Lessons and Carols 2021 - Year C (Luke)

St John United Church of Christ

Melbourne, IA

Welcome to worship with us!     

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24 Dec 2021 | 5:30 PM | Christmas Eve “Lessons and Carols”

“No Matter Who You are or Where You are on Life’s Journey, You are Always Welcome Here!”

Opening 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 debts As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory Forever and ever. Amen.

Assurance 

Lighting the Christ candle.

Hymn 132 (NCH) / 270 (Celebration):  Joy to the World.

First Lesson: Creation - Genesis 1:1-5 

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, ² the 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. ³ Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. ⁴ And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light Day, and the darkness God called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Hymn 116 (NCH): O Come O Come Emmanuel (2 verses). 

Second Lesson: Covenant - Genesis 9:12-16 

¹² God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: ¹³ I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ When I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow is seen in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. ¹⁶ When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”

Reflection for Genesis 1,9 – Creation and Covenant

Hymn: O Come O Come Emmanuel (refrain). 

Third Lesson: Compassionate and Forgiving God – Psalm 103: 1-8

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. ² Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all awesome benefits— ³ who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, ⁴ who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, ⁵ who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. ⁶ The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. ⁷ The Lord made known divine ways to Moses, and gracious acts to the people of Israel.⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Hymn 133 (NCH)/250 (Celebration): O Little Town of Bethlehem. 

Fourth Lesson: God of Peace and Justice – Micah 5:2-5; 6:6,8

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,   who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me  one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,    from ancient days. ³ Therefore he shall give them up until the time  when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return   to the people of Israel. ⁴ And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,   in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great  to the ends of the earth; ⁵ and he shall be the one of peace. 

⁶ With what shall I come before the Lord and bow myself before God on high? ⁸ Listen here mortal: God has told you what is good, And what YHWH requires of you; to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God; Then your name will achieve wisdom.”

Reflection for Micah and Psalm 103 - God of Peace and Justice.

Hymn 131 (NCH) / 251 (Celebration): It Came upon the Midnight Clear.

Fifth Lesson: Birth – Luke 2: 1-7 

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴ Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. ⁵ He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Reflection for Luke 2: 1-7 - Birth

Hymn 148 (NCH) /281 (Celebration): What Child Is This. 

Sixth Lesson: Shepherds Visit – Luke 2:8-16 

⁸ In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.

Offertory:

Hymn 125 (NCH) / 278 (Celebration): Angels We Have Heard on High.

Seventh Lesson: Foreigners Visit – Matthew 2:1-11 

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise ones from the East came to Jerusalem, ² asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” ³ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; ⁴ and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵ They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

⁶ ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

⁷ Then Herod secretly called for the wise ones  and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. ⁸ Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” ⁹ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. ¹¹ On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Reflection for Luke 2:8-16 and Matthew 2:1-11 - Shepherds and Foreigners.

Hymn 139 (NCH) / 265 (Celebration): The First Noel.

Eighth Lesson: God’s Promise Fulfilled - Luke 2:28-40 

²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ²⁹ “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; ³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation, ³¹ which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” ³³ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed ³⁵ so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” ³⁶ There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷ then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸ At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. ³⁹ When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Hymn 132 (NCH) / 249 (Celebration): O Come All Ye Faithful. 

Ninth Lesson: Divine Love - Romans 8:35-39

³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all day long;  we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor 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.

Reflection for Romans 8:35-39 – Promises Fulfilled with Divine Love.

**Lighting the Candles 

Hymn 134 (NCH) / 253 (Celebration): Silent Night.

Benediction:

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Tony E Dillon Hansen presiding.

* Please rise as you are able spirit and body. 

** Please make you way to perimeter of the Church for lighting the candles, sharing the light of Christ, and singing of Silent Night.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, ©1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Portions of prayers, ©2021 Local Church Ministries, Faith INFO Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved. 

Wren, B. 2008. Advent Christmas and Epiphany, Liturgies and Prayers for Public Worship. Westminster John Knox Press: Louisville. Reproduced with permission.

