Excerpts From: The Messenger |
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The Church divides the year into different seasons that emphasize the life of Christ and the life of the Church. Beginning on Sunday, November 30, we will enter the season of the Church year called Advent. Advent is a four-week season of preparation and anticipation leading up to Christmas, on December 25.
The focus of Advent is two-fold. On the one hand, we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world as both God and human so that our sins might be forgiven. On the other hand, we anticipate the day when Jesus will return to Earth and bring an end to this world system of rule. It will be disquieting days, but we can look forward to the end of the world with hope because through faith in Jesus, the end of this world will mean the beginning of a new life with Christ for eternity.
Advent, then, is a time for us to repent and believe. Knowing that Jesus was born to forgive our sins, we repent (admit our failures and turn to God) and believe that we are forgiven because of the death and resurrection of Jesus on our behalf. Also, knowing that Jesus is coming back, this gives us hope that when He returns, He will give us eternal life in its fullness. As we enter the season when we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, those of us committed to a gospel of peace once again recognize our place on the margins of Canadian society. We need to open our place of worship for community prayer and learning. We need to pray for vision. We need to listen to the concerns of those who believe differently.
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem," says psalmist, which also yearns for prosperity and security for those who love the Lord. The psalm was probably sung by pilgrims who were departing for home, remembering the joy of their celebrations in the holy city of Jerusalem.
With the advent of Jesus, we see God's desire for peace not just for Jerusalem, but for all people and nations. During this season of hope, may we educate for peace and justice as a life response to Jesus.
May we examine our lifestyles for ways that brings peace to our spirit as well to our world. And may we pray for God's blessing on all peoples of the world, and all nations, in these holy weeks and beyond.
It is truly a humbling experience for me to read back through the Old
Testament and see how frail and imperfect all the "heroes" actually are.
Abraham, the coward who cannot believe the promise.
Jacob, the cheat who struggles with everybody.
Joseph, the immature and arrogant teen.
Moses, the impatient murderer who cannot wait for God.
Gideon, the cowardly Baal-worshipper.
Samson, the womanizing drunk. David, the power abusing adulterer.
Solomon, the unwise wise man.
Hezekiah, the reforming king who could not quite
go far enough.
And finally, a very young Jewish girl from a small village in a
remote corner of a great empire.
It never ceases to amaze me why God could not have chosen "better" people to do His work in the world. Yet if God can use them, and reveal Himself through them in such marvelous ways, it means that He might be able to use me, inadequate, and unwise, and too often lacking in faith that I am.
And it means that I need to be careful that I do not in my own self- righteousness put limits on what God can do with the most unlikely of people in the most unlikely of circum-stances. I think that is part of the wonder of the Advent Season.
Hear again the words of the angel: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10,11)
As we light the candles in Advent Worship, we thank God for the hope he gives us, the peace he bestows, and the joy that he promises. I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord!" Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem--built as a city that is bound firmly together. To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. For there the thrones for judgment were set up, the thrones of the house of David. Psalm 122 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers." For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, "Peace be within you."
May God richly bless you during this Advent Season. Merry Christmas, Glædelig Jul, Frohe Weihnacht and Blessed New Year
Yours Faithfully,
Pastor Samuel K. King-Kabu
On November 15th about 20 people bravely entered Beck Hall for the Mystery Supper. At first there seemed nothing mysterious – the tables were set, there were good smells coming from the kitchen and Rosa was there. On closer inspection some things weren’t quite right: there were a lot of young people around, Jette wasn’t at the table by the door collecting money, and there weren’t any plates or food in sight!
Shortly after we arrived, Susan welcomed us, Pastor prayed for our unseen meal, and then our servers gave us a menu. The menu was very unconventional in that we couldn’t decipher the menu. We had to choose 16 of 20 items to eat over 4 courses. Our servers took our lists of choices to the kitchen, and with the help of staff there, returned with our first course. Some of us didn’t make good guesses, and had tea, water, celery and a toothpick for our first course; but made it up on later courses. We had a good time laughing at our and other’s poor guesses. After the fourth courses we were sated.
Thank-you Rosa, Ingrid and Susan for preparing the meal; and our servers- Samirah, Sasha, Sheena and her friend Seema.
Will there be another Mystery Supper? That’s a mystery that requires solving.
[Webmaster's Note: Of all the benefit functions held in 2008, to raise money for our building fund, this event was the most successful in terms of monies raised.]
Web Page prepared by:
Roger Kenner
& Jette Blair.
Content-New Topics Last Updated: 2008/09/16
St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal