Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Jerelyn Walters
Flower guild Ministry Leader, Altar guild, Lay Reader, Restoring Eden,Lay Eucharistic Visitor

Matthew 9:35-38

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; 38therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’

Devotional

This is our call to service in Jesus’ name. I don’t think anyone has ever explained this call better than St. Theresa of Avila (1515-1582). To paraphrase her famous prayer:

“Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which his compassion will look upon the world. Yours are the hands and feet with which he goes about doing good. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”

We are Christ’s body – if we do not serve his purpose in the world no one will. If we do not look with compassion on our suffering world, no one will. He has prepared the field for us; we have only to harvest what his love has sown. The work needs doing. We are called to the harvest.

Additional Readings

Psalm 119:57-64; Isaiah 60:4-9; Romans 8:15-23

Monday, December 30, 2013

Carole Brown

Lamentations 3:26-36

26 It is good that one should wait quietly
   for the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for one to bear
   the yoke in youth,
28 to sit alone in silence
   when the Lord has imposed it,
29 to put one’s mouth to the dust
   (there may yet be hope),
30 to give one’s cheek to the smiter,
   and be filled with insults.
31 For the Lord will not
   reject for ever.
32 Although he causes grief, he will have compassion
   according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
33 for he does not willingly afflict
   or grieve anyone.
34 When all the prisoners of the land
   are crushed under foot,
35 when human rights are perverted
   in the presence of the Most High,
36 when one’s case is subverted
   —does the Lord not see it?

Devotional

In these verses from Lamentations, each of us -- young and old -- is urged to "sit alone in silence." During this season of Advent-waiting, we are instructed to plan time for careful examination of personal life and self.

As well, we are to examine our role in actively securing human rights for others. Finding time for personal reflection will not be easy; discovering home truths will not be easy.

Nevertheless...

As contemporary authors have written: "The path of descent is the path of transformation" (Richard Rohr) and "Cry Pain, Cry Hope" (Elizabeth O'Connor.) The path of growth entails discipline. Discipline entails obedience. Obedience entails descent. Descent yields growth. And hope.

"It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

The authors of Lamentations prepare us to risk being opened to new awareness of both personal and national sins and omissions by assuring us at the outset of God's care and love for us. "He does not willingly afflict or grieve." "He will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love."

The journey to deeper awareness may be painful, but we do not journey alone. Christ journeys with us; as, indeed, we journey toward Christ.

At Christmas, as we look deep into the Wisdom of those new-born, as-yet-unfocused eyes, we will be asked by the Wisdom in those eyes: Who are you? Having spent time alone in silence, having grown more whole, we can answer that question more truthfully.

And it may come to pass that we ask: Who are You, sweet baby? And the Babe will respond, "I AM has sent me."

Additional Readings

Lamentations 3:26-36; Acts 16:25-34; John 13:31-35

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Alison Johansen
Advent Festival, Advent Devotional, Summer Children’s Chapel

Listen to this Devotional.

John 1:1-18

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life,* and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The 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. 11He came to what was his own,* and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who 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. 15(John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) 16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,* who is close to the Father’s heart,* who has made him known.

Devotional

God gave us his only Son
To light the way 'til night is done.
In our faith we find our place,
By his truth and through his grace.
So thankful that His light has come
Are we, and all God's little ones.
Amen.

Additional Readings

Psalm 147; Isaiah 61:10— 62:3; Galatians 3:23-25, 4:4-7

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Jerelyn Walters
Flower Guild Ministry Leader, Altar Guild, Restoring Eden Garden, Choir

Matthew 18:1-14

18At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ 2He called a child, whom he put among them, 3and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

6 ‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling-block comes!

8 ‘If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell* of fire.

10 ‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.* 12What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14So it is not the will of your* Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost

Devotional

Stumbling Blocks or Building Blocks

This passage from Matthew contains two of the most enduring images from my childhood Sunday School days: Jesus calling children to him and the Shepherd returning home with the lost lamb draped over his shoulders. These two images have been repeated in song and story, in art and stained glass for hundreds of years. It’s easy to draw up a mental picture of these two events and pass over the middle of this passage which is full of more gruesome images about cutting off offending body parts. It seems to me that we sometimes swing between these two extremes, when what Jesus is really talking about here is taking responsibility for our own actions.

We begin with the disciples bickering – as usual – over who is going to be top dog until Jesus puts them firmly in their places by bringing forward a child and telling them they must humble themselves and welcome the child in his name. We are responsible for how we treat the most vulnerable among us – our children. We are responsible for not putting stumbling blocks in their way as they find Jesus for themselves. We as the flock of 99 are responsible for each other while our Shepherd seeks the lost one. We can’t mill around on the hillside bleating about wolves and sheep rustlers. We, as a community, have responsibilities to our children, our elderly, the needy and to each other. We need to be building blocks, not stumbling blocks, for that is how Jesus builds the kingdom.