Joy of Love - Luke 1

 Joy of Love

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Sermon based upon Luke 1: 39-55, Micah 5

Opening Prayer.

I grew up praying the Hail Mary and the Holy Rosary.  Today’s lesson is the basis for those prayers. I admit that these are great meditation prayers, and we know that prayer and meditation are ways we can talk to God, to find some peace.  

Yet when I think of Mary and reading this text these days, my perspective has changed.  This is not just few good words but based upon something much more.

Two women, one past the age to conceive and the other is young and inexperienced.  Mary, the daughter of Joachim and Anna, goes to Elizabeth and Zechariah, both people of religious traditions and relative to Mary. She goes there to stay for a few months.  We have to wonder a little bit why.

Mary is in a precarious position (as most unwed mothers are).

She is disadvantaged, does not have answers, and faces public scrutiny for being pregnant and unmarried. I imagine her to be somewhat frightened and looking for reassurances. Where can she go and who can she trust?

So, she goes to Elizabeth. Does the young girl have to explain why to Elizabeth or even ask for acceptance?  

Now, we all know this feeling of being in a dark place without answers searching for reasons wondering what is true, what I should believe, or what I should do next. Yet like people do in Stephen ministry, Elizabeth does a marvelous thing (before St Stephen was even known). She welcomes, listens and walks along with Mary. She takes Mary in.

I imagine Mary questioning and unsure, but looking.  And then, when Mary sees her older cousin, she sees a woman full of life and with so much joy for her own pregnancy, her own blessing from God, is it then in that Mary would find relief and utter joy that she begins to sing praises?

To go from anxious and precarious to hope and joy! This is Mary’s Isaiah moment - “out of the darkness they saw the light”.

This song comes from deep within her, and she sings for both of them. This young, inexperienced woman sings about God’s blessings in her life, her cousins’ and of God’s vision for the whole world.  

Maybe she gets carried away, and maybe, the song becomes her. 

She is transformed from a lowly person to God’s servant. She is blessed with God’s spirit and God’s gifts. She is transformed.

The thing about this beautiful song is that it is not just for her, Elizabeth and Zechariah.  

She sings for every son and daughter who thinks that God has somehow forgotten or thinks God put calamity in our lives. She sings for those who think that God has forgotten that promise and to remind us God is there, to love forever, to give space for joy, to give life.  This song is for you and I.

To work the pun, Advent is a time pregnant with hope, wonder, and yes anxiousness and questions.  This song reminds us that we are not alone even when it feels like the world has turned away. There is someone that we can lean into to find hope, find peace, find joy and find love. 

Mary finds strength and reassurance in the joy expressed by Elizabeth and that grows between them.  We now what it is like to see people having “joy”, we want to join the fun.  She has to sing because she has found joy in love.  She has to sing because she sees and she is reminded that she is not alone and that God is with her, with her cousin another is hope in the world - through the Spirit. 

She is not royalty or prophet but prophecy is what she does. The gifts of God are not just for the rich and powerful, but for all of us.

I imagine her to be woman who is suddenly moved; has to belt out this wonderful number because the moment grips her and lift her.  She feels that wonderful sense and aura of hopeful anticipation instead of dread and worry.  She feels gitty and alive in the relief from her cousin and God.  

Thus, what the holy spirit bestows upon her is more than just passing idea, but hope for the whole world.  Elizabeth gets it. Mary gets it.  Even though she has so much against her and she can foresee the challenges ahead of her child, she sees hope and that fills her with joy and love.

Think about that for a moment.  Why do we sing Christmas carols and Advent hymns of hope and great anticipation?

Because you see, Jesus grows up with this woman as mother. 

One has to think she imparts some of her hope, her joy and her love into the child who we know as Jesus - the power of a great parent - great teacher. That starts with welcome.

Despite a society that scorns, a government that threatens, despite people going hungry and fear of military aggressions, or despite serious poverty, Mary senses the love of God with her and in her. Mary has joy in her heart. She has love for her child, a gift from God - for Elizabeth’s child, also a gift from God.  She realizes the gifts they have been given.

What does that mean for us??

