Sidney UMC - Baptism of the Lord Sunday - 01/08/23 - Sermon - “Baptism and the Holy Trinity!”

                                  Sunday 01/08/23 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title:      “Baptism and the Holy Trinity!”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 29                                         

New Testament Scripture: Acts 10:34-43

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 3:13-17 

          As I mentioned earlier in the service, you might have noticed that our church baptismal font is in the center of sanctuary this morning. You might have even thought to yourself or said, “why is the church baptismal font in the middle of the sanctuary this morning!” This morning, we are talking about baptism, and specifically the baptism of Jesus Christ. Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, in the modern-day Israel/Palestine. Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist immersed or “dunked” Jesus in the Jordan River, to baptize him. Some of us might have been baptized with the sprinkling of water from a baptismal font, and some of us may have been baptized by immersion or “dunking” in water. If you have never been baptized, that is ok, because I would be more than happy to baptize you!

          In many Christian traditions part of baptism is removing the original sin of the fall of Adam and Eve. This mark of sin that has become part of our shared humanity is something that many Christian traditions believe that the Holy Spirit removes in baptism. In our United Methodist beliefs, one of the reasons that we baptize babies and children, is in part because of original sin, but also because it is the entry point into the Universal Christian Church. We do not believe in the United Methodist Church that an unbaptized child is condemned, as they are only a child, and not old enough to understand faith. As a Jewish boy is historically circumcised on his eighth day of his life as the entry point into the Jewish faith, baptism in the United Methodist Church and other churches is, in part, the entry point into the Universal Christian Church.

          Baptism does not save our souls or offer us eternity with God, as I believe only faith and repentance can do that. While different Christian traditions have differing views on what baptism is and why it is done, we generally agree that baptism is the mark of a Christian. If faith saves us, then baptism is an outward and visible sign to the world of an inward spiritual grace. Baptism is significant for the reasons that I cited, and again, it is how you are permanently made part of the Universal Christian Church. In doing so, we are claiming the baby or child being baptized as one of us, with hope that when they are old enough to understand faith and repentance, they will except Christ for themselves.

          All that said, baptism also matters, as we generally only get baptized once in our lives. Maybe, we were an infant or baby and do not remember our baptism, or maybe we were of age and do remember our baptism. Or maybe, you are yet to be baptized, and, again, I can help with this! Either way, the baptismal font is in the center of the church this morning, as a reminder of our baptisms. At any point during this service, if you have not already done so, you are invited to touch the water in the baptismal font to remember your own baptism and be thankful. To remember the moment that God claimed you, and you became part of the Universal Christian Church.

          It is true to say too that it would be rather strange to get baptized and then never accept Christ, but we have free will to accept or reject Christ. Either way, you are invited once again to touch the water of baptism in our church baptismal font at any point this morning, to remember your baptism and to be thankful. Perhaps some of you were baptized at this actual baptismal font, or maybe your family and friends were. Remember your baptism and be thankful.

          On this day, Baptism of the Lord Sunday, we celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ our Lord in the Jordan. Jesus did not inherit the stain of sin that all of us are born into this world with. Jesus also did not need to be cleansed of sin, for he had none. Jesus did not need to be baptized to become part of the Universal Christian Church, as Jesus is the Universal Christian Church. So why, on this day that we celebrate Jesus’ baptism, did Jesus get baptized? I mean he did not have to, but it is interesting. You see after Jesus is baptized, in the gospel of Matthew 4, Jesus then goes into the wilderness and was tempted and tested by the devil for 40-days and 40-nights. Immediately after this time of trial in wilderness, Jesus begins his public ministry. Jesus calls his first disciples, and begins preaching, loving, healing, and forgiving. Before this, Jesus had not begun to preach, heal, love, or forgive.

          Jesus’ baptism, therefore, began his public ministry. First, he went through a time of trial and temptation in the wilderness, and then everything we read in the gospels after this. So, Jesus then, if can imagine this, asked his cousin John the Baptist, to baptize him, as the starting point for his ministry. Jesus revealed himself to the world as messiah and Lord after his baptism. The outward sign of Jesus beginning his ministry was baptism, and because of this many Christian Churches, like the United Methodist Church believe that baptism is the entry point into the Universal Christian Church. Baptism tethers us to the Christian Community, removes the stain of sin, and brings us together in a family covenant. The hope is that this child will then grow and receive God’s grace through Jesus Christ themselves.