Additional Readings

Isaiah 49:13-23; Psalm 2,26

Friday, December 27, 2013

Karl Colder
Vestry, Men’s Group

Listen to this Devotional.

Proverbs 8:22-30

Wisdom’s Part in Creation

22 The Lord created me at the beginning* of his work,*
   the first of his acts of long ago.
23 Ages ago I was set up,
   at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
   when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped,
   before the hills, I was brought forth—
26 when he had not yet made earth and fields,*
   or the world’s first bits of soil.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there,
   when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above,
   when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
   so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 then I was beside him, like a master worker;*
and I was daily his* delight,
   rejoicing before him always,

Devotional

JESUS CHRIST declares himself to have been engaged in the creation of the world, and He is the savior of the world.

Wisdom dwelled with GOD before anything was created and GOD tells us to seek Wisdom for a life of peace and happiness.

Wisdom is Greater than any material thing could ever be; and all things that may be desired cannot be compared to it.

How wonderful it is for GOD to provide us with the gifts of His SON and Wisdom. Through this we can really appreciate the observance of the time of expectant waiting and preparation of the Nativity of JESUS CHRIST during the Advent season.

Additional Readings

Psalm 97, 98; John 13:20-35

Thursday, December 26, 2013

The Rev. Deacon Holly Hanback
Director of Youth Ministry

Acts 6:8-7:2,51-60

St. Stephen

8 Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. 10But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit* with which he spoke. 11Then they secretly instigated some men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’ 12They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. 13They set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; 14for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth* will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.’ 15And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. 7Then the high priest asked him, ‘Are these things so?’ 2And Stephen replied: ‘Brothers* and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,51 ‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. 52Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. 53You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.’54 When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen.* 55But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ 57But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ 60Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.*

Devotional

Stephen is one of the first seven deacons named in scripture. Stephen is known for “serving tables”, performing many miracles and proclaiming powerful sermons. One such sermon before the Council and Saul (later known as St. Paul) cost him his life. Deacon Stephen became the 1st martyr and was stoned to death. Just like Stephen we are all called to diaconal ministry in our lives. As the baptized we are to be deacons in the world, also translated “servants” and “ministers”, among those with whom we work and live. How do we do that? It can be a challenge to share our love of God, our faith in God and our purpose in this world as we are called by God. Jesus was all about living in community and serving each person in the community. This is very counter-cultural for our “me first” society.

“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” Jesus came not to be served but to serve. Jesus is our ultimate example of servant hood and diaconal ministry. May we be so bold as to follow Jesus and, like Stephen, continue to proclaim the Gospel in thought, word and deed.

Additional Readings

Chronicles 24:17-22; Psalm 28, 30; 2 Acts 6:1-7

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Olga Rodriguez Rasmussen, D. Min.

Listen to this Devotional.

Luke 2:1-20

The Birth of Jesus

2In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph 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. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And 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 Shepherds and the Angels

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah,* the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13And 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 favours!’*

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.’ 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Devotional

The journey of Advent is now complete as we receive the Gift of Christmas - Emmanuel – who is birthed in our hearts and lives, for God is truly with us!

Many years ago, I discovered I was pregnant with my only child, a son, as the season of Advent commenced. The season took on new meaning as I awaited not only the Birth of the Child, but of my own as well. I could not help but wonder how Mary must have felt as life stirred within her.
An article I read by Lisa Englehart, “Reflections of a Mother-to-Be on Nativity,” noted “that in a way, all Christians are pregnant during Advent,” because the season evokes wonder and waiting, and invites presence, preparation, time spent with family, and hope – culminating with Christmas, when we experience and embody the tidings of great joy and peace announced by the angels to the shepherds and to us as well.

Let us embody the gifts and joy of Christmas each and every day of the year!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Alison Johansen
Advent Festival, Advent Devotional, Summer Children’s Chapel

Listen to this Devotional.

Philippians 2:5-11

Let the same mind be in you that was* in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God,
   did not regard equality with God
   as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself,
   taking the form of a slave,
   being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself
   and became obedient to the point of death—
   even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him
   and gave him the name
   that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
   every knee should bend,
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess
   that Jesus Christ is Lord,
   to the glory of God the Father.

Devotional

God gave us his only Son
To see us through 'til night is done.
In our hearts we hold Him high,
Shining brightly in our skies.
Blessed be the little ones
As humbly we await the Sun.
Amen.

Additional Readings

Psalm 89:1-29; Isa. 59:15b-21

Monday, December 23, 2013

Maureen Carey-Back
Lay Pastoral Assistant

Psalm 62

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;
   from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
   my fortress; I shall never be shaken.
3 How long will you assail a person,
   will you batter your victim, all of you,
   as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence.
   They take pleasure in falsehood;
they bless with their mouths,
   but inwardly they curse.
      Selah
5 For God alone my soul waits in silence,
   for my hope is from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
   my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my deliverance and my honour;
   my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
   pour out your heart before him;
   God is a refuge for us.
      Selah
9 Those of low estate are but a breath,
   those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
   they are together lighter than a breath.
10 Put no confidence in extortion,
   and set no vain hopes on robbery;
   if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
11 Once God has spoken;
   twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12 and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all
   according to their work.

