Church News – Weekly Scripture Reading

Hope for the Best, Expect…
From Ara Guekguezian
First Congregational Church
Psalm 95

This Psalm captures the truth in the familiar phrase: Hope for the best, Expect the worst.

The Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of all is to be praised with joy and humility.

The Holy One is to be heard and followed. The goodness of Lord is not to be tested.

Bad things happens to those who do not do the above.

Hope in the Lord! Place your trust elsewhere? Woe to you!

A new song was sung in sky above the field where the shepherds tended their flock:

Do not be afraid…
and the response is Glory to God in the highest heaven.

Hope for the best and Expect the best. The new catch phrase of the shepherds and all who witness God in flesh appearing.

Prayer: Thank you for coming and allowing us to see you with us. That our hope and expectation is one in Jesus. Amen.

To download the full devotional, click here

The Juxtaposition
From Ara Guekguezian
First Congregational Church
Amos 7:1-9 versus Psalm 122

The song of Hope sung as the 122nd psalm. Beautiful and hopeful! This is who we are as God’s people. I imagine it being sung with great joy in the temple during the first half of the eighth century before Jesus’ birth. It was the time of great peace and prosperity under the rule of Jeroboam II. The expectation was of continued good times.

Amos speaks the word of the Lord during this heady time. He is not proclaiming an affirmation of Psalm 122. The Expectation is one of abandonment by God, who is angry and ready to punish and re-establish righteousness.

Hopes and Expectations: what is the problem, O Lord? The market is up. Sales high. GDP climbing. Unemployment low. No nation foolish enough to attack. What’s up? Why the harsh tone? Amos, have you lost your mind?
The prosperity of the nation led to gross inequities between urban elites and the poor. Even the smallest debt was used to separate small landowners and farmers from the land that was their legacy and their liberty.
That was then, 780 ish to 740ish BCE.

NOW,…

Prayer: God of justice and mercy, be merciful on us. Help us to receive the whole of the gift of Christmas. The prince of peace reign in our lives, as we endeavor to establish justice, make peace, act with compassion and kindness, living in the Truth. Amen.

Pastor Ara

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From Elsie Taylor
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Luke 1:57–68

1. John’s parents said “No” to circumcision
2. I remember the word “circumcision” when I was in my younger years. At that time the medical field said “one must be circumcised for health reasons” (1940s?)
3. At this time (1949 and on) our youth programs changed within the church and out of the church
   1. Gradually our churches also changed from
      a) Meeting in the foyer of the church
      b) One entered quietly and read the Bible or just prepared for the sermon (no talking)
      c) Minister and choir entered down the center aisle
4. A few years back, at our present time, I saw an excellent movie on television around Easter
   Christ and John were in a boat on their way to and island, when they landed and found a place to sit.

   “Jesus” said to “John”, “You are to write the whole bible.” and Jesus left.

5.  At the present time we have several new writings of the Bible. Why go to church? It is almost like regular school. All we have to do is pick up a Bible we understand. Our recreation and gatherings are held in schools, house gatherings, and several organization places— the crucial question is “how does one learn the true basics of our churches?” and the urgent one to learn presently,

   “Thou shalt not kill.”

To download the full devotional, click here

From Kim Williams
First Congregational Church
Isaiah 11:1–10

The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.….and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.

This passage from Isaiah starts out with the prophecy that the messiah will come from the branch of Jesse. The Messiah will judge using righteousness alone, and he will kill the wicked. Harsh punishment, but they’re the wicked. This is exactly what we’re hoping to hear that our deliverer-from-evil will do for us. But what about after the wicked are all gone? The rest of the passage goes to talk about the harmony this child of God will lead the righteous into. Which is awesome, but people will still be people, differing opinions and all. Even among the righteous, there’s gonna be dissent.

There’s a drastic shift from “he shall kill the wicked.” to “the leopard shall lie down with the kid”. What happens in the middle while the righteous, but not quite compatible, settle into their new roles as pals? I mean, the wolf and the lamb, the lion eating straw — at one point the lion has to say “Okay. I can do this. I will go against my nature in the name of peace. Pass the Tofurkey.” The lamb, sitting next to his new #bff the wolf, and not wanting to damage their newfound friendship, has to somehow, be less delicious. (Just kidding, Wolf. The onus is on you for this one, no matter how much mint jelly the lamb is wearing). The key to this transition is mutual compromise.

