Sermon Dec. 26, 2021 The first Sunday after Christmas

Title: Christ dwells in you as the light of the world!
Text: Colossians 3:12-17

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16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Christmas is here!

But the world says … “It’s time to move on.”

The 24-hour radio stations that started playing Christmas music have had enough. It is back to your regularly scheduled programming. It is a bit of how it is for we in the church as well. Christmas Eve service and Christmas Day and then today may still hold the Christmas spirit for some, but tomorrow is Monday and for many we go back to work.

Granted some have the week off and the kids are out of school. But, after this weekend and services on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and all the family activities … we all might feel like it is time for a bit of a break too.

Life is real. It doesn’t let you collect your thoughts and relax at times. It can press in on you day in and day out. You and I know how that is.

As Paul writes in our Epistle to the Colossians:

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved - compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

Paul here reminds the Colossians who they are - as God’s chosen ones, that they were the reason that God became man in Christ. The incarnation had to happen so that the once for all sacrifice could be made at the cross and because of that reality they are – in Christ – holy and beloved.

The world can bring out the best and the worst in people. Now also, we see at Christmas - acts of kindness, generosity and love but it can fade quickly with Christians and Non-Christians alike.

Compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, are not the normal reaction of sinful man.

We tend to react in selfish, heartless, prideful, bold and impatient ways.

A sampling of the News Headlines, tell the tale.

*Disruptive Fight Breaks Out at Universal as Guests Crowd to Watch Holiday Parade.

*Violence continues in Pittsburgh as fight breaks out at grocery store.

*Two, shot and killed after fight breaks out at liquor store.

*Disgraceful scenes as fight breaks out at shopping center on Christmas Eve.

*All-out brawl breaks out between female diners at Texas I-Hop.

[This one even had a baby booster seat being thrown at diners!]

Earlier in Paul’s letter he had reminded the Colossians to put on the new self.

3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

At home and in private let your life and actions demonstrate your new life in Christ.

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

As Christians, Christmas needs to be in our hearts and minds each and every day of the year.

Bearing with one another … forgiving each other; 14 And above all … putting on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

The Lord’s forgiveness should cause our own forgiveness to spring forth from us because we have been forgiven much.

But we remain sinful - though forgiven - and it is a struggle each day. The Colossians needed reminding and we too need reminding.

Selfish, heartless, prideful, bold, and impatient people need to be reminded that in Christ we have been changed.

Just as God’s son was forever changed when he became man at the incarnation, we also, in Christ have put on the new man. No longer are we God’s enemies but God’s friends. We are his beloved children, having been clothed in Christ, and that change should also be evident in our daily lives as well.

In our gospel reading Simeon – a man we’re told who was righteous and devout was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

We too have been given this peace in the Christ who from infancy grew to manhood as the man – Christ Jesus – who took the sins of the world upon himself delivering God’s peace and consolation to we who are spiritual Israel by faith in his blessed work!

Paul reminds the Colossians and us as well.

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

God’s word whether heard, read, meditated upon, or sung from a thankful heart is where God’s peace through the working of his Holy Spirit lives and can be found.

Here - at Peace, there is Peace proclaimed, peace sung, peace delivered and peace received each and every week.

God has promised to be where his people gather and where his gifts of word and sacrament are rightly administered and delivered.

Here after another week in the world where it is often not loving, helpful, or kind and where the walls of division stand tall within our country and around our homes we can make a difference reflecting Christ.

Come and receive all that the Lord has to give and then reflect that gift of love, peace and forgiveness to others as you shine the light of Christ brightly in this New Year.

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Sermon Dec. 25, 2021 Christmas Day

Title: Christ is the light of life!
Text: John 1:4-5

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In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Today through the eyes of faith, and at His incarnation we see in the manger, a baby the Christ child and say: “Here is my God!”

Christ is the light of life!

John 1:1-18 has been one of my favorite sections of scripture. It expresses the deity of Jesus Christ, His glory that he has with the father and the abundance of His name which is full of grace and truth.

In the beginning, God, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit parallels in John 1:1 what is said by him in Genesis 1:1.

As God, in the beginning created the heavens and the earth, so too we learn from John’s gospel that “in the beginning was the Word,” that the “Word was with God.” And that “the Word was God.”

