January 15 2017 “Baby Gifts”

January 15 2017 “Baby Gifts” Isaiah 49.1-7, *I Corinthians 1.1-9 Pastor Jacqueline Hines

Apostle Paul was a very traditional Jew. [slide # 1 Jew with prayer cloth etc. ] Like most males he was raised to protect himself and his family, using force if necessary. Paul did not have a gun, but he probably carried some type of weapon. He would fight ferociously for his God-given rights and he would fight fearlessly for his faith. Paul was as fierce as his Maker. Paul was also ingeniously gentle as God is. His letter to the people at Corinth brought out the best in him.

Corinth was a very worldly place. No doubt you could find all kinds of moral filth and ungodly activity going on in Corinth. Corinth was a nasty place. It had to be hard to get anything good done in Corinth, for many Corinthians did not share the same values as Christians and Jews.

First of all, Paul looked different than other Corinthians. [slide # 2 Jew with prayer cloth -duplicate of slide # 1] When he worshipped, he wore the precious and sacred symbols of connection to God. The phylacteries were little black boxes worn on his head and wrapped around his biceps. They contained scriptures reminding him to stay strong in God. The prayer shawl symbolically covered him in God’s presence and the tassels on the four corners were to remind him of God’s commands wherever they went on the four corners of the world, so they would not, as chapter 15 of the book of Numbers says, ‘prostitute themselves by chasing after the lusts of their own hearts and eyes.’

Jewish traditions have evolved through the years [slide# 3 Jewish feast] whether it be with a wig for convenience [slide# 4 wig wringlets] ,  yamakas that include praying women [slide # 5 woman wearing yamaka] or high fashion for the Jewish youth. [slide # 6 black hat]

Of course, some traditions are more noticeable or controversial than others. Having conflicts around how people look has always been a challenge for humanity. When I taught in the Baltimore school system, a Sikh was teaching down the hall. [slide  # 7 Sikh with red turban]

His Sikh [slide # 8 sikh] tradition was developed thousands of years ago in India. Their guru leaders believed in the unity of human kind and regular meditation to center the soul for service. The Sikhs were instructed by their spiritual gurus to never cut their hair, so they should wear a turban in order to protect their hair. The turban became such an important part of their faith in God that even when they fought in the British army or rode bikes in the city, they fought hard for the right to wear turbans as their spiritual protection instead of helmets for their physical protection.

This teacher I saw in Baltimore was a Sikh, not a Muslim, but the sacred turban he wrapped around his head [slide # 9 toddlers wearing turbans] reminded the children of the kufiyah that Muslims like Osama Bin Laden wrapped around their heads. [slide # 10 Osama Bin Laden] Whenever the children saw the Sikh coming, they would run in the other direction, screaming and terrified. The Sikh was gone in two days, and hopefully, found another place to do good work without being misunderstood and rejected or persecuted.

In a place like Corinth, there is always someone who seems odd to others. There is always some politics or conflict or opinion about what people do and how they do it! We may decide to accept or reject someone for a million different reasons. Whether we accept or whether we reject, we do well to do our best to be led by the Holiest of Spirits.

In the best of times, we get to know and understand others better when we work with them or live with them or worship with them. When we become familiar and knowledgeable, we can make better decisions about how to relate to them.

In the worst of times, we are concerned, even afraid. We want to accept all people, but something real may be holding us back. It is then, as at all times that we want to make use of all the spiritual gifts God has given us, even if our gifts are itsy bitsy baby beginner gifts. Paul says in verse 7 that the Christians in Corinth were not lacking in any spiritual gift. That means that they had learned to develop their gifts. [ slide # 11 verse 7…] and they could make the most of every situation that was before them.

God gives us gifts to make the church strong, to make our families strong, and to make our communities strong. God guides us in opportunities to use our gifts wisely. [slide# 12 basketball court]

The church in Corinth was well equipped and willing to do great things for God. They were prepared and ready to do and say and serve wherever God needed them. [slide # 13 pushing a wall in place] They heard God’s call and were careful to think before they acted. They could not just rely on a knee-jerk reaction. They could not hide behind their fears and prejudices. They had to talk together [ slide# 14 in conversation] and think together [slide # 15 thinking – bulb] as well as pray together [slide # 16 several at altar] in order to be the blessing God had in mind, in order to weather the storms, in order to be a source of healing and deliverance when needed.

