Long-Awaited Gift -- A Message for December 27, 2020

 

In the Jewish religion, it is customary that sons are circumcised a few days after their birth.  Some families have a little celebration to welcome their son during the bris.  After Jesus’ birth, before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, sons were presented at the Temple and their circumcision took place within those holy walls.  Many special and mystical events occurred at the beginning of Jesus’ life, and this was true on the day of his circumcision.  Listen to how the story unfolded as we read the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses twenty-two through forty:

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:22-40

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 

(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 

and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 

Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

    you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

    and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 

so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 

and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 

Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 

And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Here ends this reading of the Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Prayer for Understanding

Almighty god, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. 

Message                       “Long-Awaited Gift”          

          This morning finds us just a few days before the end of the year.  For most of us, 2020 has not been the best year of our lives.  Many of us hope 2021 will be a tad less complicated and perhaps more enjoyable.  This has been a year to remember, but not necessarily for all the best reasons.

          In typical years, most people start the New Year by making a resolution or two.   We make promises to ourselves to start a new practice or end an unhealthy one.  Perhaps we will vow to start exercising more consistently or read the Bible every day.  Perhaps we will diet or eliminate caffeine from our lives.  Perhaps we will stop smoking or stop eating meat. 

          Oftentimes, we are not successful at keeping these promises we make to ourselves.  When I was a young adult, I worked at the YMCA in St. Louis. The staff members would always joke that you couldn’t find a parking space in the lot in January, but by mid-February there were plenty of spots available.

          In our scripture reading this morning, we are reminded that unlike us fallible human beings, God keeps God’s promises.

          Mary and Joseph were extremely faithful people.  They followed God’s desires for them and worked together to parent Jesus.  After Jesus’ tumultuous birth in Bethlehem, they travelled to Jerusalem so that they could perform the religious obligations observed when a son was born to a family.  When a family had their “firstborn” son, they had to make a greater sacrifice.

          Jesus was “presented” at the Temple.  He was circumcised following the religious laws regarding how to perform the procedure.  His parents made sacrifices on his behalf—some birds were dedicated in his honor.  We don’t know exactly what it would have been like, but we know how excited church members are when we have a baby baptized at Trinity.  Everyone wants to see the baby, and coo over them and smile at them.  The baby is dressed up in special clothing, and the parents are all-smiles.  The parents and the baby are the center of everyone’s’ attention. 

          This is where the promises of God come into play.  Simeon was waiting for “the consolation of Israel.” This means, Simeon was waiting for the messianic age to come – for the Messiah to arrive and put everything to rights. 

          God’s Holy Spirit told Simeon that he would not die before the Messiah arrived.  And, God keeps God’s promises. When Mary and Joseph walked into the Temple Courts with Jesus, Simeon immediately knew who he was.  Simeon knew Jesus was the Messiah.  He approached Mary and Joseph, took Jesus into his arms, and praised God.  Then Simeon blessed Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.

          Anna was a prophet who lived in the Temple.  She fasted and prayed day and night.  She had been a widow for a very long time and was steadfast in her faith in God.  She also immediately knew who Jesus was.  She approached Jesus and his parents and told everyone who could hear that Jesus was the messiah who had come to redeem the people of Israel.   God had promised a Messiah would come, and in the birth of Jesus, God fulfilled God’s promises. 

          Although Christmas 2020 has been a different kind of Christmas, we can be consoled that God keeps God’s promises.  God doesn’t prevent sin from entering the world.  We fall short again and again.  And, disasters befall the people of the earth – we are blessed with mobility and connection with people all over the earth.  In a few hours, we can fly in an airplane to a faraway destination.  We can hop into our cars and comfortably travel long distances.  But, with all of this mobility and connection, we also can spread germs.  The Covid virus quickly spread across the globe, spread by people who had no idea they were infected. For months, we have been contending with the results of the spread of this virus, which has upset our lives in countless ways.  Nothing has been normal in 2020. 

          But, God keeps God’s promises.  Things will get better soon. Scientists and engineers developed the technology to enable our mobility.  Now, scientists and engineers are developing treatments for Covid and vaccinations to stop its spread.   We just have to be patient and wait to have access to the vaccinations. 