What is evident in Genesis 1 is that God is a plurality as creator and that His Spirit hovered over the face of the waters and that God spoke and said, “Let there be light.” Genesis 1:3

This is in John’s gospel elaborated, expanded and explained … as the Word, that from the beginning … was with God and that He was God and that through Him, through the “Word,” all things were made.

In Genesis the light that God set forth by His “Word” is the light of men and though the darkness cannot overcome it, this light of the “Word” continues to shines forth.

God’s light that shines forth in his Word and whom God is made known by, is revealed by the One who has seen God and is God and to whom his children believe and know his name. This name of the “Word” is the eternal name which John came to testify to, so that the world might recognize him … the eternal God.

YHWH, is the name by which the Word, from eternity, has been made known to the world and by revelation and by faith we know Him to be Jesus.

Christ is the light of life!

Not all see the “Glory” that is only revealed by faith in the Christ. Not all see salvation in him; because it is made know by that same faith and working of the Holy Spirit. But though not recognized, salvation is there – in the child - none the less.

The Hebrews text from our epistle for today says that this Christ child:
3 … is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

He came in the flesh so that those who are unable to see … that was you and me and in fact the entire world born in sin could be made righteous, could be made new, could be born again … from above … born of God … and given new life in Him.

The world doesn’t want to hear this, and the world doesn’t want to see this, and that is what makes this child and this birth ever more amazing!

Because he came anyway, despite the hatred … despite the sin, he came for you.

Since last Christmas many dear members took their rest in Jesus.

Some I got to pray with and most I officiated at their funerals. From Heinz Hoffman at the beginning of January to Marion Regentin just last week it has been a time of loss. The Lord has graciously received them all.

Marion close Psalm 103 for her funeral. It is a psalm of joy, hope and blessing. I’d like to share a few verses.

Psalm 103

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.

17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,

18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.

19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!

21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!

22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!


And that’s how it is with God! From its very opening pages, all the way to the end of the book, the Bible is a story about how God has pursued us with joyful love … an unchanging and unquenchable and UNDESERVED love, because he wants us to come home … to his house! And we do that in this life through the gift of grace by faith! It’s an amazing privilege.

Christ is the light of life!

The joy we feel today is reflected in Christ, the child in the manger that we celebrate today. Though given as a gift there was a real price to be paid. This very son of God came to redeem the world by His life, death on the cross for you and his glorious resurrection assures that you will rise too!

Today you too need to see Jesus for who He is; the author and finisher of your faith. He is the one who has taken away the sins of the world and in Him you have life eternal – because his gift is perfect!

The good news is that through the working of the Holy Spirit you have been brought to faith and through the means of grace, of word and sacrament, you are continually built up in Christ being made holy in Him, this beautiful child of Bethlehem that was prophesized long ago.

The truth that we are given in this Christ is not fiction. It is the true and blessed working of our Lord to redeem the lost, you and me. You have been forgiven and are found in him. Rejoice in this blessed gift of God!

Jesus became flesh for you and is your salvation!

Do not fear what this world gives but see what God gave, in his child … in his manger.

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit!

Amen

Sermon Dec. 24, 2021 Christmas Eve

Title: The brightest light of all is Jesus!
Text: Isaiah 9:2-7

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The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy;

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Tonight we celebrate the eve of our Lord’s nativity. The coming of Jesus the Christ of God, born of Mary and born to set us free from the inherited nature we are all born into, born in sin, and born to die.

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.

The light of Christ has been brought to a world dead in darkness.

Because death came to all humanity and in Adam’s fall all die. The fall into sin condemns us as God’s enemies. No friend of God, we are all condemned to a life apart from God’s love and destined to live in time, daily, without faith, peace, or hope in the world.

You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

For those in faith and those apart from faith the Lord’s abundance flows. Sun and moon, day and night, rains, fields, flocks and harvest all provided from the hand of the Lord, give life and sustenance to all those created in the image of God. We all live by God’s mercy with each and every breath we take. In fact, life is a gift from God. We know that whether a Christian or not all die and so death is given to all born in the natural way form the child in the womb to the aged needing around the clock care. With Life, death is the promised fulfillment in the world. Long life or short, rich or poor we all will be brought to the doors of death and death will win.