          Further, what I love about our gospel of Matthew reading for this morning, is in this reading, we have all three persons of God. God the Father is present, God’s son Jesus Christ is present, getting baptized, and the Holy Spirit of God descends like a dove. All three persons of God, all separate, all present, and all magnifying the fullness, wonder, power, and glory of God.

          In our reading for this morning from Psalm 29, it says once again, in 29:3:

³ The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters (Ps. 29:3, NRSV).

          This morning in our gospel of Matthew reading, God the Father speaks over the waters of Jesus’ baptism. In looking at our Book of Acts 10:34-43 reading for this morning, we hear more about the Baptism of Jesus Christ. In fact, starting in Acts 10:36 for this morning, it says once again:

³⁶ You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. ³⁷ That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 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. ³⁹ We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰ but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, (Acts 10:36-40, NRSV).

          So according to the Book of Acts reading for this morning, Jesus began preaching and spreading the gospel, not before, but after his baptism. Our reading for this morning from the Book of Acts cites how God was present and the Holy Spirit, and how Jesus then went forth doing all of the amazing things that he did. We then hear that all those who new and saw Jesus are witnesses to all of the amazing thing Jesus said and did, including his resurrection from the dead, on Easter. Amazing to know that all of this started with the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is why my friends, I put our baptismal font in the center of the church, invited us all to touch the water of baptism, to remember our baptism and be thankful.

          In looking at our gospel of Matthew 3:13-17 reading for this morning, once again, we hear one of the gospel narratives of Jesus’ baptism. Starting in Matthew 3:13 for this morning, it says:

¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matt. 3:13-14, NRSV).  

          John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus, as Jesus is Lord and Savior. John the Baptist is taken aback that Jesus would want John to baptize him. In fact, John the Baptist tells Jesus that he needs to be baptized by him.

          It makes sense to me that John the Baptist would want to be baptized by Jesus, I mean would not we feel uncomfortable baptizing our Lord and Savior? I know I would. I am not worthy to baptize Jesus, and in fact, John the Baptist says in another gospel that is not even worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals.

          Yet, starting in Matthew 3:15 it says:

¹⁵ But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented (Matt. 3:15, NRSV).

          Jesus is telling his cousin John the Baptist that he wants him to baptize him so that his mission, his public ministry could begin. Jesus wanted to be baptized before calling the twelve disciples, preaching, loving, healing, forgiving, and dying for the sins of the world. Jesus chose his starting point to be baptism, and baptism is what makes us part of the Universal Christian Church. Jesus’ ministry on earth started with baptism, and baptism brings us into the Universal Christian Church.

          In looking more closely at the details of Jesus’ baptism in the gospel of Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism for this morning, the gospel says in 3:16-17:

¹⁶ And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:16-17, NRSV).

          So, Jesus is immersed or “dunked” by his cousin John the Baptist into the Jordan River. Jesus is Baptized in the Jordan, Upon coming back up out the Jordan River, the gospel says that suddenly the heavens opened up. When this happened the Holy Spirit of God descended upon Jesus like a dove. It alighted upon him. It did not enter Jesus but was separate from him. Jesus, our Lord, and Savior was present, and the Holy Spirt, God, was also present.

          Then, after the heavens open, and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and voice from the opened heavens speak. This voice is God, the Father, the creator of all that ever was or is. God speaks loudly, letting all who will listen know that Jesus, is his son, his beloved, and that he is well pleased with him.

          On this morning then, we not only revisit the importance of baptism, our baptisms, and the baptism of Jesus, we see a scene in Jesus’ baptism for this morning in the gospel of Matthew, where Jesus is present with the Father, him the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All God, one substance, in three distinct forms. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

          Then later in the same gospel of Matthew, Jesus gives his disciples in Matthew 28:16-20 what we know as “The Great Commission.” Matthew 28:16-20 says once again:

¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him, but they doubted. ¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

          Jesus tells his disciples and us in Matthew 28:16-20 to form and make disciples of all people, and then baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Spirit. We are then to teach these new disciples everything that we know about Jesus. Faith is what saves us, but the Sacrament of Holy Baptism is what brings us into the Universal Christian Church. It is an expression of dying to ourselves and raising with Christ, but most Christian Churches want people to be baptized before joining the church. Why? It is because the mark of a Christian is that of baptism.

          We will likely never agree on the best form or way to baptize, but we can agree that we do this because Jesus commanded us to do, and it because it makes us part of his church. We also reaffirm the Holy Trinity for this morning of God three in one, or God one in three, as in the scene of Jesus Baptism for this morning in the gospel of Matthew, we have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All present, all powerful, all co-equal, and all God. This is why “Baptism and the Holy Trinity” is important. Amen.

