First Reading: Genesis 1:1-5

¹In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, ²the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. ³Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. ⁴And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. ⁵God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Psalm: Psalm 29

  ¹Ascribe to the Lord, you gods,
  ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
 ²Ascribe to the Lord the glory due God’s name;
  worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
 ³The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders;
  the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
 ⁴The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice;
  the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor. 
 ⁵The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees;
  the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
 ⁶the Lord makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
  and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
 ⁷The voice of the Lord
  bursts forth in lightning flashes.
 ⁸The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
  the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 
 ⁹The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests          bare.
  And in the temple of the Lord all are crying, “Glory!”
 ¹⁰The Lord sits enthroned above the flood;
  the Lord sits enthroned as king forevermore.
 ¹¹O Lord, give strength to your people;
  give them, O Lord, the blessings of peace.

Second Reading: Acts 19:1-7

¹While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. ²He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” ³Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” ⁴Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” ⁵On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied—⁷altogether there were about twelve of them.

Gospel: Mark 1:4-11

⁴John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁶Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the   thong of his sandals. ⁸I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

  ⁹In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. ¹¹And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

CHILDREN’S SERMON

One of the popular childhood fables that has come back into vogue is the story of Beauty and the Beast.  Handsome prince who is so self-centered is cursed to live as a beast until true love kisses him before a prize rose dies.  Through the story, the young heroine learns to love the beast that keeps her captive in his palace.  As the last leaf of the rose falls to the table, the heroine kisses the dying beast, begging him to not die.  At that moment, he transforms into a handsome prince and they live ever after.  We cheer.

         Question:  When did the creature become a prince.  Choice 1:  at birth.  Choice 2: with the kiss.  Choice 3: Somewhere in the process. .

Let us pray:  Lord may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, my God and my Redeemer.

SERMON

Has there been a defining event in your life?  The kiss that changes you from a beast to a prince or princess?  For Jean Val Jean in Les Miserables, the moment he decided to steal the loaf of bread, his life changed.  He went to prison and was branded “criminal.”  In the story, that fatal choice sets the course of his life and the stage for the battle between law and grace.  For some of us the “I do” changed the course of our life and defined us.  Perhaps there was an accident that T-boned your life or a differently abled child altered your dreams or Corona or Alzheimer or, or, or.  Major and minor events in our lives define us and direct our lives down a path we did not anticipate.

         One of the major defining events of Jesus’ life was his baptism.  We look at that event through the eyes of Mark today. How did baptism impact Jesus’ life and our lives?  In full disclosure I first point out that, as clarified in the New Testament reading, baptism at Jesus’ time had a different focus as people were preparing for the coming Messiah so now we baptize in the name of that Messiah.  This passage and Jesus’ baptism are the changing point in our understanding of baptism.

First, Jesus’ baptism was when he “went public.”  I like the phrase, “Going public,” because it gives the feel of a process that implies preparation, support, and focus.  A candidate, who declares his candidacy, goes public about “throwing his or her hat in the political race.”  It has not just been a sudden decision but signals preparation, gathered support, raised funds, counting the cost, and research of the issues. Going public places self in the public eye for cross examination, for critiquing, and for possible rejection.  The prince was born the prince and the kiss made public his real identity or would he have continued as beast if she had not kissed him?   Beauty did kiss him but the Prince has yet to live out how that prince-ship will display itself. Jesus has yet to live out what that baptism meant.

         Last week we read that Jesus is the Word, present at creation, the light of the world.  He entered humanity and was not recognized or received by his creation.  Christmas events testify to his identity. I suspect he probably confounded the rabbis in Nazareth as he did the rabbis in Jerusalem when he was 12 years old.  We have glimpses that Jesus is true God and true man.  This same Jesus did not suddenly become something new at baptism but I would understand his baptism to be his “going public,” the starting of his public ministry.

         John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, was calling people into the desert to prepare and repent.  That John, not John the Apostle, baptized Jesus.  John was preaching a baptism of repentance to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. There could be no faith baptism yet as Jesus had not yet died.  Jesus’ baptism is going public about his identity and his identification with the plight of humanity, struggling under the law but looking forward to a Messiah for deliverance.

         When we baptize, we go public about our identity and commitments. How Jesus reveals God’s character will unfold in the coming weeks.  When I said, “I do,” I thought I would be “happy ever after” and have someone who would make life work for me.  “Houston we have a problem.”  Marriage is a lot of work, not the solution to identity, nor necessarily leads to happy ever after.  Jesus was at the beginning of his ministry and perhaps as true God understood the implications of the cross but he had yet to live through how that would play out, entering all the struggles of humanity.  Baptism was the beginning of that public journey that reveals to us the character of God facing slippery politicians, debilitating disease, soul wrenching sorrow and all the philosophical cross examination and questioning.  As he reveals himself in the coming weeks, we know how he will respond to our future too.  We will discover what sort of God/man walks with us.  Baptism is a public confession that he was walking with us and our baptism testifies that we desire to walk through life with him.

         Infant baptism as practiced by many Christians also publicly confesses the family’s commitment to Christ and their intentions to walk with the baby through the trials of faith.  Baptism does not save us. Jesus’ death on the cross saves us.  We are not saved because we understand and can explain.  We are saved because God is faithful and holds onto us in our unfolding journey.  We consider baptism a sacrament that places our salvation in the hands of God. 

Second, the voice from heaven speaks, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”  One of the clearest pictures of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit is seen here: the voice, the dove, and Jesus.  God addresses Jesus not as “the chosen,” “the favored,” “the perfect,” or even “the Holy” but rather calls him “Beloved Son.”  Wow.  That is a strong word that brings tears, words that we all want to hear.  We do not need to run to alcohol, to popularity, to drugs for affirmation because the God of the universe values us.  I hear words of affirmation but it is quickly followed by that little voice on my shoulder – it’s only because she’s your mother, she has to love you, it’s only cause you are convenient sex that he stays, it’s a partnership.  Doubt enters human relationship commitments.  God calls Jesus and us his “beloved” children.  Baptism is a going public but it is also a relationship commitment that seals us in love.  We are loved and valued!

         As we walk into 2021, we may not be first for the vaccine that is somehow going to protect us.  We may not receive the alimony or stimulus check due to economic restraints.  We will continue the aging process.  We will meet unexpected challenges but baptism is the beginning of a love relationship that does not abandon, is not conditional and that we can trust.  Jean Val Jean wore the tattoo of his imprisonment, marking him as a criminal but in the end, law must commit suicide and fall into the river because grace and love are stronger.  The true identity of the Beast becomes apparent as he is kissed by Beauty.  Our true identity is revealed as we are loved through our baptismal life by God.