The joy tonight is not in our station in this life or what we have achieved. Our joy is in the savior who came in humility and reigns in glory. As Jesus himself said as his disciples cried out at his triumphal entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

38 … “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

The rocks themselves would cry out repeating the sounding joy of our Rock Jesus

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”

For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.

The yoke of those burdened by sin has been broken and the rod of the oppressor has been overcome. Just as in the days of the Judges when Gideon and 300 men overcame the much larger Midianite Army by the power and word of the Lord. So too the word made flesh in the incarnate son of God will vanquish sin, death, and the devil for you and me.

For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.

The wages of sin is overcome in the blood of the lamb. Where we daily battle sin and death, God has placed the work of Jesus, apprehended in faith and made sure by the Spirit, we who believe have overcome the fires of hell and an eternity separated from God receiving the promise of eternal life in Jesus.
The consequence of sin has been changed for you and me. To believe in Jesus, this Christ child gives us life. Life not to walk in sin – though we remain in the sinful tent of our flesh, but to walk in the Spirit, the promise of faith and belief in the one whom God has sent to redeem those born in sin and born to die.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace is Jesus!

His peace comes in this manger and in this child but it is made known to you and me in Baptism.

In Baptism we are marked as his.
In Baptism we are given faith.
In Baptism we receive Jesus by the work of his Spirit.
In Baptism death is swallowed up in victory and …
In Baptism we are raised to newness of life!

In Him, in Jesus, God restores the broken.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

By the Word of God and through his Holy Spirit our Lord calls and gathers his children. He sits on the throne of David forever and rules with justice and righteousness. His reign will never end and his love for the lost continues until his coming in power and glory to raise the dead in Christ and gather those who are longing for his reappearing

It is God’s desire and wonders of his love to rule your hearts and minds by his son the incarnate word of God. God who was made flesh in the person and work of Jesus for you and in him God gives hope and peace and true Joy to the world!

Luke’s gospel gives that same hope, promise, and joy with these words in Chapter 2: 11-14

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit!

Amen

Sermon Dec. 18-19, 2021 Fourth Sunday in Advent

Title: In Christ, the blessings of the Lord are yours!
Text: Luke 1:39-45

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41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

The coming of Jesus is God’s fulfillment for the world lost in sin as Jesus makes clear in John Chapter 6:

35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. …

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

A few years ago, in adult Bible Study we learned that Bethlehem Ephrathah means “the house of bread.” It will play a special role in God’s plan as the prophet Micah records in our Old Testament reading for today:

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. (Micah 5:2)

This “house of bread”, Bethlehem, would become the place where the true bread from heaven, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior would come down to save His people from the power of sin, death and the Devil’s working in their lives.

From this tiny town the salvation of the world would emerge.

Mary, who just a little bit earlier in Luke’s gospel reading, would have a visitation from the Angel Gabriel, announcing that she would have a very special role to play in God’s plan for restoring the gulf that was fixed by sin between God and man and we also have heard these past two weeks how John the Baptist would be used by God to prepare the way.

Today our Gospel reading moves back a bit in the story, some 30 plus years, to Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, another women used by God for a very important role. She would bear the prophet, John, who would be the greatest of all prophets as Jesus said in our Gospel reading from last week,

28 I tell you … among those born of women none is greater than John.

But this visit of Mary to Elizabeth was a bit different.
Mary with joyful energy and as the text says, “Arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,” and came to the house of Zachariah, where she greeted Elisabeth, just as you or I might great a relative or dear friend.

But then God performed a miracle. By the working of the Holy Spirit this unborn son of Elisabeth, at hearing Mary’s voice, was filled with the Holy Spirit. And so too Elizabeth, by this same Spirit acting in a miraculous way, also filled her as she spoke:

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord (by special gifting of the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth was given the knowledge and trusting faith to know who this child Mary was carrying truly was) should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:42b-44)

In Christ, the blessings of the Lord are yours!

So, what does the knowledge given you by the Holy Spirit about Jesus bring you? Is it an unstoppable kind of joy that might even cause you to leap?

If you’re like me, I joy in Christ … that he has given me freedom from sin …

but the Christmas season can be a drag at times too. Having worked in retail sales for most of my adult life I have found it hard to get joyful working extra hard and being consumed with all that needs to be done – during the holidays.