          Simeon and Anna waited their whole lives to meet Jesus.  The Jewish people waited hundreds of years for the Messiah to arrive the first time.  The people of the Resurrected Jesus have waited hundreds of years for Jesus to return.  God keeps God’s promises.  Jesus will return to us. And, Covid will soon be a thing of the past.

          Thanks be to God. Amen.

A Christmas Message

John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John.

He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.

He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.


Isaiah 9: 2-7

God’s Faithfulness Redeems Us

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Scripture Reading: Luke 21-14, (15-20)

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,

and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Here ends this reading of the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God, we rejoice in the good news of the birth of Jesus; with the angels, the shepherds, and the faithful of every nation, we glorify your holy name. Amen.

Christmas Meditation

            It seems like at every hour of the day, no matter the weather, no matter how dark it is outdoors, someone is playing basketball in the court across the street from the church.  When it is raining, they are playing.  When it is snowing, they are playing.  When it is a dark, cloudless night, they are playing.  In the beginning of the pandemic, park officials put an orange fence around the court because it was technically closed – as soon as the park trucks drove away, kids had climbed over the orange fence and were shooting hoops.  Bill said that the only way they could be stopped would be if the parks department actually removed the hoops – I doubt it – the tenacious players would probably devise hoops out of laundry baskets and keep playing.

            The story of Jesus’ birth is a story of tenacity.  Mary and Joseph had a lot stacked against them.  They were young.  They were unmarried.  They were poor.  They were from a back country town.  They were Jewish natives living in a land ruled by the Romans. 

            During Mary’s 9 months of her pregnancy, she had to contend with the whispers and gossip that swirled around her.  She was a very young, unmarried mom.   Who knows what kind of mean things people said about her.  Joseph was also probably the target of rumors.  And, although he was very honorable when he agreed to marry Mary, people may then have thought he was involved in her pregnancy.

            Plus, the Roman rulers did not care about the individuals who lived in Israel.  They did not care that Mary was very pregnant and not in a good condition to travel.  They wanted to make sure the people were counted in the census so that they could be taxed accordingly.  The Empire couldn’t run without the money used to build roads and aqueducts.  The Empire couldn’t run without the money to pay the wages of soldiers and government officials. The government couldn’t run without the money to keep everything afloat.

            When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, the town was crowded.  Everyone had to travel to their ancestral hometown to be counted.  And, little Bethlehem was the city of David, a country boy.  David was a shepherd, not a big city dweller.  So, his hometown was small.  All of his descendants had to travel there to be counted, even though the little town was bursting at the seams. 

            There was no empty room left in the town.  Joseph and the very pregnant Mary had to bed down with the animals in a stable.  At least they had a roof over their heads, although we always picture the stable as open to the elements.  I hope for their sakes that they were protected from the wind and the cold. In Israel, there are archaeological sites of stables that were craved into soft rock—sort of like man-made caves where people would store things and their animals would dwell.  I hope Mary and Joseph were bedded down in a rock hewn cave, surrounded by animals and warm straw. 

            Mary and Joseph were tenacious.  They were young and poor.  They were from the sticks.  They were surrounded by people and empires who were more powerful than they appeared.  Yet, they were tenacious.  The stood up to their neighbors.  They stuck together through the thick and thin.  Joseph protected Mary and the baby.  Mary protected Jesus and protected him.  After the Magi visited the Holy Family, they were warned that evil King Herod was plotting against them, so Mary and Joseph fled for their lives to Egypt, to another country outside of his ruling jurisdiction.  Mary and Joseph did everything they could possibly do to keep Jesus safe and ensure he lived to adulthood—and lived to fulfill his destiny as the Messiah, who came to save us all. 

            In this long, long season of Covid-19, we have to work to maintain our tenacity.  These last few months have been full of unexpected surprises – many of them unwelcome unexpected surprises.  Some of us have become ill with Covid, a virus we have no experience with.  Some of us have lost relatives to the disease.  Some of us have spent sleepless nights worrying about loved ones who have the disease.  Some of us have lost our jobs.  Some of us have had to move. Some of us are stuck at home, stuck at home and waiting for the other shoe to drop.  We are scared and worried and bored.  On the one hand, we feel cut off from our loved ones and friends we can’t see in person.  On the other hand, if we are working from home or doing school from home, we may be at our wits end with the loved ones we are spending a little too much time with.  Everything has been in flux.  We are frustrated and lonely and exhausted. 