Thirdly, Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist, but John predicts that a baptism of the Holy Spirit is coming.  Baptism is not a “destination event” like booking a wedding at a Cancun hotel.  Baptism is going public about a journey you are taking with a God who loves you and wants you to live with him for eternity.  But just as buying that plane ticket to Cancun does not mean the journey has happened, or the Beast kissing Beauty guarantee he will be a good prince, so the act of baptizing is followed by living into the relationship.  It is a grievous event to a pastor when baptism is treated like a destination event, a graduation ceremony that is done to please grandparents and is treated like a dusty diploma that can be kept in a safe somewhere for emergencies like death.  Promises are made at the altar, are forgotten, and we all grieve.

         John the Baptist says,  “⁸I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”  Baptism for us is not only a “going public” about who we are committed to, not only the affirmation of a love relationship, but it is also a power source, the real presence of the Holy Spirit.  It is sacramental, a sacred moment for Jesus and for us.

         The public presence of the Holy Trinity at Jesus’ baptism, declares that Jesus does not stand alone in what is to unfold.  We do not stand alone in whatever unfolds in the upcoming year. Baptism is a sacrament, a sacred act combining the Word of God with an element, water.  We are not just testifying to a belief we hold.  We are not just putting our body where our values are.  Through baptism the Holy Spirit “shows up” in life in a physical, life changing ways.  The Spirit of God at Jesus’ baptism begins to appear with physical imagery like “dove” or at Pentecost with imagery like “flames of fire.”  All of God is “touchable” in this event – the Father as a voice, Jesus as a human, and the Spirit like a dove.  Baptism is not just a belief but transforms reality.

         The God who walked with Jesus, walks with us.  But having a million dollars in the bank is useless if we do not use it. Having money in the bank is not that useful when we need a quarter at the Turnpike or Aldis.  The debit card that we carry in our pocket, use often, and know how to use is what gives us instant cash power.  Being baptised gives us that million dollar power but we grow in our ability to relate to the Holy Spirit.  Baptism is a sealing with the Holy Spirit that means we are never alone, we are never disconnected from God and we have resources beyond our beliefs and beyond our relationships.  Jesus stood with the Trinity and we stand with Jesus.  Epiphany teaches us what that means.

Unlike the Beast, Jesus was not “born” a prince but was the Creator, the Word, from eternity.  Baptism goes public giving us a new insight into what the nature of that God means.  The God we believe in comes down to us and identifies with the limitations of our humanity.  He walks through the baptism of repentance to fulfill the law.  Unlike the Beast who must earn the love of Beauty to remove the curse, God comes to Christ and us and declares his love while we are yet sinners and before Christ does any act.  Unlike the Beast who has no power to win Beauty’s love but must transform himself, Christ stands together with the Holy Spirit and God the Father.  We too have the God of the universe walking with us into 2021, not because we are so wonderful but because it is his character to love and save. 

         Perhaps this week you might take some water and mark the cross on your forehead or back of a hand or on your lips to remind you whose you are, who loves you, and where your power comes from.  Beauty kisses the Beast and he transforms.  We have the power to reach out to others with the good news and watch them transform also.  Thank you Lord that we are not alone as we face 2021.

December 25 to January 6 is known as “the twelve days of Christmas” and celebrates the time between the birth of Christ and the arrival of the Magi.  The song talking about gifts on these twelve days is a popular Christmas song for many and irritating jingle for others. One theory says the song was developed as a teaching tool for persecuted Christians to share their basic  faith beliefs.  So we continue,

         “On the second day of Christmas,

         my true love gave to me, two turtle doves

         AND a partridge in a pear tree.”

Two turtle doves, a gift from “true love” are the second gift to bless us. The two turtle doves are thought to represent the Old Testament and the New Testament.  Why two and not just one, you might ponder? There are stereo types that differentiate the two parts of the Bible and provide a possible answer.  The Old Testament shares “law,” the Ten Commandments, and the New Testament shares “grace,” the story of Jesus and salvation.  There is a tendency to see the “new” as more up-to-date and the relevant truth and the old…well, outdated and not as relevant.  I want to play the devil’s advocate today and challenge that simple summary.

         Two testaments, I think, challenge our concept of God.  How do we think of God?  Is God a static, distant set of rules and commandments that must be pleased, the giver of the Old Testament, and so the need of the grace and forgiveness as found in Jesus in the New Testament?  Or is God a living being that relates to his creation much as a parent relates to a child?  My children have grown from infants when we carried them in our arms, to toddlers, to children, to youth, to becoming young adults, and now as full adults with whom we have deepening conversations and a relationship that takes on new dimensions and characteristics. My relationship with them has grown even though I am the same parent.  Real beings grow in relationship and communication styles over time.

         In the Old Testament, the people of Israel were becoming and the Ten Commandments can be seen as a rule book to be obeyed or as a set of guidelines explaining how life works best.  My tendency, especially when I was younger, was to see God as a right, wrong relationship so that if I could control my behavior and thoughts, then I felt more secure, more “loved.”  Perhaps God waited and at the right time tried again to relate, realizing we needed an incarnation, a physical representation of him, to understand our relationship.  In fact “law” and “grace” are found in both parts of the Bible.  Two turtle doves, a gift from “true love” communicates into our reality Love’s unfolding character and relationship with his creation.  The Bible is a gift to all, translatable to many languages to communicate “true love.”

         Today, as we continue to shift from Christmas to the challenges of 2021, may we hold in our hearts that “true love” continues to communicate with us in new ways as we grow and develop and face various challenges.  The story of Christmas is not static narrative but the beginning of an unfolding relationship where “true love” reaches out to you through your past life but now into new, dynamic expressions in your unfolding life.  God is a real being who cares about you in old and new ways.  Love for God reaching out to you today and is offering the olive branch that is often pictured as carried in the turtle dove’s beak.  Blessings.

Today many people are gathering for prayer for the persecuted church, for the political turmoil predicted with the elections, and for the many whose lives have been impacted by Covid 19.  Three friends tested positive this week, one being the husband of a friend I spent time with Monday.  The future feels heavy.  I turned to Psalms today for comfort in the face of an uncontrollable future – by me anyway.  Psalm 29 for Oct 29 is a Psalm by King David.  “Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength (v. 1).”  David continues and praises using what seems to me a mighty storm sweeping across the land, the seas, the forests, and the deserts, complete with lightning, power, destruction, impacting the shape of all in its path.

