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ADVENT SERIES BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1
We will prepare ourselves for Christ’s Nativity with an Advent series entitled, “King, Kingdom, and Throne: Not of This World” We’ll look at Jesus’ Kingship, the Kingdom we’re all part of, and His final enthronement at the Last Day.
Join us for worship at 7:00 pm
December 1, 8, 15
THE KING IS COMING!
PASTOR WOODS SERVICE PROGRAM, CLICK HERE!
PASTOR WOODS MESSAGE NOTES, CLICK HERE!
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WEEKLY DEVOTION NOVEMBER 30
Tuesday, NOVEMBER 30, 2021
Pastor Bruce Kischnick, Grace Lutheran Church, New Albany, IN
“Turn It Over”
READING: II Corinthians 2:5-11 – If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent – not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven – if there was anything to forgive – I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
When I was a boy back home on the farm in Michigan, my father was very scientific about “fall plowed” and “spring plowed” fields. Certain fields were plowed in the fall and others in the spring. Don’t ask me which ones they were for I was never cut out to be a farmer and paid no attention to the details. But, having been raised on that farm, I still have vestiges of the agricultural heritage in my make-up. So recently I went to work and turned over my whole garden with a shovel. That was a lot of work!
My garden is about 24 feet by 8 feet, and it took me parts of three days to get the job down. I turn over the soil so that the green, leafy weeds that had sprouted in the absence of my vegetables went into the ground as “green manure.” The stalks and dry leaves of the vegetables went with them. I turned it over so that next spring I can start fresh and clean with the work of tilling and sowing. It also allows the soil to be aerated, and it relieves the soil compaction that happened through a spring and summer of weeding and harvesting with my big feet. All in all, the garden will now be healthier and more productive because I did the work of turning it over.
St. Paul in our text is encouraging the church at Corinth to do the very same thing. It was a troubled congregation. His first letter to the church is full of his exasperation over the very public and distressing sinfulness of various members and factions in the congregation. He took them to task and encouraged them to clean up their act for the sake of the Gospel. It seems that they had taken him seriously and had ostracized some of the offenders as punishment and correction for the griefs they had caused. They had turned away from the sinfulness of these folks to avoid becoming involved in these things themselves. Evidently their actions had been pretty effective. But now Paul has a new concern.
Since some of the offenders had obviously repented and were carrying the burden of their offenses outside the circle of the church, Paul has a concern that they may be crushed under the punishment. He encourages the Corinthians to “turn over” the griefs by forgiving those who repented and taking special care to “comfort” them with the assurance of their love. He says that anyone they forgive, he will forgive also, and even more, that person will be forgiven in Christ Jesus. Paul is teaching us something important.
As Christians, we are to be ever vigilant in regard to sin and its corrupting influence. Someone who sins against us or publicly sins against the whole church has to be shown that sin. Sometimes that means limiting how we interact with that person. Sometimes it means turning away from that one as a sign of how serious this business of sin is. But when that person has a change of heart, when that person repents and seeks out the company of the saints, forgiveness is the most potent form of love there is.
As Advent gets underway, you and I are reminded that there was one overriding and most important reason that God sent his one and only Son into the world in the flesh, just one: to be the sacrifice for our sin that by repenting and coming to him through Jesus, we could be forgiven. So when someone who has grieved us by their sinful living turns away from that sin and seeks the fellowship of the saints, we have to “turn over” that sin like my garden refuse so a fresh new start and a renewed relationship can be nurtured and grow. Jesus came so that our sin might be “turned over”, and we might be made producers of rich and abundant fruit. Being able to forgive, comfort, and welcome the offender back into our love brings joy to God’s heart for that’s just what he has done for us!
PRAYER:
ANNOUNCEMENT(S):
1) The first Sunday of Advent was this past Sunday, so that means our first Advent service will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, December 1, to be followed by two more on the 8th and the 15th. All of them start at 7:00 P.M. Come and prepare your heart for the King is coming!
The theme for this year is “King, Kingdom, and Throne: Not of This World”. Join us.