Mary knows life isn’t going to be easy and the road ahead is paved with serious challenge. Yet, Mary realizes and sees a future with hope and love. Despite great odds, Mary raises Jesus as a child of hope, a child of love and peace.  Mary raises the child in the Spirit of God because God is there.   

That is why we give praise in our Christmas carols.  That is why we pray.  We could look back longingly at Christmases past hoping for more security, less troubles, but that is the wrong direction beloved.  We have grace now and in the days ahead of us. 

So when you are standing at the window of hope in a world full of suffering, maybe the path is not despair in winter but beautiful winter. Even on the longest night, there is a light.  Feel God inside you working with you. And then you too might just need to belt a great praise. Because young or old, we have so much here.

In a world that is longing for gentle peace and generous sharing of gifts, we can stand at that window with Mary waiting with great anticipation and hope and then let yourself be filled to the brim with the joy of God’s love.

Look who is with you and be transformed with that love around you and inside you.

Thanks Be to God

Village Montage 2021

Hello all,

This year I figured a way to keep kitty-zilla out of the village space and set up the Christmas, Fall and Halloween village as a unit with the train running through all of them. 

Some of you know that I have been doing this for years. I was sad when we moved into our house and started setting up the village only to have pet invaders knocking things around. To keep them out of village would have been expensive and likely unnecessary.  

As it were, the pandemic taught me something about our house and places we use or dont use.  I moved it to a different area where I could keep the animals out via a toddler door. 

So now I have a train and possible perpetual village scene in the downstairs. 

I decided to do this because 

1. There is a lot of time to put up and tear down each year. 

2. I have always wanted to do model railroading. 

3. I have been able to do better work with ascetics because I dont think I will need to tear it down anytime soon. 

4. I have built this village up for years and the tear up and tear down would break things.  I hated retiring pieces that I enjoyed and dont really desire to get more at this point (think I have enough as it is). 

So I hope you enjoy the work "so far" as I am sure I will be tweaking and changing this over time. Majority of the pieces are collected from Lemax and the train is HO scale. 

A video is on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JNBUSxW1dDA. 

Peace - Luke 3

Peace

Tony E Dillon-Hansen

Sermon based upon Luke 3: 1-6

Opening prayer.

Our scripture opens today with a tongue-twisting list: an emperor, a governor, Roman tetrarchs and a couple high priests; these are the human governance around John. Together they hold all religious, political and economic authority and command of the known world.

Yet the Word of God is not to come to them, but instead to a fellow in the wilderness, John the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, both of priestly ancestry as well. Elizabeth lineage goes back to Aaron and Zechariah’s duties include service in the Jerusalem Temple. Thus, John is a prophet that seems to be following the family business.  

Yet instead of serving near the Temple, John is out in the wilderness becoming strong in the Spirit. That is far from the centers of worldly power and going out to give knowledge of salvation to the people by forgiveness of sins (Luke 1:77).

Why is John in the wilderness?  That is where (and how) people go to learn about God.  

Think about it, the times we have excitement and bliss, we feel God, but it is in those moments of time where we are tested, when we have to find direction, when we have a struggle (whether mental, physical or otherwise), that is when we ought to remember that we are not alone.  When we feel tested, we ought to remember that God is there for us. The things is when you look back on occasions when you were in the midst of struggles, I bet you can find that God was there, even when you did not recognize that.

In the early 2000s, I worked at the Univeristy of Iowa doing tech support until the legislature sent the University a smaller budget.  My job was on the chopping block, and I was not sure what to do next. I looked around and figured this would be a good time to go back and finish my bachelor degree. So I spent the next year doing just that.  I finished my degree, raised my GPA, and ran a non-profit at the same time. Maybe, God was helping me all along.

Even today when we are surrounded by a pandemic unleashing new variants or just getting through another test at school, new tasks at the office, getting ready for a wrestling tournament, a long day of harvest, or loss of a loved one, we might look for God because God is there the whole time. Especially in those moments, God is ready to help calm your struggle, calm the waters and bring you some peace.

