DOCSLIB.ORG

The Light of the World

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Light of the World The Light of the World 2019 ADVENT BOOK LAKESIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH All Scripture English Standard Version Advent Advent is a season of anticipation and hope. The season is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. Advent reflects the spiritual journey of individuals as they confirm that Christ has come and is in their lives. Every Christian has something to say about his faith. The thoughts in this book come from the hearts of each writer. The Advent Wreath The use of the Advent wreath in homes and churches originated during the Renaissance (14th to 16th century). The circle is the symbol of eternity and the evergreen the symbol of eternal life. The purple candles are a symbol of humility and penitence. The rose-colored candle signifies joy and happiness and is a symbol of hope, love and the gifts of God’s love. The white candle symbolizes the Christ Child. Red candles symbolize great joy. Our faith is not in symbols, but the symbols serve to remind us of the gifts given to us through the miracle of God’s love and the birth of His Son. Be Still and Know Sunday, December 1, 2019 First Sunday of Advent “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” I usually don’t find these qualities difficult. Except one. Patience. I don’t like to be still. I don’t like to rely on others for things. And I certainly don’t like to sit and wait. I like to be on the go, and I want others to be right there, ready to go with me. If you Google “Bible verses about patience,” you get over eleven million results: “29 Timeless Bible Verses About Patience,” “25 Important Bible Verses About Patience (Must- Read Today),” and so on. I’m not even patient enough to sit and read all of them. But I do know this one from Psalms 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.” That’s a tough one for me. It means I need to stop everything and trust that God knows. I may not need to know right now what happens next week or next year (even if I think I do), but God does. And God has used His people throughout history to illustrate patience. One of these people is Mary. One day, out of nowhere, an angel appears. He tells Mary that she has been blessed by God and will carry His Son. And then he just leaves. Mary gets one quick question in before he goes, but I can’t believe that she didn’t have a million more running through her head. The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Mary’s pregnancy, but if I had to guess, she had to be really patient. She had to deal with whispers about her virtue, questions about the birth and what would come next, and a journey to an unfamiliar town. If that didn’t take patience, I don’t know what would. But she said that she was the Lord’s servant and would do as He commanded. If we all had that attitude, I think our world would be a much more pleasant place. So this Christmas season, amidst all of the hustle and bustle, take some time to be patient. Listen to God and His will. Be patient with family, friends, and the insanity of Christmas shopping. And above all, be still and know that He is God. Kaye Stucky 17 Years at Lakeside Joy Monday, December 2, 2019 “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11 Joy, noun - 1. a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. I have to admit, since becoming a responsible adult (the age of that still debatable), joy for me describes an extreme emotion. John Piper, in his article “How do you define joy?” states, “Definitions are simply descriptions of the way people use words. Words don’t have intrinsic definitions. They are given definitions by the way people use them.” Joy is a word like that for me. I am deeply content and happy on a regular basis but being joyful is a cautiously rare emotion to describe and define. This is especially true around the Christmas season. The Advent season is meaningful and reverent, but it is also filled with obligations, self-imposed and world imposed. Obligations of Christmas cards and lists, presents, parties, school presentations and more fill my time around the Christmas season until all I want to do is cover my head with a blanket and refuse to come out. But Piper also says in the same article, “Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world.” Over two thousand years ago, Magi who only had known a world without Christ, looked into the sky and saw a bright star proclaiming the birth of a King. They were compelled to search for Him and when they found Him, they were OVERJOYED and they fell down and worshipped Him. They were face to face with the beauty of Christ in the world. Have you searched for the beauty of Christ in Christmas or have you put Him behind the Christmas card lists, school plays, and obligations? Have you let this world rob your memory of the Joy of the Messiah? Strive to hear that Christian joy in your soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, because He causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world. Seek Him, find Him, be overjoyed and worship Him. May this Advent season be one of recognizing your Christian joy, and intentionally abandoning the things that rob your memory of the joy of Christ in this world. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-do-you-define-joy Cammy Taylor 3 Years at Lakeside An Anchor for Your Soul Tuesday, December 3, 2019 Eleven years ago I said goodbye to the man I called Daddy. He taught me to parallel park, hang sheetrock, make biscuits and tell awful puns, but most of all, He loved me. When he died, I wanted nothing more than to preserve in myself the things I held so dear about him. Maybe he could live on somehow in me. Grief fades, but the desire to identify with and live out the character of one greater than I calls me onward to find its ultimate goal in Christ. That He lives in me and calls me His own gives me substance, anchors my days, and gives me hope for all my days to come. Though He has always existed, His advent into this world that first Christmas morning became the anchor of all eternity; when the One who made us, who truly gives meaning to our souls, put on flesh and lived among us. May life and hope and an anchor for your soul be yours this Christmas in Christ. Margaret Webb 28 Years at Lakeside Celebrate with Service Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Every year we celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. This brings up the question, how do we celebrate? Are we only to celebrate during December as tradition dictates or should it be something we do daily? If it is something we should do daily, what does that look like? Mathew 20:28 says “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus not only humiliated himself by becoming a man, he served his people. 1 Peter 4:10 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” I would like to suggest that we celebrate Jesus everyday all year round by serving him. How do we serve him? By serving each other and his church. Mathew 22:37-39 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Gavin Clark 3 Years at Lakeside Shine His Light Thursday, December 5, 2019 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 As a child, Christmas was celebrated in two different places with my family. In Oil City, PA where we lived, it was spent with my paternal grandmother and grandfather, and took place at the big house on the hill. It was filled with antiques – horsehair chairs, crystal chandeliers, china plates, silver utensils that all matched- and when I went there my mother kept saying “Be quiet! Don’t touch!” Everything was formal but I loved the hustle, the smells in the kitchen, the chatter of the grownups, and the table full of food. I ate until I couldn’t eat anymore.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Worship Plan for Tuesday, December 24, 2019
    SOLOMON'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 4856 WAYNE ROAD CHAMBERSBURG, PA 17202 (717) 267-2266 EMAIL: [email protected] WEB SITE: www.solomonslutheran.org FACEBOOK SEARCH: Solomon’s Lutheran Facebook "Solomon's Evangelical Lutheran Church, following the example of Jesus Christ, seeks to live in the confidence and fullness of God's grace; to preach the Good News boldly and truthfully; to support and serve others in faith; to work in harmony with all creation." NATIVITY OF OUR LORD / CHRISTMAS EVE DECEMBER 24, 2020 DECEMBER 24, 2020 NATIVITY OF OUR LORD I: CHRISTMAS EVE In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ child. Isaiah declares that the light of the long-promised king will illumine the world and bring endless peace and justice. Paul reminds us that the grace of God through Jesus Christ brings salvation to all people. The angels declare that Jesus’ birth is good and joyful news for everyone, including lowly shepherds. Filled with the light that shines in our lives, we go forth to share the light of Christ with the whole world. PRELUDE GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, Love from the beginning, Word made flesh, Breath of heaven. Amen. Let us confess our sinfulness before God and one another, trusting in God’s endless mercy and love. Merciful God, we confess that we are not perfect. We have said and done things we regret. We have tried to earn your redeeming grace, while denying it to others. We have resisted your call to be your voice in the world.
    [Show full text]
  • The Light of the World Matthew 5:14-16
    The Light of the World Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. - Matthew 5:14-15 Jesus says His followers are the light of the world. This week, find out how you can shine God's amazing light into the world around you. Pray each day to talk to God about what you are learning. Day #2 continued: The Light John 1:6-9 describes Jesus' cousin John the Have you ever thought about the sun? Now Baptist: "A man came who was sent from God. His there's a light! Scientists tell us that the sun is a name was John. He came to give witness about ball of burning gases that is 109 times larger than that light. He gave witness so that all people could the earth! That is like a basketball compared to believe. John himself was not the light. He came the head of a pin. When the sun is shining, it lights only as a witness to the light. The true light that up half of our planet at a time. What does it mean gives light to every man was coming into the world." when Jesus tells us to shine? What does it mean to be a witness? A witness in In the same way, let your light shine in front of a courtroom is one who has seen something and others.
