Evening Prayer – January 27

BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE

Prayers for the Church Street Family

January 27, 2021

Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade

Each of you should use whatever gifts you

have received to serve others,

as faithful stewards of God’s grace

in its various forms.

I Peter 4:10

 

Even before our eyes opened this frosty morning, your blessings were floating down: the newspaper delivered before dawn, the floor toasted by the warm flow from the radiator, the purring cat on the stoop, and the dew on the grass sparkling as crystals strewn by a loving hand. You have walked with us through these long days of heaviness, Generous One; and because you deem us worthy, you granted us this, another day of living under your grace. Praise be to you, Giver of Life!

Now the dusky hours have arrived and we ponder the personal talents you have imparted to each of us – gifts of music, decision-making, hospitality, creativity, healing, teaching, and others – gifts not sought, but offered free of cost for the betterment of your world  . . . . . . . . . . .   And in review, we ask ourselves how we may have employed our individual talents today in the service of others . . . . . . . . . .  Please forgive those instances we uttered idle words and performed hollow deeds, especially . . . . . . . . . . Because of Jesus, you do take notice of even our small efforts made in sincerity. May our simple services multiply as we mature in our faith, that in some unknowable way, your kingdom will be enriched.

Christ, our Confidant, surely the hallways of heaven are replete with pleas and petitions, perhaps even stacked to infinity. Maybe your rooms are filling up and there is little space left for the angels to pass through the hallways. But thanks to you, each prayer is received in earnest, as it is extended; each is valued, as is each one who offered it.  Therefore, we unhesitatingly offer our private prayers in your name . . . . . . . . . .  And we lift these also on behalf of our friends at Church Street:

  • Member offers gratitude for ease of logging onto online worship and connecting to Sunday School class
  • Thankful niece’s health is improving
  • Gratitude for added donations to local missions
  • Husband and wife grateful for vaccine appointment
  • Comfort for sons: Beloved mother nearing death
  • One hospitalized with multiple maladies
  • Continued healing of young relative
  • Solace for member: Death of a beloved brother
  • Healing for cherished cousin, stroke victim
  • Couple struggling with virus recovery and depression
  • Mother with pancreatic cancer, wisdom for MD Anderson physicians
  • Guidance and wisdom for our nation’s leaders
  • For peace to reign in our country
  • Increased availability of virus vaccine
  • Aging father recovering from surgery
  • Three recovering from serious heart issues
  • Healing: Two families with Covid
  • Infant cousin with brain tumor, wisdom for physicians
  • Strength for two mothers: Sons gripped by addiction
  • Continued prayers: One enduring chemo
  • Strength for two weary caregivers
  • For insurance company to approve chemo

Our Christian journey began and will end in you, Holy One, for you have shown us that our lives do matter. Watch over us all as the darkness falls and give us the confidence to rest in you, with the prayer of your Son upon our lips:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

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Evening Prayer – January 25

BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE

Prayers for the Church Street Family

January 25, 2021

Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;

the darkness deepens, Lord with me abide.

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

help of the helpless, oh abide with me.

 

God, Our Refuge and Strength, as we have been bound to you since our birth, so you have bound us together with all your beloved in a common life. Here, as we rest within this circle of deepening darkness, we admit that our ties with our brothers and sisters of our nation have been splintered. We have not learned to listen to your voice, and we do a paltry job of attending to others whose views do not match our own. We have attached labels to our neighbors and placed them in fixed categories. Forgive us for wounding you and those whom you love, including ourselves.

 

Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,

But kind and good, with healing in thy wings,

Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea,

Come, Friend of sinners, and abide with me.

 

Friend of Sinners, pierce our hearts with true repentance, as we reflect upon our personal transgressions, particularly these most recent ones:  . . . . . . . . . . We are indeed a frail people, too easy to seek approval, too eager to follow the crowd. Deep inside, though, you see sparks of possibility.  Take those tiny pieces of our better selves, fuse them together, we pray, and absolve us of every thought and deed that is not worthy of the name “Christian.”

 

I need thy presence every passing hour:

What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?