That is really the key.  When life looks uncertain, difficult, wavering or hostile even, we would do well to remember that God is right there waiting for us to call, to pray.  In these moments, we can lean into our faith and trust that God will give us peace.

John isn’t just a strange guy in the wilderness reciting Bible verses. John calls out the words of Isaiah to help us repent (that is return) to God through this wonderful thing called forgiveness.  Because we all know that myself is the biggest critic of myself, and I have to remember to forgive others around me, but even moreso, I must remember to also forgive myself. For when the job goes away (whether you could do anything about it or not), it is not the end of the world but maybe a chance to do something different - something I should have done anyway even.

For when we struggle we hold onto it and push away things that we might need or could use, including our God. People will hold onto these feelings of remorse, shame and guilt in very unhealthy ways. Thus to forgive oneself, is to allow ourselves to settle into God’s peace and let God calm our feelings.  Repent is not just a frightful word, but a return - a return to God. Thus, returning to God is more than just praying, but returning to that peace that we have forgotten or ignored.

Thus, the voice cries out from the wilderness in our lives - looking, wondering and praying - praying for our salvation, forgiveness and return to God. John is quoting Isaiah that references the return from Exile in Babylon which implies a journey and every journey begins with what - single step and then another. 

That road, that journey isn’t always paved with assurances and easy times, but with each step, each valley can be filled, each mountain can be made low when we put our trust in God. That is a challenge for us.  We will read more about John’s ideas when you read further into Luke 3 (which is the core of next week’s Gospel reading.)

See this strong contrast from the folks listed in the beginning of this text.  They cannot possibly do what God can, that which God promises for us.  This is the world God promises for us.

This is the power of God poured out for us - why? Even in a world that is tired, broken and dealing with years-long plagues, people looking for hope, looking on this long road for something: For you beloved, God pours this out for you and for me so that “all flesh will see” and have peace.

Thanks Be to God.

Hope - Luke 21

 Hope 

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Sermon based upon Luke 21: 25-36, Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 and Psalm 25

Opening Prayer

After Thanksgiving and our plates full of goodies (our abundances), you can tell the mood of people changes as we look with anticipation towards Christmas.  

This is a fresh time, a new season, and a new church year! Luke will help guide us.

The lesson from Luke is apocalyptic and epic. Like Star Wars, it feels like the Empire has returned.  

Besides being foreboding, this lesson is hugely revolutionary. Why the revolution and stressful images versus the comforting thoughts of Christmas, gifts and family dinners. Why this?  Why Advent? Like Star Wars, despite the long odds and endurance of tragedies, there is hope.

Jesus reminds us such things are always present, but Jesus tells us “stand up and raise your head high to this moment” because the time is always near - you have made it this far. 

What does it mean to live in the context of questions, struggles, terrifying to find a future that has comfort? We are in the midsts of distress where everyone seems to be caught up with the barrage of the pandemic, life stress and maybe some dystopia.

This lesson encapsulates so much of us in the recent years. These are signs. How do we interpret these? Signs, even ominous ones, point somewhere - for us to look up and look forward in prayer and with graceful community.  

These Advent signs have meaning. They point to something that is very different than our brokenness, our own emptiness. Advent is a beginning, (perhaps a revolution even) and the signs point to hope. Advent is like children with youthful aspiration. So, we come to church - to restore our faith and love for one another and together find hope.

We hope because what we are living through now is not the end. Emptiness, brokenness or dystopia are not permanent.  Thus, you and I, we must lean into the Gospel and hear the promise that life abounds with gifts. The promise - the word of God will not turn against us - the promise of peace. That is the hope of the fig tree.

For who does the future belong is those who put their trust in God and the hope of Christ (Psalm 25). Just like we read in Thessalonians, it is not just the words we say, but how we live and pray that hope - how we increase our love for one another, in this moment and for the future. 

Advent is a shaking of our world. We need that so much. Let God shake the very space around you to know that God is not just near but here.  

Barbara Brown Taylor reminds us that people often focus upon the wrong things - large abstract things (the sun, the moon, the stars, cosmic distress, earthquakes and plagues). We find ourselves overwhelmed or ready to panic. This is not the cinematic, edge-of-your-seat, end-of-times thriller like the movie 2012. 

