January 25th Worship Service
The Apostle Paul had a problem with Jesus the Messiah. Paul was from Tarsus. He was educated as a Pharisee. He was smart. He understood the Pharisees’ beliefs, such as the resurrection and life after death, and carrying God’s message to the Gentiles. He knew that the promised Messiah would come and be a powerful leader. He would unite and renew the Kingdom. He would chase out the invaders, and set Israel on a new path. Paul also believed the Messiah would not be God in human form and would not be a convicted criminal, who died on a cross.
The Apostle Paul began as one of the prosecutors of the Way, which was the original name for the followers of Jesus. Paul was holding the cloaks of those throwing the stones during the stoning of Stephen, one of Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem.
It was because of Stephen’s death that many Christians felt unsafe in Jerusalem and as a result left Jerusalem. They entered into the Pax Romana where they could travel safely from the Mideast to Spain, from Africa to the Rhine and Danube Rivers. Throughout the Roman Empire there were Jewish communities who took them in, and Christianity thrived.
In Jerusalem they heard about a gathering of the Way in Damascus. To check out the news, and stop the gathering, Paul was on his way to Damascus when Jesus suddenly seemed to attack Paul in a vision. Paul was knocked off his horse and blinded. Paul saw the living Jesus, and Jesus asked Paul why he was persecuting him.
This was new understanding. If God had forgiven Jesus, and brought him back from the dead, then Jesus was definitely the Messiah the Jews had been promised. Paul was convinced.
Such a revelation, such a powerful epiphany. Join us for our January 25 Worship Service.
Pictures: Fresco, Conversion of Saint Paul, 1542, Michelangelo, Cappella Paolina Palazzi Popntifici Vatican / Statue, St Paul, Ortygia Cathedral, Syracuse/Ortygia, Sicily
January 18th Worship Service
Each of the Gospels has slightly different approach to Jesus’ Baptism. In Luke we have a long explanation to the people on what their baptism means and how they are to react, with Chapter 3:11 they are told to share what they have with those in need. In John we have an explanation by John the Baptist, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit,” and for John, Jesus the one whom the Spirit entered during the baptism. In Mark Chapter 1 we have Jesus coming up from the water, the sky opening, the Spirit in a dove descending, and the voice of God, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased,” but who heard the voice of God, everyone, Jesus, Jesus and John, we do not know.
Possibly the most interesting comes from Matthew. Jesus approaches John the Baptist to baptize him, yet John says no, he should be baptized by Jesus. But Jesus says that John needs to baptize him to, “Fulfill all righteousness.” Scholars feel this could be interpreted in two different ways. One could be that since Jesus is going be the sacrifice which forgives the worlds sins. By being baptized Jesus would be identified with that sacrifice and foreshadow the way sin can be forgiven. Or it could simply be that God wanted John to baptize Jesus.
The common thread of the four Gospels is that during the baptism Jesus is recognized as God in human form. By going through with the baptism Jesus confirms that while he is actually God, at this moment at Al-Maghtas, 10 km southeast of Jericho along the banks of the Jordan River, Jesus is also recognized as a human being prepared to deliver all humanity to the Father in Heaven.
What a Revelation! Join us for our January 18th Worship Service.
Paintings: (right) Baptism of Christ, Jose Ferraz de Almeida Jr, 1895, Pinacoteca do Estado de Sao Paulo, Brazil / (left) Bpatism of Jesus Santuário São Bento da Porta Aberta in Rio Caldo, Portugal
Epiphany
Epiphany comes from the Greek, and means manifestation or revealing. Starting on January 6 the season of Epiphany runs until Ash Wednesday, February 28th, and the start of Lent. The purpose of the season to recognize the time Jesus is acknowledged as the Son of God, the answer to God’s promise of redemption reaching back to the words of the prophets of the Old Testament.
Three Wisemen Visit Jesus, El Greco, 1568, Museo Soumaya, Mexico City
Simeon and Anna in the Temple, Rembrandt, 1669, National Museum, Stockholm
Recognitions comes in several instances. The most celebrated is the visit of the Magi following the heavenly star and bringing gifts to the Christ child. Other examples include the presentation of Jesus at the temple and being recognized by Anna and Simeon. Another example is Jesus’ baptism, first when he is recognized by John the Baptist, and again when coming out of the water the heavens open, the spirit in the form of a dove descends and the voice of God saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”
Baptism of Christ, Jose Ferraz de Almeida Jr, 1895, Pinacoteca do Estado de Sao Paulo, Brazil
Join us for our January 11th Worship Service.
Christmas
It is the season of Christmas, December 25th - January 5th. We have spent the last four weeks preparing our hearts, minds, and soles to receive the gift God sent to His people, Himself to be sacrificed, that His people’s sins may be washed away, and they can be with Him, eternally. But why 12 days for the season?
The Christmas Season, also known as Christmastide, goes back to the Council of Tours meeting in 567 CE who proclaimed the 12 days between Christmas (the birth) and Epiphany (the Magi Recognition) as the Christmas Season. The main purpose is to celebrate. After the 4 weeks of fasting, introspection and preparation to receive Jesus into our lives, now is the time to celebrate our acceptance.
Significant events during Christmastide include: December 25: Jesus’ birth / December 26: feast of St. Stephen (Good King Wenceslaus) / December 27: feast of John the Apostle / December 28: feast of the Holy Innocents (children killed on Herod’s order) / December 29: murder of Thomas Becket 1170 (Archbishop of Canterbury) / December 30: remembrance of John Wyclif 1395 (translated the Bible to English…martyred because) / January 1: circumcision of Jesus / January 2: remembrance of Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah, 1945 Bishop of South India / January 4: remembrance of Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1821, founder of the United States parochial school system / January 5: Epiphany Eve, remembrance of the Desert Mothers (women ascetics living in the deserts of Egypt, Palestine, Syria 4th & 5th century) / January 6: Epiphany begins, Magi visit (manifestation).
Join us for our Christmas Eve Service.
Join us for our December 28th Worship Service.
Join us for our January 4th Worship Service.
Photos: Death of the Innocents, Siena Cathedral, Siena Italy / Canterbury Cathedral, site of Thomas Becket murder, Canterbury, England
No one is sure when Advent, the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, came into the Christian schedule, but it was well established by the year 480, and so we have been celebrating the birth of Jesus, God’s gift to humanity, for well over 1500 years. Advent actually takes place on three levels. The first is the physical birth of Jesus in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. The second is the reception of Jesus into the hearts of the believers. Finally, there is the awaited presence of when Jesus returns to the earth and brings about the world of His desire.
Advent is celebrated in many ways. There is always the decorating of the church with a Christmas Tree, Christmas Wreathes, special programs and litanies, Christmas Cantatas, and almost in each church the lighting of the Advent Candles representing Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The center candle, the Christ Candle is lit on Christmas Eve, and again on Christmas Day and the following Sundays during the Christmas Season.
It is our way of celebrating the birth of Jesus, God’s gift to a world in sin, and the source of our salvation. An event well worth celebrating, and preparing for.
Join us for our November 30th Worship Service. Join us for our December 7th Worship Service.
Join us for our December 14th Worship Service. Join us for our December 21st Worship Service.
