Blog Archives

Beginning of Good News - December 27, 2015

12/28/2015

Reading: Psalm 91:9-12
Gospel: Mark 1:1-20

Mark’s gospel begins with a fiery preacher and a challenging message. No silent night here, no gift-bearing visitors. John the Baptist awaits his cousin, Jesus, by a stream in the wilderness. Temptations await Jesus on the other side. Soon, by the lakeshore, the divine call will be irresistible.

The Birth of Jesus - December 24, 2015

12/26/2015

Reading: Psalm 146:5-10
Gospel: Luke 2:1-20

This passage has been told in Christmas specials and children’s books. It has been sketched, painted, and versified. Even those not familiar with the scripture may find themselves familiar with the words. “In those days, a decree went out…” putting the holy family on the move. Mary gave birth to her child in an unlikely place. Angels bore witness to “good news of great joy,” and called the shepherds to their own witness and worship. Make haste to the manger. Treasure all these things. Ponder them in your heart.

Rebuilding The Temple (Festival Choir) - December 13, 2015

12/14/2015

Reading: Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4, 10-13

Gospel: Luke 2:25-28a

Sometimes departures are voluntary; sometimes they are forced. So many of God’s people left the Holy Land under duress, carted off to captivity in Babylon. But every empire has its time, and the Persians eventually took their place at the top of the worldly heap. Even far from the Holy Land, God proved faithfulness. God is not bound by place or time, ethnic origin, age, insider or outsider status. God will use whom God will, to be a bearer of good news. In this astonishing case, the people were set in motion, led home to Jerusalem and the Holy Land through the involvement of one foreign emperor, Cyrus, the ruler of Persia, who listened to the stirrings of the spirit.

Isaiah Of The Exile - December 6, 2015

12/7/2015

Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11

Gospel: Mark 1:1-4

For all of the hard words we hear from the prophets, there are also passages of heartrending grace and beauty. This passage from Isaiah is among those. God is leading God’s people home, overcoming every obstacle. Good tidings abound.

Recorded Worship

Beginning of Good News - December 27, 2015﻿

The Birth of Jesus - December 24, 2015

Rebuilding The Temple (Festival Choir) - December 13, 2015

Isaiah Of The Exile﻿ - December 6, 2015

Archives

Beginning of Good News - December 27, 2015

Isaiah Of The Exile - December 6, 2015