Ash Wednesday is February 25th.
Join us for the Lenten Season as the officers and staff of Third Presbyterian Church again share seasonal devotions.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Before the popular American version of the song "We Are the World," there was a grittier, British effort that remains powerful to me as an eloquent reminder of the true meaning of the season. It was called "Do They Know It's Christmas." It was written at the time of Ethiopian famine in 1984. It connects the good news we receive this day with our mandate to share that good news with all the world.
Here are some of the words:
"It's ChristmastimeThere's no need to be afraidAt Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shadeAnd in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joyThrow your arms around the world at ChristmastimeBut say a prayer
Pray for the other ones...Feed the worldLet them know it's Christmastime again..."
My deep prayer is that you will receive something of the blessing of this holy day. And having done so, that you share that abundant blessing with a world in need -- a friend, a city, a world -- aching for good news, aching for food to fill hungry stomachs and hungry spirits, aching for peace and hope. The only way that the world will know it is Christmas is though our telling and sharing, through our sharing the light and feeding the world.
A joyous Christmas to you and yours.
Here are some of the words:
"It's ChristmastimeThere's no need to be afraidAt Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shadeAnd in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joyThrow your arms around the world at ChristmastimeBut say a prayer
Pray for the other ones...Feed the worldLet them know it's Christmastime again..."
My deep prayer is that you will receive something of the blessing of this holy day. And having done so, that you share that abundant blessing with a world in need -- a friend, a city, a world -- aching for good news, aching for food to fill hungry stomachs and hungry spirits, aching for peace and hope. The only way that the world will know it is Christmas is though our telling and sharing, through our sharing the light and feeding the world.
A joyous Christmas to you and yours.
John Wilkinson, Pastor
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve Advent Wreath Devotion
CHRISTMAS EVE—WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2008
Scripture Sentences
(may be read by one person or divided into parts)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is namedWonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onwards and for evermore.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
From Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 (NRSV)
The lighting of the Advent Candles
Loving God, the time is here. The preparations are over. Open our hearts to the joy that the Christ child has brought to the world, and help us to continue to carry that light with us. As we bring light to this candle, so may you bring light to our world. Amen.
The Christmas Story—Luke 2:1-20
Hymn—Joy to the World
Closing prayer
Close your worship time together with sharing of joys and concerns
* * * * * * *
tonight's worship schedule:
4:30 p.m.--Festival of the Nativity (sanctuary)
8:00 p.m.--Communion (Chapel)
11:00 p.m.--Lessons and Carols (Sanctuary) Broadcast live on WXXI FM 91.5
Sponsored by Valley Manor and Seniors First
Listen to our 11:00pm service on WXXI or the web
Scripture Sentences
(may be read by one person or divided into parts)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is namedWonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onwards and for evermore.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
From Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 (NRSV)
The lighting of the Advent Candles
Loving God, the time is here. The preparations are over. Open our hearts to the joy that the Christ child has brought to the world, and help us to continue to carry that light with us. As we bring light to this candle, so may you bring light to our world. Amen.
The Christmas Story—Luke 2:1-20
Hymn—Joy to the World
Closing prayer
Close your worship time together with sharing of joys and concerns
* * * * * * *
tonight's worship schedule:
4:30 p.m.--Festival of the Nativity (sanctuary)
8:00 p.m.--Communion (Chapel)
11:00 p.m.--Lessons and Carols (Sanctuary) Broadcast live on WXXI FM 91.5
Sponsored by Valley Manor and Seniors First
Listen to our 11:00pm service on WXXI or the web
'Twas the night before Christmas. . .
When the question. "What is your favorite holiday" appears on a survey or in a get to know you game, my answer is always "Christmas Eve". Note that it is not Christmas, but rather Christmas eve.
I like the anticipation. I like the preparation. Christmas is, of course, fantastic--but in my mind, the real magic happens on Christmas eve. There is nothing much else to really do--if you haven't sent cards or baked or found that perfect gift, there is no point in stressing about it now--now it is time to sit in a candle lit sanctuary and listen. Listen to the rustling of little girls in their christmas dresses, the giggles of excitement that can't be held in for one more second, the greetings of college students home catching-up. And of course--listening to the story told in scripture ("In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus. . . "*) and in hymns ("Come, thou Long Expected Jesus", then perhaps "Away in a manger" and ending with "Silent Night" and tripumphantly, "Joy to the World!").
Becky D'Angelo-Veitch, Coordinator of Children's Ministry & Congregational Life
* Luke 2:1a
I like the anticipation. I like the preparation. Christmas is, of course, fantastic--but in my mind, the real magic happens on Christmas eve. There is nothing much else to really do--if you haven't sent cards or baked or found that perfect gift, there is no point in stressing about it now--now it is time to sit in a candle lit sanctuary and listen. Listen to the rustling of little girls in their christmas dresses, the giggles of excitement that can't be held in for one more second, the greetings of college students home catching-up. And of course--listening to the story told in scripture ("In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus. . . "*) and in hymns ("Come, thou Long Expected Jesus", then perhaps "Away in a manger" and ending with "Silent Night" and tripumphantly, "Joy to the World!").
That story--whether in word or song-- still causes the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up. That story that is as familiar as any I know still fills me with hope each time I witness it unfold.