Devotional

As I read and pray this Psalm I feel deep awareness in my heart that echoes this verse:

“For God alone my soul in silence waits for my hope comes from him.”

It is not a coincidence that I am writing about this psalm. It is what my friend calls “a God-incidence”. I have prayed this psalm every day since the spring. The spring and summer was what I will call a time of discontent for me. I learned during this time that God was calling me to a deeper union with him, to trust him, to walk with him, to rest with him; this refuge would give me hope and strength. This psalm and this verse in particular became my manna from heaven. So, as the list of readings were taken from the lectionary and assigned, I said “of course God, this would be the reading you have chosen for me to reflect on”. Again, I hear and feel that deep awareness echoing in every cell of my being:

“For God alone my soul in silence waits, for my hope comes from him”

It has taken me quite some time on my spiritual journey to understand that it is God alone who I need to rely on first and always. He is my rock, my fortress, my refuge, my go-to guy.

As I move deeper into a contemplative prayer life that Holy Spirit and I are creating together, I find that I crave and need this time with God alone. Within this holy time capsule I place my joy, my sorrow, my darkness, my love and my hope in God. It is in this thin place that God reveals his glory and provides for my spiritual care. This is God’s plan and it occurs in God’s timing not my own. So I wait. It is here that I have learned to trust and hope in God where peace will come quieting my mind and putting my heart at rest.

When we wait it gives us opportunities to honor God through steadfast trust and hope in him. It is like a seed that is underground during winter, although hidden and seemingly dead and lost it is taking root for a later spring and harvest. It is here embracing the journey, embracing the trial, embracing sadness, embracing loneliness that God’s light is revealed to us.

This is the story of Job in the midst of the storm, Abraham on the road to Moriah, Moses in the desert of Midian and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

This is the story of Advent. The journey to incarnation that we take preparing our hearts, our minds, our spirits for the light that God shines in our lives to do God’s work.

What is your story?
What journey have you and God been on this Advent?
What is being born in you?

Additional Readings

Zeph. 3:14-20; Titus 1:1-16; Luke 1:1-25

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Jessamyn Ayers
Small Group Leader

Listen to this Devotional.

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah* took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ 22All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

23 ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel’,
which means, ‘God is with us.’ 24When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son;* and he named him Jesus.

Devotional

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

   Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

   and they shall name him Emmanuel

which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

No one would blame Joseph for ending his arrangement with Mary. Her pregnancy clearly violates their betrothal agreement. Joseph is, however, uninterested in restitution or vindication. Laying aside outrage and indignation, he remains, as Matthew describes him, “a righteous man,” not a self-righteous one. Such moments have magnificent power because we have the option of responding freely. No one would blame you for leaving your neighbors off of your holiday party guest list since they did not invite you to their Halloween party. And your sister’s stridently political fiance? No one would blame you for asking them to visit his family this year.

What influences us most in these moments--the absence of blame or the presence of exoneration? Do we claim what we are entitled to or bestow what we can give? Joseph followed the angel’s command. What are we being divinely encouraged to do?

Additional Readings

Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80: 1-7, 16-18; Romans 1:1-7

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Emma Nathan
Youth Group, REACH, 9:00am Usher

John 20:24-29

But Thomas (who was called the Twin*), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ 26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 27Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ 28Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

Devotional

“Peace be with you”

Emma said she drew the picture because she enjoys making an Advent wreath at the Advent Festival. She also likes lighting them each evening during Advent as Christmas draws near.

Additional Readings

Hebrews 10:35-11:1; Psalm 126; John 20:24-29

Friday, December 20, 2013

Carol Bonifant
Small Group Ministry Leader, Vestry Chaplain

Listen to this Devotional.

Matthew 25:31-46

The Judgment of the Nations

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,[a] you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Devotional

Have you planned a surprise special event? If you have you will understand fully all the efforts that went into preparing for this special day. It's taken months to set the date, plan the menu, hire the caterer and of course invite the guests. The details seem endless and you want it perfect.

Well such a surprise event is in the planning right now by all of heaven for us! That's right for you and me. Our Heavenly Father is planning a surprise party to beat all surprise parties. He is sending Jesus back to us on earth!! This is going to be one wild, crazy, wonderfully powerful party.

Only the Father knows the day, but all nations will be invited and there will be no doubt who is in charge. Jesus will greet us with "come you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you."

As we all gather ready to present our invitations, the angels at the door will look for a special notation that says; ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’

What does that mean? Will my invitation have that on it? Will Jesus want me at His party?

Jesus wants everyone at His party, but there will be those who will not want Jesus at His own party and it will be those who will not enter in.

