Year End and Beginning (Freedom Devotional)

It’s hard to believe that 2016 is almost over. It feels like the year just got started a month or two ago, but here we are counting down a few short days until it’s finished.

Are you worn out from all the Christmas activities you’ve attended this past month or so? To add a little extra stress to the busyness, many of us have been fighting through sickness during this festive season. I’m praying that we all get healthy really soon.

At the same time, this year has been amazing. When I think about all the ways that God has been involved in our lives individually, as families and as a church family, I find myself overflowing with thanksgiving and praise.

Whatever challenges you’ve faced, as a follower of Jesus, you have never been alone. The Bible tells us that God is always working for the good of those who love him and live according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). I encourage you to take a moment to thank the Lord for his goodness to you over this past year even during difficult days.

This Sunday is New Year’s Day. In the spirit of reflection, the four members of our speaking team will each do a short message on ‘One Thing I Learned This Year’. We did this last year and felt like we should do it again. Don’t worry – the message won’t be four times as long. We will be sure to leave time for the other important acts of worship.

We will have Communion which is always a special church family experience. And then we will have a time of prayer of blessing for 2017. If you are by yourself, you can come. If you are with your family, come together. It does take some time so be patient as you get in line. Arlene and I look forward to praying for you along with others that will join us.

Don’t stay up too late New Year’s Eve so you will be ready to celebrate the awesomeness of God with Jesus and his church at 10 a.m. It’s going to be good.

See you Sunday.

Pastor Del

Do You Hear... Worship and Joy?

One of the themes that we hear in the Christmas story is worship. The fact of Christ's incarnation stirred worship over and over again. 

  • Luke 1:46-56 - After Mary went to Elizabeth's house and the promised was confirmed for her again, she broke out into song. (You may hear this song referred to as The Magnificat.)

  • Luke 1:68-79 - After John the Baptist was born, his father, Zechariah, began to worship God and his song is recorded. 

  • Luke 2:13-14 - When the angel had finished announcing Jesus' birth to the shepherds, a whole host of angels appeared to fill the night sky with worship.

  • Luke 2:20 - When the shepherds went to meet the newborn Jesus, their immediate response was to glorify and praise God.

  • Luke 2:29-32, 38 - Simeon and Anna couldn't help but worship when they met Jesus and his parents in the temple.

It seems that when people encountered Jesus that first Christmas their response was worship. The divine and beautiful mystery of Jesus coming to earth to redeem us from sin hasn't changed in all the years since the first nativity scene. And so, this Christmas, when you look into your life, do you hear worship?

Along with worship came joy. There was so much joy exploding from the hearts of everyone who knew that Jesus had come. Joy is something that the world imitates with temporary happiness but this Christmas, when you gaze again at the words of the story, do you hear joy?

We pray that as you celebrate Christ this week, your heart would be filled with worship and joy, that you would find yourself stepping into the story with Mary, Zechariah, the angels, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna and find that same wonder that was so present at the first Christmas.

Joyful Christmas Blessings!
P. Tracy

Do You Hear... Faith Not Fear?

"Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard." 
"Do not be afraid, Mary: you have found favour with God."
"Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife."
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."

When we think about Christmas, we don't normally think about fear. The idyllic picture of Christmas includes peace on earth and frosted window panes, snow-laden pine trees and brown paper packages tied up with string. But the biblical narrative tells a different story. There were so many unexpected encounters, twists, turns and strange events that our main characters are always met with the encouragement to not be afraid before anything else unfolds. So, it seems that fear is a big part of the Christmas story!

Fear is also a part of our stories. We grapple with it and manage it throughout our lives -everything from nervousness to phobias. Sometimes it keeps us safe, sometimes it keeps us too safe. It makes sense that calming fear is woven so well into Christ coming to earth. 1 John 4:18 tells us that there is no fear in love and we know that Christ is the epitome of love. 

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear...”
— 1 John 4:18

For the third Sunday of Advent, we're going to talk about fear. A different twist on what we think of as a peaceful story, but one that connects our ordinary lives to what happened on the first Christmas. 

Looking forward to seeing you then,
P. Tracy