Today’s readings heard together have quite an impressive presence. Throughout mankind’s history, man has never truly been completely separated from the presence of our dear Lord. The narrative in the Old Testament is one of departure and return. The Epistle reading speaks of the birth from above which makes us children of God. John, in introducing God to the reader, calls Jesus the Word. Returning to the Old Testament, as our parents were cast out of the garden, God began to return them to himself. Time and time again, the actions of our Lord led our fallen race out of the darkness of our own creation and into His light.
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A journey to Salvation
Ah—Christmas Eve. The church is appropriately decorated. The candles are lit. The lights on the tree sparkle. It’s a brilliance, a special brilliance, because this is a night that is waited for, a night prepared for, a night longed for.
It is a celebration of an event more than 2,000 years old—one that has not been forgotten—nor will it ever be.
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The baptizer points to the Baptizer
The Baptizer came baptizing in the house of misery, which is what Bethania means, along the famous Jordan and this was strange. It was strange to those who came to him, even to those who knew chapter and verse of John’s famous quotation:
“I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘make straight the way of the LORD.’” And it is strange to us.
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Christmas – Festival Service
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Eve of the Nativity of our Lord
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Lessons & Carols
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Catechism Lesson for the Week of December 24, 2023
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism – Third
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Advent 4 (Rorate Coeli)
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Blood guilt
I have the privilege of directing our hearts and minds toward the Sacrament of the Altar, that ultimate gift of God given us Christians through the ultimate work of Christ in atoning for our sins. How bitter-sweet are the gifts of the Lord’s Table and the Lord’s Cup? You have heard proclaimed from this pulpit already two messages of hope, peace, joy and love. Our season of preparation comes to an end very soon. But as it has not yet ended we must ever remain watchful and filled with anticipation….For more, click on the title above.
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Advent 3 – Wednesday Evening Prayer
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