Who like thyself my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and shadow, oh abide with me.

 

Holy One, through whose providential care we enjoy goodness and joy in life, we honor you. We must confess, however, that we are tired. You know that we are better at waiting if we know when the end will arrive; but after these long months of pain and loss, we admit that our patience is growing thin. Beginning tonight, shore us up, that even when we hardly know what to pray for, the Spirit will help us in our weakness. And send your evening star to shine upon us and upon all who live under cloud and shadow, for you know each one by name – including your friends at Church Street:

  • One grateful for a weekend off from work
  • Thanksgiving: Two recovered from Covid
  • One thankful for appointment for second vaccine
  • Gratitude: Mother steadily improving from surgery
  • Healing of adult son who entered a detox program
  • Elderly father healing from broken hip
  • Solace for member mourning death of a beloved brother
  • Guidance and wisdom for our President and our nation’s leaders
  • Continued prayers for three recovering from serious heart issues
  • Healing: Family of four positive for Covid
  • Courage, guidance, and healing: A cousin’s infant diagnosed with a brain tumor and began chemo last week
  • Wisdom and courage: A mother weighed down by responsibilities related to her son’s addiction
  • Healing for husband in deep depression
  • For wider distribution of virus vaccine
  • Continued prayers: One enduring chemo
  • Strength for two weary caregivers
  • Comfort for one whose mother died of cancer and Covid
  • For insurance company to approve chemotherapy for one in great need
  • Cousin recovering from major stroke

 

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;

Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

 

Abiding One, draw all our silent longings and spoken prayers together this night, for even in our doubts, we trust in your unfailing love to keep us safe in slumber. And tomorrow, lead us into your holy wisdom, that we might live as Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord who taught us to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

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Evening Prayer – January 21

BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE

Prayers for the Church Street Family

January 21, 2021

Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade

O God of the Sun and the Shade, the darkness works its way through the crooked tree limbs all around, leaving us with only luminous outlines of the blessed light that has covered us this day. But darkness brings blessings of its own: a chance to slow down, an opportunity to go deeper, an invitation to take stock. We admit that we rushed by you today, Lord, when you appeared in so many places. But now in the quiet hours, we recall the kind word spoken, the gesture of support, evidences of your grace, especially . . . . . . . . . . . . The joys that have lightened our path came from your open hand. And tomorrow, clothe us with more clarity, that we may detect your miracles at work in our very midst. To you be all praise!

Come to us now, Lord, as we are veiled in the memories of our missteps: the coarse words that came from our lesser selves, the unwarranted sarcasm, misplaced humor, our prideful thoughts, and especially . . . . . . . . . . Scrub away all that has tarnished our witness, we pray, and rinse us with that bracing water of forgiveness, that we may be cleansed and ready to join you in service.

Consoling Companion, we remember those for whom the evening hours are long and fear-filled: those lying in hospital beds uncertain of their diagnosis, those waiting for the phone call revealing an outcome from surgery, those without employment who can only stare into emptiness, others whose physical pain prevents their eyes from closing. In truth, we all wait for something, but give rest and consolation, we pray, to our brothers and sisters whose souls are depleted.  Use us, we pray, to lift them up both in prayer and deed, till they are assured that your Spirit waits with them.

And Tender Spirit that you are, touch each of these souls who bring their joys and their deepest hurts to you this night.  May each feel the prayers that are offered as well as your breath of love:

  • Gratitude: Son in Oregon healed from Covid
  • Thankful brother made it through emergency surgery last night
  • Member thankful for 98th birthday
  • Member grateful for her virus vaccination
  • Thanksgiving that business is picking up
  • Gratitude that healthcare workers are receiving vaccinations
  • Praises for our church’s worship and ministries
  • Two mothers dealing with sons with addictions
  • Healing of older sister, recovering from Covid
  • Elderly father healing from broken hip
  • Healing for one with serious heart issues
  • Wisdom and insight for our President and Cabinet
  • Prayers for outgoing President and team members
  • Member who is depressed
  • Healing of husband with heart ailment
  • Young mother with Covid, for healing
  • For vulnerable populations to receive vaccine
  • Cousin recovering from major stroke
  • Healing for brother hospitalized (Covid)
  • 62-yr-old friend, for cancer remission
  • Exhausted caregiver, for help to arrive
  • Strength for one enduring chemo side effects
  • Recovery for husband with Covid

