Why Is Advent Turning Blue?

Many people in our church are asking why we have new blue paraments for the season of Advent. In past years, we have used purple paraments to drape over our pulpit, lectern, and altar.

Some might be wondering if the switch from purple to blue is a subtle way for the pastor to promote the color of a certain Big Ten team.

Others have wondered if maybe it has something to do with the new pastor's puppy whose name is Blu.

Actually, the real scoop on why we have switched to blue for Advent is for some important theological reasons. Here they are:

Hope

The color blue is a color that is often associated with hope and this is at the heart of the season of Advent. We have hope and anticipation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and for his second coming when the scriptures speak of God forming new heavens and a new earth.

Distinguishing Itself From Lent

Secondly, the season of Lent was filling a little possessive in having to share the color purple with it's cousin, the season of Advent. By having two separate colors for these two seasons on the church calendar, we provide new ways of focusing on these two significant seasons and keep them a little more separate in our minds.

Respecting the Holiday "Blues"

Another reason we are using the color, blue in Advent is due to the phrase, "holiday blues." Advent is meant to be a restrained time in waiting for the big celebration of Christmas. This is particularly helpful for people who struggle during this season when stores begin playing "Jingle Bells" as early as the day after Halloween. Our church wants to honor people who aren't feeling the giddiness of this time of year due to a passing of a loved one, a painful memory, or because of the shorter days and longer nights.

This is why we offer a "Blue Christmas" service in our church each year. It's especially designed for people who want to share in the hope of Christmas, but who prefer a more subdued time of reflection and introspection. During this service, people have the opportunity to light a candle in memory of a loved one or as a way to name another sadness they may be experiencing in their lives.

In addition to the Blue Christmas service, you may have noticed our beautiful new white Christmas tree with blue lights located in the corner of our Welcome Center. People are invited to place a tag on the tree that names a sadness or a prayer concern they would like to give to God.

So there you have it. We have shifted to using the color, blue in the season of Advent because blue is associated with hope, it distinguishes itself from purple which is used during Lent, and it shows respect for those who may be feeling the holiday "blues."

Some churches continue to use the color, purple during Advent which is perfectly fine, but we just wanted to emphasize these other important theological and practical aspects of this time of year as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. Come, Lord Jesus! Come!

Happy Belated Birthday of Jesus Day (Epiphany)

Today (January 6) we celebrate the concluding 12th day of the Christmas Season. In our western Christian liturgical calendar, we conclude the Christmas Season with the story of the visit of the Wise Men who brought gifts to the Christ Child. Yes, it's actually more than just a day to remind us to begin taking down our Christmas decorations.

For this Sunday (January 8), don't be surprised if you find that Jesus has quickly become a young adult who is ready to begin his public ministry (Baptism of the Lord Sunday.) The liturgical calendar sometimes will fast forward the life of Jesus to help us include the major events of Jesus' life and ministry

When factoring in the time frame of when Herod killed children two years of age and under (Matthew 2:16) in an attempt to do away with the Christ Child, the Wise Men most certainly didn't arrive on the scene until well after Jesus was born. Even though Wise Men are standard figurines in nativity displays, their visit was actually separate from the manger scene.

The good news of Christmas is that the Messiah has come...

By including Epiphany Day as the concluding day of the Christmas Season, we are reminded of the light that the prophet Isaiah prophesied in the Old Testament and how kings will come and present gifts to the long awaited Messiah. Isaiah is careful to tell us that the coming of the Messiah will lead the Gentile world to come bearing gifts. The good news of Christmas is that the Messiah has come not only for the people of Israel but also for the whole world.

Epiphany..."Belated Birthday of Jesus Day"

So, actually, Epiphany can be given the name, "Belated Birthday of Jesus Day." Epiphany reminds us that it is never too late to offer our gifts and our worship to the Christ Child.

Happy Epiphany!

Don't Flick the Ashes Off His/Her Nose!

Ash Wednesday, the 1st day of a 40 day Lenten season that will lead us all the way into the final days of Jesus' life and his crucifixion is upon us today.

This day in which we are marked with ashes on our forehead is a stark reminder of the presence of sin, suffering, and death in our world. Notice how the Christian faith won't allow us to join our death denying culture.

