00 & 10:30 AM Services with Holy Communion 9:15 AM Adult Bible Study Cookie Swap fellowship immediately after 10:30 service Return Stewardship commitment envelopes 7PM Christmas Eve Candle light Service 8:00 & 10:30 AM Services with Holy Communion 9:15 AM Adult Bible Study \

8 NLC December, 2015 Volunteer List 10:30 Service December 6 December 13 Greeters Jim & Pat Moulds Greeter Mitch Leavell Ambassador Meade Entrekin Ambassador Dorothy Leavell Pew Buddy - Joe Hunt Pew Buddy - Linda Tucker Ushers Rick Kirby/Renate Hunt Ushers Debbie Pruett & Hack Walston Lector Rick Shultz Lector Mitch Leavell Comm. Asst. Rick Shultz Comm. Asst. Mitch Leavell Nursery Marcia Weaver Nursery Haley Templeton/Cameron Kirby Counters Lynn & Haley Templeton Counters Keith Anderson/Norma Swanson Acolyte Matthew Templeton Acolyte Katie Mae Rials December 20 December 24 Greeters Kathy Peters Greeter Renate Hunt Ambassador Linda Tucker Ambassador Ruth Burgess Pew Buddy - Mitch Leavell Pew Buddy - Clyde Hatten Ushers Hannah Poole & Mitch Leavell Ushers Halverson Family Lector Joe Hunt Lector Ed Van Cleef Comm. Asst. Joe Hunt Comm. Asst. Debbie Pruett Nursery Linda & Alex Tucker Nursery Lynn & Matthew Templeton Counters Hack Walston & Kathy Peters Counters None Acolyte Wade Caldwell Acolyte Haley Templeton December 27 Greeters Linda Tucker Ambassador Joe Hunt Pew Buddy - Susan Landrum Ushers Tommy Templeton/Keith Anderson Lector John Halverson Comm. Asst. John Halverson Nursery Sue Caldwell & Katie Kirby Counters Cindy & Fred Braatz Acolyte Alex Tucker 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, 2016 newsletter published. Please read announcements in the worship guides for news/activities in January. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!