Sidney UMC - Christmas Day - 12/25/22 - Sermon - “He Is Among Us!”

Christmas Day 12/25/22 - Sidney UMC 

Sermon Title:       “Hope Is Among Us?”                                

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 98                                   

New Testament Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-12

Gospel Lesson: John 1:1-14

          Is it just me, or does it seem like we were just here last night? It is not very often that we have Christmas Day on a Sunday. In fact, it is on average every seven years. So, this is something that we will only see a certain number of times in our lives.

          I can imagine after two Christmas Eve services last night, and everything else you all have been through, you might have asked yourself this morning, “What day is it again?” Then you said, “Oh, that’s right its Sunday, and it’s Christmas!” For those that have children, you may have been awoken at about 5:00 AM this morning. Not likely to your children offering you breakfast in bed, rather they wanted to know if they could open their Christmas presents!

          For this reason, and many others, I want to keep this sermon and this service shorter, so that we can all enjoy Christmas. So yes, Pastor Paul just said he will give a shorter sermon. After all, we people of miracles, right?

          When this service is over, Melissa and I have to go hot chocolate and goodies for anyone here who wants to take them home with them. Melissa and I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas. If you have not already, we hope that you get to see family and friends, enjoy yourself, laugh, and yes there might be some gifts. The real gift though, is Jesus Christ. In fact, I really love our new Nativity Scene, that we picked up at our annual Church Bazaar. In this Nativity Scene you will see the baby Jesus laying in the manger. Recently, as I had seen this before, I saw a picture of a very sad Golden Retriever on Facebook. Behind this Golden Retriever was a Christmas Tree and a Nativity seen. This very sad looking Golden Retriever had a sign around his neck. What did the sign say? It said, and I quote, “I just ate the baby Jesus out of the nativity, and I am not looking forward to the second coming!”

          This day though, is the culmination of centuries of prophecies in the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible. In our reading from Psalm 98 for this morning, we hear one of these ancient prophecies about the coming of Christ. On this Christmas Day, the wait is over, for “He Is Among Us!” Psalm 98 ends for this morning once again, saying in 98:9b of Jesus:

He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity                 (Ps. 98, 9b).

          Hope itself, life, light, and love eternal in amongst us and in us. May we live this love not only on this amazing day of hope, but every day. May the kindness of Christmas last all year long. For this is why Jesus came, why he died and rose, and why he will come again. So that we can be saved, and so that we can transform the world with his love.

          In fact, the Apostle Paul this morning in our Hebrews reading once again, reiterates that the ancestors of our faith and prophets of old foretold the coming of this Messiah, or savior. Paul writes once again in Hebrews 1:3 of Jesus, this:

³ He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (Heb. 1:3, NRSV).

          The hope of the world, among us, in us, and working through us together. This hope, this life, this light, and this love, is why he came among us. For today, “He Is Among Us!” As we also heard in our reading for this morning from the Book Hebrews, once again, the Apostle Paul continues on about the majesty, glory, love, and wonder of this child that has come among us this day.

          In our gospel of John 1:1-14 reading for this morning, we heard, once again, this beautiful narrative about God and His son Jesus.  We hear that Jesus was with God the Father before time itself, and that this Jesus was full of life, light, and love. This Jesus has come to conquer sin and darkness. In the fullness of time, John tells us this morning, once again, in John 1:14 of the birth of Christ, that we celebrate today:

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 (Jn. 1:14, NRSV).

          God in the flesh, hope itself, life itself, and love itself was born on that first Christmas morning. Two-thousand years ago, God came to earth in the most humble and meager of ways. In doing so, God became like one of us. He lived a common person’s life, loved, healed, transformed, and forgave. He then died for us, rose again, ascended, and will return one day in glory.

          He did all of this, not just so that we would have salvation and eternity with him, but also so that we might be changed right here and right now. Christmas is a promise that “He Is Among Us!” Christmas is a promise that life, light, and love has come to dwell with us and in us. Friends, on this Christmas Day 2022 may the light, life, and love of Christ be in us and amongst us. May we go forth bringing the great love and mercy of Christ to others. For this is why he came. For “He Is Among Us!” Merry Christmas and God bless! Amen.