         “Ascribe,” reminds me that my focus on the events upending my life affects how I see life.  Am I a victim of human environmental irresponsibility or am I part of the story of a mighty God who is more powerful than the extremes of nature?  I have a choice whether I understand my life story as “victim” or as “hero”, child of God in his hand.

         Christ Alone reminds me that my life is in the hands of God.  Doctors prescribe, friends comfort, and enemies seek to destroy but only God can add length and texture.  It is he who “gives strength to his people (v.11).”  The disciples were out on the Sea of Galilee, having rowed all night and caught in a storm.  They saw Jesus coming, walking on the water and Peter said, “IF”, if you are God tell me to walk on the waves.  Peter walks and flounders when he starts looking at the wind and loses focus on Christ Alone.  Jesus does not abandon him to drown but reaches out and lifts him up.

         I do not know what storm you are trying to walk in today or perhaps what praise you are offering for having weathered a storm, but let us “ascribe” to the God who is over all, might and strong, the praise he is due and turn our eyes to him.  Blessings.

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:16,17)” How appropriate that this verse should be my focus today as I walk with an immigrant friend who does not read or write or speak English as she goes through complicated cataract surgery. Due to covid, her vision of shifting shadows has gone from bad to blind as surgeries were canceled and clinics closed. Will the doctors be able to reverse what many years of hard labor in fields, child bearing, and refugee camp life has compromised? We shall see. Unlike the shifting shadows of life, this woman is rock solid in her faith that God will do what is best for her. “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. (Prov. 21:31)” I know that my prayer is that the operation will restore vision but I also know that whatever the outcome, God will walk with her and will not shift like shadows that scare us.

Prelude: “Come into His Presence Singing Alleluia”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtWEngoMdBE

Blessed be the holy Trinity, +one God, whose steadfast love is everlasting, whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation.

Amen

Confession and Forgiveness:  Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose steadfast love is everlasting, whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation. Amen.

Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sin.  Reconciling God, we confess that we do not trust your abundance, and we deny your presence in our lives. We place our hope in ourselves and rely on our own efforts. We fail to believe that you provide enough for all. We abuse your good creation for our own benefit. We fear difference and do not welcome others as you have welcomed us. We sin in thought, word, and deed. By your grace, forgive us; through your love, renew us; and in your Spirit, lead us; so that we may live and serve you in newness of life. Amen.

 Absolution:  Beloved of God, by the radical abundance of divine mercy we have peace with God through ☩ Christ Jesus, through whom we have obtained grace upon grace. Our sins are forgiven. Let us live now in hope. For hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Amen

 Gathering Hymn: ELW 526 God is Here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbkNXq71iis

 Greetings: The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

 Kyrie:

Have mercy on us, Lord, and hear our solemn prayer. We come to hear your living word; it saves us from despair.

Have mercy on us, Christ, and wash away our sin. Pour out your grace and make us whole that new life may begin.

Have mercy on us, Lord, make sun and shame depart. Renew us with your saving pow’r, create in us new hearts!

Prayer of the Day: Beloved and sovereign God, through the death and resurrection of your Son you bring us into your kingdom of justice and mercy. By your Spirit, give us your wisdom, that we may treasure the life that comes from Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 Selection of the Faithful: WOV 783 Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsBpM9IcBts

HEARING GOD’S WORD

First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-12

⁵At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” ⁶And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. ⁷And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. ⁸And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. ⁹Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?”
¹⁰It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. ¹¹God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, ¹²I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.”

Psalm: Psalm 119:129-136

¹²⁹Your decrees are wonderful;
therefore I obey them with all my heart.
¹³⁰When your word is opened it gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
¹³¹I open my mouth and pant
because I long for your commandments.
¹³²Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as you always do to those who love your name. 
¹³³Order my footsteps in your word;
let no iniquity have dominion over me.
¹³⁴Rescue me from those who oppress me,
and I will keep your commandments.
¹³⁵Let your face shine upon your servant
and teach me your statutes.
¹³⁶My eyes shed streams of tears,
because people do not keep your teaching. 

Second Reading: Romans 8:26-39

²⁶The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. ²⁷And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
²⁸We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. ³⁰And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

³¹What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ³²He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? ³³Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. ³⁵Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”
³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia. Many will come from east and west* and will eat in the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia. (Matt. 8:11)

Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

³¹[Jesus] put before [the crowds] another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field;³²it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
³³He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
⁴⁴“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
⁴⁵“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; ⁴⁶on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
⁴⁷“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; ⁴⁸when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. ⁴⁹So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous ⁵⁰and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
⁵¹“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” ⁵²And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

 Children’s sermon: poppet bead: part of necklace, morani on end of ear

SERMON

         Today our text gives us five images of the kingdom of heaven. Just to give a little context, we are in the season of Pentecost, the season when we review earlier texts not to learn who our God is but to ponder what difference that makes in our lives. We are looking through the eyes of the apostle Matthew. Matthew was one of the twelve apostles, a former tax collector known as Levi. As a tax collector he would have known Greek and Aramaic and been despised for his profession. Jesus called him in Capernaum. Matthew followed and in response gave a banquet for his “friends” thus labeling Jesus as someone who ate with sinners and tax collectors. It is this Matthew whose life was turned around that gives us five pictures today of the kingdom of heaven that has come near. The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, like yeast, like a hidden treasure, like a pearl of great value, and like a net used in fishing.

Today, I am going to use a little literary freedom to dig into our text but at the same time draw parallels to the celebration we are having today in the baptism of Alexander. I think this gives us a key to unlock truth for today.

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. It starts very small but grows into a great tree that gives refugee and a place for birds to build nests. Now I’m just say’in that it seems very similar to baby Alexander who began life as a tiny being, unknown, unseen but slowly growing to birth and life with his family. What will he become? We do not know. Baptism draws Alexander closer to God, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit from within him while parents, godparents, and church family nurturing him from without to become some day a mighty tree. As Lutherans we do not believe this is just a naming ceremony, nor just a tradition we go through to keep grandparents happy, nor the whisper of a prayer. Baptism, we believe, is a sacrament. The vows we make today are sacred. It’s not standing before the DMV to get a driver’s license. Or changing your driving from the kingdom of Minnesota to the kingdom of Indiana. Baptism is seeking the power of the Holy Spirit to dwell in Alexander, guide him and form him. This is serious business. We are not talking to a judge, we are talking with God.

