Entries by Kristin

Over Everything…for the Church

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“Who’s in charge?” That’s an important question. There are many times and places in life where we need to know the answer to that! Children in school need to know who is in charge of the classroom. Players on a team need to know who is in charge and gets to choose the plays and the players. In your place of work you need to know who is in charge. Soldiers going to battle need to know who’s in charge. And if you’ve ever had to have surgery, you sure want to know who’s in charge and calling the shots in the operating room!

Good Friday – Service of Darkness

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The Service of Darkness centers on a series of lessons, psalms, and liturgical texts that reflect on the Lord’s crucifixion and our repentance. As the service progresses, the candles of a sevenfold candelabrum are extinguished until only one remains. This candle is not extinguished but is removed from the chancel, leaving the church in darkness. The service is closed by a loud noise (known as the strepitus) that foreshadows the rending of Jesus’ tomb on Easter. After the strepitus, the last candle, still burning, is returned to the chancel. It thus anticipates the light of the paschal candle. The service ends without a benediction. We exit in silence to reassemble on the Festival.

Wash Me, Savior, or I Die!

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There are a number of incredibly profound sentences at the beginning of our text that we might miss if we’re not careful. In the very first verse, John tells us, Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. (v. 1) Jesus knew that the rescue mission that had begun with his conception in the womb of the virgin Mary was soon coming to an end and he would be returning to Father in heaven!

JESUS IS GOD ROLLING UP HIS SLEEVES!

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The Lord many times comes to rescue his people. The entire Old Testament tells story after story of the Lord’s gracious and powerful intervention on behalf of his own. Perhaps the greatest and best-known story in the Old Testament of rescue is the story of how the Lord brought the nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt.

Christmas is a Little Bit of Heaven

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“Christmas is a little bit of heaven!” Have you ever heard anyone say something along those lines? Some people will say it because it is the time of year when the entire family is able to get together. Children may feel that way because it is a two week vacation from school and teachers may say it because it is a two week vacation from children. For some, maybe seeing the smiles of children make this time of year a little bit of heaven. Whatever it may be, people have their reasons for saying, “Christmas is a little bit of heaven.” But very few, if pressed, would say Christmas is LITERALLY a little bit of heaven.

Is Jesus the One?

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Last week we heard about John the Baptist. We heard how John the Baptist came on the scene in the spirit and power of Elijah and preached repentance to the people. We heard how he baptized people for the forgiveness of sins in the Jordan River. We heard how he pointed people to the One coming after him, the One whose sandals John felt unworthy to untie.

“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is Near!”

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The people were waiting for a new king and a new kingdom. This hope and expectation had been borne in them by the sacred text of the Old Testament. Already in Genesis, aged Jacob had prophesied about the One who would come from Judah to whom the scepter belonged. (Genesis 49:10) Their hope of a future king and kingdom was further shaped by prophecies like Isaiah who spoke about the Child, the Son, who would have the government on his shoulders, whose government and reign would never end. (Isaiah 9:6-7) At the time of Daniel, the people were given the description of the one “like a son of man” who approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all peoples, nations, and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14) Jewish hopes and expectations hung on a king and a new kingdom.

The Lord is Near!

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To begin this morning, may I say to you that there are two ways we can approach the next few weeks in our culture. On the one hand, we can say, along with just about everyone, “Christmas is near!” And there is a way of saying those words that “detaches” them from real meaning and significance. The word “Christmas” used more like it’s a deadline. “Christmas is near! I gotta have the presents purchased, wrapped, in the mail or under the tree. I’ve gotta have the cookies made and the decorations up. I’ve gotta have the cards mailed, at least to the people who sent one to me! I gotta have the food ready for Christmas Day dinner. I’ve gotta have the guest room ready. Ahhhh! Christmas is near!” The sentence triggers anxiety.