Christmas itself requires compromise — just ask any couple trying to navigate whose mom’s house they’ll be spending Christmas dinner with, and which one gets Christmas Eve — or the dreaded weekend after. Figgy pudding isn’t really a thing anymore, so the raucous bunch of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” fame have to compromise and either accept pumpkin pie and sugar cookies as a suitable replacement, or they’ll have to go before they get some.

Without our understanding that it’ll take discipline on both sides not to hurt or destroy one another, there is no possibility of us allowing ourselves to be led by a child to sit at the table with those who we don’t like, no matter how righteous they are.

Prayer: God of the in between, help us to find peace within the middle-ground, so that our demands are not unreasonable (Figgy pudding, come on!), and so that we are open to the humanity of those we don’t have much in common with, knowing that if we are capable of attempting to coexist, they’re capable of it too. Amen.

To download the full devotional, click here. 

The Hope of a New Age
From Ara Guekguezian
First Congregational Church
Isaiah 9:1-7

“For a child has been born for us,”

The birth of a child, any child, brings a spark of hope. The birth of the heir to the throne, the ruler, starts a fire of hope in an entire people. This poem of Isaiah sings of this hope in the birth of the heir to the throne of David. It underscores the Promise of the Davidic covenant for a despondent people. “But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish.” The poet has my attention.

Every winter, as the nights lengthen, the light shining from this great word brightens my world. The lights of the Church shine brighter through the month of December. More evening activity, especially more special worship throughout the season of Advent.

Life is sweeter in just hearing these words, before any one of them is fulfilled. All the bad things are destroyed, consumed by fire. And every good thing will be ushered in with the new ruler, once the ruler grows into the role. Power, Justice, Peace Forever! For a moment it is all good.

Christmas allows us an extended moment of relief for the ordinary stresses of our lives. As we celebrate the fulfillment of this promise during the extended season of Advent, our trust in the new Promise of the end of the age with the return of Jesus is strengthened.

Prayer: it has been awhile, O God of the Covenant. There are moments when our hope ebbs, when the promise seems false. The gloom settles in, because the reality before gives rise to anguish. May the Spirit renew in us trust in the Promise of the new age ushered in the birth of Jesus. Amen.

To download the full devotional, click here. 

Eternal Promise
From Ara Guekguezian
First Congregational Church
2 Samuel 5:1–2; 7:15–17

“But I will not take my steadfast love from him,”

Job security for David the new king, not like the old king. As we prepare to again celebrate the eternal fulfillment of the Promise in the birth of Jesus, it essential for us to hear of the full promise concerning David. The Davidic covenant is an eternal one, a dynasty forever. Jesus is the fulfillment of this covenant as he seats on the throne of David. Check the genealogies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. No matter what David does, he will not be removed and replaced as Saul was. Free to act, sure. David had shown himself to be a righteous one. He is faithful, courageous, strong, upright. But are there any standards or boundaries for David?

In the fourteenth verse of chapter 7 we read that God states that when (not if) David commits iniquity, God will punish, but not remove. A few chapters later we read about David’s moment with Bathsheba and further on we read about the consequences of David’s iniquity.

The steadfast love of God endures forever. The Holy Spirit is present always. Jesus’ work endures eternally. We are free. Free to act, Righteously.

Our world is full of the negative consequences of unrighteous action, but the steadfast love of God endures. This is what we are preparing to celebrate.

Prayer: We are grateful for the enduring promise of your covenant with David. May we live faithfully within your Promise always. Amen.

To download the full devotional, click here. 

From Pat Sheahan
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Micah 5:2–5

Here is a Christmas promise for you from Micah, chapter 5, verse 5: “And this shall be peace, when the Assyrian comes into our land and treads upon our soil (Some manuscripts read “palaces”), that we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men.”

That’s what I want for Christmas — seven shepherds and eight princes of men! I have learned that sometimes things don’t translate well from original languages to English.

Let’s give translator Dr. Eugene Peterson a try: “And if some bullying Assyrian shows up, invades and violates our land, don’t worry. We’ll put him in his place, send him packing, and watch his every move. Shepherd-rule will extend as far as needed, to Assyria and all other Nimrod-bullies. Our Shepherd-ruler will save us from old or new enemies, from anyone who invades or violates our land.”

Nimrod is synonymous with Assyria. Sometimes Bible writers say the same thing twice in different ways. It is a way of making poetic impact. Reminds me of the Nashville Predators. Not the “poetic” part, but the “impact”.
I’m a hockey fan. My team is the Chicago Blackhawks. Last year we got knocked out of the playoffs in the first round. The big reason was that while we were fast and skilled, we were pounded into submission by a team that had brawn. Our skaters had a hard time in a seven game series holding up to the relentless nimrods from Nashville.