    [Show full text]
  • Wish You Happy Feast of Epiphany
    WISH YOU HAPPY FEAST OF EPIPHANY Receiving than Giving: The most foundational truth of the Christian life can be located in today’s gospel of the Epiphany. when we focus on the wise men, the theme of the gospel is about searching, finding, and the giving of gifts. These themes, however, are not the deepest truth of today’s feast. To find that truth we must not look at what the wise men do, but at what Jesus does. And what does Jesus do? He receives the gifts that the wise men offer. This action is arguably the first action of Jesus ever recorded in the gospels: to accept the gifts that are given. Our faith is not primarily about what we do, but rather about what God does. God has made us and saved us. God’s actions are the actions that are at the heart of the gospel. Being a Christian is not about what we do, but what we accept; it is not about giving but about receiving. So what is it that we are called to receive? The three gifts help here—gold, frankincense, myrrh—value, mystery, pain. The first gift is the gift of gold, a gift of great value and worth. It points to the value and worth of our own lives. We are persons of great worth. God has made us so. God has instilled in us a dignity that is a part of who we are. That dignity is nothing we can earn and nothing that we can lose by failure or sin.
    [Show full text]
  • A Very Special Child Luke 2:22-24; Luke 2:25-32; Luke 2:36-40 December 30, 2018 – First Sunday in Christmastide
    A Very Special Child Luke 2:22-24; Luke 2:25-32; Luke 2:36-40 December 30, 2018 – First Sunday in Christmastide Luke 2:22-24 - The Dedication of Jesus Friends, our reading for today, from the second chapter of Luke are often overlooked by the church. In fact, they are not included in the Common Ecumenical Lectionary, that list of suggested scriptures for all Christian Churches to follow. But I believe these are wonderfully special readings. Our first reading sets the stage. We’re told that Mary and Joseph took the baby to the Jerusalem temple for their purification, as was prescribed by Jewish law. There are those who would claim that Luke is a “Gentile gospel,” that Luke was a Gentile; and the Gospel was written for Gentiles. Perhaps those who would claim that have never read the second chapter; and the emphasis on Jewish law and the emphasis on the redemption of Jerusalem. So what is the Jewish law to which Luke refers? It’s from the twelfth chapter of Leviticus. You may have noticed that Luke states, “The time had come from their purification.” Two things will happen at the temple somewhat simultaneously. First, Mary will undergo a ritual purification after childbirth; and second, Jesus will be dedicated to the Lord, as the scripture says: “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord.” Now there’s a key point here. Leviticus says the mother should give a lamb for the dedication and a young pigeon or turtledove for her purification; but, if the woman cannot afford a lamb, she can offer two pigeons or turtledoves instead.
    [Show full text]
  • Light the World 2020 Prompt Calendar US Version
    December hen Jesus Christ was born, angels proclaimed, “Peace on earth, 2020 good will to men.” This December, the promise remains the same. WAs we serve others the way Jesus served, we can end 2020 on a hopeful note. Use this calendar for inspiration as you use every day as a new opportunity to #LightTheWorld. Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday GIVING TUESDAY HERO HIGHLIGHT PEACE ON EARTH THE CHRIST CHILD PAY IT BACKWARDS Text “LIGHT” to 71234 to get Give like Jesus did. Make a Who represents Christlike love Help others feel peace as Jesus Jesus’s birth brought hope. Watch Show gratitude like Jesus did. donation to charity, or volunteer to you? Highlight them on social did. Post a picture or video to The Christ Child, screenshot a Think of someone who served daily reminders on your phone. with a local nonprofit and post a media. social media that brings you moment that gives you hope, and you and return the favor. link so others can participate. peace and calm. share why on social media. Sunday Monday 01 02 03 04 05 FAST RELIEF SIGNS OF CHRISTMAS HEALTH CARING WORDS OF LOVE LIGHT THE FAMILY TREE TREATS TIMES TWO SHOP WITH CARE Fast as Jesus did. Go without a Lift others like Jesus did. Decorate Show appreciation for health-care Be mindful of those you love, like Like Jesus, you can honor those Share as Jesus did. Make two Jesus cared for His community. meal or two and donate the cost a neighbor’s door with Christmas workers. Share a post inviting Jesus was.