Sidney UMC - Christmas Eve - 12/24/22 - Sermon - “What Will We Do With This Child?” (“The Reclaiming Hope” Series: Part 5 of 5)

                           Christmas Eve 12/24/22 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title:       “What Will We Do With This Child?”                                       (“The Reclaiming Hope” Series: Part 5 of 5)                        

Old Testament Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7                                      

New Testament Scripture: Titus 2:11-14

Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:1-20 

          Through the season of Advent and through tonight, Christmas Eve, I have been preaching a sermon series called “The Reclaiming Hope” series. Why have I been preaching this sermon series? I have been preaching this sermon series because this is the first Christmas in three-years that we can gather without all of the COVID-19 restrictions. It is true that many hospitals right now are overrun with the flu, RSV, and yes, some COVID, but we are back to somewhat of a normal level of functioning. Due to this, may we on this Christmas Eve and in general, “Reclaim Hope.”

          It is fair to say that many of us have lost and have suffered in many ways in the past three years. We have lost loved ones, some have lost jobs, relationships have ended, people have felt isolated, etc. “Reclaiming Hope” is something we have to do. With all the hurt, brokenness, and wars in the world, we need hope! We need hope in Jesus, and we need hope in each other. Sidney and the Tri-Town Area has been through a lot over the years. Floods, stores closing, downsizing of jobs, etc. It can be easy on this Christmas Eve 2022, to have only grief, despair, and negativity. Gas prices are way up, heating fuel is way up, inflation, the war in Ukraine, Tom Brady getting divorced, etc. There are a lot of problems.

          One could ask then, is it really practical for me as a pastor to encourage us all to “Reclaim Hope” on this Christmas Eve? Maybe we should all just give up and watch the world crumble. I don’t know about you, but because of the hope that I have in Christ and all of you, I don’t give up. I fight, I have hope, and I believe that the love of Jesus can make Sidney and this world so much better. We are stronger together, and great churches like this exist to be beacons of hope, light, life, and love. Churches like this make Sidney and the world better.

          Aside from all that churchy stuff though, Christmas Eve is often a night that churches have many visitors. Some of these visitors want to be here, but some have come with a little persuasion. I remember when I was a little kid, my mom told me that if we did not go to church on Christmas Eve that Santa would not come. So apparently my mother was claiming the Santa and Jesus Christ had some sort of Christmas Eve church service scam going on.

          Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate going to Christmas Eve church service. The church was beautiful, and I loved the hymns. Sometimes I even got a candy cane! So, we all are here tonight for different reasons. In fact, I have put together a list of the top ten reasons people go to a Christmas Eve church service that don’t really want to go.

1. Grandma or Mom told me I have to go, or else!

2. I don’t have to go to work tomorrow, and I don’t want to watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer for the 100^th time.

3. My significant other has wanted a date night for a while, and since the church looks pretty, this is it.

4. My boss goes to this church, and I really want a raise.

5. I’m running from the law, and no one will think to look for me at a Christmas Eve church service.

6. I realized too late that I was not at the mall.

7. After everything that I have done wrong this year, it’s my last chance to repent and try to get gifts from Santa.

8. I can get out of wrapping gifts, cooking food, and dealing with guests at home that I don’t get along with.

9. Are you sure this isn’t the mall.

10. I am here because Jesus is born, and everyone loves a baby.

          With all of this said, why does this night matter? Why do make such a big deal every year about the birth of Jesus? Many of us know that Jesus was likely born in the spring, but for centuries the church has celebrated Jesus’ birth on December 25^th. We also can’t change it now, we already have the tree up, and we have already sent out Christmas Cards. Whatever the actual day that Jesus was born, I want us to consider this question on Christmas Eve, 2022. This question is, “What Will We Do With This Child?”

          For those who have children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc., you might remember the joy that you felt when first held a newborn baby for the first time. Looking at the child with joy, wonder, and considering what that child will grow up to become. Jesus’s mother Mary of course new her son Jesus was different, special, God among us.

          What is amazing to me about Christmas is that the birth of one child can be so significant. So significant that two-thousand years later we still have Christmas Eve services, and Christmas Day service tomorrow, to commemorate the birth of this child. Many of us know that the Christian faith teaches that Jesus was born, grew up, loved, healed, forgave, transformed, died for us, rose again, ascended to heaven, and will one day will return in glory. All to often though we can view Jesus’ birth, live, death, and resurrection, as some sort of legal transaction. Jesus came to do X, Y, and Z, and as result we get X, Y, and Z in return. I would challenge us all tonight however, to consider the question of “What Will We Do With This Child?”

          I remember as a little boy going to Christmas Eve church services and sometimes being a little rambunctious. A little hard to handle. In fact, on Palm Sunday as a little boy, we were always given palms to wave around, to celebrate Jesus entering Jerusalem. One year, as a little boy, I thought that it would be fun to find a palm with a long stringy type of palm hair on the end of it. When my mom wasn’t looking, I tickled an older man’s ear in the pew in front of me. When he turned to look, I put the palm down, and sat up straight. I got away with this, until mom caught on the third tickle. As a result, I was not allowed to have a palm on Palm Sunday for a few years after this. Mom said, “Paulie, special kids get a palm after the church service”.

