Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Merry Christmas
Pastor’s Perspective
A Willing Heart, Luke 3:46-55
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 12-20-15
Introduction
At the beginning of Luke’s gospel he states his intention to set out an orderly account of those things that the early Christian community had experienced and had come to believe. Luke was probably a Gentile convert and friend of the apostle Paul. He was writing to a non-Jewish audience in the last third of the first century. Luke was not an eyewitness to the life of Jesus, There were eyewitnesses to the life of Jesus, but the generation was quickly passing and Luke wanted to put things in writing, to help share the good news with generations to come.
Tradition says Luke was a doctor and a historian. He was a gifted literary artist. Lukee wrote a two volume set: The Gospel according to Luke and The Acts of the Apostles. In the New Testament canon these books are separated by the Gospel according to John, but to get a feeling for Luke’s intention, you might want to read Luke and Acts together. Luke gives us the fullest story line for these amazing ancient events.
Today I want to focus on the willingness of the young woman called Mary who became the mother of Jesus. Here is how Luke tells Mary’s story:
Retell the Scripture Story
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38, NRSV
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb.
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
Luke 1:39-45, NRSV
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. Luke 1:46-55, NRSV
Application
Mary could have said, “No.” She could have said, “The thing you ask of me is too difficult.” She could have made an excuse saying, “I am too young.”
We remember her now, not for her fears (which were justified), but for her willingness to be used by God.
What does God want you to do today?
Do you fear it is too difficult?
Are you the wrong age—too young—too old?
Are you too busy with your own concerns to care for someone else?
We do not know what life will bring. The trials may be great.
Anna Briggs wrote a hymn text as a way of moving through the trials of her own life into the faith and hope of the Christian story. As we look forward to the celebration of Jesus’ birth, I invite you to be willing to be part of the hope and faith of the season. I invite you to share your love with those who need it.
I close with Anna’s text drawn from her life experience:
Stay, my child, my body sharing,
girlhood’s peace from me is torn;
well I know a mother’s fearing,
hope miscarried, joy still born;
Lullaby, lullaby, God has heard a mother’s cry, lullaby.
Grow, my child, in body chosen
by the God who made the earth;
mine the answer, in confusion,
young, unready to give birth;
Lullaby, lullaby, God awaits a baby’s cry, lullaby.
Sleep, my child, for love surrounds us,
we have not been left alone.
Though disgrace and shame may hound us,
Joseph stays and shields his own;
Lullaby, lullaby, Word of God in baby’s cry, lullaby.
Wake, my child, the world is crying,
calls you evil’s power to cross;
opens you to early dying,
motherhood’s most dreaded loss;
Lullaby, lullaby, pain of God in mother’s cry, lullaby.
Go, my child, God’s grace protect you,
shape your living, fill your breath;
by its power to resurrect you,
break the grip of fear and death.
Lullaby, lullaby, hope for all in mother’s cry, lullaby.
Anna Briggs, Words © 1992 Hope Publishing Company
Let us be in prayer.
Joys and Concerns
Pasto Dan had ankle fusion surgery on November 19. He is doing well and is pain free! He will need to be using crutches for 6 weeks to keep weight off his foot. He appreciates your prayers and warm wishes for healing. Cards: 226 Nicholl Ave., Point Richmond, 94801.
Jane Carnall reports that her back is improving and she started driving this week. She thanks everyone for their prayers.
Linda WoodyWood had hip replacement surgery on Wed., December 2. Once she has recovered let’s pray that she will be pain free. Cards may be sent to Linda at 5584 Circle Drive, El Sobrante, CA 94803.
Susan Wickesser, Doris Swope’s niece, has been cancer free for two years and living life to the fullest. She has just sent a message that new tumors have been found on her lungs. She has started chemotherapy. Please remember her in prayer for healing.
Pat Dornan can use your prayers and support as she grieves the loss of her beloved Linda.
Our dear church friend, Pat King, is sending thanks for the warm wishes and prayers for her recovery.
Kathe Kiehn is asking for healing prayers for her daughter, Karen Gagnier. Karen has survived breast cancer once and is now facing treatment for a new aggressive cancer in her other breast. Karen is currently undergoing a 5-6 week course of chemo and once that is completed she’ll have a second round with different drugs. She is trying to live her life as normally as possible and your prayers are welcome.