2) GIFTS FOR KIDS is accepting donations of money to buy gifts for children within the congregation and in our community at large. Every dollar you give will be used to bring Christmas joy to kids in homes that otherwise might not be able to provide things that the kids want and also need, like clothes and shoes. You can donate online, by check or cash in an envelope marked “Gifts for Kids.” On their behalf, thank you!
pastork@glcna.com — (502) 797-7407
PRINTABLE PDF: WDNov30.PDF
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WEEKLY DEVOTION NOVEMBER 29
Monday, NOVEMBER 29, 2021
Pastor Matthew Woods from Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana
“Face to Face With Jesus”
Aren’t you glad that we can get together with our families again after Covid? Visiting through glass windows, via Zoom, phone calls, etc. is not the same as walking into the room and being in someone’s presence. I don’t know about you but being together with the people we love and far more interesting than simply talking on the phone or visiting via Zoom. This last week at Thanksgiving it was good to get together with the family in person and have so many of us together in person. Being in one another’s presence was fun, encouraging, peaceful, and exactly what most of us needed. And isn’t better when we can get a hug from a person when we are in need of one rather just a simple card or phone call. Cards and phone calls are really nice because they remind us that someone is thinking about us. However, the card or phone call is the bonus to knowing and being with that person. Being in the same room, sharing the same experiences, making memories together, and even causing some mischief is still the best part of Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Being face to face with our Savior is at the heart of Christmas and today’s text in John 1:1-5.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Okay, let’s set this up with a little Greek. Pleaase bear with me because John 1 has a lot to say about being face to face with Jesus; being in His presence. First, is John’s connection to the new creation in Jesus. The original Greek is very revealing. En Arche (ar-kay), Literally “in beginning” are the same words exactly of Genesis 1:1. John deliberately ties the first creation to Jesus as Creator. Now the Word that became flesh is the source of the new creation. This new creation theme is found in places like Isaiah 65:17-25 which talks of new heavens and a new earth. And 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 which says that anyone in Christ is a new creation. Something new is given in Jesus and it starts with Jesus coming in person.
Next is the very potent word, en (pronounced –‘ain’) “was”. The verb is in the imperfect tense. This may not seem like a big deal but an imperfect indicates a continuous state. The imperfect asserts the timelessness of the Word made flesh. The Word made flesh, Who has come, is forever and what He brings in the new creation is forever.
En, (ain) is different from another word for was-egeneto of verse 3. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. Unlike the logos, creation is egeneto-meaning it had a beginning. Creation is distinguished from Jesus and created by Jesus who is the Logos made flesh. Colossians 1:16-17 tells us, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Jesus enters into His creation to become the sacrifice to redeem it and remake it once more.
Okay now we have the set up. Here’s the main event and perhaps my favorite part of John 1, “And the Word was with God.” The word for ‘with’ is pros. Pros- πρὸς—can also mean “towards” or “face to face” deepening the personification of the Logos. Pros demonstrates a coexistence with the Father, one equal to the other. It speaks of a unity of nature more than a similarity or likeness which is why the next phrase puts clarification to “with” God and adds “And the Word was God.” καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος—Literally—“And (The) God was (ἦν-imperfect—always was) the Word.” Bottom line: Jesus is the same stuff of God and He chooses to be with His creation.
The Word made flesh is at the heart of why we celebrate Christmas and Easter. In Jesus we see God face to face. Face to face signals a relationship with the one we are face to face with. The opposite would be to turn our back on someone. That is universally seen as rude and disrespectful.
In the Middle East as well as the Orient, there is great sensitivity to ranking among people. If one is entertaining two guests of equal rank, they must be seated on an equal level. If one were tall and the other short, the latter was seated on pillows so that when he looked at the former their eyes met on an even line. Neither must look down or up to the other. Since they were equal in rank, they must see eye to eye, “face to face.” (Herschel Hobbs, An Exposition of the Gospel of John, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House, 1968, page 25—Quoted by R. J. Shuta)
We are never going to be equal to Jesus but this is the point. Jesus who is Lord of the universe stoops down in the ultimate humility to meet sinners face to face. Love for the world brought Jesus to us.
The Word became flesh; has an actual face to see. Jesus’ face was kissed by his mother, Mary. Jesus’ face smiled at children. Frowned at the disciples when they fought over who is the greatest. Compassion to the masses. Showed anger as He overturned the money changers tables. Wept at Lazarus’ tomb. Was beaten and punctured by thorns. Was bowed in death on the cross. And was most welcomed after the resurrection. For now, because of our sin we see but as a poor reflection as in a mirror eventually we will see clearly face to face—1 Corinthians 13. Jesus Himself tells Thomas that those of us who believe without being able to see right now will be blessed to see Jesus later, John 20:29. And when we see Jesus for the first time as believers His face will be filled with joy when we arrive in heaven.