Many find the Christmas Season extra hard to deal with. Suicides are a major concern this time of year. Sadness at the holiday time can cause despair and for some the joy of the season doesn’t cut through the grief.

Now, add to all of this the fact that this child, this babe from Bethlehem, this Jesus, would become an offence to many.

He is an offense in our world for sure so much so that Merry Christmas has become just another happy holiday – handed down as corporate policy from the board rooms of many companies so that the true blessed meaning of Christmas has been neutered into just another sale or Hallmark or Lifetime movie – or lost altogether. Sound familiar?

The message of who Jesus is, who this child is that we wait for this Advent season … the one who caused the child in the womb of Elizabeth to jump for joy - this child Jesus Christ - came to conquer the power of evil and brokenness in this world, for you and for me.

An old post was shared on Facebook this past week and I saw it from my former college professor Dr. Pat O’Connor. His post said, “I’m not sorry I missed this.”

“BREAKFAST WITH SATAN SATURDAY DECEMBER 14”

The reality is … it was a prank a few years ago and the spelling change was quickly fixed by the school and locked with a padlock on the sign.

School pranks are nothing new. Many years ago, when I attended ARNO Elementary school in Allen Park we students who were in 3rd or 4th grade would think about climbing on the school roof where it had the letters A-R-N-O for Arno and wondering what it would take to take off the A and the R so that the building said NO SCHOOL.

We actually thought we wouldn’t have to go!

What about the future? In this PC and full inclusiveness cultural world that we live in, could we see Satan worshipers calling for equal time with Santa and Jesus at Christmas?

It is not out of the realm of possibilities. What would they serve at their breakfast … Hot dogs, Tabasco sauce, maybe Deviled eggs?

It is not beyond the pale in our culture that has really changed.

Don’t let the season be defined by the ways of the world.

Because, in Christ, the blessings of the Lord are yours!

For John in the womb and Elizabeth, the joy that is the Christ child came in a miraculous and unexpected way through Mary’s visit.

We too receive the joy that is Jesus Christ our Lord when He calls us to gather together in His name; where we receive his word and his sacraments giving us both faith and joy in this Christ child who came to free sinners, like you and me, from the enemy of our sin, from the death that it has brought to all who are conceived in sin and brought forth in iniquity, (Psalm 51.5) and finally to join us to Him who is God in the flesh for all eternity!

Our Joy is in the Christ child and that is for whom we await. He came for you and by the power of the Holy Spirit he gives you faith to leap for joy from the womb of death that you are born into, and by that same Spirit He lifts you into his loving arms never to let sin, death or the Devil pull you from the eternal life he gives.

In Christ, the blessings of the Lord are yours!

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Sermon Friday December 17, 2021 Funeral for Marion I. Regentin

Title: Forgiven and loved!
Text: 2 Cor. 4:16-18 

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16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Dear friends, family and loved ones of our beloved Marion.

I’m Pastor Russ Tkac from Peace Lutheran Church in Waterford. I’ve been blessed to be Marion’s pastor for the last few years. Though Marion had many health problems over these last few years you can have comfort as I do that she is resting in the arms of Jesus.

I’m not sure how I’ll deal with Marion’s passing as I move forward. Granted, I visit and have visited quite a few members who are home bound and required visits to their homes, care facilities, and hospitals. With Marion, I think I’ve been to them all to see her.

Most of my visits were to her apartment in Waterford. Always neat and well-kept Marion – with and O and not an A - as she made sure I knew - took pride in her home as she did with her family. Always full of joy and stories of her children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and their lives, our visits were simple as we sat and shared stories and talked.

When I would call her to set up a visit, she always wanted to know how I was doing? Having a history at St. Trinity and St. Stephens I was privileged to be added as one of her churches and pastors.

Marion dealt with trial and suffering in her life and with the loss of her dear Billy and more recently the loss of her dear Ruth – “Pastor, she told me once, she was my sister not a sister-n-law.”

Thankfully she was surrounded always by loving family who cared for her daily needs and doctor visits. Moving her to add to her own obituary that she was very happy because she was very loved!