    [Show full text]
  • 7 LAST WORDS of CHRIST a Good Friday Tenebrae Service
    7 LAST WORDS OF CHRIST A Good Friday Tenebrae Service ABOUT THIS SERVICE: This service focuses on the Seven Last Words of Christ and is patterned after the ancient office of Tenebrae. The word "Tenebrae" means darkness. The purpose of the service is to impress upon us the terrible reality of sin, which caused our Savior to die for us. The service begins with the stripping of the altar. As Jesus was stripped for crucifixion, so our altar and chancel are laid bare in remembrance of His great suffering. As the service continues, you will hear your Savior speak His last words, which are recorded for us in the four Gospels. Each reading is followed by a brief devotion, silence, prayer, and a hymn. After each of the 7 Words is read, a candle is extinguished, causing the chancel to become increasingly darkened. By this we are reminded of the darkness that covered the earth at the time our Lord’s crucifixion. It also serves as a reminder of the spiritual darkness that would exist had the Light of the world not come. The exit of the Christ Candle, near the close of the service, signifies Christ's death and burial. Then there is a loud noise, symbolizing the closing of the tomb. The Christ Candle will reappear at the Easter Festival Service in celebration of the resurrection. SILENT PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP: Lord Jesus Christ, as I meditate in this service on Your death for me, let those final sentences which You spoke from the cross impart a personal blessing, that I may both worship in spirit and truth and be moved to sacrifice my whole life as an offering to You.
    [Show full text]
  • The Symbols of Advent (Year B)
    The Symbols of Advent (Year B) 1. Advent Wreath (a) What are the origins of the Advent Wreath? (b) What is the significance of the greenery? (c) Why do we use four candles? (d) When are the four candles lit? (e) What difference does it make to use gum tree leaves instead of the traditional fir tree branches? Which do you prefer? Why? 2. Alpha and Omega (a) What are the origins of this symbol? (b) Why did the early Christians use this as a symbol of Christ? (c) Why is the alpha/omega a useful symbol during the Advent/Christmas season? (read the Christmas gospel for the Mass During the Day) 3. Holy Spirit (a) Why is the dove a traditional symbol of the Holy Spirit? (b) Are there other symbols of the Holy Spirit? (c) Why is the Holy Spirit a useful symbol during the Advent/Christmas season? (use the readings for the Sundays of Advent Year B to find the answer) 4. Christ Child (a) What is the significance of the star in this image? (use thereadings for the Christmas masses to find the answer) (b) What difference would it make to the meaning of the symbol, if the artist had left out the star? (c) Why is the star/child a useful symbol during the Advent/Christmas season? (read the gospel for the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord) Preparing for Christmas was produced by ResourceLink @ Brisbane Catholic Education in 2011. Teachers may copy, modify or distribute this resource freely. Text, graphics & layout: Dr Jenny Close Teachers’ Notes 1.
    [Show full text]
  • The Holy Family Holds Significance for the Entire Cycle of Godly Play Lessons—And the Church Year
    THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO GODLY PLAY PARENT PAGES TheThe HolyHoly FamilyFamily The Holy Family holds significance for the entire cycle of Godly Play lessons—and the Church year. The Holy Family is the matrix—the Latin word for womb—out of which new life comes. Christ’s incarnation changes everything. Most especially, it changes the way we understand ourselves, each other, the Creator and the created world around us. How to Use this Parent Page With your child, begin by looking together her own creative response. Again, your role is at the illustrations below and listening as your not to correct or supplement what your child child recalls—and in a sense relives—the tells you, but simply to listen. Listen in a sup- experience of today’s Godly Play presentation. portive way. You are supporting the formation Invite your child to respond to the drawings. of young—sometimes very young—theologians. You might say, for example: I I wonder what you can tell me about these Then, if you wish, you can read with (or to) pictures? your child the condensed version of today’s I I wonder what these pictures have to do presentation offered below. Whether you with today’s story? read the lesson or simply listen as your child shares what was received in today’s lesson, Just listen. This is not a time to quiz children ask the Wondering questions printed in the on what they may or may not recall about the left column. Remember, there are many right lesson, but to be quietly present as they share answers! Be open to what the presentation can their own experience.
    [Show full text]
  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Summary of Presentations
    Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Summary of Presentations “Help Me Fall in Love with God” The philosophy of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program is that even very young children have a religious life. God is present to them in their deepest being and they are capable of developing both a conscious and intimate relationship with God. We provide materials based on age-appropriate Scripture passages and liturgical signs that nurture their relationship with God. The program balances exposure to our liturgy and the richness of our communal sacramental life with reading the Bible. Our program begins with presenting the New Testament to the children because it is the foundation of our faith. The youngest learn about Jesus and the beauty and wonder of the Kingdom of God through carefully chosen Bible verses that foster a deep love for Jesus. As they grow older they are encouraged to think about their personal responsibility to maintain this relationship with God and their social responsibility in the world. The oldest group studies the Old Testament in great detail and continues to deepen their understanding of the liturgy. They plan worship services and begin community service. Each presentation has specific materials designed to draw the child into the Biblical and Liturgical themes. These materials are always available to the children during their work time so they have additional opportunity to absorb the lessons. The following is a summary to the presentations offered for Level I. Classes are structured to offer a time of prayer and song, a time for the “presentation” and a time for individual work by the child.