But this year will be different. We made some roster moves. We got a little younger. We got a little bigger without compromising speed. And we found a few players who like to bang in the boards. While not a messianic fulfillment, hope springs eternal and fortunes do reverse — just ask Micah.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me not to feel down-hearted and defeated when forces that are big, strong and intimidating come against me, my family and my friends. Thank you for promising to send a shepherd-ruler. I believe that your son Jesus can both love and care for me and also keep a watchful eye out for those that seek to do harm. I really appreciate that. Amen.

To download the full devotional, click here. 

Righteous Leadership! Really? In this day and age and place?
From Ara Guekguezian
First Congregational Church
Jeremiah 23:5–6

We think it has never been this bad, this hard, this challenging. Jeremiah and his situation ought to resonate with us. The abuse of power is no new thing. It keeps happening over and over again, in place after place, nations, churches, schools, families. It seems it occurs wherever two or three are gathered, often even in Jesus’ name.

In the midst of a hopeless time as a nation continues to crumble, initially from decay within, then attack from without, a word comes. Jeremiah speaks the word of the Lord over 52 chapters. It is an indictment of the nation as well as a powerful word, accompanied by action, of hope and Promise.

Hearing the phrase, “the days are surely coming” strikes either fear or offers hope. A new leader will be raised up. One who rules with righteousness and wisdom. The leader will execute justice and righteousness in the land. The implication is that the present leadership is lacking in these qualities. For most in Judah and Israel, life stinks. The reality that there is both a Judah and Israel is an indictment of failure in both leaders, political and religious, and the entire people.

The Promise is that in the righteous leader’s days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. The name of the leader? The Lord is our righteousness.

In our time and place, we have the responsibility for selecting our leaders. Our criteria include smart, effective, good for business, good for the xxxxx class (my class of folk), Democratic, Republican, experienced, untainted by the muck and more of political experience. Jeremiah offers the one criteri-on, righteousness. Receive the gift offered. May the righteous Lord reign in you.

Prayer: Lord, I humbly ask that You reign in my mind, my heart, my life. That I may be yours now and forever. Amen.

To download the full devotional, click here. 

From Kim Williams
First Congregational Church
Hosea 11:1–7

“I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love.”

When you look at today’s reading, the title glares back at you, “God’s
Compassion Despite Israel’s Ingratitude”. Ouch.

In this passage in Hosea, we see a God who knows that humans are easily
distracted. I mean, this is the pattern, isn’t it? God provides and the people
are like, “FINALLY. It’s about time, Lord!” and then within minutes they’re
back to taping posters of Baal up in their gym lockers. We’re a juvenile
bunch, us humans. But here’s the best part, God keeps on.

A good chunk of the time we don’t even realize that its God working the miracles (or just
untangling the knots we’ve made) behind the scenes. But there are those
moments when everything is terrible and it’s impossible to find a solution
that won’t make things worse—we all know those moments. Then one
factor will change, and suddenly there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. A
rope ladder has been dropped into our pit of despair. We are able to fumble
our way out following some basic, intrinsic guidance that we feel in our gut.

Prayer: And if we don’t thank you enough, Lord (we probably
don’t), thank you for the small, silent ways you care for us.
Amen.

To download the full devotional, click here. 

The Promise for the Forsakers

From Ara Guekguezian
First Congregational Church
Isaiah 2:1–5

Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Here in Isaiah and in Micah 4, we hear the reason why the Promise is
necessary.

A judgement is coming because God’s people have not participated fully in the covenant established between Yahweh and Yahweh’s people. I am painfully aware of and very uneasy in pointing out the chief complaint against the people: pride, haughtiness. The Lord has a day against all that is proud and lofty (Isaiah 2:12). Sounds too much like me.

We are like the healthy child who claims, while wearing diapers, “I can do it by myself.”

The period of coping with the consequences of the judgement of the Lord will be convulsive, but it will lead to a very different age, a period of peace and growth. The people will flourish, all the people.

The children of the covenant will have to walk the path to this place of peace first. The call is issued, O house of Jacob, come walk in the light of the Lord!

This is the season of Light coming into the darkness of winter, the darkness of sin and selfishness, the darkness of pride, of greed, of gluttony, of lust, of apathy. As much as the reason for judgement strikes close to our heart in our day, so may the Promise.

Prayer: May we hear both judgement and Promise in the words of this season. As we turn to you, O Lord, May we be guided by the Light that is Jesus to humbly walk on the path of justice and peace. Amen.

To download the full devotional, click here.