Additional Readings

Zech 8:9-17; Psalm 55; Rev. 6:1-17

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Janie Jones
Welcome Ministry

Listen to this Devotional.

Zechariah 4: 1-14

And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep. 2And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 3And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 4So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 5Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 6Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 7Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 8Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 9The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. 10For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth. 11Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? 12And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 13And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 14Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.

Devotional

This scripture reading tells us about the fourth of eight visions Zechariah was shown in dreams one night. An angel had been guiding and interpreting the visions that Zechariah had seen. The angel told him that this vision was the Word of the Lord being spoken to Zerubbabel, whom he knew as a leader of the Jewish people.

The Lord saw Zerubbabel doing the work and accomplishing the task by the power of God’s spirit, and the Lord was glad. This is so important when we are doing any kind of ministry. Yes, we are to be doing the work, but we are to be doing it with complete reliance on the Lord. Just like Zerubbabel, we worry when things are not finished or things do not go the way we planned. We want it on our time….at least this is something that I struggle with. Although God rarely gives us time frames, He does reassure us that the work He begins is always finished. Philippians 1:6 says, “For I am very confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” What a blessed promise that from the moment we were saved until the moment we die, God will be working on us!

Blessings, Janie Jones

Additional Readings

Psalm 119:49-72; Revelation 4:1-18; Matthew 24:45-51

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Joanne Carey
Metuchen, NJ

Listen to this Devotional.

Revelation 4:1-8

4After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ 2At once I was in the spirit,* and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! 3And the one seated there looks like jasper and cornelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. 4Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. 5Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God; 6and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal.

Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. 8And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing,
‘Holy, holy, holy,
the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.’

Devotional

I have never been asked to write for public consumption. I have shared my private thoughts, insights and grace with those in my immediate circle and have spoken of them as well, but to put pen to paper for masses is new and a great grace, one by which I am greatly humbled. So, I put myself in the hands of our Lord and I had a vision of an open door to heaven, and I heard the trumpet like voice that spoke to me before, saying, “Come up here and I will show you what will happen afterwards.”

I find myself writing this on All Saints Day smiling broadly at the graciousness and love of God who continues to open the door to heaven. Advent 2013...hmmm...at this thought, I watch a leaf fall gently in the warm wind and find its place, to wait.

Saint John the Evangelist, author of the book of Revelation, apostle known as beloved. The son of Zebedee, John the author of the Gospel, John who now finds himself on the island of Patmos, waiting. Another leaf falls...and waits.

I had the luxury of the afternoon off from work yesterday. I needed to drive- no agenda, no destination, and no time constraints.

As I drove, the world quieted down, the colors of fall enveloped me. A beautiful landscape beckoning me to come and rest for a while. Come and wait it whispered...

Another leaf fell...

An hour passed and I found myself in the middle of a familiar town. I slowly drove down the street and saw a church I recognized. The silence, the calmness, the dampness of the air beckoned, drawing me in, drawing me closer to, Bethlehem.

I realized I had indeed been in this church many years ago on Christmas Eve attending a child’s Nativity Pageant, before heading down to your very St. David’s. Today however it was empty, no pageant, yet I heard God open the door a little wider.

I walked up the aisle, my heart silently sighing with each step as I felt another burden being laid down, each a gift for my King.

Shall I play for you, pa rum pa pum pum? Me and my drum...

I reached my destination, standing there at the foot of the altar. The crib, the manger, the throne of Our dear Lord revealed and who would now show me what will happen afterwards.

Then Mary nodded and together with all the angels we sang:
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. Who was, who is and who is to come.

I bowed and silently walked back down the aisle and closed the big wooden door to the stable I just found and realized I now stood outside in a pile of leaves that seemed to be waiting just for me.

I looked across to the sign that read St. John the Evangelist Church.
Hmm,...Advent.

I stepped through the leaves humming...
...And he smiled at me, pa rum pa pum pum, me and my drum.

Additional Readings

Zech. 3:1-10; Psalm 119:49-72; Matt. 24:45-51

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Rachael Goodwin
Woman’s Ministry

Matthew 24:32-44

32 ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33So also, when you see all these things, you know that he* is near, at the very gates. 34Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

36 ‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son,* but only the Father. 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day* your Lord is coming. 43But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Devotional

Advent is commonly known as a season of preparation. December is chock-full of preparations: shopping, cooking, cleaning, wrapping, traveling- to name a few. But common advice cautions us to “sit back and enjoy the season” and to “live in the moment.” But how can a person do both? One is about forethought and planning; the other about the here and now. These two philosophies do not co-exist for many of us, particularly during the hustle-bustle of the holidays. They often lie at two opposite ends of the lifestyle spectrum. At first glance, this scripture advises us to be ready at all times, have our bags packed as you never know when our Lord will return- be prepared! However, a deeper beauty can be found in this passage when we realize Jesus is not trying to trick us. He is not hoping to catch us off guard and unready. He calls us to be ready, but consider that readiness in Him is to be doing just as he taught us: living His commandments; engaging His teachings; serving His creation. By living in the moment, we are in fact prepared for His return.