Not all mustard seeds grow to maturity and perhaps modern day science would tell us that the mustard seed is not really the smallest seed but that does not matter. A seed contains potential that needs care and nurturing, that grows into something not yet predictable. Even so our faith starts as a small seed in our soul and grows. If we don’t water it, prune it, train it, faith can become not much more that a misshapened plant, crawling around in the dirt like a tomato plant for whom no one has built a climbing frame.

The kingdom of heaven has come near and it enters our life as a small seed that grows and changes us. Our lives will never be the same because of Alexander and our lives will never be the same because of faith. Our prayer is that Alexander is nurtured and becomes a large bush where people find refugee and where friends can build their homes.

The kingdom of heaven is like yeast. With covid and sheltering, many of us ran to the grocery store and bought yeast to make our own bread so I do not think this is an unfamiliar picture. That spoon of yeast put into three cups of flour mixture, does it’s magic and gradually in about an hour you peek under the towel and the dough has swollen. In fact I had to punch it down and shape it into a loaf or ball and it rose a second time before I baked the bread. There is no finer smell, I think, than bread cooking in the oven.

A child comes into our lives, crying, wanting to eat in the middle of the night, pretty helpless. That baby’s presence permeates our whole life. Even if we go out for a date with our husband, we worry how the little guy is doing. That child grows and we grow with him. Our world expands as we start going to PTA or manage daycare. We watch their values form as children, talents develop in high school, and we anticipate their future choices of jobs and friends. Our lives expand and expand. The church grows too as that child blesses it with it’s cries, laughs and challenges. Babies are a blessing – no matter what bad choices they make or detours they take. Today we pray the Holy Spirit to guide that growth and we commit ourselves to this process. We will never be the same as a community.

The kingdom of heaven is just like this also. It starts small in a location but then grows and expands its impact. Our community garden was an idea that came out of the CONNECT process. It has grown, expanded our vision and impacted our lives. The same is true for the child care center here. Yeast untended can come to naught. My first try at bread, I either put the yeast in too hot water or too cold. It didn’t work. Yeast is not magic. Growth takes kneading, the right environment. Baptism is not magic, is not an automatic guarantee of happy ever after. We have witnesses here today to pledge support. Please do not take this pledge lightly. Forming faith and future is a wonderful trust given you.

The kingdom of heaven is like a hidden treasure. We do not know what Alexander will become. That is hidden from us. My son once looked at me and asked if I would regret having him if he made wrong choices. I did not know the mistakes he would make nor the struggles I would grieve as he walked through them. When he developed juvenile arthritis at age 4, we cried together – why Lord?? I suspect it is good we do not know the future or we might loose heart. It is hidden but Alexander Is a treasure given to us. We will fly across the country to visit that child when he becomes old and count the money well spent. We will buy clothes, pay dental bills and on and on. The cost to us to develop this treasure is well worth it. Likewise the treasure of faith requires we invest – time in the Word, time in service, time in prayer, time in caring, the resources we use to support faith are well invested.

Jesus continues, it is like finding one pearl of great value we sell all to buy. This image is very similar to the hidden treasure but there is a slight difference. “One pearl” makes me think of the many imitations there are for the one true faith. If we turn on the TV there are so many promises of fulfillment, of a future without wrinkles, without fat, without what or what – we are offered health wealth and prosperity. But in fact there is one pearl of great value. There is only one who says, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No other name is given among men whereby we may be saved.” As parents, godparents, congregation we pledge ourselves to help direct Alexander to that one pearl of great value. We are not pledging fantastic youth programs. We are not pledging entertaining sermons. We are pledging to hold fast to the truth of the Gospel and to guide Alexander and each other to that one great truth: We can face tomorrow because Christ lives, God holds Alexander’s life in God’s hands, not the next president of the USA, not the IRS, not even the loving parents and grandparents. The kingdom of heaven is one pearl of great value that we stay focused on and help Alexander to grow into.

Lastly I read that the kingdom of heaven is like a net that is cast out and pulls in a catch of fish, good and bad. The bad are sorted out and destroyed. The good are saved in a basket. As I read this it made me think of the many memories that come with the gift of life. Alexander is going to do some very disappointing things. I remember when my twins had ecoli. I put twin 1 on the counter to change his diaper and poop shot out, the length of the bath tub, hitting the far wall. We were in the bush in Africa, two days trip from Nairobi, a radio call away from a nurse and a long way from a pharmacy. How grossed out was I and how scared? Those are the bad fish days that need to be gathered and discarded. We call it forgiveness. God is not committed to Alexander because he is the fantastic prodigy of your fertility but Alexander is God’s creation and God wants to walk with Alexander through the events of his life. The good fish, the blessings and good memories, we save and cherish. The hard times we forgive and release to the past. As we pointed out last week, we do not know the good fish from the bad fish, the wheat from the weeds, that is God’s job at the end of time. As we stand before the baptismal font today, we pledge to walk with God as Alexander’s parents, godparents, grandparents, relatives and congregation. He is a tiny mustard seed that will grow. He is yeast that will change our lives forever. He is a treasure that will unfold before us. We desire he be part of the one pearl of great price and we commit to work towards that, and lastly we promise to forgive that which needs to be forgotten and to cherish his life as it unfolds.

Jesus closes, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Everyone here today is the master of his or her household. We have been trusted with lives around us. We are charged to help develop the new and future even as we cherish the old wonderful memories of their blessing. Thank you Lord for that trust.

Hymn of Day: ELW 603 God, When Human Bonds are Broken https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iyT4rVI7jI

 The Apostle’s Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On   the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Or you can listen to the Creed in vocal form: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuDI-sk2nJU

Prayers of Intercession: Confident of your care and helped by the Holy Spirit, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

 Merciful God, your reign is revealed to us in common things: a mustard shrub, a woman baking bread, a fishing net. Help your church witness to the surprising yet common ways you encounter us in daily life. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

When your word is opened, it gives light and understanding. Increase our understanding and awe of your creation; guide the work of scientists and researchers. Treasuring the earth, may we live as grateful and healing caretakers of our home. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

As the birds of the air nest in branches of trees, gather the nations of the world into the welcoming shade of your merciful reign. Direct leaders of nations to build trust with each other and walk in the way of peace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for the saints according to your will. Help us when we do not know how to pray. Give comfort to the dying, refuge to the weary, justice to those who are oppressed, and healing to the sick. Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

You show steadfast love and direct us to ask of you what we need. Help this congregation ask boldly for what is most needed. Refresh us with new dreams of being your people in this place and time. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 In you our lives are never lost. Strengthen us by the inspiring witness of your people in all times and places. Embolden our witness now and one day gather us with all your saints in light. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the certain hope that nothing can separate us from your love, we offer these prayers to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Peace: If you are worship with someone else, turn and share, “The peace of Christ be with you always.” Response, “And also with you.” You might use your finger to mark you children or loved one with a cross on their forehead. If you are practicing social distancing, put your palms together blessing of them. Peace!