And how many other countless faces will we see? Abraham’s, Isaac’s, and Jacob’s. Moses’ and Miriam’s. Rahab’s. Mary the mother of Jesus. Joseph, his step dad. Grandparents, parents, children. People from around the world. Countless faces who hoped as we do in Jesus the Word made flesh. Jesus dwelt among us. When we see Jesus’ face for the first time we will dwell with Him.
Perhaps this is why we Christians like the name, Immanuel—God with us, so much. Add in the en-was in the imperfect sense we quickly realize from John that being with God is never ending. All that from a few Greek words in John 1. The best part about the Gospel of Christmas is that it does not change. It is a fixed point for our faith and our hope.
Put all the piece together and we learn that Jesus, the Lord of creation, is the beginning of the new creation. Believers are made new through Jesus elevated into the presence of God our Heavenly Father. It is an everlasting creation that is coming. In this new creation we will see Jesus and all believers face to face. Best of all there will be no end to any of it. This is what is hoped for in this season of Advent. And so, we wait with expectation for the Lord’s return.
May the Lord bless you this Advent season with confidence and hope in Jesus.
Pastor Matthew Woods
John 3:30
PRINTABLE PDF: WDNov29.PDF
Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/f4kWydzBGOU
matt.woods@glcna.com — (502) 523-9327
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Pastor Woods’ Bible Class
Into the Deep End of Christmas
Growing up in church we have heard Luke 2 every Christmas. We have heard about the coming of the Wisemen. This year we are moving from the kids end to the Deep end of Christmas. Starting at John 1 and moving all the way through Jesus returning from Egypt to Nazareth we will examine the culture and history and context of Christmas. Go deeper Sundays at 9:15 in the Choir Room.
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NOTES
This new offering was very successful and enjoyed by all!
Grace Notes available Online
Grace Notes started as a children’s version of the confirmation level Sermon Notes. It has grown to two full pages front and back with Bible verses according to the weekly church readings, pictures illustrating stories or verses, a prayer box, and puzzles. Grace Notes are part of the Grace Packs (single use church bags) available on Sundays.
Grace Notes are an awesome way to build on the online service as an opportunity for devotion and discussion.
Children’s Ministry Contact Information
Email: sabrina.haug@glcna.com
Phone/Text: 502-386-6371
Facebook: Grace Lutheran Children’s Ministry
Web: www.glcna.org – click Children’s Ministry in right-side Index
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SERVICES IN THE BUILDING AND ONLINE!
If you are not feeling well, please stay home and watch online. We are sanitizing everything. No masks required.
WORSHIP SCHEDULE: (* = Communion).
Wednesday, December 1, 7:00 pm
Saturday, December 4, 5:00 pm — Sunday, December 5, *8:00 & 10:30 am
Wednesday, December 8, 7:00 pm
Saturday, December 11, *5:00 pm — Sunday, December 12, 8:00 & *10:30 am
Wednesday, December 15, 7:00 pm
Saturday, December 18, *5:00 pm — Sunday, December 19, *8:00 & 10:30 am
Christmas Eve Services, *5:00 & *11:00 pm
Christmas Day Service, *10:00 am — Sunday, December 26, *10:00 am
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Grace Online – Children’s Bible Lessons!
Bring the message home with activity pages. Enjoy yourself or share with someone. Use as family devotion. New pages posted weekly on children’s ministry page @ glcna.org.
FOLLOW THIS LINK TO THE CHILDRENS MINISTRY PAGE!
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Bring Your Can to Church
Feed the Hungry
On Sunday, December 5th, we will again collect items for the food pantry to help feed the hungry. We can use: freezer items (meats, cheese, bread – place in food pantry freezer), mac & cheese, spaghetti sauce & noodles, jelly, canned meat, canned pastas, canned fruit, pork n’ beans, rice, potatoes, crackers, toiletries, baby diapers, wipes, formula, etc.
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Sunday Adult Bible Class
Pastor Kischnick’s Sunday Adult Bible Class are meeting in the Fireside Room from 9:15-10:15 am. We’ll be studying “The Little Books” beginning with I Timothy. Come join us!
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For more information (Your Bulletin) check out
NEWS & TIDBITS at the top right box
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For more Devotions check out RECENT DEVOTIONS
at the top right box
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