            But, as Christians, we have role-models who show us how to be tenacious.  The Hebrew people lived as slaves in Egypt for 400 years, fled from an angry Pharaoh by crossing the Red Sea, wandered the desert for 40 years, and then entered the Promised Land.  – talk about delayed gratification.   The people of Judah lived in captivity in Babylon for 70 year and then were able to return and rebuild Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph overcame great odds and succeeded in doing what God asked them to do – they parented the Holy Child and ensured he made it to adulthood to fulfill his life’s work.  Their tenacity enabled Jesus to minister to the people of Israel, extend the salvation of God to all people (not just the Jewish people) and give himself in sacrifice so that all of the people of the world will have access to God’s grace and redemption.  If Mary and Joseph had not been so tenacious, perhaps the story of our faith would be very different indeed.

            So, friends, take heart.  We will overcome this time of Covid.  We will overcome this time of fear and isolation.  We will overcome this time of restrictions.  Like Mary and Joseph, we can endure much because God strengthens us.

            Thanks be to God. Amen.  

E-Message to the Trinity Family from December 23, 2020

 

Greetings Trinity Family,

 

Merry Christmas to all!  I hope this message finds everyone doing well.  I hate that I can’t see your smiling faces this year on Christmas Eve, but I am looking forward to “normal’ activities resuming as we are vaccinated.

 

We have a lot going on at the church that I want you to know about:

 

CHRISTMAS EVE

 

When our Consistory decided to discontinue in-person services, our Christmas Eve options were impacted.  Therefore, we will still have three services, but they will all be virtual. 

 

Each of our services will begin with a Christmas Hymn Sing led by Ralien and Amey. 

 

At 11:40, the hymn sing will be livestreamed from the “Ralien Luann Besch” facebook page and the new “Trinity Skippack Choir” facebook page.

 

At 12 pm, we will have a live-streamed worship service on Facebook.  Please log into the “Trinity Christian UCC Skippack” facebook page to participate.  The service will continue to be on facebook after it is live, so if you are not available at 12, you can participate in it later.

 

Ralien and Amey will lead a live Christmas Eve Hymn Sing on our ZOOM worship page at 2:40 and 6:40 pm.

 

Then, at 3 pm and 7 pm, we will have live ZOOM worship services.  Please join us by clicking this link:

 

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

 

Topic: Trinity Worship Services

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/75566827269

 

Meeting ID: 755 6682 7269

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,75566827269# US (Washington D.C)

+13126266799,,75566827269# US (Chicago)

 

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 755 6682 7269

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kih56ueDN

 

LEO’S CHRISTMAS VISIT

 

Leo will visit our children TONIGHT on facebook!   Please log in to the “Ralien Luann Besch” facebook page at 7 pm tonight. 

 

CHRISTMAS CAROL HYMN SING

 

This December has 5 Wednesdays.  On December 30, Ralien and Amey are inviting us all to join them for a virtual Christmas Carol Hymn sing.  We will join together on facebok at 7 pm. Please sent your Christmas Carol requests to Ralien and we will work to sing everyone’s favorites. 

 

To join in, log on to “Ralien LuAnn Besch” ‘s facebook page at 7 pm on Wednesday, December 30.

 

NEW TRINITY CHOIR FACEBOOK PAGE

 

Our choir now has a facebook page. Choir members, under the capable leadership of Ralien Besch, have begun sharing songs and solos on our new page.  This is a wonderful complement to our ministries as we have worked to increase our “virtual” reach to our community, friends, and neighbors.  Please check it out on facebook at “Trinity Skippack Choir”

 

YEAR-END DONATIONS

 

Although we are not having in-person services, the work of your church continues.  And, most of our regular expenses continue – we plow the parking lot when it snows, we keep our buildings heated so the pipes don’t freeze, we continue to keep our staff busy with work, we keep our lights on so that the community is reminded that the Light of Christ is always shining.  If you would like to make a year-end donation to the church, or any type of offering, you may mail it to Trinity Christian UCC, 2004 Church Road, PO Box 538, Skippack, PA 19474.