Please keep Katherine Parker, our missionary, and the people of Nepal in your prayers.
Deby McFadyen is requesting prayers for two young friends who are battling cancer. Please remember Sarah Talkington and Jimmy Lowe in your prayers.
News
Our popular Christmas Eve Jazz Service played to a packed church. Dan Damon Quartet; Dan Damon, piano; Kurt Ribak, bass; Alex Aspinall, drums; Lincoln Adler, sax played with obvious pleasure. Dave Tattershall, Paula Helene, Sheila Alix, Bethany Reynolds and Gill Stanfield all sang for us. George Peter Tingley played for us. Jean Reynolds read a story for the children and “young at heart”. Mia Thorp read the Christmas Story. We ended as always with “Silent Night”. The new sound system is up and makes a joyful noise!
Gateway Grant: We have received a $500 grant for work in renovating our church kitchen. Thank you to Kim Butt who wrote the grant request for us.
Ioulia Solovieva sends Christmas Greetings from Moscow!
Pastor Dan will be away January 19-21 at the Gathering of Orders. he will be playing piano for this event at the Mount Herman Conference Center.
The United nations has announced that they have met their 2015 goals for reducing and eliminating Malaria. Internationally they have reached a 60% reduction. In Africa alone a 90% reduction in deaths which are mostly children under five. Their goal is to eliminate Malaria by 2030. More immediate goals are to reduce the occurrence by 40%. Your donations to “Imagine No Malaria” count!
Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal: Update
The Blockade by Nepali dissidents near the Indian border is causing severe shortage of supplies, mainly fuel and medicines in Nepal. Many businesses have been shut down and hospitals will soon be running out of fuel to run their generators which means that surgeries and life saving incubators for babies will not be operational. The violence at the border has increased. Katherine is safe but electricity is dicey and life is harder. She is having to bathe in cold water and the team she is with are sharply curtailing driving. Hundreds of cars without fuel clog the streets of Katmandu. Winter is causing a crisis as is the loss of fuel for heating. Negotiations between the government and the dissidents is bogged down.
Katherine has sent pictures of the Christmas celebration she attended. Go to Facebook and “friend” her to see the photos.
Generosity
Parsonage Sewer Line: The parsonage sewer line is leaking and needs replacement. It’s a long line that connects to the main sewer below the Catholic Church. Estimated cost is $7,100. We will check with Tom Butt when he returns from Paris next week to see if the church would qualify for some funding from the city since it is a historic building. We are also asking our congregation for donations to help fund this project.
General Budget update: We are currently behind our projected budget by $5,252. End of year donations are welcome to close this gap.
We are continuing to move ahead with plans for the long-term financing of our church for generations to come through an Endowment program.
Remember your church in your Will and Living Trust.
Imagine No Malaria continues to need your donations.
Events
Saturday, December 26, 7:30 pm, Point Richmond Jazz Presents the Berkeley Choro Ensemble with Jane Lenoir. Jane Lenoir, flute; Harvey Wainapel, clarinet; Ricardo Peixoto, guitar; Brian Rice, pandeiro; and special guest Irene Sazer, violin. Choro is a unique traditional Brazilian music style that has been compared with styles from the blues, bebop and bluegrass. The word choro in Portuguese means “tears”. Choro had tremdous influence on classical musicians, especially the Brazilian composer, Heitor Villa-Lobos, who wrote a number of works he called “choros”. Advance tickets $18 at prjazz.org, $25 at the door. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.
Thursday, December 31, 5 pm (New Year’s Eve): The Dan Damon Quartet leads a worship service for the new year at Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins Street, Berkeley.
Finance Committee Meeting: It’s that time of year to plan the General Budget for 2016. The Finance Committee is meeting Saturday, January 9, 1:30 pm at Matthew and Jennifer Foster’s home, 1052 Hawthorne Dr., Rodeo, CA. Please let Fran Smith know if you plan to attend: 510 685 2338 or junosmith@aol.com.
Friday, January 15, 7:30 pm Point Richmond Acoustic Presents Steve Seskin, Craig Caruthers and Don Henry,” Trading songs in the Round”. These are three of the best award winning singers and songwriters working in Nashville today. Tickets in advance $15, at the door $20. First United Methodist Church, 210 Martina St., Point Richmond. For advance tickets and more information about this program: pointacoustic.org.