Additional Readings

Zech. 2:1-13; Psalm 45; Rev. 3:14-22

Monday, December 16, 2013

Jenifer Bluhm
Adult Choir, VBS Leader, REACH

Listen to this Devotional.

Zechariah 4:1-14

4The angel who talked with me came again, and wakened me, as one is wakened from sleep. 2He said to me, ‘What do you see?’ And I said, ‘I see a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it; there are seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. 3And by it there are two olive trees, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.’ 4I said to the angel who talked with me, ‘What are these, my lord?’ 5Then the angel who talked with me answered me, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ I said, ‘No, my lord.’ 6He said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts. 7What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain; and he shall bring out the top stone amid shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’

8 Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. 10For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel.

‘These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.’ 11Then I said to him, ‘What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?’ 12And a second time I said to him, ‘What are these two branches of the olive trees, which pour out the oil* through the two golden pipes?’ 13He said to me, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ I said, ‘No, my lord.’ 14Then he said, ‘These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.’

Devotional

Be Like Zechariah

Zechariah had visions
AND a helpful angel on hand to interpret.
Our experience may be more subtle, but we can strive to discern God’s messages.
Advent is an observing time -- There are gifts from God
in Bible readings, church sermons, prayer, personal interactions, and individual contemplation.

Be Like Zerubbabel

Zerubbabel’s mountainous building project was accomplished by the Spirit of God. God was glad to have the human hands of Zerubbabel to hold the plumb line and place the capstone.
We can use OUR hands to conduct God’s work. Let people recognize the hand of God in our Advent tasks, interactions, and projects. and cheer and bless our results “Grace to it!”

Be An Olive Tree

God’s oil lamps are eternal and all-seeing. and give a constant light.
They burn with no-one tending to the wicks and oil supply.
The olive trees on each side give fuel to the lamps.

Can we be anointed ones standing beside God and feeding the lamp?
Be a watcher/listener/anointed one
contributing your heart to the steady flame of God.
Amen.

Additional Readings

Psalm 50; Rev. 4:9-5:5; Matt. 25:1-13

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Anonoymous

Canticle 15

The Song of Mary: The Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Devotional

Canticle 15, the Magnificat, Mary’s song.

This is Mary’s incredible response to God after being chosen to become the God-bearer.

God’s message to Mary and to us has two parts—affirmation and expectation. Because Mary is beloved by God, because she has found favor in God’s eyes, God has a plan for her. It is an astonishing plan: never mind the angel in the living room, never mind the impossible conception, never mind the fact that this child will grow up to be king. God has just asked a teenager to bring salvation into the world! All of us should stand in awe of this moment. What perhaps should bring us to our knees is that Mary says yes. God does not enter her by force. God waits for her simple and powerfully spoken ascent, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” God did not choose a teenager to bear salvation to the world by accident. Who else would agree to such a plan? While the coming of Jesus Christ in a virgin’s womb is the unrepeatable mystery of God, God invites all of us to become God bearers—persons who by the power of the Holy Spirit smuggle Jesus into the world through our own lives, who by virtue of our yes to God find ourselves forever and irrevocably changed.” We become like Mary, we too are loved by God, we have found favor in God’s eyes, therefore God has a plan for us. As with Mary, ministry does not end with her transformation, it begins.

I invite you to click on this link and listen to Breathe of Heaven before continuing reading the reflection.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW2OBT-5qfc

We stand in awe of Mary’s wisdom and courage at such a young age. Every time I hear this story, I pray that I can set aside those things in my life that keep me from responding as she did. Mary gives us a glimpse of the ministry that will be fulfilled through her child. Even at the beginning, through Mary, the Holy Spirit speaks of how God’s plan is to bring down the mighty and lift up the lowly—to feed the hungry poor and turn away the rich. Life as they have known it has now changed, in ways they can not yet comprehend. As a servant of this promise-keeper, Mary is about to become the God bearer.

Mary said yes to God, even though she had no idea was she was getting into. She spoke prophetically of a world in which the lowly like herself would receive justice, where those who were hungry would be fed and have their needs met. She trusted that through her, God would make it so. God has a plan for us and our ministry begins when we say yes to God, no matter how uncertain we may be, no matter how frightening it may seem. Kenda Dean says such a decision to say yes to God, “flings open the doors of our souls so that grace no longer needs to sneak in through the cracks. Now the Holy Spirit rushes in ‘like a mighty wind’ and fills us, overshadows us, transforms us by forming Jesus within us, restoring us to the image in whose likeness we were created. Now our soul-wombs, already prepared by grace, can carry Jesus into the world.”

