Greetings to you on Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday when we begin to shift our focus in anticipation of Jesus’ birth at Christmas. This morning dawned bright and sunny after the storm BLEW through last night. It dumped a lot of rain, much needed rain, and winds – not as bad as in the Appalachians but strong and unnerving. After worship we gathered to share a meal and tentatively reestablish the rhythm of community, all while observing distancing and masking as appropriate. It was nice to begin to restore community.
In worship, we started the shift from preparation for to anticipation of Christ’s birth celebrated at Christmas. We began with the exhortation that we might be stirred by God’s power to create a community that overcomes our sin and serves as Christ served the world. Our reading from Hebrew scripture was taken from the prophet Zephaniah. He reminded us that we should rejoice because God has promised to be with us. He also echoed all the ways that God promises to care for humanity. The response was taken from the prophet Isaiah with the reminder that it is God who saves us and because of that we shouldn’t fear. The New Testament reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians served the reminder that we should rejoice in the Lord, offer prayers and petitions to God. And as we do that, we should find contentment and wholeness, even in the difficulties of life.
Today’s sermon was based on the gospel reading from Luke, our second installment of John the Baptizer. Today John offered a challenge to evaluate why we turn to God for redemption and what we do to “walk the walk” which indicates our commitment to God. John reminded his time, and ours also, that the greatest gift we can offer is to treat others with respect and honor. By doing those things we are able to rid ourselves of the things that are inconsequential in our life.
I invite your comments,
Les+
Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18
Video of worship: https://youtu.be/uUY8xwwIQko
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