In every church and every family and every community there is much that is needed to be done and much that is needed to be said and much that is needed to be served.

At Bethel we are known for gifts of teaching, generosity, encouragement, and helps. Our weekly giving indicates that there are several who obey God’s direction to tithe and give special offerings. We have nine Christian education classes from infants to seniors and one more adult class was announced last week, making ten.

Our members who work on the Compassionate Care Team [slide # 17 Team] are extraordinary, exceptional, and out of this world when it comes to providing a ride, a meal, an act of kindness, or a word of comfort, and a whole lot more. Our Board of Trustees spends countless hours and dollars from their own pockets to maintain our parsonage and sanctuary. [slide# 18 many working around building] If they were not true servants, our church just might look abandoned like this one. [ Slide # 19 abandoned church] or fallen down, like this one. [ slide # 20 fallen church building]

It is a mystery to me how our Audio [slide # 21 audio…] and Finance Teams [slide# 22 keep calm…finance team] find the time and resources to do what they do every single week. God is pleased! We work hard and we work with exceptional excellence and diligence. We are blessed to serve and those who are just beginning to think about using their gifts, even if those gifts seem small, I encourage you to act boldly. Just go ahead and reach out and start asking God how to go about blessing others with your gifts. We will all be stronger as a result. [slide # 23 stronger together]

When we all do our part, whether great or small, we bring light where there is no light. We need lots of light in the church. The story is told of the old days when churches were lit with lanterns. The church had as much light as each member could bring. If you did not show up, your corner of the sanctuary was noticeably dark. [slide # 24 lanterns at pew]

We need the light of God’s word and will in our path. [slide # 25 white path] There are many things that we need to see. We need to see how to be gentle and careful when someone is going through something. We need to see how important every little blessing is to keeping the church strong and faithful. Every little prayer, every little kindness, matters. The more of God we have, the more light we have to see and appreciate the great work God is doing among us. [slide # 26 lit green path]

So as we go forth, let us stay in the light of God’s love, let us shine, shine, shine [slide# 27 shining light] and use our gifts boldly so until they sparkle! [Slide # 28 blue sparkling light] Amen. [slide # 29 seeking all servants]

January 8 2017 Isaiah 42.1-9, *Acts 10.34-43 “Baby Steps”

January 8 Isaiah 42.1-9, *Acts 10.34-43 “Baby Steps” Baptism of the Lord  Pastor Jacqueline Hines

The book of Acts is a little history of the Church in the very first century. Because Bethel has a church historian in Mike Osiol and Dorothy Hall [slide # 1 Bethel Historians…] and several others, we have written documents of names and events of church activity generation after generation. This is good. Our church history informs and encourages us.

In this tenth chapter of Acts, we read that Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, was invited to speak to a group of believers. Peter began his sermon by saying, “‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” [slide # 2 global family]

Peter preached this sermon in a city known for its great aqueducts and its convenient, seaside sewage system. This city was called Caesarea, [slide # 3 Caesarean aqueducts] named after Augustus Caesar, which reflects the power of Roman politics. In fact, the person who invited Peter to preach was a Roman army sergeant named Cornelius. [slide # 4 Roman soldier] Cornelius was a good man. Scriptures tell us that he had great respect for God, gave generously to people in need, and prayed constantly.

Cornelius, no doubt  found a lot of support for his faith in the city of  Caesarea for Caesarea was not only an important political city, but at certain times in its history was an important religious city, even as much as Jerusalem -70 miles away - was. Priests and rabbis would no doubt gather there for conferences and religious courts and fulfilling administrative duties just as our church has its special offices today in Valley Forge and D. C. and Tennessee.

Caesarea was also a port city. [slide # 5 Caesarea port] A wide variety of travelers came there from different parts of the world. [slide # 6 hands on globe] There were men, women, boys, and girls who spoke all kinds of languages and had interesting or sometimes disturbing customs. Christians would come to Caesarea to share the gospel with them and invite them to participate in the Christian culture.

I grew up in a small town in Connecticut with neighbors who were Jewish, who spoke Polish, Italian, Ebonics, and Greek. It was a blessing to get along as well as we did. We were civil to one another. It is hard to accept the fact that even civilized communities can deteriorate into selfish and hate mongering mobs. That is why we must watch as well as pray.