That is how the Advent story becomes our story. We clear the way in our soul for Jesus to dwell and then to be carried into the world. We offer ourselves as instruments of peace, as laborers of love, as justice keepers. We make a conscious effort to let go of the pain and the prejudices and the sin that clutter the place where the Holy One is waiting to dwell. Be prepared, all it takes is for you to say “yes” and God will take care of the rest. The moment we say yes to God we become bearers of God’s word. From the second we lower our defenses—“here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word”—the Holy Spirit enters us, fills us, takes us over, changes everything about us, and through us, the world in which we live.” This is the mystery and the power of the incarnation, the God made flesh, to live and dwell not only among us but within us.

Blessed are you! Amen.

Additional Readings

Isaiah 35:1-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Maggie Panetta
University of Charleston, St David’s 9:00am band/choir/soloist

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Colossians 4:2-6

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 3At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, 4so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.

5 Conduct yourselves wisely towards outsiders, making the most of the time.* 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

Devotional

This passage calls us to destroy the separation between our "faith lives" and our "regular lives". It urges us to "devote ourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it". Keeping alert in prayer is vital. I'm sure I'm not the only one who lets their mind wander or who even dozes off during bedtime prayers. Or who often finds prayer to be an afterthought. This verse urges us to keep alert-- don't take prayer lightly, it tells us! We must remember the unbelievable truth of prayer: that through Christ, we are able to directly speak with the One who created the universe. How cool is that?! Furthermore, this verse tells us we must devote ourselves to prayer. But what does it really mean to devote ourselves to something? Well, to devote means to give something constant attention and unremitting care. What if we treated prayer this way? As something that needs constant attention and care? If prayer was constant, we would have a constant awareness and consciousness of God. This awareness would affect everything we say and do. God would suddenly not be someone who existed in church or only when we find time in our "regular lives" for prayer.

Letting our faith lives and our regular lives merge through constant prayer brings us immeasurably closer to God, therefore allowing Him to use us to show the world His love. The verse urges us to "conduct yourself wisely towards outsiders, making the most of the time". We have the chance to live as examples of living out the Christian life. We have the opportunity to show God's love to those who don't know it yet.

There is a song that I found particularly relevant to this verse. It is called "Live Like That" by the Sidewalk Prophets. In this song, the Sidewalk Prophets reflect on the way they live out their faith. Do they consider their faith a single, separate element of their lives? Or do they allow their faith to influence every word they say and everything they do? They ask the questions:

"Is my worship more than just a song?"
"When people see me do they see God?"
"Does everything I say and do point to God?"

Take a listen to this song. I think it will help you reveal some deeper meaning in this verse.
Thank you for listening. Amen.

Additional Readings

Song of Solomon 3:1-4; Psalm 121; John 16:12-15, 25-28

Friday, December 13, 2013

Kris Levin
Woman’s Ministry Leader and Covenant Group Leader

Listen to this Devotional.

Matthew 23:27-39

27 ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. 28So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

29 ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, 30and you say, “If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.” 31Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors. 33You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell?* 34Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, 35so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.

37 ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 38See, your house is left to you, desolate.* 39For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’

Devotional

I wrote this devotional as a prayer ... A letter to Our Father in response to the reading.

Oh how this passage makes me curl up inside wandering if this is me today and knowing it's been me in the past! At this moment... Am I the Pharisee trying to do and say all the right things that society or even other Christians would think to be right... And not Your will Father. Are my actions pure of heart and if so why do I still find it so hard to not judge others by my standards and those of the world!

And yet Father, You remind us that you are always waiting, calling out to us... Arms wide open ... Ready to forgive with the softest loving embrace as a true parent forgives their children. All we have to do is ask ... Call out Your name... And we will be right in the fold of your embrace.

Help us to hear you, to listen with an obedient heart and to courageously take action. Help us to see and recognize the moments, people, challenges you bring in our lives to grow us closer to You. Let us remember ... without lemons ... There would not be lemonade. Through your Will and Grace, in all things... Let us seek you, call upon you, pray to you and then act in love. Amen.

Additional Readings

Haggai 1:1-15; Psalm 31; Revelation 2:18-29

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Maggie Flammand
Tuesday Morning Bible Study Leader

Psalm 37

Do not fret because of the wicked;
  do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass,
  and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
  so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
  and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
  trust in him, and he will act.
He will make your vindication shine like the light,
  and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
  do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
  over those who carry out evil devices.
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
  Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For the wicked shall be cut off,
  but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
  though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land,
  and delight in abundant prosperity.
The wicked plot against the righteous,
  and gnash their teeth at them;
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
  for he sees that their day is coming.
The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
  to bring down the poor and needy,
  to kill those who walk uprightly;
their sword shall enter their own heart,
  and their bows shall be broken.
Better is a little that the righteous person has
  than the abundance of many wicked.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
  but the Lord upholds the righteous.
The Lord knows the days of the blameless,
  and their heritage will abide for ever;
they are not put to shame in evil times,
  in the days of famine they have abundance.

20 But the wicked perish,
  and the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures;
  they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.