          Since I was sometimes rambunctious at Christmas Eve services, and in general in church, my mother would correct my behavior. One Christmas Eve my mom snapped at me and said, “Paulie behave and be nice, you are supposed to behave and be nice on Christmas!” Me being usually pretty quick witted responded and said, “So I can be rude and mean the day after Christmas?” Well my mom did not how to respond. Her face got red, and she finally just said, “No!”

          You know what is amazing to me though? The birth of Christ has become so baked into Western Culture, our culture, that people are nicer on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day. Not everyone, but in general people are nicer on Christmas. Jesus Christ, our Lord, who is coming amongst us soon as a baby, is the very source of love itself. God in flesh, born outside, with barn animals, laid in straw in a sheep trough for a manger. God amongst us, Emmanuel, born to a young and powerless woman name Mary, a loving father named Joseph. The savior of the world born on that night, homeless.

          So insignificant, so uneventful, and yet we retell this story every year, and have done so for two-thousand years. We retell this story not just because Jesus will die for us, but because Jesus has changed the world. No one has changed more hearts, more people, or more cultures than Jesus. He taught us and still teaches us to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Through all the struggles that we have been through and maybe are still our going through, “What Will We Do With This Child?” We will go forth from here loving more people like he did. Will we seek peace, hope, mercy, and a brighter future. Will we work together to make the world better. Friends, this is why he is coming amongst us, and why we need to “Reclaim Hope”.

          In our reading tonight, from the Prophet Isaiah, Isaiah wrote centuries before Jesus’ birth of what this child will grow up and become like. In Isaiah 9:6-9 it says, once again:

⁶ For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this (Isa. 9:6-8, NRSV).

          Some might ask if this scripture is true, then why is there still so much wrong in the world” Part of the answer to this is us “Reclaiming Hope”. When we come together, when we love like Jesus, the world will be better. This is why this night matters, and why this child matters.

          In our gospel of Matthew lesson for tonight we hear one of the two narratives of the birth of Jesus. It is a narrative that includes all manner of people. God among us, born in the simplest of ways, so that we can see and live and love anew. So, “What Will We Do With This Child?”

Hopefully, prayerfully, we will go forth and live and love like him. For when we do, Sidney, the Tri-Town Area, and the world will be much better. For this is why he came and believe me, it is much more exciting than watching “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” for the 100^th time. Merry Christmas and God bless to you all! Amen.

Sidney UMC - Blue Christmas/Longest Night Service - Wednesday - 12/21/22 - 6:00 PM - Sermon - “What Now?"

Wednesday 12/21/22 – Blue Christmas/Longest Night Service - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title: “What Now?”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7                    

New Testament Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39                                  

Gospel Lesson: John 16:31-33

          Welcome again to this our annual Blue Christmas or Longest Night Service. For those that have never been to one of these services before, let me give you a description of what this service is. This description is taken from www.umcdiscipleship.org, and it says:

“Blue? Yes, blue as in the blues. As in "I am feeling blue." Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holiday. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other dis-ease that puts a question mark over the future, and a number of other human situations make parties and joviality painful for many people in our congregations and communities. There is a growing attentiveness to the needs of people who are blue at Christmas. Increasing numbers of churches are creating sacred space for people living through dark times. Such services are reflective, accepting where we really are, and holding out healing and hope”. “Some churches hold a service of worship on the longest night of the year, which falls on or about December 21st, the Winter Solstice. There is an interesting convergence for this day as it is also the traditional feast day for Saint Thomas the Apostle. This linkage invites making some connections between Thomas's struggle to believe the tale of Jesus' resurrection, the long nights just before Christmas, and the struggle with darkness and grief faced by those living with loss” (https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/blue-christmaslongest-night-worship-with-those-who-mourn).

          This service is also held on the first day of winter, or the Winter Solstice. What is the winter solstice? Here is one explanation that I found:

“The winter solstice (or hibernal solstice), also known as midwinter, is an astronomical phenomenon marking the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice).

          This day, December 21^st, 2022 is the longest night of the year. This Blue Christmas/Longest Night service was created therefore, so that on this long, dark, and cold night, we can shine the light and the warmth of Christ everywhere.