Some preachers dwell on themes like this to scare folks into warped obligations to God and church.  If you were looking for someone to scare you, I suggest there are other places to go.  Fear is a motivation for some, but it is negative. Fear can cause tunnel vision - to focus upon the wrong thing - to lose sight - not just of a future, but of all that is available or people around us.

That is power of the Jedi - not just flashy lightsabers, making things float or even simple desert wardrobes. The power of the Jedi is understanding that we have all we need right here and now. That is the ultimate power of Christ. That does not involve fear, or fear of these cosmic powers, which we have no control. Even in the midst of emptiness, there is light.

The fig tree reminds us not to run from the signs. Don’t run from God, church or these powerful themes just so we skip to the comfortable commercials, Christmas dinners and wishlists. Find there is something here for you and now.  

That means to consider the way we use time we have. Its all we have - while we wait for the miracle of Jesus - not just the history and mystery but hope in coming glory.  We are to be alert - mindful of signs, but we ready our hearts and minds with hope in our hearts for the return of God’s majesty.

We have been through a lot these recent years, but we need not cower in fear.  There is hope.  The fig tree is reminds us to have hope that things will pass, and our faith will carry us because we are rooted in God.  When you allow that hope to be your heart, you will feel God’s presence. 

Yet, we cant do this all on our own.  That is why we pray and why we come to church. No we can’t do it alone, but together, we have hope of better things, brighter futures and wonderful possibilities. Again even against dark empires, there is light and there is community to help.

Advent is not just about the birth - a long time ago - but the coming of Christ (history, mystery and majesty.) We don’t have to fret about life today, or even worry about the youth around us when we reveal God to them. Then, they too will be rooted in faith and God to go beyond the plagues and the disasters into the new world of Christ.  

These are the ways that God’s majesty (that future) breaks into current world.  Why Advent? The answer is founded in our roots in the Spirit. With a new season and new year, we are born again. Then in our newness, like a child, we find hope because the spirit is there among us helping us.  Reveal this hope in your lives!

Thanks be to God.

The Sign - Mark 13

What will be the sign

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Sermon based upon Mark 13:1-8, Hebrews 10, 1 Samuel 2: 1-10

Opening prayer

Throughout our lives we have all kinds of signs around us tell us where we are, where we can go, what we can buy, what we can do.  I thought it just a bit relieving to see a public health agency have fun with 6-feet-apart into as one-moose-apart.  

We have apps that give us signs - I have a watch that tells me when to breathe and stand like somehow I forgot.  We have signs that say eat here, get your shot there, save money, or whatever. In our lives, we have signs that offer paths through the stars like horoscopes.  Will this help today?  Some do / some don’t. 

What signs has Mark revealed to you this year? Or are we stuck on the question, then rationalize which sign do we heed or ignore. Which is convenient for us to follow (or sometimes follow.) Consider how people approach stop signs at intersections. Some stop, some stop if there is traffic, some do a slow roll through, and some are like “what sign?” There are some that don’t think signs (or rules) apply to them.

Jesus describes ominous destruction of the temple. The disciples ask how will we tell when this will happen: a sign.  Jesus cautions to “be wary that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say ‘I am he’ and they will be lead astray.” There will be all kinds of calamities. These are just the beginnings.  Ouch. 

Mark is not a Gospel of comfort and balance, because Mark acknowledges our chaotic world - and there are possibilities. 

What are we to do?  It is up to us to see through the distractions and chaos.  Jesus has an answer if we read more in Mark 13- a theme appears. In the midsts of trial, do not worry for what you will say because the Holy Spirit will guide your speech. Jesus then says, “…keep awake - for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, …or at dawn, …What I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

Instead of looking for signs, Jesus wants us to wake up: as in, live and speak the truth of God:  not just for ourselves but for the sake of all God’s children.

