The recording begins with Liturgist, Katharine Meacham Conover, reading Psalm 85:8-13, 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, Jean Johnson, reading I Corinthians 1:3-9 & Mark 13:24-37, 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 follows this order:
GIVING THANKS FOR CREATION
Scripture Lesson Psalm 148:1-4, 7-12 Grace Lewis, Liturgist
*HYMN For the Beauty of the Earth verse 1 28
Reflection Rev. Wells
Contemporary Reading “Here is a Field” by Celia Warren read by Amaiya Washington
GIVING THANKS FOR TIME
Scripture Lesson Psalm 118:24 Grace Lewis, Liturgist
*HYMN For the Beauty of the Earth verse 2 28
Reflection Rev. Wells
Contemporary Reading “Pippa’s Song” by Robert Browning read by Olivia Gibson
GIVING THANKS FOR RELATIONSHIPS
Scripture Lesson 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 Grace Lewis, Liturgist
*HYMN For the Beauty of the Earth verse 3 28
Reflection Rev. Wells
Contemporary Reading “To My Students” by Therese Becker read by Kai’Lyn Washington
GIVING THANKS FOR FAITH
Scripture Lesson Matthew 13:31-32 Grace Lewis, Liturgist
*HYMN For the Beauty of the Earth verse 4 28
Reflection Rev. Wells
Contemporary Reading Jewish Prayer read by Olivia Gibson
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, Claire Stiles, reading Judges 4:1-10, 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 last time I looked at a violent video game involving shooting, the images on the screen looked cartoonish. Yes, it was quite a few years ago. I recently saw a video game in which the players were going through the woods with a rifle leading the way. The graphics looked very realistic. Not like a cartoon at all. It was more like photography almost. That should be no surprise since there has been significant advancement in graphics technology. Things on screen look ever more real.
Though the violent games are a negative example, the technological improvement provides insight into the life of faith. We are born into this life. We make our way, learning, growing, forming new attitudes and opinions. We make choices. We face circumstances. When we choose to commit ourselves to following Jesus, we find our attitudes, behavior, and perspective changing in certain very specific ways. We find our world view, our perceptions, and our relationships morphing in ways that reflect compassion, justice, forgiveness, and self-giving.
With Jesus as our guide, we progress. We advance. We live more deeply. We see with more insight. Life becomes richer, fuller, and more meaningful. We feel closer to other people and to God. We find ourselves becoming more vibrant and clear and honest. In a way, it is like the advancing technology in computer graphics. Things become more real and compelling.
In this Christmas season, when we think about the birth of Jesus, we are reminded of how a baby completely changes the parents’ lives. There may be seismic shifts in the parents’ behavior and values. The birth of Jesus, the coming of Jesus into the world, the entry of Jesus into our lives, should re-orient our lives and lead us to life that is abundant, full, and real.
For reflection: Think about times that you have felt truly alive. Can you identify some of the ways that following Jesus has changed your life?
Prayer: We are grateful for the amazing abilities of the intellect and creativity of the human species. We pray to use these gifts for constructive, helpful purposes that lead to peace, not for violence, destruction, and war. May we have the courage to follow Jesus and to be changed by him. May we not be afraid to practice our faith more deeply and to advance toward abundant life. Amen.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 