For those that were in church this past Sunday, or for those who watched our service online, you might remember that we spoke in part about fear versus hope. I talked about how the Sidney and the Tri-Town area that my wife Melissa and I moved to five years ago, is very different than what we were told that Sidney and the Tri-Town were one like. I talked about how we are all dealing with inflation, high gas, and high fuel prices. Our beloved Great American grocery store was recently closed, and so on and so forth.

The good news? Well, we no longer have our COVID-19 restrictions, but our hospitals are now swarmed with the flu, RSV, and yes, some COVID. It might be hard right now for some of us to see the “silver lining” through all the struggles in our communities and our lives. So, I ask us all, including myself, on this the longest night of the year, “What Now?”.

Many of us have been through a lot in the last few years. Some have lost loved ones, some have lost jobs or income, some have had relationships fail or become strained. Some have become sick, etc. It is easy to say then that there is a lot of bad and or sad things that we can say maybe have occurred in and around us in the past few years. Maybe, just maybe, as I said this past Sunday, we might have had times of fear and anxiety. I know that I have, thinking and praying about the future of Sidney and Tri-Town Area.

As a Christian though, and as a pastor, I am a child of resurrection. Christians are called to be boldly optimistic because we serve a boldly loving savior. So maybe you all, like me, have had moments these past few years of fear and anxiety? The best arrows we have in our spiritual quivers though, are love and hope. Fear can be strong, but hope is stronger. I have hope in the future of Sidney, the Tri-Town Area, and this world, because I have hope in Jesus Christ.

On this the longest night of the whole year, we come to shine the light of Christ, and to say boldly that darkness will not win. In fact, as the gospel of John 1:5 says:

⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it        (Jn. 1:5, NRSV). 

Am I simply saying then, that Jesus came to earth, taught us a radical new way of living, loved us, died for us, and rose again, so therefore, we have hope? Yes and no. We can have great hope in what Christ has done for us, for our salvation, and our eternity with him, but beyond that there is how we live. There is how we love, and there is a choice between light and darkness. If our communities our on fire, do we throw gas on the fire, or do we try to put the fire out? Fear, anxiety, and despair can hit us at times, but faith, joy, peace, love, and hope are what drives us forward. Many of us have, and maybe continue to live through various challenges, but if Jesus is still the light of the world. May we shine his light. Not only should we shine his light individually, but also together. The only thing that can defeat darkness is light. On this night, I choose light and hope. What do you choose? “What Now?”   

          In looking at our scripture reading from Psalm 80:1-7 for tonight, we hear that the people of Israel are crying out to God to restore them and to give them new hope (Ps. 80:1-7, NRSV). How many of us have every cried out to God for restoration and hope? I know that I have, especially in these past few years. Yet, Jesus says he is the light of the world. May we allow his light, life, and love to fill us tonight, and may we share it with others, so that light will overcome the darkness, even on the longest night. Following Jesus is not just believing in Jesus, it also living and loving like Jesus.

          In our reading once again from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle or letter to the Hebrews for tonight, Paul writes in 10:32-39

“But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward.  For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet “in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay; but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back.” But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved”                                    (Heb. 10:32-39, NRSV).

          The Apostle Paul reminds us that many people have suffered, and that many people have suffered for their faith in Christ. Whatever we are suffering or have suffered, God is with us. Jesus is with us, and He will be with us for eternity, if we place our trust in him. May we also be with each other. Imagine if we came together and loved and had hope like Jesus? Imagine how things could be, amidst everything we might be feeling and or experiencing tonight.

          In our short gospel lesson from John 16:31-33 for tonight, Jesus reminds us of suffering and persecution. Jesus once again tells us in this gospel lesson:

“Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” (Jn. 16:31-33, NRSV).

          The promise of Jesus Christ is that he will always be with us. Yet Jesus does not promise us that we will not suffer, that we will not have hardships, or that we will not have struggles. How I wish that this were true, and some lose faith because they cannot reconcile the suffering and the pain of this world to a loving God. Even though we do not always have all the answers, Jesus calls us to be a light to others and to the world.

          So, if you are hurting tonight, if you have wounds and scars that may or may not be visible to the naked eye, “What Now?” I don’t know about you, but I have love and hope, not fear and anxiety. Through Christ and his live, love, and light, I have hope. This is also the hope that we can live out together. God did not create us to be isolated, rather we can gather in places like here tonight and seek love and hope together. We are stronger together, and love, light, and life flow through us all more when we are together.