From the beginning of Mark, Jesus has been proclaiming the kingdom of God is here. Jesus rejects privilege and honors.  Jesus tells of impending death and pains. Jesus warns of hypocrites: those who talk God’s words wearing fabulous robes while ignoring the poor.

Life of discipleship looks a lot more like the road to the cross.  Discipleship is not about power, privilege and monetary wealth as these are measures of our corrupt society. Our structures, there are winners and losers (aka division). Let’s see how many we can leave behind.  Instead, bear witness to God’s love; (read Hebrews 10) - encourage and provoke each other to love.

Jesus is clear. We are to be like children with curiosity, imagination and willingness to believe, to have faith. Growing up, we lose that amazement. We forget to see sparkles, the awesome colors, or experience exciting tastes- importantly, To accept people for who they are.

Jesus fed thousands and blessed many. Jesus grieved for lost friends and gave new life. Jesus endured so that we could live. Jesus didn’t go around taking a survey - only that you have faith and believe. Yes, Be woke!

Jesus gave us understanding, not just scripture. Jesus shows how to live a life that helps us lift and be lifted.  God’s command is clear: to love God and to love each other.

Stop distracting ourselves with “stuff” thinking that will calm our impulses.  Stop putting fences our lives to define property and to keep many out.  Why?  Maybe we should ask who do we let in? Instead of guarding and hoarding, God is welcoming and so should we. 

In God, we find strength and liberation fLast week, the poor widow finds strength to go before all around her with their wealth and things. With liberation and purpose, she gives her last coins that defined everything that she had been and is rewarded with everything that she will be.  She became among the first.

If you did not know what Jesus looked like, how would you know Jesus? Think how the blind man, Bartimaeus, recognized Jesus, jumps to him, regains sight, and becomes a follower.  

Of all the things you could request, what is that one thing? What sign do you need to know that Jesus is working in you now - in your heart?

“Wake up!” Jesus says. Look around you with open eyes, open heart and you will find children of God right here -rooted in love.  All the wonderful you need is right here. Remove the curtains from your life and see the magic of the mystery. 

We do suffer but we do receive so much more like Hannah (1 Samuel). She suffered, and then she received blessings. She recognized God working. Therefore, she offers thanks and praise.   

During Thanksgiving, (hope of Advent on the horizon), Consider all that you have in abundance and give thanks to the one who provides, who guides, who comforts. 

The sign? What exactly are you waiting for? Find God here now - Be woke an

Two Coins - Mark 12

Two Coins

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Sermon based upon Mark 12:38-44, Revelations 21, Ruth 1, and Psalm 146

This story arrives at the perfect time for churches to talk about giving and fundraising. How convenient.  I am going to tell you why and how I give.

I give to the church (and to other organizations) that will expand the work of my dollar into the work I cannot do but needs to be done.  When I give, I like giving locally because I know that people in our community are doing good work in our neighborhoods.  I give to bigger organizations when I sense they are doing that on a broader scale. 

Thus, when I give to the church, I feel I get to do both because St John is not just a local church but part of the wider United Church of Christ working on issues of poverty and social justice for far more people than I can personally help. My gift goes without conditions because I know it is doing God’s work.

So I give today with that in mind. What will do the most good? Does the person (or organization) need something that will collect dust or is there something that would be more fulfilling? Giving is more than just throwing dollars and leaving. 

You know I volunteer with UBFM.  When we go out on the streets, I see the power of a true gift, gifts given without judgment. When I see a guy come out of nook of a bridge wearing all he has ( shorts, old jersey, and light coat) on a cold autumn evening with eyes wide as we offer food, blankets, socks and such for him and his lady friend, I am humbled. (These are some of the items you gave.)

I am humbled to even ask for anything for myself when I can get most of what I want when I want. Incidentally, I can show you pictures of a confirmation gift.

These two coins (representing all this widow owns) offer perspectives for us here.  Wonder how long have these coins been with her and persuaded to give these - perceivably, her last to Jesus?

This raises what is a gift and what do they mean. We will get to that.

As Mark reminds us time and again, there will be many who are first that will be last and those who are last to be first.  What do we see in the widow that Jesus sees her, recognizes her? She gets lifted up by Jesus - for them and for us.