Grandma “Teen-teen” of 16 blessed with 30 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren, Marion was blessed and truly loved.

The Apostle Paul writes:

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

So, though we grieve and are sad at Marion’s passing, we can have comfort as well.

Our visits always included the Lord’s Supper and for that she was always thankful. She would bow her head and fold her hands in prayer for this special and comforting gift. It was Christ himself coming in his forgiving presence and allowing me to be the hands, feet and voice of Jesus just for her.

When Covid hit it required a change but Scott, Sue and Marion were faithful attenders on our Facebook live feed.

Marion though had a heart to heart with Scott as he told me, “Scott, you have to get me up earlier so I can get dressed for church!”

No, bathrobe wearing, church going lady there. Marion would be properly dressed for church!

That’s old school! Marion knew from where she came.

2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins Eph. 2:1

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus Eph 2:4-6

Marion knew that wonderful truth. But he also knew even better news! That her eternal home was prepared for her - body and soul – as, child, wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and beloved dear friend.

So, though we grieve Marion’s passing, we can have comfort as well. She knew her savior Jesus and Jesus knew her.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

And if Marion has her way a little banjo music will accompany her walk into glory!

Doing a little search, there were 19 references to straw in the Bible but not one for Turkey. She’ll have to make a special request for Turkey in the straw at the throne of grace!

The Apostle Paul continues:

17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

Marion knew Christ was her strength. Lord knows that only through the strength of another could one endure all that she endured. In Christ, Marion had that strength, but God works through means and God’s strength came to Marion through the means Sue and Scott who brought that strength to her as they cared for her daily needs.

Marion had been a care giver so it is only fitting that care came to her from those she loved and by those who loved her. We all can’t be there or bring care in the same way. We all don’t live in the area so God gifts and blesses those who are close and can bring the care.

At times Marion appreciated being able to speak to me frankly.

We all were loved - but we all aren’t perfect and she needed to speak about that which burdened and bothered her – to me, about even those she loved, me included. She was kind to me and a dear friend.

She was a Sunday School teacher after all and no one wanted to be called to that desk!

Despite the hammer of repentance that we all needed to come to, the good news is that Jesus has promised to not lose a single one the Father had given him and that included dear Marion Regentin.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Marion knew her sins were forgiven on account of Jesus’ death on the cross.

She knew that because Jesus rose from the dead, she would too.

She knew Heaven was her eternal home and that Jesus had prepared a place for her, so that even with the veil of death lurking at the door and waiting to cover her, she had the blessed hope of reunion forever with Jesus and with all the dearly departed who have gone to their eternal rest in the Lord before him.

The Apostle Paul concludes:

18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

You too have this wonderful home waiting for you in Christ.

The blessed Good News that Jesus died for your sins is the wonderful Gospel message you too can believe and trust.

Jesus has forgiven your sin and by the power of the Holy Spirit, in you, has given you faith to believe in His saving work and receive a place prepared for you, forgiven in Christ and forever with our Lord and savior Jesus, and that’s a Heaven and an eternity you can inherit just like Marion.

It was a death that shook the very foundation of this world as Satan fought in every way to keep Jesus from standing in Marion’s place and in your place as well.

In First Corinthians St. Paul writes:

55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:54-58

Marion received that victory in baptism as one marked redeemed by Christ the crucified and now leaves the mortal bonds of this life behind.

She was prepared, she was forgiven, and she was loved and will be with Jesus forever because Christ has promised:

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:3

Praise be to the God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has prepared a place not only for Marion … but for you and me as well.

May the Lord comfort you with this blessed good news now and forever!

Amen

Sermon Dec 15, 2021Advent Midweek 3

Title: God has a purpose for the light of Christ in you!
Text: Romans 1:1–7

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Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Based on Sermon series Behold the light! Rev. Steven R. Schumacher 2018

Sermon Dec. 11-12, 2021Third Sunday in Advent

Title: Rejoice in the Lord always!
Text: Luke 7:18-28

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22 And [Jesus] answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

As a little boy, I use to get presents from relatives in Pennsylvania. As the presents came in, they would get arranged according to whom they were for and then … a certain little boy … I’m not saying who, would start counting the presents! If one of his brothers or my sister had more presents, it could take the joy of the Christmas season for the little boy and make Christmas seem joyless.