    [Show full text]
  • The Light of the World
    I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD DATE WEEK OVERVIEW KEY VERSE August 22 & 23 2 of 7 John 8:12-30 John 8:12 To appreciate the words of Jesus in chapter 8, we must understand the context. In chapter 7 the Jewish people were celebrating one of their week-long feasts, the Feast of Tabernacles. One of the most jubilant feasts, it is filled with both celebration and remembrance, honoring God’s provision and protection for the people of Israel during their 40 years wandering in the wilderness. For seven days of the feast, people live in temporary tent structures as they did in the wilderness during the time of Moses. The Lord Himself was present with the Israelites in the desert, in a tented temple called the Tabernacle. The feast also celebrates His presence as He tabernacles (dwells) with us. 1 The Feast of Tabernacles takes place during the early fall in the harvest season. Harvest was another cause for celebration; honoring the Lord’s provisions through their crops. Though this was a celebratory time for the people, it was a challenging time for Jesus. It was during this festival that the opposition began to grow and intensify towards Him and His ministry. However, this did not distract Jesus from His message. He used several observed rituals as teachable moments to talk about “living water” in chapter 7 and “light” in chapter 8. Continued on page 15 > SETTING THE STAGE LESSON OUTLINE THINGS TO KNOW 1. I Am • The Feast of Tabernacles was also known as the 2.
    [Show full text]
  • The Meaning and Message of the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Ranko Stefanovic Andrews University
    The Meaning and Message of the Beatitudes in the Sermon On the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Ranko Stefanovic Andrews University The Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 5-7 is probably one of the best known of Jesus’ teachings recorded in the Gospels. This is the first of the five discourses in Matthew that Jesus delivered on an unnamed mount that has traditionally been located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum, which is today marked by the Church of the Beatitudes. New Testament scholarship has treated the Sermon on the Mount as a collection of short sayings spoken by the historical Jesus on different occasions, which Matthew, in this view, redactionally put into one sermon.1 A similar version of the Sermon is found in Luke 6:20-49, known as the Sermon on the Plain, which has been commonly regarded as a Lucan variant of the same discourse. 2 The position taken in this paper is, first of all, that the Matthean and Lucan versions are two different sermons with similar content delivered by Jesus on two different occasions. 3 Secondly, it seems almost certain that the two discourses are summaries of much longer ones, each with a different emphasis, spiritual and physical respectively. Whatever position one takes, it appears that the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew is not just a collection of randomly selected pieces; the discourse displays one coherent literary theme. The Sermon is introduced with the Beatitudes, which are concluded with a couplet of short metaphoric parables on salt and light.
    [Show full text]
  • Divinity of Christ
    P.O. Box 1009 Allen, TX 75013-0017 Dear Friend, Was Jesus God? Scripture shows that He was—and is. In John 1, verses 1 and 14 are unarguably plain on the nature of Christ’s divinity, as well as about Christ’s preexistence. John wrote: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” People often ask about Isaiah 45:5 in regard to whether Jesus was divine. Isaiah was inspired to write of God, “I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me.” Chapter 45 isn’t about the nature of God, but rather about combatting Israel’s wrong belief in idols (verses 16, 20). Chapter 46 follows with a more detailed attack, “To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal. … They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god” (verses 5-6). The average Israelite wasn’t aware of another Being, with whom the God of the Old Testament shared a divine family relationship. So they would have understood Isaiah from the standpoint of his refuting idolatrous religions. Trinitarians mistakenly insert the nature-of-God debate into this and other verses, such as Deuteronomy 6:4, which aren’t discussing His nature. Those who attempt to make Isaiah 45 about the nature of God argue that Christ could not be God, since the God of the Old Testament said, “There is no God besides Me.” When understood accurately, this verse actually helps to prove the divinity of Jesus Christ.
    [Show full text]