Author: lakewooducc

Dec. 16, 2022

Last night we wanted to watch something streamed from a laptop to the TV.  Ok.  There is a cord for that.  But it didn’t work with the laptop.  And we have another little cord.  But that wouldn’t fit.  Recently my son got some new kind of plug that puts the phone into the TV.  But that wouldn’t accommodate the ports on the laptop.  Then I thought of a device that my daughter got for me.  It is some kind of adaptor.  She told me I would need it to access other devices using the ports on my laptop.  So, this little gizmo stays in my briefcase, waiting for that all important moment when it is needed.  Well, last night, I said, “I might have something that will do this.”  You probably already know that I about the most unlikely person to have some kind of obscure techie paraphernalia.  But, my little plug worked and we got to watch my sister-in-law deliver a sermon in her church about her work with a nonprofit in Africa.  

Everyone in my family was surprised that I had the device to resolve the situation and solve the plug in problem.  And to me, that is how it is with Christ.  It’s often a surprise.  We aren’t even looking for it.  It was not expected.  And then there it is.  An embodiment of love and grace that we simply did not see coming.  

So, as you live by your to-do lists and your calendar and Alexa this time of year especially, keep your eyes open and your heart, too, for the coming of Christ.  In an unexpected way.  

Like the unexpected way a baby born in a little obscure village to ordinary people changed the world.  Our world.  Our lives.  Even two thousand years later.  

Prayer

May we be open to the unexpected ways that Christ comes to us.  May we be on the lookout for the surprising ways of Divine Love;  eager to meet Christ, in others, and even in ourselves.  Amen.

CHRISTMAS EVE

6:30 Music of the Season

7:00 Service with candlelight and communion. All ages welcome! t.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Gather Sunday morning at 10:30 in the sanctuary for songs and stories. Celebrate the gift we have been seeking. There may even be food and fun. You are welcome to attend in your pajamas.

Date: December 18, 2022 Intergenerational Worship

Scripture Lesson: ‘Jesus Is Born’ from the children’s Bible by Desmond Tutu

Sermon: Oh, Baby!

Pastor: Rev. Kim P. Wells

This is the season when we are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus, so I want
to tell you a baby story.
Many years ago, we had a family in the church that was expecting a baby. It turns
out that they had not only one baby but two. Twins! A boy and a girl. A few days
after the babies were born, I went with Jeff, my spouse, to the hospital to visit the
mother and father, and to meet the two new babies. I had never seen baby twins
before. I was very excited.
We got to the hospital and the mom and dad were in the room and so were the
babies. After greetings and congratulations were shared, the couple asked if we
wanted to hold the babies. Of course! I held one and Jeff held the other. They
were tiny. They were so light, they hardly weighed a thing! They could not talk
not walk or laugh — yet — but they were still so beautiful!
Babies are weak, they are needy, they want to eat all the time and they have to be
fed. And then since they can’t use the toilet, they need their diapers changed.
Many, many, many diapers. Babies can’t wash up. Or put on their clothes. Or
pick up their toys. They are useless, needy, and demanding. But they are also
cute, warm, and, somehow, lovable. Maybe we just feel drawn to a creature that
needs so much help!

So, Jeff and I were in the hospital room, holding those twin babies, and a doctor
and a nurse and an aide came in and they were talking with the parents and taking
care of business. No one was paying any attention to us, off to the side, holding
the babies. So I said to Jeff, “We could just leave. Take them with us. We know
what to do with a baby.”
Of course that would be crazy and we would never do that. But how did I even
have such a wild idea? Well, a baby will do that to you. Just give you crazy ideas
and change your life. That weak, vulnerable, little being, just tugs at the heart
strings and overpowers you. It’s not logical. It can’t really be explained. The
power of a baby. They are just irresistible and precious. Tiny miracles.
So I am wondering about some of your stories about baby encounters. When have
you been taken in by a baby? When has a baby made an impression on you? Have
you seen a baby that has just captured your heart?
Stories from the congregation

Isn’t it amazing how these little creatures make an impact on us and just take us
down to pure love. Period.
In the Bible, in the stories of the birth of Jesus, we are told that in Jesus God was
entering the world to show us that we are loved and that we are created to love
each other.

We learn from the Bible that God had been trying for a long time to get this
message of love across to people. God tried kings and rulers, and priests, and
military leaders, and all kinds of people, to try to show us that we are loved and
that we are created to love each other. But somehow, people forget, or get busy
with other things. So, we are told that God decided to come in Jesus to show us
about love.