Instead, Ash Wednesday reminds us of the creation story (from dust we were created) and the reality of death (to dust we shall return.) This is a day and the beginning of a season in which we come to grips with our sins, our shortcomings, our brokenness, and our complete dependence on God.

As my thumb released from her skin, a small clump of ashes detached from her forehead and fell onto; the middle of her nose.

She came to my station to receive the ashes on her forehead. I carefully dipped my thumb into the bowl of ashes and gently made the form of the cross on her forehead. As my thumb released from her skin, a small clump of ashes detached from her forehead and fell onto the middle of her nose.

"That's awkward," I thought to myself. "I'm sorry," I said to the woman who didn't know why I was apologizing to her in the middle of an Ash Wednesday service. "Some ashes fell on to your nose and if you don't mind, I can remove them if that's OK," I said in a whisper.

She nodded in agreement, still not knowing how noticeable that small clump of ashes on her nose would look to the people around her. Ashes on the forehead, we expect, but not a glob of gray powder on the middle of your nose! My pastor's ritual doesn't offer a solution for a problem such as this.

Thinking that I was going the extra mile to save this woman from any embarrassment, I accurately flicked off that tiny clump of ashes from the middle of her nose. Now, I didn't get very good grades in Physics while in High School and this little real life experience showed me why. I didn't think about the whole cause/effect scenario that one little flick of a powdery substance could have on a person's face.

My first thought upon seeing this woman's "new look" was "oh my goodness!"

Instead of the particles flying off the nose, the ashes stuck to the surface of the nose skin like metal to a magnet and ended up forming a long darkened streak from the top of her nose down to her nostril area. My first thought upon seeing this woman's "new look" was "oh my goodness!"

Knowing that something had gone really wrong following that fateful flick of my index finger, I was now forced to make another awkward comment, and yes, we were holding up the long line of worshippers who were coming to my station to receive the ashes.

"I'm really sorry. I made it even worse. You might want to check in a mirror. God bless you."

Thinking that she might huff off which she had every right to do because of my feeble attempt, she instead let out a smile, and then she started laughing, and back to her pew she went grinning all the way. The really funny thing about all of this was that we were the only two who knew what had happened!

Look for my future book, Weird Things that Happened to Me While I Was a Pastor.

That memorable experience which will someday make chapter 47 in my book, Weird Things that Happened to Me While I was a Pastor, reminded me of the reality of sin in our lives. We can try to brush it aside as if a little flick of the finger will make it all go away, but instead it finds a way to stick with us, sometimes making an even bigger mark on us.

While Ash Wednesday and the forty day Season of Lent can be a difficult time for us to come face to face with the reality of sin in our lives (this is a penitential/confessional season) we also can rejoice and even let out a laugh knowing that the sign of the cross points us to a victory (nikos).

Even the smear down our noses can be wiped clean thanks to Christ's victory on the cross.

Thanks be to God!

Ugly Christmas Sweater Prayer (Sunday After Christmas Day)

Sunday After Christmas Day Prayer (Contemporary Version)

Lord, on this Sunday after Christmas Day, we thank you that we can continue to live out the Christmas spirit by wearing our ugly Christmas sweaters to church. Some of these sweaters have puffy large snowmen, some remind us of a Perry Como Christmas special, and others even include blinking lights. Remind us that all Christmas sweaters are beautiful in their own special way. May they all all remind us of the celebration of the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

1st Sunday of Advent (Week of November 30th) - Lancaster First UMC

We light this first Advent candle as a symbol of expectation. We expect God to do great and wonderful things through each one of us this Advent season.

[As the first Advent Candle is lighted, the following prayer is offered.]

O God, we have high expectations. You are a God of the incarnation. This is a season of the impossible becoming possible. There is no God like you. We stand on our tiptoes waiting to see what you will do in and through us this Advent Season.  Through our special Christmas offering this year, lives will be saved, hearts will be transformed, and the hungry will be fed. Thank you for calling each one of us to reclaim the true meaning of Christmas this year. We pray this in the name of the One who is to come, our Emmanuel. Amen.

1st Week of Advent Thoughts:

• What is on God's wish list for Christmas this year? Eliminating poverty, hunger, homelessness, malaria? List some other wish list items God has for our community and world. Don't forget to include our Christmas Missions Offering wish list which includes financial support for our Lithuania United Methodist Partner Church, Africa Development Fund, Imagine No Malaria, & Good Works Outreach, Athens, Ohio.
• Reclaiming Christmas means that our wish list lines up with God's wish list. Be open to God's nudges to offer God's light to someone going through a time of darkness this Advent Season.