The fact that a preacher like Peter known for speaking the controversial message of Christ, [slide # 7 finger pointing crowd] was invited by a religious soldier like Cornelius of the Roman army that crucified Jesus, to come to a city as diverse as Caesarea, was a God-thing and a God-thing is always a good thing, no matter how uncomfortable it is. [slide # 8 man with hands near face]

Peter told the crowd regardless of where you were born or where you live, if you do right, you are acceptable in the eyes of God. Verse 36 says that Peter was preaching “peace” in a time when there were so many opportunities for disagreement and cultural conflict. Peter had courage. [slide # 9 get comfortable with being…]

As scary as some conversations and confrontations can be, if we neglect to seek God’s help in facing our fears or remembering the least, the last, the lost, we put ourselves at risk along with our families, our communities, and our churches. Neglecting to do all of God’s work is like neglecting maintenance on our bodies or our homes. We cannot afford to do only the work that is comfortable and convenient. We have to have balance.

The church is like a tropical rainforest. Rainforests become balanced because they have a diversity of life. [slide# 10 rainforest]Tropical rainforests cover less than 2 percent of Earth’s surface, but they are home to more than 50 percent of the plants and animals on Earth. They can accommodate so many plants and animals because of there is so much sunlight. The church is also a place where we can find a whole lot of Son – Light, [slide # 11 Son Light] too, especially if we ALL let our lights shine. [slide # 12 heart and light]

The tropical rainforest not only provides sunlight but an overhead canopy. This canopy serves as a shelter and a shield and a refuge. [slide # 13 plant canopy] Water and food are hidden in this canopy where animals and plants find them. In the church, God is our refuge, our source of shelter, water, and food. And when God is all we have, then God is all we need! [slide # 14 Jesus hugging man]

At times, all we have may be spiritual and not physical. In other words, when we find ourselves short of food, or shelter, or water, we better have God. We better have spiritual food, and we better have refreshing rivers of life flowing from our lives, we better have established our covering care like a canopy for our neighbors and our enemies, even as we continue to work at resolving our differences. [slide # 15 hands together]

God expects great things from us as a church. We begin each journey of faith with three baby steps. [slide # 16 baby steps] The first baby step we take is prayer, [slide # 17 man kneeling] the second baby step is preparation, [slide # 18 success needs…preparation] the third baby step is prediction. [slide # 19 bright future…]

Journeying without prayer is like taking a 3 day journey without food and water, without adequate outerwear and footwear. The journey of faith can become uncomfortable without proper protection. [slide # 20 man kneeling (duplicate of slide#17)]

Cornelius and Peter were men of prayer. Prayer helped them to give to those in need. Prayer helped them to understand more clearly what God was asking them to do and where God was asking them to go. Prayer enabled them to go to the next level in doing great work and enjoying spiritual treasures of unity and spreading the good news and of working with and getting along with others in the church.

Prayer helped them to take a second baby step, preparation. [slide # 21 success needs…preparation (duplicate of slide # 18) ] Being prepared for all kinds of people is worth a million. I spent a day in a diversity workshop at Washington, D. C.’s Howard University. The title of the workshop was “One for All, and All for One.”  The focus was on relating with respect and kindness to people who are different.

We were placed in small groups where different people were “planted”. I recall a young person with a very wild pair of socks that I thought I would never ever wear. I saw another person with legs 3 times larger than normal because of a rare disease.

There was a psychologist who sat outside the group making evaluative comments, like “You left someone out.” or “You all are avoiding the issues.” The therapist was like a ghost. We were told not to respond to him directly, but to simply reflect on his professional insight.

The lesson learned in those hours at Howard University was that we are prepared for greatness when everyone has a place in our heart. We are prepared for greatness when we know and understand that everyone is worthy and everyone should be attended to with timely integrity. We are all in the boat together.

A third baby step towards God’s greatness is predicting a positive outcome. [slide # 22 bright future…(duplicate of slide # 19Growing up my pastor would often say, “Hitch your wagon to a star, and ride.” As we learn to keep our head up, we learn to think positively and to dream big. God helps us picture and predict reconciliation and forgiveness and peace that is deeper than what we have or that may not even exist yet.

