The recording begins with Liturgist, Sue Sherwood, reading Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 & Mark 1:4-11, followed by Rev. Well’s sermon.
To listen, right-click HERE and select the save link option and play the downloaded file with your computer’s media player. If you have a one-button mouse (on a Mac), press and hold the “Control” key and click the link and select the save link option.
The recording begins with Liturgist, Ann Quinn, reading Isaiah 9:2-7, followed by Rev. Well’s sermon.
To listen, right-click HERE and select the save link option and play the downloaded file with your computer’s media player. If you have a one-button mouse (on a Mac), press and hold the “Control” key and click the link and select the save link option.
To listen, right-click HERE and select the save link option and play the downloaded file with your computer’s media player. If you have a one-button mouse (on a Mac), press and hold the “Control” key and click the link and select the save link option.
A New Year’s Plea
We are told that when Solomon becomes king of Israel, God appears to him in a dream and says, “Ask what I should give you.” [See I Kings 3:3-14] Wow! An open invitation from God. For anything. That beats three wishes from a genie! It would probably take me the rest of my life to figure out what to ask for! What is just the right thing? Is there a trick to this? Can’t you imagine machinating over this endlessly? What would you ask for?
In the story, we are told that Solomon says, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” An understanding mind, able to discern between good and evil. What an answer! Wouldn’t this benefit anyone not just a king?
As the new year begins, we may be thinking about the proverbial resolutions or intentions for the year ahead. What are we thinking about as this new year begins? A new car? A diet? To be more organized? To get more exercise?
When Solomon asks for a discerning mind, the story includes a comment from God that Solomon has not asked for riches or long life or the heads of his enemies. Because he has asked wisely, his request will be granted. He will be given a wise and discerning mind.
The story about Solomon and his encounter with God may give us some guidance as we think about our desires for the new year. We can begin this new year with a prayer like Solomon’s making our plea: Give to your servant an understanding mind able to discern between good and evil.
Happy New Year!
The choir recently sang a spirited anthem entitled “Come Flood This Heart of Mine.” It is a wonderful prayer for God’s love to fill our hearts and our lives. The piece is rather fast and many things going on in the music. You feel the flood of sound and energy when you hear it.
This Advent season, we have been preparing ourselves to receive God’s gift of love to the world in Jesus. We have reflected on the importance of Jesus for our lives and the life of the world. In this season, we get ready to be flooded with God’s love.
But maybe we don’t feel the rush of love and the wash of joy. There may be circumstances in our lives and in the world that make it difficult for us to open ourselves to be flooded with God’s love. Perhaps stresses and cares leave us feeling isolated. Our hearts may shrink with heaviness and grief. But love does not need a huge opening. It does not need a gateway. It does not even need an invitation. Divine love sneaks in, and seeps in, even where there may be no apparent opening.
As Dr. Seuss reminded us, we can’t stop Christmas from coming. Maybe it will be flood, maybe only a trickle or a drip, but divine love will make its way into our lives and into our world, with or without our help. Tidings of comfort and joy!
For reflection: Think of a time you have witnessed a flood of divine love.
Prayer: Christmas is almost here. Are we ready? Will we ever be ready? Can we be ready? To accept the outpouring of love that is given to the world in Jesus? While we may or may not be ready, God does not depend on our readiness. Love comes! May we take joy in that promise whatever our circumstances. Amen.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 