Much as last week’s service centered around the contrast between truth and falsehood, much of the material in this morning’s service contrasts the two senses of the word fear: we will read and sing about fear, both as a “negative emotion stirred up by the expectation of danger or trouble”, and as “intense reverence or…
As you glance through this morning’s bulletin, you may notice a theme woven throughout: the contrast between truth and lies. We are invited into worship with a declaration that Jesus is “way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). We echo this sentiment at the end of the service when we sing to Him,…
This morning’s sermon text from Acts tells the story of the Jews’ plot to assassinate Paul in prison and God’s providential deliverance of his servant into the hands of Felix the governor. God saving His people from the clutches of their enemies is a theme that comes up again and again in the Scriptures. This…
Acts 22-23 tells the story of Paul defending himself to the Jewish authorities after his arrest, one of several legal trials he will endure before the end of his earthly Apostolic career. Courtroom imagery and language can be found throughout this morning’s service: see how often you find terms like “judge,” “justice,” “acquitted,” “condemned,” and…
After a six-week break during the Advent and Christmas seasons, we are returning to our sermon series through Acts. This morning, we’ll hear Paul doing a bit of “returning” as well, retelling the story of his conversion and call to ministry. The familiar “Road to Damascus” account is told in Acts 22 with fresh details…
Light has been a consistent motif found in Christmas celebrations throughout history. From the legend of St. Lucy’s candle headdress which enlivens the winter solstice in Scandinavia, to the “star singer” processions of central Europe where children re-enact the visit of the Magi while singing hymns, these images point to Christ as “the true light”…
December 28 has traditionally marked the observance of Childermas. Also called the Feast of the Holy Innocents in some traditions, this is a day of remembrance and mourning for the children of Bethlehem murdered by the order of King Herod, a story recounted in Matthew 2. Along with Stephen, whose feast day (December 26) is also observed during…
Don’t you love singing Advent and Christmas hymns at this time of year? There are so many rich pieces of poetry and music that we only sing during this season, we typically need to make a spreadsheet (beginning in November) to make sure that we don’t miss any! We try to group the seasonal hymns…
The sermon text this morning begins with a call to rejoice in the coming of our king. Similarly, our service begins with the call of, “Good Christian men, rejoice… Christ is born today,” in addition to the glad shout of, “Joy to the world! The Lord is come!” Zechariah goes on to describe the great…
Today’s sermon text from the prophet Malachi describes a scene of the Lord suddenly coming to His temple in person to cleanse His people and purify their worship. This language is used frequently in some of our most beloved Advent and Christmas hymns. Most directly, the hymn Angels From The Realms Of Glory nearly quotes…