Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ at Hope Lutheran Church,
Some food for thought shared by someone smarter than me:
“Some thoughts as we enter the holiday season.
It’s important to remember not everyone is looking forward to Christmas.
Some people are not surrounded by large wonderful families.
Some of us are having problems and are overcome with great sadness when we remember the loved ones not with us.
For many it is their first Christmas without a particular loved one and many others lost loved ones at Christmas.
Some have no one to spend these times with and are besieged by loneliness.
We all need caring, loving thoughts right now.
Please offer support to all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and let them know you care.
Do it for all of us, for nobody is immune. “
Wise and loving words to remind us all that we are a family, a community, and as the family of God we pray for each other, support each other, lift each other up as we share the light and love of Jesus with others.
When we take time to be present with our brothers and sisters and need, when we pray for them and love them, we bear the light and hope of Christ, doing God’s work with our hands-such a privilege that is. It just takes one bit of light to encourage others to share the light of Christ-and slowly but surely the light grows as the love and kindness spread.
And my friends, if you are one of the ones needing prayer and support, don’t hesitate to reach out to your church family. You bless and honor us when we may pray with and for you and support you on the way. that’s one of the great blessings of being in a church family-we take turns being Jesus to one another and it honors God and blesses God’s world with Jesus’ love. Let that Spirit of God shine in you!!
I love each of you and pray for you! Pr. Jen+
Advent 2 December 5-6, 2020 Feast Day of St. Nicholas of Myra
PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming strengthen us to serve you with purified lives; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
READING Mark 1:1-8 The Gospel of Mark does not begin with a story of Jesus’ birth but with the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord.
A reading from Mark. 1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ”
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.” The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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.” The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
HOMILY Today is the second week of Advent but it is also the Feast of St. Nicholas-so while this year has been anything but kind for far too many, we get a special bonus this Advent season with the celebration of such great joy and fun that falls on this second week of Advent. Today in our Gospel we hear about John the Baptist who helped to proclaim the way of the Lord. In Advent we spend extra time in prayer and work on preparing to celebrate the One who was, the One who is, and The One who is to come, the Savior of the world. John the Baptist helps us do that as he points to Jesus. St. Nicholas does that for us, too.
~~~St. Nicholas of Myra, according to tradition, was born on March 15 in the year 270 in the city of Patara, a seaport in the Roman Empire. His parents were thought to be wealthy Greek Christians and they died in an epidemic when Nicholas was young. He was then raised by his uncle who was the Bishop of Myra in modern-day Turkey. Nicholas grew up in the faith and the church, and eventually his uncle ordained him as a priest. Obeying Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor”, Nicholas used the inheritance from his wealthy parents to assist the needs of the sick and the suffering. He was persecuted as a Christian under the Roman Emperor Diocletian and he suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned.
~~~Stories abound about Nicholas. It is said that after visiting the Holy Land, Nicholas returned to Myra. The bishop, his uncle, had recently died and the local clergy decided that the first priest to enter the church that morning would be consecrated bishop. Nicholas went to the church pray and was then proclaimed the new bishop.
~~~Stories of miracles and incredible acts of generosity abound about Nicholas. One story is told that three young seminarians were murdered by a butcher and their bodies were placed in a pickling tub, but that Nicholas restored them to life. He was on a ship and a mighty storm threated to shipwreck him and the crew, but Nicholas calmly prayed and the wind and waves calmed, sparing them all. Sound familiar? Remembering his own youth as an orphan, Nicholas shared small gifts and money with children to their great delight as he walked the streets of Myra as the local Bishop with his Bishop robes, pointy hat called a mitre, and carrying his crozier, his shepherd’s staff as a symbol of his office. He wanted to share the love and joy of Jesus with all.
~~~One of the great stories was that St. Nicholas heard of a widower who had lost his fortune. The widower had three daughters, but the father had no money to provide dowries for his daughters, which meant that the three girls were destined for a life of prostitution. Nicholas heard about it and his heart went out to the family. Because he wished to do things anonymously, he rode his white horse to the home of the widower at night. Nicholas took three bags of gold and threw them down the chimney. The girls, after walking around all day, had had their stockings get wet and had hung them by the fire to dry. The gold bags flew down the chimney and into each of their pairs of stockings. This may tell you why we celebrate with stockings at Christmas, or why you may have had an orange or gold foil coins in your stocking as a kid.
~~~~Another story has to do with our Nicene Creed. In the year 325, bishops of the church met for the First Council of Nicaea to determine the Nicene Creed and other tenets of our faith. There was a man named Arius there who denied Jesus was divine, the Son of God. While St. Nicholas is often thought to be a kind and generous soul, the story is told that Nicholas either slapped or punched Arius in the face to make him stop sharing this heresy-Nicholas was a defender of the faith. and a devoted lover of Jesus and Jesus’ people who knew Jesus to be Son of Man, born of the Virgin Mary, and Son of God as John the Baptist also reminds us. St. Nicholas died on December 6, 343 at the age of 73.
~~~St. Nicholas of Myra was celebrated in Italy and in Europe, and it was the Dutch who brought the tradition of St. Nicholas, also known as Sinterklaas, to New York and the New World. He was dressed in his red Bishops’ robes, with a white beard, wearing a pointy hat, riding a white horse, and sharing treats with children. Children generally lay their shoes at the door and leave treats for Nicholas’ horse. This tradition was combined with the English Father Christmas and the Nordic Ice man and eventually morphed into the character we lovingly know as Santa Claus, Sinterklaas, or Saint Nicklaus).
~~~ Thanks to St. Nicholas, this great defender of the faith, a man who points to Jesus in his life and example of generosity and love, we have many traditions we hold dear. In addition to stockings on the mantle and oranges or gold foil coins in them, we also have the candy cane. While some say it is the letter J for Jesus upside down, actually the Candy cane is the Bishops’ crozier, or Shepherds’ staff, the sign of his office as the head of the flock of the faithful. The traditional colors of red and white twisting up from the bottom are to represent both the purity (white) and sacrifice(red) of Jesus and if we follow that example of purity and sacrifice, it leads us up to heaven. The flavor is peppermint, reminiscent of hyssop, a cleansing herb that we hear about in Psalm 51: 7 “Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean…”
~~~For many around the world, the celebration of St. Nicholas Day is the beginning of the holiday season. Clement Clark Moore penned the poem “A visit from St. Nicholas” in 1823 helped cement the version we know today in the United States. St. Nicholas, defender of the faith and one who pointed to Jesus and let the light of Jesus shine through him, as did John the Baptist-St Nicholas of Myra, a saint who has helped to fashion our celebration of the birth of Jesus all these centuries later as he points to the gift of God for us, the holy one born of Mary and the Son of God-Jesus, our Savior and Lord, Christ our light. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION God of power and might, tear open the heavens and come quickly to this weary world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need. A brief silence.
Faithful God, you teach us to wait for you with faithfulness and patience. Sustain and support us in our doubts and questions. Nurture our faith as we discern and live your mission and share your light and love in the world. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Loving God, you set the stars in the sky and breathe life into the earth. Renew the face of creation where it is in need of your healing touch. Mend the wounds of environmental damage and restore balance to ecosystems so that all creation can declare your praise. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Steadfast God, you never tire of seeking justice. Where people suffer from discrimination, judgment, and injustice, speak words of truth and comfort. Lead us toward a world where faithfulness will sprout underfoot and righteousness rain down from above. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Leading God, you ask us to make uneven ground smooth. Heal the pain between your people. We pray for those in our families and congregation who are not joyful in this holiday season. Comfort those who grieve, be a companion to all who are lonely, tend those who are sick or struggling with depression, and gather all people in your healing embrace, especially….. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Eternal God, we give thanks for the saints who have prepared your way in the wilderness and taught us to continue their faithful work especially Nicholas of Myra. Make their generous lives an example for all. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OUR FATHER…
BLESSING Almighty God, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit be with us now and always. Amen.
DISMISSAL We go in peace to prepare the way of the Lord as together we are led by the Spirit to serve God and share Christ’s love with all! Thanks be to God!!!.
HOPE HAPPENINGS We welcome all who worship with us today. Please complete one of the visitor cards at our guest table. If you would like to make Hope your church home, please speak to Pastor Jen. Everyone is welcome at Hope Lutheran Church.
Next Week’s Readings: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28
The October thru December Word in Season Devotionals are available on the narthex table.
LAY SERVANTS FINANCIAL STATUS
Altar Guild: Candy Ogden Income YTD $115,315.36
Usher: Roger McGill Expenses YTD $124,558.59
Counters: Pr. Cheryll A-K and Karl Kaukis YTD Deficit $ 9,243.23
PRAYER LIST Please call the church office or email Pr. Jen with any prayer requests you may have so they may be shared with the congregation.
Please continue to hold in prayer:
Ted Foltz, brother-in-law of Delores Hall for healing
Jack for God’s presence
Dawn for healing
Carol for healing, hope, and God’s will.
Laura Everill, daughter of Phyllis and Tom Agness, residing in a healthcare facility
Walter Crowley, husband of Kathryn and father of Ginger Toomire recovering from pneumonia
Joyce, sister in law of Elaine Dougan, recovering from brain cancer surgery
John Greene, Millie’s husband, for strength and healing
Cheryl Burke who is in need of healing
Larry and Barbara Brady, as they focus on healing
Pr. Pat for healing
Jean and David for healing
Ian, nephew of Barbara Johnson, as he goes through testing
Susan for healing
Jason for healing
Pr. Marilyn for healing
Healing for all those infected by Covid 19
For all people to remain safe and show wisdom and love to all
NEW AT HOPE
2021 PROPOSED BUDGET – Enclosed in this bulletin is the 2021 Proposed Budget. Please review and if you have any questions, please call the office at 941-697-2345. Membership will have the opportunity to vote on this budget after all services on December 12-13, 2020 in a truly short annual meeting. The budget is the only item on the agenda.
POINSETTIA PLANTS – If you would like to purchase a Poinsettia plant in memorial to or in honor of someone, please complete the sign-up sheet in the narthex or contact the office at 941-697-2345. A $15.00 donation per plant is requested.
SPECIAL THANKS TO STEVENS FLORIST for our beautiful flowers each week which they provide at a very affordable rate. If you need flowers, their phone number is (941) 475-6702
PEG LONG – Tel Hai Retirement Community is working on a little surprise for their residents this Christmas. If you would like to send Dr. Peg a card, her address is: Dr. Margaret Long, Lakeview at Tel Hai, PO Box 190, Honey Brook, PA 19344.
ROBERT JOHNSON – If you would like to send a card to Bob, His address is Robert Johnson, Prairie Homes – House of Faith, 1462 Kenwood Drive, Room 8, Menasha, WI 54952.
WOMEN OF HOPE –Please contact the nominating committee (Marlene Outerbridge, Cindy Beicht or Fran Kostrowsky) if you would like to be considered for an officer position for the upcoming term. Next meeting January 17, 2020.
BIBLES AND BAGELS Please join us Mondays from 10:00 – 11:00 AM for Bible Study and sharing in the Fellowship Hall.
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITY AT HOPE!! Wednesdays at 10:00 AM there will be worship in the parking lot for all those who wish to join us for prayer, a brief homily and study of Scripture and sharing in the Eucharist.
BIBLE STUDY ON THE ACT OF THE APOSTLES ONLINE!!!! Pr. Cheryll Armstrong-Kaukis is hosting a Bible Study based on the amazing book of Acts. If you would like to be a part of this group, please contact Pr Cheryll
ADVENT WEDNESDAY SERVICES will be held on December 2nd, 9th, 16th at 4:00 PM in the parking lot. Worship with us as we prepare to celebrate the Birth of Emmanuel, God with us.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CAROLING –Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 4:00 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP will be held at 4:00 PM, 5:30 PM (parking lot), and 7:00 PM. Christmas Day will be held at 10:00 AM in the parking lot.
NEW YEAR’S EVE – 4:00 PM in the parking lot. Worship with us as we welcome 2021!!
HYMN REQUESTS-If there are any particular hymns that you would like to hear at worship, please submit the names to Pastor Jen at hopeluthern1@comcast.net . If our licensing agreement permits, look forward to hearing them soon.
HOPES AND DREAMS FOR HOPE – If you have a suggestion for a Hope or Dream for Hope Lutheran Church, Pastor Jen and your council would love to hear it. Please feel free to place any Hope or Dream in the mailbox in the hallway leading to the Fellowship Hall. All requests will be kept confidential and you will receive a timely response.
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