Sermon for 06 Dec 2020

THE TOUCH OF GOD Isa 40:3-8

I ran across an article by a man named James Fallow. He was a correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly. He says that the North American culture sends out a confusing message about Christmas. He was visiting a department store in Japan a few years ago and he found Santa holding baby Jesus in sleigh pulled by seven dwarfs.
Even for ourselves, Christmas may seem confusing. I smile when people tell me that they can’t believe in religion because it has too many discrepancies, but they are ok with eight reindeer landing on the roof, a fat man sliding down the chimney in every house in the world in 4.3 seconds?
Christmas has so many traditions and variations. It has so many expectations, but no matter how many variations there are, the central message is that Christ was born. The central message is that God has not vacated the premises. The word Emmanuel means God is always with us. No matter how confused or confusing life and the world may seem, that Spirit that sustains us is with us.
Often God meets us in our uncertainty.
So much poetry. literature and hymns have been written about the idea that God carries us when we are weak.
The poem “Footprints” surfaces every so often. It is about a man at end of his life. He looks back and sees two sets of footprints in the sand, portraying his life’s journey. God explains that that is because God walked beside him. The man notices that at the worst times there is only one set of prints. He asks God “why did you abandon me” God replies that in the times of difficulty – “I carried you”.
In today’s scripture Isaiah is calling for a time when God will re-enter the world, to sort out mess that has developed. He is saying to the people, “Prepare a highway in the desert for our God” In other words prepare yourself for God’s return. Be open to God’s interference.
The Old Testament focal point is the story from Exodus where the Israelites are freed by God from the Egyptians. It is also the story of Passover. A time when they believe God stepped into history. It was a time of severe struggle and immense suffering. God had always been present but at that point God stepped into their history and led them to freedom.
Then as their world and nation developed, God became more obscure. They changed from a faith based nation to a politically based system. Politics took over and religion was relegated to the back. The prophets, which can be found in the latter half of the Old Testament began to voice their objection.
This is where Isaiah comes in. He is concerned about the welfare of his nation. He recognizes the need for God. There are many prophets. You can read their books but beware, they have some pretty brutal opinions of their nation.
Many get killed off because they object to the direction of the government. But to little avail. Their words are not listened to. And the Israel nation plunges into what we would consider a wilderness.
It’s at that point that Jesus enters the scene. God hasn’t given up.
Often through history and our own personal life, God meets us at our lowest ebb. God meets us in our wilderness
Throughout the bible the wilderness has been a powerful symbol of brokenness and regeneration.
After their freedom from Egypt the Jews went into the wilderness for forty years to meet with God and try to understand the goals for them
Moses spent time tending sheep in the wilderness and that is where he met the flaming bush and heard God’s instructions
Jesus went to wilderness to meet with God.
John has just came in from wilderness when he meets with Jesus
Saul/ Paul was in a spiritual wilderness when he was on the Road to Damascus. He was on the wrong road in life.
We have all had a new experience of wilderness THIS year. The rate of suicide and mental illness has skyrocketed. People in long-term care homes and hospitals are unable to have visitors. Everyone has a story of frustration and isolation.
There are multiple examples of financial struggle.
In a normal year Christmas is often a time of happiness and joy BUT there is also an added awareness of difficulty and loneliness for many. That is why usually we have the Blue Service
Add into that usual reasons for upset like bankruptcy; separation, death, disease, depression; and you realise that the world isn’t as happy as it might be.
There are lots of reasons why life didn’t work out the way you thought it would.
That is the time you begin to search
That is when the meaning of Christmas shifts from buying presents to understanding the presence of Christ.
Christ came as a baby, not as a dictator, because the idea of moving out of the wilderness into a different and loving world is one that must grow with you and not be forced.
A man by the name of Howard Rice was asked, how he became so wise. He replied, “Multiple sclerosis” “I was a minister. I was good at it. I was told I preached well. MS took away my mobility and eventually my job. But I learned to live on trust. God did not give me MS – but together we used it to help me find my way.
The first thing Isaiah had to do was convince his nation that they were in fact in the wilderness. Our nation is in a wilderness but many will not recognize that because it would affect their lifestyle in a negative way.
When you leave the wilderness – you also must leave some things behind.
Our world is in a wilderness. The second Sunday of Advent is Peace Sunday. Maybe we have to leave war behind.
For many in Isaiah’s time the glamour of opulence hid the emptiness. For many the commercialism of Christmas hides the meaning.
We need to not only recognize that we, others and our world is in a wilderness but we also need to prepare a way
God is trying to reach us
We need to be open to new roads that we walk with God
There is a way out of the wilderness.
PRAYER
God we live on the edge of vastness. On one side is the endless expanse of commercialism and emptiness. On the other is the endless expanse of your love. Help us to build a road that leads out of the coldness into the warmth. Help us to recognize that we are a long way from perfect, yet you are willing to work with us and not condemn us. Help us to see how you continue to reach out to each of us in so many ways. Help us to open our hearts and minds to the power of love. We give you thanks for people who have led us. For people who have taught us and for people who have loved us. We give you thanks for the original birth of your son and for the yearly reminder.
Now we pray in the way Jesus taught us.
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in 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 and ever Amen
SERVICE Dec 6
Announcements
1) Etransfer info at bottom of page
2) Thanks to helpers today, Aubrey, Chelsea and Cheryl
3) Services to continue – I think.
4) Don Ferrier passed away and his funeral is to be in spring
5) Gilford Window – Dale decorated it – drive by
Opening Prayer
God on this second Sunday of our Advent Calendar we come to you to worship the Prince of Peace. As we gather let us clear our minds and hearts of all anger, revenge and malice so that we might hear the words of forgiveness and peace
Lighting of Advent Candle 2
Hymn – 6, verses 1-4
Scripture Isaiah 40: 3-8
Reflection
Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Hymn 20 Omit verse 3
Benediction
Go now in peace, Never be afraid
God will go with you, each hour of every day
Go now in faith, steadfast strong and true
Know God will guide you in all you do,
Go now in love and show you believe
Reach out to others so all the world can see
God will be there, watching from above
Go now in peace, in faith and in love
Amen, Amen, Amen
Info about contributing
The traditional way is to send a cheque via mail to one of the treasurers.
Make the cheque out to:
Churchill United Church
send to Agnes Cole at 226 Valleyview Dr. Churchill, Ont L0L1K0
or Gilford United Church
send to Doris Coborn at 1468 Gilford Rd, Gilford. L0L1R0
An Alternative (and better) way is Etransfer
(This method is faster, cheaper and cleaner. If you don’t know how to do it, the bank or some young kid has instructions)
Send the Etransfer to
churchillchurch2020@gmail.com
The security question is – What is the name of your church
Answer – Churchill
or panddcoborn@gmail.com
No security question
Another option is contact us and we will pick it up from your porch. Thanks