SHARING GOD’S MEAL

Offering Prayer: God of goodness and growth, all creation is yours, and your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. Water and word, wine and bread: these are signs of your abundant grace. Nourish us through these gifts, that we might proclaim your steadfast love in our communities and in the world, through Jesus Christ, our strength and our song. Amen.

 The Great Thanksgiving:

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We left them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

 The Lord’s Prayer

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 that trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Communion: I invite you to talk a little piece of bread and eat it. Christ is as close to you as the bread in your mouth and stomach. Always remember. Now take a sip of your drink. Christ is as close to you as the blood in your body, strengthening you. Always remember.

Prayer after Communion: God of the welcome table, in this meal we have feasted on your goodness and have been united by your presence among us. Empower us to go forth sustained by these gifts so that we may share your neighborly love with all, through Jesus Christ, the giver of abundant life. Amen.

 THE SENDING

Blessing: Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. God, the creator, ☩ Jesus, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the comforter, bless you and keep you in eternal love. Amen.

Sending Hymn: ELW 547 Sent Forth by God’s Blessing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q9HOEDvBwI

Dismissal: Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God.

 

Prelude: This Little Light of Mine,   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKkbIZtqhyQ

Blessed be the holy Trinity, +one God,  whose steadfast love is everlasting,                                             whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation.  Amen

Confession and Forgiveness:

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose steadfast love is everlasting, whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation. Amen.

Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sin.

Reconciling God, we confess that we do not trust your abundance, and we deny your presence in our lives. We place our hope in ourselves and rely on our own efforts. We fail to believe that you provide enough for all. We abuse your good creation for our own benefit. We fear difference and do not welcome others as you have welcomed us. We sin in thought, word, and deed. By your grace, forgive us; through your love, renew us; and in your Spirit, lead us; so that we may live and serve you in newness of life. Amen.

 Absolution:

Beloved of God, by the radical abundance of divine mercy we have peace with God through ☩ Christ Jesus, through whom we have obtained grace upon grace. Our sins are forgiven. Let us live now in hope. For hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Amen

 Gathering Hymn: ELW 597 My Hope is Built on Nothing Less https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ev5ziwiOhc

Greetings: The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

 Kyrie:

Have mercy on us, Lord, and hear our solemn prayer. We come to hear your living word; it saves us from despair.

Have mercy on us, Christ, and wash away our sin. Pour out your grace and make us whole that new life may begin.

Have mercy on us, Lord, make sun and shame depart. Renew us with your saving pow’r, create in us new hearts!

Prayer of the Day: Faithful God, most merciful judge, you care for your children with firmness and compassion. By your Spirit nurture us who live in your kingdom, that we may be rooted in the way of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 Selection of the Faithful: ELW 731 Earth and All Stars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ4mjh2U-wk

HEARING GOD’S WORD

First Reading: Isaiah 44:6-8

⁶Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.
⁷Who is like me? Let them proclaim it,
let them declare and set it forth before me.
Who has announced from of old the things to come?
Let them tell us what is yet to be.
⁸Do not fear, or be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it?
You are my witnesses!
Is there any god besides me?
There is no other rock; I know not one.

Psalm: Psalm 86:11-17

¹¹Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
¹²I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
and glorify your name forevermore. 
¹³For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the pit of death.
¹⁴The arrogant rise up against me, O God, and a band of violent people seeks my life; they have not set you before their eyes.
¹⁵But you, O Lord, are gracious and full of compassion,
slow to anger, and full of kindness and truth.
¹⁶Turn to me and have mercy on me; give your strength to your  servant, and save the child of your handmaid.
¹⁷Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame;
because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me. 

Second Reading: Romans 8:12-25

¹²So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—¹³for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. ¹⁵For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

¹⁸I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. ¹⁹For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; ²⁰for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²²We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; ²³and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia. My word shall accomplish that which I purpose,* and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Alleluia. (Isa. 55:11)

Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

²⁴[Jesus] put before [the crowds] another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field;²⁵but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. ²⁶So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. ²⁷And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ ²⁸He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ ²⁹But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. ³⁰Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ ”
³⁶Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” ³⁷He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; ³⁸the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, ³⁹and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. ⁴⁰Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. ⁴¹The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, ⁴²and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!”

 

Children’s Sermon: “This Little Light of Mine, “ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKkbIZtqhyQ ) Lead the congregation in humming however many verses of this song we learned as children,

This light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Let us pray: Lord may the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen

SERMON

         Today our text is another parable by Jesus explaining different aspects of the kingdom of heaven. The first half of the text gives a parable. A farmer sows good seed in a field but his enemy came and sowed weeds so that when the seeds sprouted, the servants saw wheat and weeds. The servants immediately go to the farmer and ask if they should pull the weeds. Contrary to secular wisdom the farmer tells the servants to wait because in pulling the weeds, the good wheat might be uprooted. No WEEDING and no THINNING. Wait until the harvest and the farmer will order the tares to be collected first and then the wheat will be gathered into the barn.

The second half of the text gives Jesus’ explanation to his disciples. Last week, the seed was the word of God, and the soil was people. The idiom has shifted. The sower is the Son of man or Jesus. The field is the world. The good seed are the children of the kingdom. The tares or weeds are the children of the evil one. The enemy is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world and the reapers are angels.

Martin Luther gave a whole sermon on this parable that I shall borrow heavily from today.   Luther struggled with the Turks about to overrun German areas. Why did God allow such evil to threaten Christian kingdoms? Why does God allow Covid to threaten good lives? We know this dilemma and join his cry, why do you allow evil, God? Perhaps your cry is a history of abuse, illness, struggle, wayward children, what or what. We all lament evil. Certainly our God of power and might could deal with this!

Because Jesus himself gave an interpretation to this parable, Luther felt it would be dangerous to go far afield from Jesus’ explanation. This is one of those times when like Joseph in the Old Testament, who specifically interpreted the dreams of the baker and wine taster, we do must stick to Jesus’ explanation. The facts of the parable are specific.