21 The wicked borrow, and do not pay back,
  but the righteous are generous and keep giving;
22 for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land,
  but those cursed by him shall be cut off.

23 Our steps* are made firm by the Lord,
  when he delights in our* way;
24 though we stumble,* we* shall not fall headlong,
  for the Lord holds us* by the hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old,
  yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
  or their children begging bread.
26 They are ever giving liberally and lending,
  and their children become a blessing.

27 Depart from evil, and do good;
  so you shall abide for ever.
28 For the Lord loves justice;
  he will not forsake his faithful ones.
The righteous shall be kept safe for ever,
  but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land,
  and live in it for ever.
30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
  and their tongues speak justice.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;
  their steps do not slip.
32 The wicked watch for the righteous,
  and seek to kill them.
33 The Lord will not abandon them to their power,
  or let them be condemned when they are brought to trial.
34 Wait for the Lord, and keep to his way,
  and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
  you will look on the destruction of the wicked.
35 I have seen the wicked oppressing,
  and towering like a cedar of Lebanon.*
36 Again I* passed by, and they were no more;
  though I sought them, they could not be found.
37 Mark the blameless, and behold the upright,
  for there is posterity for the peaceable.
38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
  the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
  he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and rescues them;
  he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them,
  because they take refuge in him.

Devotional

Christmas season can make us crazy! There is pressure to do so much and to do it perfectly. Our kids have unending lists of ‘must-haves’ because “everyone else has them!” How easy it is to be anxious and have short tempers. We are tempted to do things we don’t want to do and buy things we can’t afford because we envy others. Psalm 37 (which really address our reactions to evil-doers) offers us an alternative way to respond to the stresses of the season. Psalm 37 calls us to entrust everything to the Lord– our life, our job, our possessions, our family. Do we truly believe He can care for us better than we can ourselves? And putting our faith in action by reaching out to others will help us keep perspective on what is really important this Christmas Season. My prayer is that each day we commit to spend quiet time with the Lord, to rest in Him, and that our behavior reflects our commitment to the Lord.

Additional Readings

Amos 9:1-10; Rev. 2:8-17; Matt. 23:13-26

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Terri DeSimone
Verger, Woman’s Ministry, Grace to Go Ministry Leader

Matthew 23: 1-12

3Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; 3therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. 4They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,* and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. 5They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. 6They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, 7and to be greeted with respect in the market-places and to have people call them rabbi. 8But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students.* 9And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. 10Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah.* 11The greatest among you will be your servant. 12All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Devotional

I thought of Mother Teresa when I read this passage and we all know what a saint she was and her philosophy of living her life to the glory of God and for the better treatment of others. Do you ever wonder what age she committed herself to living God's word and what may have influenced her to pursue that direction? Or if she had made choices that led her in a different direction? Do you ever wonder what her parents were like and who in her life made a clear impact?

With all the burdens she witnessed day after day she worked tirelessly to lift and lighten the loads of others by trudging through the darkness and into the light. This little lady walked the walk.

We are all fortunate to be children of God, brothers and sisters to one another. We are all a product of our society and have had good and bad examples of how we should live our lives. Why it is so hard to have a relationship with our maker and why is it so hard to appreciate the opportunities He gives to us?

Mother Teresa rose above just thinking about herself, and she made a conscious decision to give back to humanity. She did not decide to help the poor so she could be exalted. She did not demand money for all the cleaning up and caring she did for others and she did not seek rewards from others for a job well done. She did not wear fancy clothes or live beyond her means to show the wealth of her many gifts.

She made time to know her Father and lived her life to please Him...without fanfare and without coveting recognition. She did not talk the walk, she walked the walk and it must have been beyond our imagination of the despair she saw in people's daily lives.

Yet she rose above that and became a beacon of light, hope and faith to all she consoled. She lived her life making decisions for herself based on who her true Father was, who her true teacher and instructor was to her.

Why not wake up and rejoice in your life and say "Thank God it's another day" or as Father Johnson says, "Thank God for life."

It's amazing how a simple smile or a listening ear can make a difference. What can you do to ease the burden of the lives of your brothers and sisters?

Additional Readings

Amos 8:1-14; Psalm 38; Rev. 1:17-2:7

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

The Byer Family

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Colossians 2:2-10

I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority.