What is Advent?

Advent is a four-week vigil prior to Christmas, a period of watchfulness, waiting and reflection, not only for the celebration of the birth of Christ but especially for his coming again. Each week we light another candle on our wreath as the time of Nativity draws closer.

Ash Wednesday Services (3 Services) - March 5

Ash Wednesday (3 Services) - March 5

Noon (Half  Hour Service) & 7:30 P.M. @ Church, 163 E. Wheeling St.
6:30 P.M. @ Crossroads, 2095 W. Fair Avenue

Most Holy God, your Son came to save sinners; we come to this season of repentance, confessing our unworthiness, asking for new and honest hearts, and the healing power of your forgiveness.  Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have You Caught the Advent Virus?

A big thank you to Rev. Irvin J. Boudreaux, a United Methodist pastor for sharing this thought on Advent. Have you caught the Advent virus?

Some signs and symptoms of The Advent Virus:

• A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
• An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
• A loss of interest in judging other people.
• A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
• A loss of interest in conflict.
• A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
• Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
• Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
• Frequent attacks of smiling.
• An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
• An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
• A sudden rush of generosity that is very costly.
• A strong desire to be foolishly optimistic.

A Standing Room Only Worship Service

Most churches are careful to count the number of people who attend worship services.  Usually this is done by the usher team.  Pastors tend to over-exaggerate the count!

We have churches of all sizes including mega, large, medium, and small.  Recently, I visited a church that has an average weekend worship attendance of 9,000.  I was a guest preacher in a church that averaged only a half dozen in worship.

All Saints' Sunday, the Sunday that falls on or immediately after November 1st is the Sunday on the church calendar when the attendance goes through the roof.  The church with a half a dozen is packed.  The mega church with 9,000 balloons to hundreds of thousands.  Ushers who are tabulating attendance don't have enough time to count noses as more and more people continue to flood into the sanctuary.

Imagine when you read the worship attendance in next Sunday's bulletin.  "144,000!  Wow, that was a lot more than I thought were here last Sunday!  Did we run out of donuts between services?  Who was working the nursery?"

OK, it wasn't literally 144,000.  That's just the Book of Revelation's symbolic way of describing the completeness and magnitude of all of God's people who have faithfully lived and died.  Every All Saints' Sunday, we are reminded that our church is much, much larger than what we can ever imagine.  Of course, those saints who have gone before us aren't just worshipping with us on that one Sunday of the year.  They are worshipping God the Father, Son, and  Holy Spirit 24/7.  It's an eternal worship service of great joy, praise, and thanksgiving.

Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them."  If that's the case with just two or three, just think what another 144,000 means for that little country church on a Sunday morning down the road.

This Sunday, don't be surprised if you hear a louder chorus than usual during the worship service. It's a song that all of God's saints love to sing, a song that reminds us that a time is coming when death will be no more and there will be no more mourning, crying, or pain.  Christ has defeated sin and death!

All Saints' Sunday will be standing room only so let's join all of God's saints in offering our worship and praise.

We already know that at least 144,000 of God's saints will be there.

All Saints' Day Prayer

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord.  Grant us grace so to follow your holy saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys, which you have prepared for those who sincerely love  you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Sunday!

Today (August 19) would have been mom's 83rd birthday.  She died a couple of months ago on June 9.  Traditionally, the church celebrates those who have gone before us on their death anniversary rather than on their birth dates.

I always found this a bit odd because birthdays have a much more positive and joyful feel to them.  In the wisdom of the church, death anniversaries remind us of the full life of the individual and of the day when they entered into glory.  This is made possible because Jesus defeated sin and death on Good Friday and rose to new life on Easter Sunday. As I go through this day and think about mom and how I would have called her on the phone to tell her I love her, I will also remember that today is a Sunday. 

Sunday, the day when the women found the tomb empty!  Sunday, the day when we heard, He is not here.  He is risen!  Sunday, the day of resurrection!  Sunday, the new eighth day of creation!  Sunday, a taste of what is to come when there will be a new heaven and a new earth! Sunday, a day that points to that time when we will be reunited with all of those who have faithfully lived and died!  Sunday!

Sunday!  Sunday!  Sunday!