Where will you find yourself this Christmas eve? What sounds will greet you?
I would be remiss if I did not invite those of you who will not be sitting in a candle lit sanctuary this evening to tune in to the 11pm service here at Third Presbyterian Church. The service is being broadcast on WXXI radio. Click here for a link to listen. . .
http://interactive.wxxi.org/listen
Where will you find yourself this Christmas eve? What sounds will greet you?
I would be remiss if I did not invite those of you who will not be sitting in a candle lit sanctuary this evening to tune in to the 11pm service here at Third Presbyterian Church. The service is being broadcast on WXXI radio. Click here for a link to listen. . .
http://interactive.wxxi.org/listen
Becky D'Angelo-Veitch, Coordinator of Children's Ministry & Congregational Life
Monday, December 22, 2008
Crying Out in the Wilderness
Luke 3:1-6
1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"
John, son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, has come into the fullness of his ministry as God’s herald messenger. His is the voice “crying out in the wilderness” and calling us to prepare for the advent of salvation. This is a clear reference to the prophecy found in Isaiah 40, which foretells the restoration of the exiled people of Israel.
Isaiah’s message proclaims, “In the wilderness prepare the highway of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3). In our four gospels, John is the figure in the wilderness laying down the pavement. John called the people to repent, to turn hearts and minds and souls toward the God who attends to the salvation of the world.
For Isaiah, the barren wilderness was the obstacle between exile and home; the highway a symbol of restoration. For John, human sin was the obstacle between exile and home, and he called people to pave God’s way in their innermost being.
Our landscape isn’t the dry and barren wilderness of Judea, but John still cries out to us during this season of Advent. Repent. Prepare the way; for the time is here when we too will see the salvation of God. Calling out into our modern wilderness of bright lights and holiday shoppers, he brings us to a manger and then to a cross.
The voice crying out in the wilderness calls us to the true hope of restoration found in Jesus Christ; to the one who is the incredible gift of this incredible season.
Prayer:
Faithful God, you sent your messengers to call me back from exile. You sent your Son to restore me to life. Send your Spirit to work in my innermost being so that I may receive this gift with gratitude and live for your sake. Amen.
1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"
John, son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, has come into the fullness of his ministry as God’s herald messenger. His is the voice “crying out in the wilderness” and calling us to prepare for the advent of salvation. This is a clear reference to the prophecy found in Isaiah 40, which foretells the restoration of the exiled people of Israel.
Isaiah’s message proclaims, “In the wilderness prepare the highway of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3). In our four gospels, John is the figure in the wilderness laying down the pavement. John called the people to repent, to turn hearts and minds and souls toward the God who attends to the salvation of the world.
For Isaiah, the barren wilderness was the obstacle between exile and home; the highway a symbol of restoration. For John, human sin was the obstacle between exile and home, and he called people to pave God’s way in their innermost being.
Our landscape isn’t the dry and barren wilderness of Judea, but John still cries out to us during this season of Advent. Repent. Prepare the way; for the time is here when we too will see the salvation of God. Calling out into our modern wilderness of bright lights and holiday shoppers, he brings us to a manger and then to a cross.
The voice crying out in the wilderness calls us to the true hope of restoration found in Jesus Christ; to the one who is the incredible gift of this incredible season.
Prayer:
Faithful God, you sent your messengers to call me back from exile. You sent your Son to restore me to life. Send your Spirit to work in my innermost being so that I may receive this gift with gratitude and live for your sake. Amen.
Martha Langford, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Week 4 Advent Wreath Devotions
WEEK 4—SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2008
Scripture Sentences
(may be read by one person or divided into parts)
4650 And the angel Gabriel came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’* But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’
From Luke 1:30-33 (NRSV)
The lighting of the Advent Candles
Loving God, in the same way that Mary was perplexed by Gabriel’s visit, we are surprised by the wonderful ways you work in our lives. With each candle we light, we give thanks for the many blessings that you have bestowed on us. As we bring light to this candle, so may you bring light to our world. Amen.
Hymn—O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Closing prayer
Close your worship time together with sharing of joys and concerns
Scripture Sentences
(may be read by one person or divided into parts)
4650 And the angel Gabriel came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’* But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’
From Luke 1:30-33 (NRSV)
The lighting of the Advent Candles
Loving God, in the same way that Mary was perplexed by Gabriel’s visit, we are surprised by the wonderful ways you work in our lives. With each candle we light, we give thanks for the many blessings that you have bestowed on us. As we bring light to this candle, so may you bring light to our world. Amen.
Hymn—O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Closing prayer
Close your worship time together with sharing of joys and concerns
Friday, December 19, 2008
Advent in 5 words
A local radio station (100.5 The Drive) has a feature on their morning show that encourages listeners to share "My world in 5 words". People share funny, poignant, and ordinary observations about their lives. It got me thinking, how would I sum up this season? With the help of some of my colleagues around the office--here are some of ours. . .
- Love, hope, family and friends
- Outstretched arms to redeem us
- comfort, comfort you my people
- Wait, Watch, Repent, Hope, Rejoice
- waiting. . .preparing. . .hope for all
- O come, O come, Emmanuel
What is Advent in 5 words for you?
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