Child of God

John 14.13-18

I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.

“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.”

Do you promise? I mean really promise? Isn’t this what our heart truly desires – to be told “Yes, I will be with you for ever.”

This year, as a congregation, our church is studying Christmas is Not Your Birthday for Advent. We’re being guided through this season of expectation, of want and desire. But what are we really wanting, and what are we really waiting for? I think at the heart of most of our wants is a desire for a purpose. I know I desperately crave a purpose in this life and a chance to feel like I’m at least trying to fulfill it.

What is my purpose? It might be the same as many of yours… it came to me because I finally heard these words whispered to me from above, “My child, I will not leave you”. It’s a feeling I think I first experienced high in the Appalachian Mountains. And again at some of the lowest moments in my life. I heard it in the churches of San Jose, Costa Rica, where children sang out “On a day like today, I need God!” In the slums on Delhi, India, where bare-foot children ran about crying out for attention with smiles and laughter. I felt it along the wall in Palestine, where school children play in shadows of armed guards. In the warmth of the Fiedler Atrium, where hundreds of school aged children received their very own school uniform.

Truly, can there be a better gift than the love of God? If so, I haven’t found it yet. So give it away by the truck load! Smiles, prayers, love like never before. Shout it! Until every child on this Earth, every person around hears, “You are a child of God, you are precious and you are loved!”

A prayer for the orphaned: God, we cry out today… every day… for those who are forgotten, neglected, alone. We know that You are the Protector of the weak, the Shelter for the cold, and that in You – because of grace – we are adopted! So, train our hearts to beat as Yours, cause our eyes to see as Yours, and move our hands to act as Yours.

Kat Kaden, Media Resources Manager, Chancel Choir Member, Rotunda Board Chair

Praise The Lord!

Psalm 150

 

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament!

Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!

Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!

Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

 

Is this the eleventh commandment?! Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai the ten we know about: believe in One God, don’t make idols, don’t curse, take a break for God’s sake, honor your parents, don’t do bad things and treat others as you would like to be treated (Exodus 20:1-21). Then, the eleventh commandment is “Praise The Lord!” Well, of course, what else is there to do?! It hardens back to the first commandment that God is One and One with us! When we fully understand this the only other option is for us to “Praise The Lord!” This eleventh commandment also reflects the ‘great commandment’ that King Josiah delivered in Deuteronomy. It is known as the Shema, this name is from the Hebrew for ‘listen’. “Israel, listen!” Deuteronomy 6:4 and following begins. That’s right: People of God, LISTEN! The psalmist expands this even further, “Let every living thing...” Listen! Listen because God is in our midst, beside us, walking with us, and providing for us.

After we listen, there is just one response: make noise, shake things up, stir the pot! Grab everything you’ve got from horns to strings, percussion to voice, and proclaim that God is One and one with us now and forevermore! “Praise The Lord!” Let it begin today!

Dr. Andy Stoker, Senior Minister

Shepherds, Angels, and St. Nicholas, Too?

James 1.17-18

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.




A kindly face, a gentle smile and a twinkling eye.  Not a “Ho! Ho! Ho!” exactly, but a white beard, red cloak, and mysterious gifts anonymously given in the middle of the night. Sound familiar? It must be St. Nick!

Nicholas was born into a wealthy Christian family in Turkey back in the 4th century, in a town called Demre. His parents died when he was a teenager, leaving him the sole heir of an immense fortune. He was appoint a bishop at a very young age, and having heard the words of Jesus as a youngster, to serve the poor, sick, homeless, and needy children all around, he put the scriptures into action. Many stories are told of Nicholas’ generosity. On three different occasions he gave bags of gold to poor girls needing dowries, saving them from being sold.  He was well known for his goodness, his compassion, and his secrecy. In the footsteps of Jesus, Nicholas gave, just for the sake of giving and helping all those without hope or dreams. He understood that materiel wealth and worldly fame, did not lead to prosperity. St. Nicholas knew who Jesus was and patterned his life of servant-hood to reflect Jesus’ teachings.

In these days of Advent, when our “Santa Claus and St. Nicholas Days” overlap, let us always remember The Christ Child that the real St. Nick worshiped and served. The gifts of unconditional love and forgiveness are waiting for all of God’s people. No lists. No charcoal. No empty stockings. It is an open invitation to share the true love of God through service, compassion and giving. St. Nicholas showed us the way, too. Not just in December, but all year long.

Family ACTIVITY: 
FirstActs of Kindness – FirstChurch Connection Point at Ross & FirstKids Web Page

Secretly, do a kind deed for someone. 
 Now share that deed;
1) write the deed only on one of the hearts in FirstChurch reception area 
2) place the heart in our Grinch’s heart, and watch our his heart grow OR
3) go to FirstKids Web page and list your FirstAct of Kindness


Gretchen Combs, Director of Children's Ministries