Jesus is explaining to us how the kingdom of God fares in our world, how the teachings of Christianity challenge us as we live out our faith. First, Luther turns to 1 Corinthians 11:19 where Paul laments about the divisions in the Corinthian church. He sees the differences within Christianity, people we perceive as hypocrites vs. “real Christians,” as challenges that drive us to find the truth of God’s teachings. This parable, Luther admonishes, is not the differences of Christian maturity or differences of interpretations of teachings ie I’m a Lutheran and you’re a Baptist so “I’m saved” or I’m better than you. That is not what this parable is about. This parable is about Satan’s attempt to undermine the kingdom of heaven and defeat us. Therefore it is the servants, the angels who are the only ones capable of differentiating who is working for evil and who is of Christ. That is not for us to determine – or accuse.

Interestingly, God does not send his angels to weed or thin the field. Why? It is God’s will that the good and the evil grow together. Jesus warns that in uprooting people who disagree with us, we are in danger of uprooting people young in their faith.   I will share again during hospital visitation I heard the story from an old man who as a child was the spectator of his father being excommunicated on the church steps by the priest because his wife left him. The man had no time for God or church. The point is not guilt. The point is the impact on an observer who experiences faith through seeing our lives. When the church indulges in gossip and backbiting, innocent people are hurt. When our public faith heroes get caught in adultery, we all are under doubt. When financial or marital infidelity occur, we all hurt. We know these stories in our lifetime.

Luther says, “this Gospel teaches how we should conduct ourselves toward these heretics and false teachers. We are not to uproot nor destroy them.” None of us know when the word of God touches a person’s heart. It is possible for the lost person to be touched by the word of God and turn around. Uprooting people whether by war, inquisition, or gossip is a double murder. The body is killed so the person never has an opportunity to hear the Gospel and the death of the soul for eternity. Not only that, we think we deserve a reward in heaven for our heroic actions. Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord

Secondly, Luther says “today’s Gospel also teaches by this parable that our free will amounts to nothing, since the good seed is sown only by Christ, and Satan can sow nothing but evil seed. “As we also see that the field of itself yields nothing but tares, which the cattle eat, although the field receives them and they make the field green as if they were wheat.” Our faith is a gift. Next week we will baptize baby Alexander Martel, a beautiful example of the gift of Christ coming to us.

That the tares are sown when no one is paying attention reminds us of the disguises and sneakiness of Satan. Truth is twisted slightly, distorting and leading many astray. We must not think that God is enthroned on high and Satan is a thousand miles away. Example in our lifetime, I think of is David Koresh who played a central role in the Waco siege of 1993. Over 76 people died in the fire that resulted. Jim Jones, leader in the Peoples Temple, resulted in the mass suicide of 918 people. Charismatic leaders twist truth and many are hurt.

Often we cannot tell the difference but healthy vines produced healthy fruit. “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Gal 5:22” James 3:13-17 differentiates wisdom from God from earthly. Earthly wisdom “harbors bitter envy and self ambition” but wisdom from above is “first of all pure, then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakes who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

The text also assures us that at sometime there will be a judgment that executes justice. We do not know the day or the hour but God sees the evil that is done and He will bring justice and some day we will not live with evil. I find that comforting.

Ultimately we are told to leave evil in God’s hands to deal with. He knows the truth. He knows who is good or bad. He has the power. He is prepared. Luther concludes that the existence of evil, of tares, gives a contrast enhancing the beauty of wheat and the goodness of God’s teachings. So that brings us back to the children’s song we sang. “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” Our task is to shine for Jesus and love our neighbor and enemies. God holds our lives in his hand! Thank you!

Hymn of Day: ELW 681 We Plow the Fields and Scatter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nUElntecrEzs

 The Apostle’s Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,  was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and  the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Or you can listen to the Creed in vocal form: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuDI-sk2nJU

Prayers of Intercession: Confident of your care and helped by the Holy Spirit, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

God of the harvest, you sow the good seed of the gospel of Jesus Christ into your field. Help your church throughout the world to be both diligent and patient, full of resolve and gentleness, that our witness may be faithful to your intentions. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of all space and time, your whole creation groans in labor pains, awaiting the gift of new birth. Renew the earth, sky, and sea, so that all your creation experiences freedom from the bondage of decay. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of the nations, teach us your ways, that we may walk in your truth. Mend the fabric of the human family, now torn apart by our fearful and warring ways (regions and nations in conflict may be named). Guide us by your mercy, grace, and steadfast love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of hope, you accompany those who suffer and are near to the brokenhearted. Open our hearts to your children who are lonely and abandoned, who feel trapped by despair, and all who suffer in any way. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of the seasons, in the midst of summer, give us refreshment, renewal, and new opportunities. We pray for the safety of those who travel. We pray for those who cannot take the rest they need. Lord, in your mercy,  hear our prayer.

 God of life, those who have died in you shine like the sun in your endless kingdom. We remember with thanksgiving the saints of all times and places and saints close to us (especially). Gather us with them on the day of salvation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the certain hope that nothing can separate us from your love, we offer these prayers to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Peace: If you are worship with someone else, turn and share, “The peace of Christ be with you always.” Response, “And also with you.” You might use your finger to mark you children or loved one with a cross on their forehead. If you are practicing social distancing, put your palms together blessing of them. Peace!

SHARING GOD’S MEAL

Offering Prayer: God of goodness and growth, all creation is yours, and your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. Water and word, wine and bread: these are signs of your abundant grace. Nourish us through these gifts, that we might proclaim your steadfast love in our communities and in the world, through Jesus Christ, our strength and our song. Amen.

 The Great Thanksgiving:

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We left them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

 The Lord’s Prayer

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 that trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Communion: I invite you to talk a little piece of bread and eat it. Christ is as close to you as the bread in your mouth and stomach. Always remember. Now take a sip of your drink. Christ is as close to you as the blood in your body, strengthening you. Always remember.

Prayer after Communion: God of the welcome table, in this meal we have feasted on your goodness and have been united by your presence among us. Empower us to go forth sustained by these gifts so that we may share your neighborly love with all, through Jesus Christ, the giver of abundant life. Amen.

 THE SENDING

Blessing: Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. God, the creator, ☩ Jesus, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the comforter, bless you and keep you in eternal love. Amen.

Sending Hymn: ELW 679 For the Fruit of All Creation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bppvo-OI_Sw

Dismissal: Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God.