Take all our prayers, spoken and unspoken, and keep them in your bin of hope. May we rest now in the darkness, assured that the light has not gone out, for it keeps vigil in our hearts. And whatever tomorrow brings, we know we will be robed once again in the Light of Christ, our Lord, who taught us to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

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Evening Prayer – January 12

BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE

Prayers for the Church Street Family

January 12, 2021

Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from far away.
 You search out my path and my lying down,
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
 Even before a word is on my tongue,
    O Lord, you know it completely.
 You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is so high that I cannot attain it.

 Where can I go from your spirit?
    Or where can I flee from your presence?

How softly the sun slips behind the tree line, signaling the close of another wintry day. As the darkness descends, we turn toward you, Holy One, bowing in thanksgiving for the gifts these hours have brought, particularly . . . . . . . . . .  We remember, O God of Reawakening, that strength and courage are born in us when we face trials and tribulations that arrive unannounced.  Through these struggles we presently bear, and there are many, thank you for fortifying us with resilience we did not know we possessed.  Make us strong and sturdy, O Lord, that we might serve as your enduring ministers in this world as long as we are needed.

Our hearts are open books to you, Prescient God, and whatever corner we happen to turn, you are there already.  What a glorious and humbling mystery it is that the One who created the universe is interested in our everyday lives!  As the psalmist proclaimed: “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; so high I cannot attain it.”  Help us, we pray, to accept the timeless truth that your concern for us is both individual and unending.

Therefore, in this quiet hour, we name our mistakes and make our silent pleas . . . . . . . . . . Whatever we have done to injure another, show us how to make it right; and whatever burden we have, we know you will help us sort things out when the new day comes. And although you know them already, we pray you would receive also, Dear Lord, both these thanksgivings and these troubling situations that shadow the joy of your people at Church Street:

  • Thankful niece has recovered from Covid
  • Gratitude for a grandson’s scholarship offer
  • Family thankful for their new home
  • Thanksgiving: A husband and wife received vaccine
  • Prayers for wife and medical team – possible surgery tomorrow; assurance for worried family members
  • Peaceful resolution to our nation’s bitter divisions
  • That holy wisdom may guide our country’s leaders
  • Healing prayers for husband with Covid pneumonia
  • Courage for one beginning chemo on Friday
  • Healing for teenage granddaughter with Covid
  • God’s presence with family, father (60) died suddenly last night
  • Two who are healing from serious heart conditions
  • For new meds to slow the growth of one’s cancer
  • Courage and strength for one facing major surgery Friday
  • Prayers for daughter, recurrence of cancer
  • Dear friend hospitalized, diagnosis unknown
  • Prayers that one’s side effects of chemo are minimal
  • Couple seeking to retrieve funds lost in a scam
  • For God’s guidance in finding employment

We lean upon your encompassing presence throughout this night, Silent One, realizing that you are always keeping watch over those who are closest to our hearts, and all who are lonely and hurting. And as we sleep, infuse our hearts with the joy of knowing your grace. Accept all our prayers offered in the name of the Trinity of Love: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

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Evening Prayer – January 11

BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE

Prayers for the Church Street Family

January 11, 2021

Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade

O Keeper of the Hours, daylight is seeping away and the twisted fingers of the oaks seem to be waving good-bye to the foggy hillsides.  For many, sundown seems to come too soon, for deadlines have not been met, boxes on to-do lists have not checked off, meetings have not yet adjourned. Ah, but in your wisdom, you know our inner weariness and wish us to open that gate of rest. Let us cross through that passageway soon with grateful hearts, for in the evening hours you have important things to teach us. Soothe our minds and calm our spirits, we pray, that in the stillness to come we might even hear the soft beating of your heart  . . . . . . . . . .