        As Christians, as children of resurrection, when we go forth from here, may we

 have more love, may we shine more light, and may have more hope. Jesus is the light of

 the world, and even on the darkest night of the year, the light of Christ wins. May the 

light of Christ shine in you boldly, for the world needs it now more than ever. Happy

 Blue Christmas, and may we shine our light on this the Longest Night of the year!

 Amen. 

Sidney UMC - Fourth Sunday of Advent - 12/18/22 - Sermon - “Hope Is Coming Among Us!” (“The Reclaiming Hope” Series: Part 4 of 5)

Sunday 12/18/22 - Sidney UMC 

Sermon Title:               “Hope Is Coming Among Us!”                                             (“The Reclaiming Hope” Series: Part 4 of 5)                                                                                                                

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19                                     

New Testament Scripture: Romans 1:1-7

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 1:18-25 

          With the COVID-19 Pandemic at bay, and with us not having all of the restrictions on us that we once had, I prayerfully created a sermon series, many weeks ago, for the season Advent through Christmas Eve called “The Reclaiming Hope” series. We are back to a relatively normal level of functioning, so we can once again have hope for the future. So far in this sermon series, I have talked about how Jesus is “The One Who Is, And Is To Come,” about John the Baptist and us being called to “Prepare The Way Of The Lord,” and Jesus making “All Things New.” We await in this season of Advent, the memory of Christ’s birth on Christmas, we are called to invite Christ into our hearts daily, and we are called to anticipate Christ’s triumphant return to earth.

          So, pandemic at bay, check. Relatively normal functioning again, and we “Reclaim Hope,” check. Maybe for some of us this morning though, hope is in short supply right now. I find it ironic that I chose to preach this sermon series weeks ago, and that weeks ago I did not know that our beloved Great American grocery store would close. If this is not bad enough, my sermon for this morning is called, “Hope Is Coming Among Us!” If “Hope Is Coming Among Us” on Christmas, in our hearts, and one day with Christ’s return, then why might some of us perhaps not have a lot of hope.

          In Melissa and I having been here in Sidney for about five-years now, we often hear of this Sidney that once was years ago. I heard about the movie theater, all the stores, the commerce, and yes also all the bars. I heard about a Sidney that seems to be very different than the Sidney we moved to about five-years ago. Except, here is the thing friends, I never knew the Sidney back then, or any of our other neighboring communities back then. All I know is the Sidney and our neighboring communities as they are now. I know that we have had two major floods in the past twenty years, we have lost houses, businesses, and we certainly have our social and economic struggles here in Sidney and the Tri-Town area. If this is all true, then how can Pastor Paul preach a sermon today called “Hope Is Coming Among Us!” Further, how can Pastor Paul have a sermon series called “The Reclaiming Hope Series?” He must be a little out there! Or maybe a lot out there!

          These are certainly great questions to ask, but what I can tell you is this, when Melissa and I got to Sidney in June, 2018, we met some great people. Sidney, and the Tri-Town area have some great people. We have some people that sacrifice for others, and that do a lot for this community and for the surrounding communities. We in Sidney and the Tri-Town area should be proud that we have so many good and loving people. People that are still trying to open businesses, people that are still generous, and people that still want to see Sidney and the Tri-Town area improve.

          I know that this is true for me, and since I was not here when Sidney was at its height, all I know is the Sidney and the Tri-Town area that we have now. You see, next Sunday, almost two-thousand years later, we will remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have heard and I have read about what the world was like when Jesus was born. Yet like what Sidney used to be, we are now here now in a very different time. Can the goodness of Sidney and the Tri-Town area still live in us though, even if Sidney and the Tri-Town area used to be very different? Can the coming birth of a baby named Jesus still soften and change hearts and it did for so many two-thousand years ago? I think so. So, I have hope, do you?

          Today after our church service we are going to have a luncheon to honor the Wescott family and all the workers from the Great American grocery store. Maybe when the grocery store closed, some of us lost hope. For a short period, I myself felt like that the only Sidney I have ever known was dying. Yet, we are called to “Reclaim Hope,” and whether we like it or not, “Hope Is Coming Among Us” soon on Christmas. This hope is a child named Jesus, who will teach us a radical new way of living and loving. This reality is coming whether our beloved Great American grocery store is opened or not. We move forward friends, because we have no other option, and we are stronger together.

          With all of this said though, it can still be hard sometimes to see and to have hope. It can be easier to give up, to become bitter, indifferent, or even angry. As Christians, we are children of resurrection. We are people of hope, because of the hope that we have in Jesus. Jesus is coming to this earth on Christmas, he is going to grow up, love, heal, forgive, and die for us all. This reality is true whether things are good, whether we are in peace or at war, and is true whatever Sidney and the Tri-Town area looks like.