Today many of us are wrestling with the tragedy that occurred in Oxford. It has impacted everything. For many - their Christmas has become joyless - or nonexistent. But as we look at the Advent banner for today, we can Rejoice in the one to come, who will take all our pain away and has given us joy in His Gospel message of forgiveness.

Christ – the promised one - is the one to come and we can rejoice in this Good News!

The work of John the Baptist was talked about this past weekend. He was the one who would prepare the way, for another … but who?

The disciples of John had been reporting all these things to him and many of the healings. You might remember Jesus’ healing the Centurion’s servant. It is recorded earlier in Luke chapter 7 where the Centurion says:

“Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof … But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; … 9 When Jesus heard these things, … and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” Luke 7:7-9

Or, the funeral procession of the widow’s son from the town of Nain that Jesus came upon. And Jesus said to her also in Luke 7:

“Do not weep.” 14 Then he came up and touched, the man and he said, “Young man … I say to you, arise.” And he gave him back to his mother. Luke 7:14-15

So this is the question that John wanted his disciples to answer …

“Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

John knew that his own calling was to prepare the way … to be the one crying out in the wilderness … to point his followers to the Messiah, the Christ, the one who was to come.

The question that they asked of Jesus,

“Is it you? Are you the one? What should we tell John?”

Jesus, answering them said:

22 … “Go … tell John what you have seen and what you've heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Christ is the one to come, and we can rejoice in this Good News!

Some years ago Pastor Tom Fisher from Rochester did a sermon at one of our Pastor Circuit Meetings about God interrupting lives through the preaching of John the Baptist. Well, there was a terrible interruption to our Advent season this year.

Pastor Fisher’s message said:

"We must always be prepared for being interrupted by God". This interrupting opens us all up to God’s and is one of the core objectives of the Advent's message; … prepare ye the way of the Lord!"
Tragedy, interrupts our lives as does hospice, illness, Covid, supply chain disruptions and so much more.

“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Jesus asks and wants to know a very important thing from these disciples who were following Him.

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live-in luxury are in kings' courts. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’

28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John.

Is there no one greater than John?

This prophet who would prepare the way for the Lord? When you think of some of the prophets; Moses, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and on and-on-and John … is the greatest of all of these …

Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Rejoice in the Lord always!

You, who are the least in the Kingdom, are greater than John!

Think about that!

Christ has lifted you up!
He has redeemed you!
He has made you His own!
He has called you to be his child!
He has washed you clean in the blood of the Lamb!
He will feed you on His very body and blood given and shed for you!

You who deserve death have been given new life in Him. Rejoice in Him!

Martin Luther who was not only a great theologian and defender of the faith but quite a good hymn writer as well wrote this little hymn that it a great comfort for all who live this Christian life of faith:

Feelings come and feelings go, and feelings are deceiving;

My warrant is the Word of God— Naught else is worth believing
Though all my heart should feel condemned, for want of some sweet token,

There is One greater than my heart, whose Word cannot be broken.
I'll trust in God's unchanging Word, till soul and body sever,

For, though all things shall pass away ...

HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!

― Martin Luther

This Advent as we watch and wait, know that there is one who knows you and has known you from the foundation of the world and has called you to be His own child.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Sermon Dec 8, 2021Advent Midweek 2

Title: Shine the light of Christ together!
Text: Romans 15:4–7

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For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Based on Sermon series Behold the light! Rev. Steven R. Schumacher 2018

Sermon Dec. 4-5, 2021Second Sunday in Advent

Title: Thankful for you and the Lord’s work!
Text: Phi; 1:2-11

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3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

In life we give thanks for a lot of people.

Many are dear family and loved ones but at times, people we’ve crossed paths with come to mind and for their presence in our lives we thank God.

For me, Mary Foxall comes to mind. Little Mary, as she was called, would come up to the shoulder of the smallest adult you might think of. Sweet, and with a gravelly voice. She would come for music lessons at the store and bake sugar cookies for the staff to enjoy. Well into her 80’s, she was a breath of fresh air and a joyful remembrance in my life.

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

Paul too has a reason and cause for joy.

Praying for those at Philippi, that have partnered with him in the work of the Gospel, he remembers them in his prayers and does so with joy!

