MMC: Getting Ready

Good morning Bethlehem

I hope you all are doing well this grey Monday morning and the rains did not damper the anticipation of Christmas that Advent brings.

A few brief announcements: 

• There is still a need for 1 communion server at the 5pm Christmas Eve service and 2 communion servers at the 10pm Christmas Eve service.  If you are willing to serve communion please let me know.
• Serving in worship this coming Sunday - Bob Middeke-Conlin is signed up to be the reader and Ellen Grunsell is hosting coffee hour.  If you would like to the worship assistant, an usher, communion assistant, or counter, please let me know.
• There will be no Wednesday evening bible studies until January 12.  Sunday morning bible studies will continue, except Dec 26 & Jan 2.
• Start picking out your favorite carols - on Sunday Dec 26 there will be a carol sing during worship.
• Please plan on joining us to decorate the sanctuary on Tuesday Dec 21 at 7:30pm.  Many hands make light work.

And this week's book of faith puzzler is: What did Joseph want to do when he discovered Mary was pregnant? A) Keep it a secret.  B) Quietly divorce her.  C) Send her back to her parents.  D) Give the child away.   Email me by noon on Wednesday to be put into this week's drawing. 

Now onto the text:

For our fourth (and final) Sunday in Advent we hear many text that could be used on Christmas, the prophesy of a young woman giving birth to a son named Immanuel.

The first lesson is Isaiah 7:10-16.  Ahaz, the king of Judah, was seeking refuge from the Assyrians as the Israelites and Arameans were threating him.  Isaiah tells Ahaz that security that is brought about by human means is not secure, but that Immanuel is safety.  Immanuel means "God is with us."  How do you find safety knowing that God is with you?  How have human safety nets failed, either you personally or our society?  How do you trust in God?  How can you trust in God more?

The second lesson is Romans 1:1-7.  Paul starts his letter to the Christians in Rome establishing that he is a servant of Jesus Christ and who Jesus is by both birth and God.  Jesus was set apart by God, his birth was foretold through the prophets and scriptures, born of the line of David and given the Holy Spirit.  Who is Jesus to you?  Is he God solely by his birth or by his life or by his death?  In the midst of all the celebrations that come around Christmas it can sometimes be hard to remember that Jesus became an adult and ended up dying for us.  Why do you think we celebrate Jesus' birth more than his death or resurrection?

The gospel is Matthew 1:18-25.  Joseph, after finding out Mary was pregnant and not by him, was upset but an honorable man and made plans to deal with the situation (notice I'm not giving away the answer to the book of faith puzzler).  An angel comes to Joseph and tells him to take Mary as his wife and raise Jesus as his son.  When have your plans changed remarkably?  Did God speak to you (directly or indirectly) to change your plans?

Hope you all have a great week and see you Sunday
Pastor Becca