          In our reading for this morning from Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, the Psalmist asked God for restoration. The Psalmist says to God in Psalm 80:7:

⁷ Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved                                 (Ps. 80:7, NRSV).

          Maybe we feel this way this morning, about our lives, about Sidney, about the Tri-Town area, or for me, about my Chicago Bears. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem nearly two-thousand years ago, life for most of the people was terrible. Things were hard, and many did not have a lot of hope. Yet Christ and his birth that is coming every Christmas, is a reminder that God is with us. No matter what, we have God, and we have each other. If things are good, we have God and we have each other. If things are bad, we have God and we have each other.

          In our reading for this morning from Romans 1:1-7, the Apostle Paul begins this reading once again, saying:

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, ² which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, ³ the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh ⁴ and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, ⁵ through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the gentiles for the sake of his name,                        (Rom 1:1-5, NRSV).

          The Apostle Paul, and countless others for the last two-thousand year have had hope in Jesus Christ and in the community faith. A great comfort for me is to know that in churches like this one, we have kind and loving people that care for each other and that we stay connected to each other. Whatever the future of Sidney and the Tri-Town area looks like, I believe I will have more hope and feel stronger if I am connected to the Sidney United Methodist Church and the people of Sidney and the Tri-Town area.

          Even though “Hope Is Coming Among Us” soon as a baby named Jesus Christ, we can also pursue that hope together. We do not have to do this in isolation, and we do not have to worry about the future of Sidney or the Tri-Town area by ourselves. This church is still strong, and the relationships and the love in this church for each other and for this community are still strong. This is not something that is going to change anytime soon, as we are in season where we are called to “Reclaim Hope.” If we have hope, if we have hope in Jesus, hope in each other, and hope in what this community and the surrounding communities can be, don’t you think that our future will look brighter? Don’t you think that we are stronger together? I know that I do, and I believe churches like Sidney United Methodist Church are churches that are working to keep Sidney and the Tri-Town area strong. I also believe that the hope of Jesus Christ is alive in this place, and alive in the hearts of our people.

          Friends, we need to have hope, and we need realize that “Hope Is Coming Among Us” on Christmas morning, whether we are ready for it, or not. On this our Fourth Sunday of Advent, we hear in our gospel of Matthew 1:18-25 scripture for this morning again about the birth of Jesus Christ. How many of us think that birth of Jesus is significant? I would argue that Jesus is the single most transformative figure in the history of the world, and our culture has been transformed by his gospel, his love, and his grace.

          In looking at our gospel of Matthew 1:18-25 scripture, we, as I said, once again hear about the birth of Jesus Christ. This is what it says once again:

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 pregnant from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. ²⁰ 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. ²¹ She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ²² All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ²³ “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” ²⁴ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife ²⁵ but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus (Mt. 1:18-25, NRSV).

          This Jesus, who we will celebrate the birth of next Sunday on Christmas, will grow up and offer hope to countless people. This Jesus will love, heal, forgive, die for us, rise again, ascend into heaven, and will return one day in glory. Not only this, but this same Jesus also tells us that in the end, when it has all been said and done that love, mercy, righteousness, holiness, and kindness will win. Evil, anger, hatred, sin, and death will lose and be destroyed. I have hope in Jesus, is his birth, life, death, resurrection, and return. I have hope in this church, and we have hope in Jesus and each other. Further, I am reminded of what Matthew 1:23 says for this morning, once again:

²³ “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”

The promise of Jesus, Emmanuel, through thick and thin, is that “God is with us.”

          As I said, I have heard that the Sidney and the Tri-Town area that Melissa and I moved to five years ago is very different now than it once was. Even so, we still have good people, we still have caring, love, kindness, and because of this, dear friends, may we also have hope. “Hope Is Coming Among Us!” Hope can transform us. Now is the time for us to come together, in places like the Sidney United Methodist Church, so that we can be stronger together. We don’t have to do this alone, we can be part of a loving, supportive, and wonderful community like this. If we can do that, if Jesus loves us, then we can have hope now and well into the future.

          Like many of you, Melissa and I were grieved when the Great American grocery store closed here in Sidney, but we still have hope. I have hope in Christ, I have hope in all of you, and I invite to share hope with each other, in places like the Sidney United Methodist Church. A church where is everyone is welcomed, where is everyone is loved, and where lives are still changed.

Friends may we “Reclaim Hope,” and may we realize anew that “Hope Is Coming Among Us!” God bless you and may the hope we have in Jesus Christ fill us this day and always. Amen.