Now when you think about it, a story about a baby being born in a barn amongst
the animals, to parents far away from home, that is a story that draws us in. It

makes us care. We pay attention. We feel love and caring for this little weak,
needy, demanding baby and the parents. This story tugs at our hearts. God makes
it easy for us to want to love that baby and the parents. That baby makes it easy for
us to accept the love God has for us.
God comes to us in Jesus. And the story of the baby Jesus captures our hearts and
shows us who we are and why we are here. To love.
A baby is easy to love. We want to love a baby. Look how I wanted to take those
newborn babies right out of the hospital! I fell in love. Right then and there. And
with someone else’s baby. A baby makes it easy to learn about love.
That’s why we are here. To love.
Now I want you to look around at everyone who is here. It’s ok to turn around in
your seat. To crane your neck. Take a good look all around. Everyone here, every
single person in this room, was once a baby. Every person we know was once a
baby. Everyone on the earth, all 8 billion people, every one was once a baby. Just
like Jesus. And so were you! So let that baby into your heart this Christmas
season. Love is waiting to be born. Amen.

A reasonable effort has been made to appropriately cite materials referenced in
this sermon. For additional information, please contact Lakewood United Church
of Christ.

Tuesday Dec. 20, 2022

If you have ever visited the churches of another country, particularly a predominantly Catholic country like Italy, Mexico, France, or Spain, yes, you see a lot of crucifixes, but you also see a lot of Marys. There are many statues of Mary at the altar, in an alcove, gracing a chapel. Mary, Mary, and more Mary. Sometimes you see more Mary than Jesus. This is easily noticed by someone with a Protestant background because we are not used to constantly seeing representations of Mary in church.

As we walked the Camino De Santiago in Spain recently, I peaked into a little chapel we passed along the way. At the door was a locked wrought iron gate. You could only look in from the gate. The space was lovely and in the front was a Mary complete with vases of fresh flowers. This Mary had a glowing golden halo. She was garbed in resplendent gold robes. She was holding Jesus in one arm, and in her other hand was, well, a tote bag. A reusable bag that one would take shopping at the grocery store. That is what was hooked over her dainty, beige colored hand. I loved this Mary! Exalted in all her finery and ready for the task at hand, for everyday life.

That is a wonderful image for the life of faith. Captivated by the glorious dreams of God and ready for every day life. Not above it all; too good for the ordinary. But ready to blend the transcendent and the everyday.

So, while we may think we are seeking some extraordinary revelation this season, like the sighting of Santa portrayed in the poem, “The Night Before Christmas,” this Mary reminds us to look for signs of the eternal Divine Love, God, in the everyday.

Prayer
As we go about our daily lives, may the dreams of God infuse us so that we are dazzled by the transcendent in the most ordinary of moments. Amen.

Monday Dec. 19, 2022

One of the towns that we stayed in on the Camino de Santiago Del Norte was called La Caridad. Originally, the town had a different name but the name was changed because the people of the town developed a reputation for being devoted to caring for the pilgrims who came through. So the name of the town was changed to reflect that. Caridad means ‘charity’ or love or compassionate hospitality. The people of the town were so caring, the town was renamed to reflect that.

So, in that town, we stayed in a hostel that did not have wifi. I needed wifi to arrange for my backpack to be carried by Correos, the postal system. So, I went in search of wifi – pronounced ‘weefee’ in Spain. I went to a bar on the town square. I asked if there was wifi. The server told me, yes, there was wifi. So, I ordered a Kass Limon, a soda, and sat down at a table and got out my phone. After inquiring about the password, I came to find out that there was no wifi at this bar. As I saw it, I had been lied to. Next, I went to a hostel just a few doors down from ours. I was told they had wifi. I explained my circumstances to the host and he said, basically, too bad. Their wifi was only for their guests. Getting desperate, I went to another bar. The woman working there told me there was wifi but it wasn’t reliable. She was doubtful that it would work. She gave me the password and let me know I was free to try it. And it worked. Whew! And I hadn’t even ordered anything at that bar. But after using the wifi, we gave her a tip which she tried to refuse.

This left me asking myself about the name of the town and its reputation for being so generous to pilgrims walking the Camino. It was one of the least hospitable towns as far as I was concerned.

So, I am thinking about our name, Christians. When people hear that, they should assume that we are caring, compassionate, and hospitable. Eager to help. Generous. Yet how many experiences do people have with so-called Christians that do not reflect the love and caring of Christ?

This season of Advent can be a time to practice our charity, compassion, and generosity by having a supportive, understanding attitude in our interactions with others. By helping others as we can. By giving as we are able. By putting the Christ back in Christmas with our behavior and approach and attitude. And we just might find a little bit of Christ not only in Christmas but in ourselves.

Prayer
May we try to show Christ to others by who we are and what we do. Today, may we do something Christlike for someone. A friend. A family member. A random stranger. May we reflect our name, Christian. Amen.