She ought to make us consider what is it that we see in people - as the giver or the receiver of grace.  The elders around her have just been denounced by Jesus as wiling to “devour widows’ houses” for the sake of appearances. They seek out the visible places and best seats while there are ordinary folks that are simply ignored or forgotten.  

When we see people on the street or little disheveled. We might see this widow a little more.  We don’t know everything, the why or how she became widow. She is alone in a world that has left her destitute. (Or is she alone?) 

We know this today because we see it all around us.  We hear about tragedy, poverty or worse and think how much it may have been of their own doing. They can lift themselves up by their bootstraps if they caused their own problems.  Money becomes curtains for our eyes. We pass judgment and we don’t see the person’s worth - as a child of God. What do we do when we politely regard someone’s issues as “not mine” is remove empathy and compassion from our breath. 

Think about the words we say to start worship every week about welcome - “no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey…” Do we practice that extravagant welcome in our lives or are these just words to endear us in church?  Do we say to neighbors to come join us?

Again, this is not just about what we do and say in the church, but outside the walls, at the dinner table, on the street, or otherwise. What do we give of ourselves and do we only give to those that look like us, act like us, or perhaps don’t make us feel uncomfortable? 

There are plenty of people that will go out of their way to seek fame and fortunes - all “talking” about God without doing God’s work.  We see this in our time, and this is exactly what Jesus denounces.  Those are people deeply connected and invested in corruption and flawed social structures.  They bathe themselves in lavishness and pay little attention to ordinary people who can’t (or won’t) provide lavish gifts and dinners to them. For them it’s a transaction. These: who are first (in their own minds and the minds of a broken world) will give only when given to - These will be last (in the world of God).  

Do we do this with people around us?  Do we only invite those people that can (or will) present us with gifts, dinners or whatever out of abundance versus spending time with those who maybe can’t? Are you only invested to give when you get something from it?

The woman with two coins represents the last who will be first.  She represents in many ways the people who can’t.  For many widows, especially in that time, are stripped of property and wealth and later by more fellows looking to exploit them. There are stories today of widows (widowers) giving from their hearts only to see more tragedy from all kinds of shady ways. 

That brings us back to the gift. What is a gift? This woman, despite obstacles and setbacks, still gives. She demonstrates power of love and faith with two coins. She still gives when it could hurt her so much. She gives all of her because to truly understand the trauma of loss is to give all of ourselves - kind of like Jesus on the cross. 

Still this is quite transformational for her. 

This is her moment and you can imagine instead of woman sad but one who is proud, confident and with purpose.  You can imagine her walking before all these people in their grand robes and displays of wealth. With all the eyes upon her in their robes and stacks of cash, she walks as if to say keep your hands off me, hands off my money, you don’t own me, I am not a slave to your desire, and I am woman.  

With swagger and purpose she walks to the offering plate (not like today when we can just wave off the plate as it goes by).  You can see her with purpose and then maybe some trepidation as she looks at the bowl, her coins and then with purpose and grace, she gives.  She gives as if to say I am not dead, I am alive and I give to you because you heard me, you lifted my struggle. I believe. She liberates herself from all that she was to all that she will be.

Jesus sees her, recognizes her and lifts her. Jesus lifts you. Like the fellow on the street was wary of people until I gave assurance that we were there to help, upon receiving the gifts he showers blessings upon us.

If you only had two coins left, what would you do with them and what faith would you place in that?  

Maybe instead of large wishlists, we might think of that one thing we need in our lives like the blind man from Mark 10. Folks the kingdom of God is near. See it and be it. 

Maybe, we consider the gifts in our lives and share with our thanks to God that we have abundance to share.  Maybe, we share not just because it feels good for ourselves but because we share with our faith and in thanks that God fulfills us. 

Maybe we give and we welcome with faith and love. Then, we practice love of God and of neighbor: one person at a time (with one burrito, one meal, or one blanket) and see them for who they are - a child of God.

We share our gifts. Why? Because your two coins mean so much.

Thanks be to God.