It is easy to play negative situations over and over in our minds until they become a self-fulfilling prophecy from one generation to another. If we take baby steps to see ourselves, our families, our community, our church in the light of God’s love, if we dare to dream of a new version of that crazy old scene, we will see God’s will unfold. We will experience more of the healing and deliverance that Jesus modeled for us and that Peter mentioned to the crowd in verse 38….how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. [slide # 23 how he went about…]

So go ahead, picture that angry face as a happy face. [slide # 24 happy face flower] Predict that rough road as a sunlit path full of peace and happiness. [slide # 25 flowery path] See yourself doing God’s will and having the strength to help others walk in the path of righteousness. [slide # 26 helping hand] Every time a negative scene plays itself in your mind, replace it with a new version and a new vision. [slide#27 eyeglasses]

We can be the balanced church God calls us to be as we make room for all God’s children to benefit from our Son Light and the protective canopy that provides spiritual and physical food and water and shelter for those who need it. May it be so for you and me, today and forever. [slide # 28 Give God what’s right…] Amen.

December 25 2016 Born Again- Beautiful

December 25 “Born Again – Beautiful”   *Isaiah 52.7-10, John 1.1-14 Pastor Jacqueline Hines

It’s Christmas Day. Throughout the season we have had high hopes and great expectations everywhere in our lives. We anticipated joy-filled gatherings, [slide # 1 excited crowd]  awe-inspiring music, [slide # 2 musicians in choir] [slide # 3 musicians with strings] and refreshing family reunions. [slide # 4 family dinner]

No doubt, we found plenty of bargains [slide # 5 shopping crowd] and surprises that touched our hearts, [slide # 6 children] and the day is not quite over. Famous films, royal feasts and special phone calls are no doubt waiting in the wings for us. Christmas is a beautiful time of year.

But, the joy of Christmas did not just happen when Jesus came on the scene. [slide # 7 Jesus in manger] The joy of Christmas happened because we received him as king. We created a culture that acknowledges his royal highness. [slide # 8 king Jesus] We accepted the gift that God gave because God so loved the world.

The prophet Isaiah captures the essence of Christmas in verse 7: [slide # 9 verse 7] How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’

The joy of Christmas comes whenever someone brings good news that makes for peace. Peace makes for a beautiful Christmas!

As word spread of the birth of our savior, Christmas celebrations gradually became more public and more meaningful. Now we celebrate Christmas around the whole world.

One historian suggests that Americans began to really celebrate Christmas in the 1800’s. It was originally described as a “raucous carnival holiday.”  There seemed to be a great deal of tension between the haves and the have nots. Unemployment was high and gangs were rioting. In 1828 the New York City police department was formed. That period of time brings to mind some of the New Orleans celebrations of Mardi gras. Some are known to be very rowdy and the negative influence of alcohol is found in abundance. 

In the 1800’s it took social media to turn things around in America. A best-selling author named Washington Irving [slide # 9 Irving photo] began to write a series of short stories that penetrated the consciousness of the middle class.  He is famous for writing "Rip Van Winkle” and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" with that famous character, the headless horseman.

But the stories he wrote about Christmas remind me of modern television series like Downton Abbey that are sweet and intriguing. Washington Irving’s’ series of Christmas stories featured Christmas in an English manor house. A squire – landowner, big wheel - invited the peasants into his home for the holiday. “In contrast to the problems faced in American society, the two groups mingled effortlessly. In Irving’s mind, Christmas should be a peaceful, warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status.”

The peace Irving imagined in his stories are said to have influenced the development of peace in America! Christmas is beautiful when it is peaceful, and it is peaceful and peace comes when we allow Jesus to be born again and again in our hearts.

You may have read Our Daily Bread this week telling of 15 year old Kim Chin-Kyung who enthusiastically joined the South Korean army to defend his homeland when war broke out in 1950. “He soon found, however, that he wasn’t ready for the horrors of combat. As young friends died around him, he begged God for his life and promised that, if allowed to live, he would learn to love his enemies.

Sixty-five years later, after being one of the 17 survivors of 800 fighters and a political prisoner, Dr. Kim [slide # 11 Dr. Kim] had spent decades caring for orphans and assisting in the education of North Korean and Chinese young people. Bringing that level of peace makes for a beautiful Christmas.