Your Son Jesus said that eye has not seen nor ear heard what you have planned for us in that other realm. And despite our setbacks, fears, and grave disappointments, you have already gifted us in this earthly province with wonders beyond imagining: for life itself, in all its mystery and joys, for the guiding light of your church, for friends who never forsake, for family members who care, for your belief in us, for those who labor on our behalf, and for all these other graces you have bequeathed us through your mercy . . . . . . . . . . How blessed are we who need not measure up; we are accepted and blessed as we are! Thanks be to God!

Sentinel of the Night, as the shadows deepen, let us release our grip on all those tensions that have plagued us this day: our beloved nation fraying at the edges, friends who are in trouble, paychecks that are insufficient, the virus that wears a threatening grimace, unraveling relationships, loved ones who have died without a tender embrace. Let us open our hands and, one by one, may we offer to your transfiguring grace all these burdens and others that have made a home within us . . . . . . . . . . .

Take all these, we pray, and wrap them in your renewing grace. As you are the God who never sleeps until all his sheep are nestled in, we will rest easier with you on the lookout. Tend your people of Church Street, receiving both their joys and their pressing needs:

  • Thankful that one is home from hospital
  • Gratitude for an unexpected gift
  • Thanksgiving that cancer was detected early
  • One celebrates news of her cancer remission
  • Member released from rehab and now in his home
  • Member grateful for clear cancer scans offers
  • Member thankful: Healing well after knee surgery
  • Wisdom for national leaders and healing of our country’s wounds
  • Continued prayers for one with heart condition
  • That a new drug may slow the growth of one’s cancer
  • Courage and strength for one facing major surgery this week
  • Dear friend hospitalized, diagnosis unknown
  • Prayers that one’s side effects of chemo are minimal
  • Healing of beloved husband with covid pneumonia
  • One who begins chemo treatments on Friday
  • That a couple may retrieve funds lost in a scam
  • For God’s guidance in finding employment
  • Members mourning the death of a dear friend
  • God’s presence with the lonely and isolated
  • Continued prayers: One recovering from heart surgery

Guardian of the Worn and Weary, we lie down in peace; and as we enter that world of slumber, we are confident that all shall be well. Calm our spirits till they are one with yours, and receive all these prayers we offer in the redeeming name of your Son, who taught us to say:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

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Evening Prayer – January 7

BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE

Prayers for the Church Street Family

January 7, 2021

Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade

O God, Our Refuge and Strength, although hours have passed, we can still hear the roar of the angry crowd, the breaking of glass, the noise of destruction. The unsettling sounds, sights, and shock of yesterday we will not soon forget. And we live under the specter of future turbulence. Heal our painful memories, we pray, and enable us to put an end to the fear we harbor inside. Turn our unease into strength and resolve, O Mighty Stronghold, that we may never settle our disagreements in a violent manner.

Eternal Harmony, you are the servant of none, and in your goodness, you embedded your rhythm and unity within all creation. Malevolence in all its forms introduces a dissonance more far-reaching than we realize. You have given us the life-song of Christ as our template, so may his psalm of love, peace, justice, and forgiveness be the anthem we sing with the living of our days.

In the solitude of this evening, with our silent breaths, we offer gratitude for the ways in which your grace has touched us this day, especially in these instances . . . . . . . . . .  And absolve us of these missteps we have taken in recent times . . . . . . . . . . In your mercy, receive all these personal prayers offered by your friends in the Church Street family:

  • Grateful for prayers: A surgery went smoothly this morning
  • One thankful for a promising medical report
  • Gratitude: Member healing well from hand surgery
  • Appreciation for all who helped restore order during yesterday’s violence in D.C.
  • Continued prayers for one with heart condition
  • Prayers for all who are working to heal our nation’s wounds
  • Comfort for families whose loved ones died in the January 6 fracas
  • That peace with justice will become our way of life
  • Healing for friend in her 7th week of hospitalization with Covid
  • Healing for daughter with recurrence of cancer
  • Comfort for family mourning death of mother
  • God’s presence for all who are lonely and isolated
  • Prayers for rapid distribution of vaccine
  • Continued prayers for one recovering from heart surgery
  • Strength for member coping with chemo side effects
  • Prayers for educators and students at every level
  • Courage and strength for one beginning chemo tomorrow
  • God’s presence with one who is discouraged