You, I’m sure have heard the old phrase:

“Find something that you love to do and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

That is the joy for the gospel that Paul and the Philippian believers felt compelled to do. Not, a work of merit and not under compulsion, these believers joyfully love telling the good news about Jesus to those who would hear, both near and far.

To this Paul gives them assurance:

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

God works in us and through us for the completion of his work.

One day at the music store, the word came to me that little Mary had taken a fall and was convalescing at Canterbury on the Lake. I was concerned. Mary was 95 at the time and I was heartbroken and concerned. I remembered the joy she brought to me and as I walked towards her door to make a visit, I didn’t know quite what to expect.

Would I find her awake and alert or would she be in a broken state and sedated?

As I pushed the door to her room open, I saw Mary sitting in her wheelchair by a table writing a letter.

“Oh, hi!” She exclaimed, giving me a big smile; “I’m glad to see you!”

Mary told me she was doing pretty good for an old gal and just writing some cards and letters – in perfect penmanship - thanking all the people for their prayers and concern.

“It was really no big deal.” She told me.

But I said a prayer of thanks for her and the Lord’s protection and deliverance for Mary.

As Paul writes - not in a wheelchair and at a desk - but from a prison cell most likely in Rome he writes:

7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

We too partake of God’s blessings together – in our imprisonment of sin - by his grace and through faith baring each other’s burdens in the trials of life, both within and without and we all joy in the blessings that God provides too us both young and old alike.

Whether, it is at the beginning of our lives, during our productive work years, or at a time when our bodies are failing and it seems that the simplest of tasks seem so difficult to complete. We can feel like Paul, imprisoned in the prison cell of our own flesh, waiting for release.

But it is not for the defense of the gospel that we are imprisoned.

No, but it is for the sin we were born into and for the sin that we continue to live in, in this life. Sin will have its way with us and ultimately the result of sin brings forth its fruit … death.

At the right time though, God speaks forth and God speaks to.

… 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Luke 3:2-3

John, was God’s prophet and mouthpiece.

4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying 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 become straight,
and the rough places shall become level ways,
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

God’s salvation is guaranteed and comes to us through his means.

He speaks this truth to our ears and by his Spirit opens our dark, deaf closed ears to hear so that we trust the promise of our savior and believe.

You and I, and little Mary had God open our ears and our heart to his saving truth. That hope remains now and through the length of our days, etched in the lines on our face, as we bear fruit keeping with repentance.

Little Mary got back home and resumed her life though a bit slower and without the use of her car. She was no longer aloud to drive and her lifeline to the world away from home was lost.

8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

We were having a concert and class party at the store and when I asked about Mary, I heard that she wasn’t coming because she couldn’t get there.

I called Mary and asked if she would like me to pick her up and bring her to the store. She was only a few miles away and when I arrived at her home and knocked on the door she came out with a big smile on her face. As we walked to the car she called out to her neighbor, “I’m going to a party!” As I got in the car and closed the door she said, “I didn’t want my neighbor to think I was just going with some guy!”

The light of Christ shined through Mary in her smile and with her kindness and yes even in her salty, gravelly 95-year-old voice and wonderful sugar cookies.

Her love abounded for friends and family in Christ Jesus just as Paul’s loved abounded for Christ and the Philippian sheep under his care. We too should care and abound in love, one for each other, as well as for the lost sheep of the Lord whomever and wherever they may be.

Little Mary Foxall passed into the arms of Jesus on February 10, 2015 at the age of 101. She was old in age but young in spirit. The Lord had call her and claimed her by the gospel and she shared her love for Jesus and for those around her, her whole life.

But like my current work as Pastor and my previous work I’m reminded of the loss of so many loved ones both near and far.

And just like the Apostle Paul and those Philippian believers:

9 … it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Filled with the Love of Christ,
Filled with joyful memories,
Filled with anticipation for this Advent season,
Filled with the peace of God and the Gospel of truth, and:

11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

God’s comfort and peace be yours now and always!

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Sermon Dec. 1, 2021 Advent Midweek 1

Title: Put on the light of Christ!
Text: Romans 13:11–14

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11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.


Based on Sermon series Behold the light! Rev. Steven R. Schumacher 2018