 

 

WORSHIP SERVICES

 

On Sunday mornings, please join us on Facebook or Zoom:

 

Join us for our Sunday morning hymn sing at 9:45 am livestreamed from the “Ralien Luann Besch” facebook page.  (On January 3, our Hymn Sing will be livestreamed on the Trinity Facebook page.)

 

10:15 Facebook livestream Worship.  You can find us at our "Trinity Christian UCC Skippack" facebook page.

 

11 am ZOOM worship.  You can login at this link:

 

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

 

Topic: Trinity Worship Services

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/75566827269

 

Meeting ID: 755 6682 7269

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,75566827269# US (Washington D.C)

+13126266799,,75566827269# US (Chicago)

 

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 755 6682 7269

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kih56ueDN

 

 

BIBLE STUDY

 

We also have a Sunday morning Bible Study on ZOOM at 8:45 am.  Here is the link to log in:

 

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Trinity's Wired Word Discussion Group
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76933813590?pwd=Nzc0MkthZFBkdmVNTGYycjVtRXkwUT09

Meeting ID: 769 3381 3590
Password: 7qLSWw

 

 

 

MUSIC MINISTRY

 

Here is information about Trinity’s Music Ministry: 

 

Wednesday music schedule:

 

Adult Choir - 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month on Zoom

Mission Music - 2nd Wednesday of each month on Zoom

Leo - 4th Wednesday of each month on Facebook

Special Surprise - when there is a 5th Wednesday of the month – this month, it is a Christmas Carol Hymn Sing!

 

Each of our Wednesday activities will be at 7 pm.   Here is the ZOOM link for our music ministry Wednesday evening activities:

 

Amelie Sell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

 

Topic: Trinity's Music Ministry

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87363505182

 

Meeting ID: 873 6350 5182

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,87363505182# US (Germantown)

+13126266799,,87363505182# US (Chicago)

 

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

        +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 873 6350 5182

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbetKNjam4

 

DAILY BREAD COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY

 

We continue to collect food and toiletry items for the Daily Bread Food Pantry.  They can be left at the doors of the church.

 

The Daily Bread's Current needs change every few weeks. This is their latest list of needs:

 

Personal Care: Laundry Detergent, Cleaning Supplies *

Food: Jelly, Jam, Peanut Butter, Mayonnaise, Ketchup, Rice, Skillet Helpers or Rice a Roni, Cookies, Chips, Juice, Shelf Stable Milk, Stuffing, Pie Crust Mix, Pie Crust Fillings in cans,

Pet Care: Dry Cat food*

And any other items you wish to donate would greatly be appreciated!

 

*These items can’t be purchased with Food Stamps.

 

COVID UPDATE

On the weekend of December 6th, our Consistory had an emergency meeting and voted to discontinue our in-person worship services. We are only meeting virtually on Facebook and Zoom.



The Covid pandemic continues to peak and is worse now than when we first closed this past spring. Please know that we are consistently re-evaluating and updating our Covid practices and criteria according to official guidelines, both state and county, as well as what we consider best for our members and community. We ask you to be patient as we find our way through this bewildering time.



We feel that returning our services to an online presence is a small price to pay to keep our congregation and friends of our church safe. We've been informed that the next three months will be the most critical of the entire pandemic.

Let's do our best to mask up, use gloves, distance, wash our hands, and stay home as much as possible. Hopefully we will be together again soon but, in the meantime, please stay the course and be safe.



At the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference UCC’s fall meeting, Reverend Worley recommended that all of our churches return to online-only worship services. The neighboring UCC churches who are part of the Skippack Ministerium are meeting virtually and are not meeting in-person.

 

HYMNALS

 

If you would like to borrow a hymnal from the church, please let me know and I will arrange for you to receive one.

 

TRINITY BLOG

 

Trinity now has a blog where I am posting notes to the congregation and the text of my sermons.  If you would like to read these notes and messages, you can find them at: www.trinityskippack.blogspot.com

 

I will “see” you in worship on Sunday!

 

Many blessings!!

Pastor Amelie