Baptism of the Lord Prayer (Week of January 8)

Living God, when the Spirit descended on Jesus at his baptism in Jordan’s water you revealed him as your own beloved Son. You anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Grant that all who are baptized into his name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior now and forever. Amen.
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Baptism of the Lord Sunday - A Poem

THE BELOVED

It was a voice out of nowhere.

It was a voice from everywhere.

It was the voice of love.

It was the voice from above.
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“You are my beloved,” came the words;

“You are my beloved,” was what they heard.

“You are my Son;”

“You are the One.”

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The words were spoken at the river

By One, who of all life, is the giver.

The words were spoken to identify Jesus;

The words were spoken that God might touch us.

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Down through the centuries of life,

Through war and pestilence and strife,

The faithful lose all fear,

When “You are my beloved” is what they hear.

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The words are meant for all;

The words are God’s call.

“I love you without reserve.”

“I love you more than you deserve.”

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And then there comes a time in each soul

When we embrace our God and commit our whole.

We say we will follow Jesus’ way

And in his path we will stay.

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But sometimes we forget that we are the beloved.

Sometimes we fail to seek the way of love.

Sometimes we think that on our own we can win.

Often we must repent of our life of sin.

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And again we pledge our hearts and vow

That we want to make a difference now.

We hear the challenge to reach out –

We look beyond our walls and that’s what Christianity is about.

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We remember that Jesus would not be in our midst.

He would be among the people whom we try to miss.

He would walk with the homeless, sit with the sick –

The poorest of the poor would be his pick.

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When we do likewise, our soul is eased

And God says of us, “With you I am well pleased.”

And in the squalor of our sinful life, God continues to love

And speaks to the people of the ages that we, too, are the beloved.

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- Rev. Terry Heck, Bellbrook UMC, Bellbrook, OH

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Having an Epiphany

In the West, we celebrate Epiphany (the visit of the Wise Men) on January 6 which is the twelfth day of Christmas.  It's a day to reflect on the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, his presence with us as our Emmanuel, and the manifestation of Christ to the world.  Epiphany is also a time for us to think about how we are manifesting the good news and light of Jesus Christ in our community and world.

Earlier this week, a member of the church invited me to attend an Ohio State men's basketball game with him and another member of the church.  As we were driving to the game, we were talking guy things like ESPN, the bowl games, and what we might expect from the game that we were going to see.  In the middle of one of those conversation, all three of us paused in our conversation as we noticed one of the most vivid and beautiful sunsets that we had seen in a while.

The deep orange and yellow glow from the Western sky got our attention as we got a glimpse of the beauty of God's creation.  On this Epiphany Day, may we be open to the glimpses of God's beauty and majesty as we conclude the Christmas season.  And for the days ahead, may we manifest the love of Jesus Christ in all that we say and do.

Epiphany Prayer:
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Christmas Prayer

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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4th Sunday of Advent Prayer (Week of December 18)

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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3rd Sunday of Advent Prayer (Week of December 11)

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
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2nd Sunday of Advent Prayer (Week of December 4)

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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1st Sunday of Advent Prayer (Week of November 27)

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Christ the King Sunday Prayer - November 20

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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The Creativity & Depth of the Christian Calendar

The daily devotional reading from "Forward Day by Day" reveals the creativity and the depth within the Christian calendar.

Today (June 24) recognizes the birth of John the Baptist who was born six months prior to Jesus (December 25.)  The devotional reading explains the symbolism of the placement of these two dates on the church calendar.  I've included today's reading which is a great example of how the Christian calendar can help us think about our faith in creative ways.

Years ago I was in a parish staff meeting reviewing the calendar of activities when a fellow staff member noted the feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist with great puzzlement. “What a random date,” the man exclaimed. “Why is it here at the end of June?”

I reminded him of the history of Christmas. Ages ago the church placed the festival of Christmas in the midst of the winter solstice celebrations to correlate with the victory of light over darkness. As the sun reaches its nadir, and darkness seems to be the ­victor, light begins growing in its power and duration. It echoes the reign of Christ.

The metaphor is reversed with John. His feast occurs in the midst of the summer solstice. As the sun marks its zenith and begins to diminish, we remember John the Baptist who paved the way for Jesus and proclaimed, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Isn’t that a fitting credo and lesson for us all?
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Trinity Sunday (June 19) Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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