Devotional

Paul’s words mirror our hearts when parenting our children; we want them to keep their faith in a world where faith is often ridiculed and challenged. When talking about Paul’s words with our children, we asked them “Do you believe God loves you? Do you talk about God with your friends? Is it hard to remember your faith when you are not at home or church?” The first question our youngest son answered with a whole hearted ‘yes’. When we asked him “How do you know God loves you?” he simply answered ‘because we are His children.’ The second two questions we directed again to our oldest son and he admitted he rarely talks about God outside of home and church. We then asked ‘When you talk about Christmas with your friends, do you remember why we celebrate Christmas?’ and he honestly answered “no, we talk about what gifts we got.” It’s hard, isn’t it, to ‘see to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit…’ as Paul warns. We work and pray for our children to have a relationship with our Holy Father, in a world where homage is paid more to the ‘haves and material wants’ of the world. At nine, my oldest child already knows that the world outside of our home is not very open to his faith. The six year old has not gotten there, yet. And for our little girls, we fear their ability to ‘continue to live their lives in him’ will be tried at an even earlier age as having older siblings exposes them to ‘human tradition’ rather than our faith. In our home, we pray, we give thanks, we ask for forgiveness. As parents we want ‘their hearts to be encouraged’, but even as adults we struggle. We do not make service as much as we should, we are not as involved as others, we are not doing all we can to keep them ‘rooted and built up in Him’; we feel we are too busy. This Christmas, we pray we find our way back to Him and the knowledge of His mystery. As we wait for Christmas Day, this advent season, we pray He forgives us and guides us back. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Additional Readings

Isaiah 57:14-19; Psalm 62; John 12:27-36

Monday, December 9, 2013

Caroline Ruttenberg
University of Charleston, 10:45 acolyte/crucifer, REACH

Psalm 25

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
 do not let me be put to shame;
 do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
 let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
 teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
 for you are the God of my salvation;
 for you I wait all day long.
6 Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
 for they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
 according to your steadfast love remember me,
 for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
 therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
 and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
 for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
11 For your name’s sake, O Lord,
 pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who are they that fear the Lord?
 He will teach them the way that they should choose.
13 They will abide in prosperity,
 and their children shall possess the land.
14 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,
 and he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever towards the Lord,
 for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
 for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart,
 and bring me* out of my distress.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
 and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider how many are my foes,
 and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 O guard my life, and deliver me;
 do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
 for I wait for you.
22 Redeem Israel, O God,
 out of all its troubles.

Devotional

Being away at college I have learned I need to be able to trust God because I’ve learned He is something I can always fall back on. However I need to realize that falling back isn’t what God is for. God is so much more than something to fall back on. College has taught me that God is more of a companion. I yearn for him to teach me his paths and lead me in his ways. I ask him to only lead me to what is right and act in a humble way. At first I thought my path through college was lonely, but through the words of my mother, many members at St. David’s as well as the scripture, I have learned that God is my life companion and he is here to share every moment of my life, good or bad.

Additional Readings

Amos 7:1-9; Rev. 1:1-8; Matt. 22:23-33

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Carol Bonifant
Small Group Ministry Leader, Vestry Chaplain

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Matthew 3:1-12

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

3 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”[a] 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.’”

4 Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9 Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with[b] water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Devotional

We have a new puppy in our house Pumpkin Pie (Pie for short). His presence is irrefutable! There is no way you can walk by him without noticing, and be drawn to him. His love, joy and delight in greeting you is contagious. No matter what you are doing, how busy you are, how overburdened you may be, you cannot keep yourself from interacting with such love. A softness in your heart surfaces and a desire to return such joyful love overtakes you. The dust, grime, and dirt of the day vanish, replaced by unconditional puppy love.

Pie helps all in our house remember that when Jesus returns we will be filled with even greater joy. No barrier of any kind will keep us from running into His arms. Instantly we will recognize our baggage of sin will need to be discarded so Jesus can hold us perfectly.

Pie reminds us that in Advent the Kingdom of heaven has come near, and we don't want to miss anything Jesus will bring when He returns. It seems to us that on that Day when our Lord returns it will be a Christmas of all Christmases' with our hearts on fire for everything that matters to him.

Additional Readings

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Debbie Patterson
Prayer Tree Ministry Leader, Daughters of the King Ministry Leader

Norma Patterson
Daughters of the King

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Amos 5:18-27

18 Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord!
   Why do you want the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, not light;
19 as if someone fled from a lion,
   and was met by a bear;
or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,
   and was bitten by a snake.
20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light,
   and gloom with no brightness in it?
21 I hate, I despise your festivals,
   and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain-offerings,
   I will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
   I will not look upon.
23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;
   I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
24 But let justice roll down like waters,
   and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
25 Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
26You shall take up Sakkuth your king, and Kaiwan your star-god, your images* that you made for yourselves; 27therefore I will take you into exile beyond Damascus, says the Lord, whose name is the God of hosts.

Devotional

The Israelites thought they were doing the right things by offering sacrifices and singing songs to God. However, Amos told them all that was wrong – they were not following the true way of God. Amos told them that the ‘day of the Lord’ would mean the opposite of what they expected and they would not like it. God did not like the way that the Israelites made sacrifices and he hated their worship of idols. They had separated their worship from their private lives.

God wants us to be humble and sincere in our worship; he wants us to devote ourselves to Him and serving others. At this time of year, we tend to get caught up in the images of the season and forget who we really worship. As we prepare for Advent, let our words and actions always reflect our deep, abiding faith in God.

Additional Readings

Psalm 20; Jude 17-25; Matt. 22:15-22