As Isaiah says, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, [slide # 12 peace dove] who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’

By the grace of our God, may we always follow a way that builds peace and makes Christmas beautiful. [slide # 13 people holding hands] Amen. [slide # 14 man meditating]

December 24 2016 Why Not A Virgin Birth?

December 24 2016 Christmas Eve Why not a Virgin Birth? Pastor Jacqueline Hines

Our world is ever changing. Nothing stays the same, especially in our technological age. For example, as a little child climbed onto Santa’s lap, Santa asked the usual question, “And what would you like for Christmas?” The child stared at him open mouthed and horrified for a minute, then gasped: [slide # 1 Santa and child] “Santa, didn’t you met my E-mail?”

Our children are most often the beneficiaries of changes that happen in this world as well they should be. We want them to be better off than we had it. We are eager to see them fly high, [slide # 2 eagle] advancing and improving on the good things that we pass on to them.

Children and youth amaze us with their ability to adopt new changes that others resist or find too confusing to enjoy.

There is a commercial about something called Galaxy that you put over your eyes. Those wearing the Galaxy have a very dramatic and exciting experience, so much so that they jump out of their seats, or scream, or laugh until they cry. There is no end to devices that are new and different and were unimaginable just a few years ago.

All throughout life we find things that are new to us, or different from what we have always known. All throughout our lives we encounter something that we would have never imagined. [slide # 3 man high in air]

Even what is common and ordinary in our lives is beyond our understanding. A baby is born and we cannot fathom the intricacies of nature versus nurture. [slide # 4 baby]A saint breathes a final breath and their life leaves a mere pinhole view of Paradise.  [slide # 5 stairs to heaven]

Our understanding of the moon, the stars, and the ocean are inscrutable. [slide # 6 moon, ocean, stars] Seedtime and harvest are uncontrollable. [slide # 7 farm] So much in life happens without our consent, and our knowledge barely scratches the surface. So, there is no reason we cannot also accept a virgin birth as Matthew tells us in his very first chapter:

[slide # 8 ] 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. 

There is a gospel song that says, “God specializes in things that seem impossible.” With all the marvels happening in front of our eyes, why not a virgin birth? The laws of nature are proven, yet we witnesses to the fact that there are exceptions to every rule. There are things that are strictly in God’s hands. [slide #9 in God’s hands]

A very intelligent man took a good look at the human body and told God, “I can make that.” He bent down and picked up a hand full of dirt, and God said, “Uh Uh…get your own dirt.”

No matter which way we turn, we cannot escape the fact that there is more to life than we can make of it. So why not believe in a virgin birth? Why not expect a miracle instead of your mess, even if it is a messy miracle? Why not pray and labor in love and talk to God every day until you get an answer? [slide # 10 praying man]

There are after all at least 4 answers to prayer: # 1 God says yes, of course; #2 God says no – no way; # 3 God says maybe –depending upon whether you do your part; and # 4 God says you must wait – because someone needs more time to build strength, or courage, or forgiveness, or repentance or understanding.

Let this be the evening that you [slide # 11 reaching toward Heaven] reach toward Heaven and look for your biggest dreams to come true with divine intervention. Let this be the Christmas you begin praying for healing and hope without stopping until you hear God answer. Let this be the year that you resolve to follow the one, born of a virgin, and discover how to take care of yourself, your family and your neighbors as God guides you in ways that are new, and different, and unimaginable. [slide # 12 underwater dance] Why not? Amen.

December 18 2016 Showing Up For Christ On Christmas

December 18 2016 Matthew 1.18-25 “Showing Up for Christ at Christmas” Pastor Jacqueline Hines

Whenever Christmas is on a Sunday, churches wonder if anyone at all will show up. After all, it’s Christmas, a time to be tucked away in the privacy of one’s home enjoying family traditions. [slide # 1 stockings fireplace]

Nevertheless, Christians always show up for Christ at Christmas as the gospel of Matthew reveals. [slide # 2 Gospel of Matthew] Even if we do not go to church, [slide # 3 Ghanians entering church]we still need to show up for Christmas. [slide # 4 Three wise men on camels] For, showing up for Christmas does not necessarily mean showing up in church. What showing up for Christmas does mean is seeing the newborn king in every soul we meet. [slide # 5 child looking up] It means giving and serving as if everyone were royalty. It means living like we are grateful and loved by God and each other. [slide # 6 love gratitude]