 

Do you feel caught in-between? Yesterday was all the emotion of the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal, the trial, the crucifixion, and the burial. That was heavy. Easter has not arrived. Today I feel a kind of lull of emotion. My little calendar shares, “The dewdrop fulfills the Lord’s will as much as the thunderstorm. (unknown author) Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are numbered. So don’t be afraid: you are worth more than many sparrows. (Mt10: 29,31)” I do not believe God actively “wills” death as we had an all time high with the virus yesterday, but I do believe he knows their names, the number of hairs on their head, and walked with them “through the valley of the shadow of death.” Life is so often lived somewhere between the dewdrop of birth and the thunderstorm of death, between hopes and fears, between what and what. Today is the lull, the eye of the storm, but tomorrow we will hear Jesus call Mary by name and ask her, “Why are you weeping?” We must cling to the truth that we are valuable, seen, cared for, and God is working – even on Saturday between Good Friday and Easter.  I will post an Easter worship script this afternoon for our virtual service.  Our celebration together virtually impacts reality!  Blessings.

 

Calendar wisdom for Good Friday. “Afflictions may be lasting, but not everlasting. By Watson” and “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful inn prayer. Romans 12:12” How appropriate for Good Friday, exhausted from this Covid-19 pandemic, news overload, and home sheltering. I will post a Good Friday service this afternoon for home worship. Why is today called “Good?” Reminds me of the rich young ruler addressing Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke18:18)” Jesus sends the question back to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. V.19” Perhaps this gives some insight.

I have been pondering the question of advocacy. Was Jesus the victim of my sins? The common ditty we say is “Jesus died for my sins.” It feels like because of my huge tendency to sin, Jesus had to go to the cross to appease God’s anger. He was a victim. Perhaps, though, Jesus went to the cross as a proactive motion of reconciliation because of God’s great love for us even as sinners?

I am in a horrible dialogue with someone who is so upset with me over actions, misunderstandings, “sins” of the past. It is a bit of a chicken and egg discussion as the past is so much a factor of memory and how we understand and interpret events. Is something, the deeds I have done or the cross, “good” because of the outcome that is to my benefit ie I bought the person the things wanted, understood reality as the person does OR is something good because God is good? The goodness rests not in benefits to me but in the character of God whose ways are a mystery to me.

I choose to believe today is “good” not because I get salvation from the cross but because God is “good” and knows what is best – even in the midst of Covid-19, death and suffering.

Thursday, April 9, 2020
Maundy Thursday

Introduction

This evening we enter the Upper Room. First, Jesus washes our feet, forgiveness. Next we gather around the Last Supper, communion with the Him. Finally Jesus gives a new mandate, commandment, as we head to the Garden of Gethsemane. I invite you to place near your script for this virtual worship experience, a candle to be lit, a bowl of water to wash in, a piece of bread or cracker, a glass fluid to consume and a spoon. This evening we will walk with the disciples through this last meal. Lord speak to us.

Let us open our service in the name of the Father, +the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness

Friends in Christ, in this Lenten season we have heard our Lord remind us in the visit with Nicodemus of our true identity through rebirth in Him. We have been challenged to find our security in Him in the living water only he could offer to the woman at the well. And we were reminded that all power rests in Him as He spit in the dirt, created eyes for the man born blind. We open our service tonight with confession. We seek His forgiveness. Lord, refresh our relationship with You.

On this night let us confess our sin against God and our neighbor. Let us bow our heads for a moment and reflect.

Confession

Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

 

Forgiveness:

God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.

 

Join me in this Prayer of the Day

Holy God, source of all love, we remember that on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave us a new commandment, to love one another as he loves us. Write this commandment in our hearts, and give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

Gathering Hymn: Jesus is calling us to join him this evening. Let us sing Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling (copy this You Tube link, skip ads and join ins singing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf_glkmbNbQ)

 

Scripture Reading

Readings and Psalm

Exodus 12:1-4 [5-10] 11-14 The passover that foreshadows Communion

 

Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

¹I love the Lord, who has heard my voice,
and listened to my supplication,
²for the Lord has given ear to me
whenever I called.
¹²How shall I repay the Lord
for all the good things God has done for me?
¹³I will lift the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord. 
¹⁴I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all God’s people.
¹⁵Precious in your sight, O Lord,
is the death of your servants.
¹⁶O Lord, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the child of your handmaid; you have freed me |from my bonds.
¹⁷I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call upon the name of the Lord.
¹⁸I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all God’s people,
¹⁹in the courts of the Lord‘s house,
in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. 

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

 

²³For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, ²⁴and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

 

Hymn: What Can Wash Away My Sin? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k-MjVTMbUg

Gospel: John 13:1-10

¹Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ²The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper ³Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, ⁴got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. ⁵Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. ⁶He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” ⁷Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” ⁸Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” ⁹Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” ¹⁰Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”

 

Sermon Part 1 – Place the bowl of water near the script.

 

Maundy Thursday has three major parts: foot washing, communion, and the new commandment. It seems to me the journey we go through this evening parallels our growth in faith. In this final meal with the disciples, Jesus is physically walking us through truth. We must first have our feet washed. We can then relax in His presence and commune with him. We now are prepared to relate to others as channels of God’s love.

The evening opens with Jesus humbling himself and washing the feet of the disciples. Peter objects. Jesus finally responds, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.”  Without the washing away of sin, our relationships with God and people are dysfunctional. Why are forgiveness and daily repentance so important?

 

FOREGIVENESS – A Bowl of Water

Walter Wangerin Jr wrote a book, As For Me and My House, that I have given to all my children when they married. While about marriage, it really is talking about all our relationships with others. His seventh chapter is on forgiveness. Conflict with others is unavoidable. But how to resolve it is the dilema. For relationship to be restored we must work forgiveness – for our sake. Whether the pain is with someone deceased, someone distant, or with someone close, broken relationships drain us. It often takes a miracle to find reconciliation, God washing our feet.

Wangerin shares. Forgiveness is not just forgetting, it is not automatically healed by time, is not a change of heart on our part, and certainly is not just turning to the other and saying as our parent demanded “I forgive you,” Forgiveness requires a realistic evaluation; reflection to decide if our pride was hurt or if there was truly a sin committed. Realistically name it. Next, breathe deep and remember our own forgiveness. I sacrifice my rights as “forgiveness places the burden of         reconciliation upon the one who suffered the mess (pg.99)” Then if possible the offended goes to the other and in clear words followed by actions that live out forgiveness, seeks forgiveness.

Jesus comes to the disciples, even Judas whom he knew would betray him, and washes their feet. He knew they needed to be washed to start the evening. Their feet were dirty. We start our service with confession and forgiveness in this truth. I invite you now to use the bowl of water in front of you to sprinkle water on your feet, or wash your hands, or dip your fingers and place a cross on your forehead to symbolize washing your thoughts, or on your ears to symbolize what you listen to, or on your lips for better speech, or even perhaps on your heart for grudges harbored. Tonight we have the opportunity in the quietness of our homes, to get real with God about places in our lives that we know we need Him to wash.

