Sermon: “Mary’s Gift”, Christmas Eve Message (December 24, 2024)

During the past four weeks of Advent, we’ve been learning about the four women that Matthew includes in his version of Jesus’ genealogy: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. Since the Christian tradition has historically privileged the actions and perspectives of men, it’s important for us to remember that Jesus’ life and ministry would not have been possible without these women. Not only literally, in that their bodies gave life to the ancestors that make up the line of David, but also through their gifts of tenacity, perception, companionship, and strength – a heritage that shaped God’s people and set the stage for everything that Jesus would be and do during his earthly life.

Sermon: “Bathsheba’s Gift”, 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14-18, 26-27; 12:15b-18a, 24-25 (December 22, 2024)

We’ve read some tough stories about the women in Jesus’ genealogy over the past three weeks. But while Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth all had to overcome significant odds, Bathsheba’s situation is on a whole different level. At least the other three women were able to exercise a certain level of agency, in spite of their patriarchal contexts. Bathsheba, on the other hand, almost seems trapped within her own story. In fact, although nothing in 2 Samuel 11 could have happened without her, Scripture depicts her almost as if she doesn’t even matter as a human being. For all intents and purposes, her humanity is erased entirely.

Liturgy: Advent IV, Selections from 2 Samuel 11 & 12 (December 22, 2024)

 This liturgy is based on our Advent Theme this year, "The Gifts of Women", based on the women in Matthew's account of Jesus' genealogy. 

          *You are welcome to use or adapt any of my resources for free, but I ask that you provide proper citation AND comment on this post to let me know.*

Hymns

Hymn GTG #93, “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” 

Hymn GTG #324, “For All the Faithful Women" [v. 1 + New Verse:]

Remembering Bathsheba, we offer up a prayer,

For those whose lives and stories are neither good nor fair.

Although she was exploited, abused in every way,

Her strength and her resilience inspire our faith today.

Hymn GTG #87, “Comfort, Comfort Now My People” 

Sermon: "Rahab's Gift", Joshua 2:1-16 (December 15, 2024)

This time of year, we tend to put a lot of emphasis on faithfulness – with good reason. The story of Christmas would not exist as we know it without many people’s willingness to do as God asks: Mary and her willingness to bear the son of God, Joseph and his willingness to raise a son that isn’t his, the shepherds and magi and their willingness to worship an infant from a poor family – all these figures are considered righteous specifically because of their faithfulness. We wouldn’t have Jesus without it. But for all the emphasis that we place on faithfulness as a path to righteousness, it’s far from the ONLY one. In fact, since God is the one to determine what IS righteous, God can assign that designation however God sees fit – even to someone who’s decidedly UNfaithful. Rahab is the perfect example of this.

Liturgy: Advent III, Ruth 1:1-17 (December 15, 2024)

This liturgy is based on our Advent Theme this year, "The Gifts of Women", based on the women in Matthew's account of Jesus' genealogy. (Due to a family emergency, we wound up switching weeks 2 and 3.)

          *You are welcome to use or adapt any of my resources for free, but I ask that you provide proper citation AND comment on this post to let me know.*

Hymns

Hymn GTG #106, “Prepare the Way, O Zion” 

Hymn GTG #324, “For All the Faithful Women" [v. 1 + New Verse:]

For Ruth, we lift our voices in gratitude and praise;

Naomi’s true companion, a friend through all her days.

Although the way was rocky, they each were not alone – 

Ruth’s loyalty a path to Christ Jesus on his throne.

Hymn GTG #100, “My Soul Cries Out With a Joyful Shout” 

Liturgy: Advent II, Joshua 2:1-16 (December 8, 2024)

 This liturgy is based on our Advent Theme this year, "The Gifts of Women", based on the women in Matthew's account of Jesus' genealogy.

          *You are welcome to use or adapt any of my resources for free, but I ask that you provide proper citation AND comment on this post to let me know.*

Hymns

Hymn GTG #82, “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” 

Hymn GTG #324, “For All the Faithful Women" [v. 1 + New Verse:]

For Rahab’s keen perception, we give you thanks, O Lord;

She sensed your righteous purpose, the plans you had in store.

In rescuing the soldiers who came to her for aid,

Lord Jesus Christ was born from this debt that was repaid.

Hymn GTG #86, “The People Who Walked in Darkness” 

Sermon: “Tamar’s Gift”, Genesis 38:6-7, 11-20, 24-26 (December 1, 2024 - Advent 1)

It’s Advent-tide once more, my friends, and once again we’ll be spending the next four weeks preparing our hearts to receive the coming Messiah. But while many churches use this time to recall the events immediately preceding Jesus’ birth, it’s important for us to remember that Jesus’ story doesn’t begin in the gospels. In fact, the impact of the incarnation is severely diminished without understanding everything that came before it. So while we’ll definitely still spend Christmas Eve with the beloved stories of the angels, the shepherds, the manger, and the magi, these next four weeks will be devoted to things that came long before all that.

Liturgy: Advent I, Genesis 38:6-26 (December 1, 2024)

This liturgy is based on our Advent Theme this year, "The Gifts of Women", based on the women in Matthew's account of Jesus' genealogy.

          *You are welcome to use or adapt any of my resources for free, but I ask that you provide proper citation AND comment on this post to let me know.*

Hymns

Hymn GTG #88, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” [vv. 1, 4, 7]

Hymn GTG #324, “For All the Faithful Women" [v. 1 + New Verse:]

We thank you, Lord, for Tamar, a woman tossed aside,

Demanding to be noticed, confronting Judah’s pride.

When called out as a sinner, she turned the tables ‘round,

Her steadfast perseverance a path to Christ’s renown.

Hymn GTG #105 “People Look East”

Sermon: “Make a Joyful Noise: Faith Begins By Letting Go” (“The New Normal”), Exodus 1:8-14, 2:5-10 (August 23, 2020)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Today, the lectionary draws our attention to the very beginning of the Exodus story. You may recall that at the end of Genesis, Joseph and his family were reunited in Egypt, with Joseph second only to Pharaoh in power and influence: a happy ending if there ever was one. Their descendants, the Hebrew people, flourished for years in their adopted homeland, and they built a very comfortable life for themselves. But by the beginning of Exodus, things have changed. We meet a new Pharaoh who “didn’t know Joseph”, who felt threatened by his descendants, and therefore decided to put a stop to their prosperity. He put them to work for the Egyptians.