In this season of Epiphany, we remember the Star that pointed the way for the cluster of weary travelers. As we rest this night, may its beam continue to shine above us, infusing us with the assurance that we are never really lost when Christ is with us. And when morning comes, may we feel that its beam within, as we rise to worship and follow that road of service that leads to Jesus, who taught us to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

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The “W” in Christmas

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Wednesday, December 23, Morning

By Willard Sitton

The “W” in Christmas

Read 1 John 4:8

“But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” ESV

Each December I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I cut back on nonessential obligations – extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six-year-old. For weeks, he’d been memorizing songs for his school’s “Winter Pageant”. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I’d be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there’d be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as “Christmas,” I didn’t expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment – songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So when my son’s class rose to sing, “Christmas Love,” I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snow caps upon their heads. Those in the front row and center stage held up large letters one by one to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing “C” is for Christmas,” a child would hold up the letter “C”. Then “H is for Happy” and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message: “Christmas Love”.

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet girl in the front row holding the letter “M” upside down – totally unaware her letter “M” appeared as a “W”. The audience of 1st graders snickered at this little one’s mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her “W”. Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.

A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear: “CHRIST WAS LOVE”.

Prayer

Dear God, we are so thankful you sent Your Son, Jesus, to save all who accept Him as Savior. We trust yours and Jesus’ love for all. Amen.

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Wishing Jesus a Happy Birthday

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Tuesday, December 22, Evening

By Nancy Thompson

Wishing Jesus a Happy Birthday

Read Luke 1:35

“The child to be born will be holy. He will be called The Son of God.”

Things seem so different this year, yet not too much. The saying is, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” That certainly is true with Jesus and His birth. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. However some of us may (or may not) change the way we celebrate the event. Here are two ways we might wish Jesus a happy birthday.

The first is an every ‘i’ dotted and every ‘t’ crossed celebration: 

LIST:

  • Floors mopped and waxed check 
  • Rugs cleaned check 
  • Necessary windows washed check 
  • Guest room ready check 
  • Get dog groomed check 
  • Holiday clothes to cleaners 
  • Christmas dishes clean and ready 
  • Grocery list made for parties and Christmas dinner 
  • Christmas card list updated and stamps bought 
  • Babysitters reserved 
  • Fruit baskets and poinsettias ordered 
  • Trees and decorations cleaned and ready to go up 
  • Shopping almost done check, check and check

Jesus, our family is now ready to wish you a Merry Christmas.

The second group is different and concerned with improving their attitudes, character, relationships and concern for their Christian wellbeing in working through the following thoughts: 

  • To close your book of complaints and open your book of praise. 
  • To ignore what life owes you and think about what you owe life. 
  • To stop looking for friendship and start being friendly. 
  • To be content with things you have and stop worrying about things you have not. 
  • To enjoy simple blessings of life and to cease striving for the artificial pleasures of the day. 
  • To cease looking for someone to help you and devote yourself to helping others.
  • To consecrate your life to the service of an imperfect church and to remember that Christ chose 12 imperfect men to be His disciples.

Add your thoughts to either or both lists. Jesus wants to know our thoughts.

Prayer

Dear God, please accept our thoughts and prayers, however different they may be, to wish our Savior a truly sincere Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas this year. Amen.

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O Come, Thou Root of Jesse’s Tree

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Sunday, December 20, Morning

By Rev. Catherine Nance

O Come, Thou Root of Jesse’s Tree

Read Isaiah 11:1-10

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might,
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
    or decide by what he hears with his ears;
but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
    with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
    with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Righteousness will be his belt
    and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

The wolf will live with the lamb,
    the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together;
    and a little child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear,
    their young will lie down together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.