Matthew shows us who showed up for Christ on Christmas. The Holy Spirit showed up for Christmas. [slide # 7 Holy Spirit] That is a wonder; the Holy Spirit showed up for Christmas! It was not the spirit of divisiveness, selfishness, [slide # 8 frowny face] rebelliousness, unkindness or mean spiritedness. It was the Holy Spirit ready to do God’s will. If we show up for Christmas, we show up ready to do God’s will and to teach by a holy example. That is why the Holy Spirit showed up, and that is what we can do if we are going to show up for Christmas. [slide # 9 let God]

Mary showed up for Christmas. This young girl, all grown up was of the age to meet a fine young man. He would be her provider and she would hold him in high esteem within their community. [slide # 10 Mary and Joseph] They would love, honor, and respect each other for the rest of their lives, in spite of being two distinct personalities. After all, their goal was not to think alike, it was to think together. By the grace of God they could grow to understand that marriage is not 50-50. Divorce is 50-50. Marriage has to be 100 and 100 because you have to give it all. They could do this only if both of them relied on God’s supernatural power. [slide # 11 wedding rings on bible]

Mary showed up for Christmas with a romantic dream in her heart and a baby, though she could not explain where she got it. Everyone in the world had an idea of where this baby came from, but as is often the case, some situations are so deep and mystical that they are beyond explanation. In fact, most things in life are deep and mystical, and some things are deeper than others.

The bottom line is God knows and God cares. God never leaves us alone, and never forsakes us, never.  [slide # 12 Joseph with Mary on donkey]

Like Mary, we can show up for Christmas with anything growing inside the womb of our expectations, especially those situations that are misunderstood and too deep for words. [slide # 13 at the feet of Jesus]

Joseph also showed up for Christmas. Joseph was a manly man, [slide # 14 carpenter Joseph and Jesus] but most importantly, Joseph was a Godly man. He had Godly respect for his fiancé. He had no devilish desire to hurt her. He was not mad at her when she showed up, apparently having shared her love with another. He did not know of her love for God who is always the third wheel in every marriage, for better or for worse. [slide # 15 God’s vision…]

Joseph would grow to honor and hear the heart of Mary and God which made him a wonderful family man. Like Joseph, when we show up for Christmas we are being good leaders.

Matthew the gospel writer acted like a reputable journalist when he showed up for Christmas, telling the story of the savior of the world born in Bethlehem.

Stories are important. There is the story of a small community in the Pacific who shared the story from one family to another, again and again of a day when they heard the sound of rushing waters. [slide # 16 wall of water] It was a tsunami coming their way and they escaped the floods.

The story was told so many times that it became well-known among the people. Decades later, when another tsunami occurred, they   knew the sound and the signs and could protect themselves from danger. They were saved. It is good that Matthew showed up for Christmas with the story of one who could save them. Surely, we all have something from time to time from which we need to be saved, and we have a savior.

Most central to the Christmas season is the angel that showed up for Christmas in Joseph’s dream. [slide # 17 angel] The angel brought Joseph a message that was special and specific and personal. He heard God loud and clear. The message gave clarity during this time when he was doubled over in grief and caught up in Christmas confusion. [slide # 18 drama]

What a gift it is to hear God at any time. [slide # 19 hearing God] It is good to hear God when we are experiencing chaos. It is also good to hear God when things are going well. When we are ready to listen, we will surely hear God’s message to us. We will hear deep truths that will set us free, [slide # 20 dove… truth] calm us down, and illuminate our paths. We will hear clear help that will hinder the wickedness in our life.

Joseph heard and he listened and instead of using all the excuses he could come up with not to marry Mary, he obeyed the angel in his dream and did marry her and their marriage was a blessing to the world as God intends for all relationships. [slide # 21 …blessings come down]

We are urged to show up for Christ on Christmas. [slide # 22 cross at church door] We can show up like an angel speaking in a Godly voice. We can show up with a life-changing, life-saving story like Matthew. We can show up with a dream and a righteous life like Joseph or with a ready womb like Mary.

For God’s sake, let us show up for Christ at Christmas ready to be inspired by a spirit that is nothing less than holy! [slide # 23 puppy with earphones] Amen. [slide # 24 made to praise]