Let us pray with king David: “Have mercy on me, O God; according to your unfailing love, according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. (Psm 51:1-4)”

 

 

Hymn: Let Us Break Bread Together

Gospel: Matthew 26: 26-29

 

²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” ²⁷ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; ²⁸ for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ²⁹ I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

 

SERMON – Part 2 – Place the candle, bread and fluid next to the script

 

Now place the bread substitute and wine substitute next to your script. Let us enter the institution of the Communion service we practice together every Sunday. I invite you to light the candle in front of you. Lighting the Passover candles was one of the two duties for women in the Old Testament. Our feet are washed and we now sit at the table with Jesus.

 

PRESENCE – A Candle

This evening let us put aside questions of Communion being a sacrament or an institution of remembrance. It is a ritual of intensification. We are living out our faith as we understand it. We do not need to discuss bread, unleavened or potato chips, or of wine, fermented or unfermented. Tonight we are in the presence of Jesus who has just washed our feet, and now invites us to commune with him.

Jesus assures us that whether we are battling for our lives with Covid-19, overwhelmed by anxiety for the unseen danger that threatens our loved ones, or just plain bored from sitting in our homes, Jesus has covenanted with us to be present. (If you are in a family setting, take turns reading these verses to each other. You can also personalize the verses by putting in the names of people that you know.)

 

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will   fear no evil for you are with me (Psm. 23:4)”

 

“He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not          slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor         sleep. (Psalm 121: 3,4)”

 

            ¹⁰ do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my      victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)”

 

The Great Commission ends with, “And remember, I am with you       always, to the end of the age. (Mt 28: 20)”

 

I am guessing that consecrating the elements electronically is stretching denominational rules too far but as you now eat your bread substance and drink your wine-like fluid, reflect on how God is as close to you as the food in your stomach, as the blood flowing through your veins, strengthening you for the journey you are on.

 

Prayer: Lord bless this bread and wine to strengthen us for our journey as we remember your sacrifice and presence with us. Amen.

 

Hymn: Join me is listening to Neil Diamond sing Pretty Amazing Grace on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSQCiaG9G8s

 

Gospel: John 13: 31b-35
^31b“Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. ³²If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. ³³Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ ³⁴I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. ³⁵By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Sermon: Part 3

LOVE – A Spoon

We come to the end of Maundy Thursday and Jesus starts to turn his face to the Garden of Gethsemane, his trial and Calvary. The meal is finished and he turns to the disciples and gives them a “new commandment.” Maundy is the word from which mandate or command comes. This is not a “new” command in the sense of being different. John is now summarizing Jesus’ mission. Love.

In John 1 the apostle presents Jesus as “the Word,” “the light of the world,” the one who came to his creation that did not understand BUT to all who received him, he gave power to become children of God. We have followed Jesus this Lent through the eyes of John and topics of life.

Take the spoon in your hand. It can be held to reach for and drink the water of forgiveness. It can also be turned upside down so that the water poured over the spoon flows outward to those around. Jesus in these words is telling us to take that spoon and dip it into the bowl of water to give water to others, to plants in your house, to wash hands or feet, to bless others and to live as forgiven people.

Jesus in this “new” command reframes the Ten Commandments, not to give a different commandment but to give us a new perspective and way of understanding the Ten Commandments. Have “no other gods before me,” is “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your strength.” Do not swear is now to use God’s name to express love and blessing. We go to church to refocus on what is important and eternal. We honor family and commitments. We don’t take life, we give life. We don’t objectify the other for our lusts but honor and respect others’ bodies. We don’t take but we give to others. We don’t tear down others but build them up. We rejoice in other’s accomplishments. Matthew has Jesus answering the question about the greatest commandment in the Law by saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”

As we look at the bowl of water that represents how we have been forgiven, as we look at the candle and remember that Jesus is with us all the time, we also look at the spoon as a symbol of how we now relate to others. To say it crudely, what do we dish out in our lives?   Are we treating others, as we would hope Jesus is treating us. He touched the leper; he didn’t toss the rock at the woman caught in adultery. He talked with an adulterous woman at the well. He cast out demons. He chose disciples from ordinary people like you and me. Now he summarizes the Law, not in the 600 plus rules that must be followed to please God, but in a simple command to love as Jesus loves, who gave his life for others.

A bowl of water, A candle, A spoon

Tonight we bow in the tremendous knowledge that we are forgiven, we are guardians of God’s light, and we are the spoon to feed others God’s love. Let us pray.

Lord, Thank you.

 

 

Hymn: Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love. Join a choir singing the song on You Tube:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvQz513Jl8M

Let us pray for our world.

.

Turning our hearts to God who is gracious and merciful, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

God of love, unite your church in its commitment to humble service. Make us your faithful disciples. Speak words of truth and grace through us. Encourage us in self-giving acts of kindness. Let us love one another as you have loved us. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.  

 

God of love, tend to flocks, fields, and vineyards. Bring favorable weather for crops to grow. Guide the hands of those who cultivate, farm, and garden. Let the earth flourish so that all may eat and be satisfied. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

 

God of love, you give us a new commandment, to have love for one another. We give thanks for organizations that respond to disasters and for agencies that offer relief and humanitarian aid to populations in need. We especially pray for those on the front line of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

 

God of love, give ear to all who call upon you for any need of body or spirit. Provide for those who do not have enough to eat, those who are unemployed or underemployed, and those who rely on the generosity of others. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

 

God of love, you invite us to your table of mercy. Heal all divisions between members of this assembly. Extend the hospitality of this table beyond these walls, that your love and welcome be made known to all. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

 

God of love, glorify your servants who walked by faith in this life and who now feast with you. Inspire us by the sacrifice of those who were imprisoned, persecuted, or martyred for their faith. Comfort those who are grieving. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

 

According to your steadfast love, O God, hear these and all our prayers as we commend them to you; through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

Let us close with The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, they kingdom come, they 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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Offering Prayer

God of glory, receive the offering of our lives. As Jesus was lifted up from the earth, draw us to your heart in the midst of this world, that all creation may be brought from bondage to freedom, from darkness to light, and from death to life; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

I encourage you, before you blow out the candle, before you dump out the water in the bowl, and before you put the spoon away, spend some time in silent reflection or group prayer for those struggling with Covid-19 worldwide, for health workers working with them, and for those having to love from a distance. Spend time sharing those things heavy on your heart.

 

Dismissal: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.

 

Sleep secure in God’s palm, holding you.