When I am doing pre-marital counseling with couples, part of the conversation is about their respective family trees and what each learns about handed-down roles and expectations. Putting together a Jesse Tree is a wonderful way to learn some of the Old Testament characters as well as Jesus’ family tree. Sunday School teachers discover that fourth graders enjoy reading that first chapter of Matthew as they start with verse 16 and work their way up. How many ‘greats’ do you have to put in front of ‘grandfather’ to know which grandfather Jesse was to Jesus? Great-great-great-great … you can count for yourself. It’s a lot! The fourth stanza of the hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, points us to the lineage of Jesus. “O come, thou Root of Jesse’s tree, an ensign of thy people be; before thee rulers silent fall; all peoples on thy mercy call.”

Most families have the stories and characters that they would prefer to forget, or at least, not bring up at Thanksgiving dinner. The one son or daughter who everyone thought would do great things ended up somewhere else … There are poor decisions, arguments over an inheritance, family secrets that still overshadow and other stories we would rather not talk about. King David, God’s chosen, could not save the kingdom. And yet, we continue to hear about God’s people and the lineage of David. Wasn’t that destroyed? Things will never be the same! Let’s not talk about it!

But Isaiah, like a cousin who doesn’t know any better, brings it up. He doesn’t even refer to “David,” but to the stump of Jesse. The heritage that Jesse, David’s father brings, has been cut down! Nothing left but a stump. Isaiah tells us to look closely. A shoot is growing from that stump and the roots are deep! You can read about Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18 and how he brings hope and peace to God’s people again. Isaiah reminds the people that when God begins a work, when God makes a promise, there is no family story or history too devastating or troubling. God works through all of our stories and in spite of them!

As you read through Isaiah 11, the image of Edward Hicks’ painting Peaceable Kingdom comes to mind. In the midst of divisive times whether it is within the family or within our own country, I turn to Isaiah 11 and remember the stories of exiles returning and even the older story of the exodus (read all of chapter 11). Focusing on God’s images and promise of return, reconciliation, and peace is a helpful image for me this season!

Prayer

God of Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth and John, Ruth and Boaz, we thank you for the genealogies that trace our own histories and stories. Thank you for loving us through the flourishing times and the disappointing times. Thank you for great-great-grandparents and cousins who have shaped who we are. May we keep our hearts open to your desire for us to live in peace and grace. Amen.

Rev. Catherine Nance is the Senior Pastor at Church Street United Methodist Church. 

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The Church of How

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Thursday, December 17, Evening

By Steve Richardson

The Church of How

Read John 1:14-18

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us … No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.”

It was the early 1970s, and we were a contingent of Holston Conference youth spending a week in New York City to learn about global issues at the United Nations. On a chilly Sunday morning, we entered a large window-less warehouse-like room in an aging building in Greenwich Village. It was anything but a “church”. But that’s what our youth group leader, Rev. Bob Bostic, told us the place was – a church; a United Methodist Church, in fact.

The ordained minister’s name was Izzy (his last name has faded in my memory). The congregants, about 30 in number and diverse in appearance, sat in a large circle. A somewhat-familiar United Methodist order of worship was followed. The big exception was the sermon. For that, Izzy introduced a concept based on scripture, then the congregants all shared their own personal perspectives. The theme that Sunday was love of neighbors. Everyone had much to share, including their own experiences of the pragmatic importance of loving relationships and support for one another, despite the turbulent, challenging times facing our nation during those years. Their comments were nurturing, deep, insightful and articulate. They were rooted in personal struggle and obvious faith.

The profundity of that worship service has stayed with me ever since. In retrospect, among other things I learned that day, I realized that “church” is more than merely a physical space, more than a building. Church is not only a “where,” but it is also a “how”… how God brings us in closer relationship with one another and with God.

So, too, could be the manger in Bethlehem. Yes, it was a place, a “where”, but it too, was a “how”… how God, through Jesus, granted a remarkable way to forge an unprecedented human-to-human relationship with each of us.

Prayer

God, in our hearts we know you desire an on-going and regular relationship with each of us. You have shown us in many ways how you long for that. Guide and inspire us to sustain that relationship on our part through our prayers, gifts, service, mission and love among our neighbors in need all around us.

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