When Darkness Creeps In

Service of the Lord’s Day

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

01/26/2020

Congregational meeting: stick around!

Gathering

Prelude

Superb Owl party (no slide)

Welcome, Announcements, Joys, and Concerns

God is my strong salvation; what foe have I to fear? In peril and temptation my light, my help, is near. Though hosts encamp around me, firm to the fight I stand; what terror can confound me, with God at my right hand?

Place on the Lord reliance; my soul, with courage wait; God’s truth be thine affiance, when faint and desolate. God’s might thy heart shall strengthen; God’s love thy joy increase; mercy thy days shall lengthen; the Lord will give thee peace.

Preparing our Hearts

Call to Worship

Leader: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. All: You have made your people grow and you have increased their joy, O God! The people rejoice in you presence like when the harvest is plenty! Leader: Burdens are removed, the oppressor's rod is broken. All: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Christ, the true, the only light, Sun of Righteousness, arise, Triumph o’er the shades of night; Day-spring from on high, be near; Daystar, in my heart appear.

*Hymn #GTG662 PH462 Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies

Dark and cheerless is the morn unaccompanied by thee. Joyless is the day’s return till thy mercy’s beams I see, Till they inward light impart, cheer my eyes and warm my heart.

Visit then this soul of mine; pierce the gloom of sin and grief. Fill me, radiancy divine; scatter all my unbelief. More and more thyself display, shining to the perfect day.

Lord God, we have given more weight to our successes and our happiness than to your will. We have eaten without a thought for the hungry. We have spoken without an effort to understand others. We have kept silence instead of telling the truth. We have judged others, forgetful that you alone are the Judge. We have acted rather in accordance with our opinions than according to your commands. Within your church we have been slow to practice love of our neighbors. And in the world we have not been your faithful servants. Forgive us and help us to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior. Amen.

*Corporate Prayer of Confession (Followed by silent prayers of confession)

Lord God, we have given more weight to our successes and our happiness than to your will. We have eaten without a thought for the hungry. We have spoken without an effort to understand others. We have kept silence instead of telling the truth. We have judged others, forgetful that you alone are the Judge. We have acted rather in accordance with our opinions than according to your commands. Within your church we have been slow to practice love of our neighbors. And in the world we have not been your faithful servants. Forgive us and help us to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior. Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, it is now and ever shall be: world without end. Amen, Amen.

*Gloria Patri #581

Musical Meditation: Light Dawns on a Weary World

Proclamation

Witnessing God's Work: Shaken by God

Isaiah 9:1–4 ESV

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

Psalm 27 ESV

Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Hebrew Scripture Reading Responsive Reading (GTG 90 for refrain - don't need to put the number in the bulletin. I will announce and teach it. Just want to make sure the musician has it to look up the accompaniment.) Gospel Reading

Responsive Reading (GTG 90 for refrain - don't need to put the number in the bulletin. I will announce and teach it. Just want to make sure the musician has it to look up the accompaniment.) Gospel Reading

Matthew 4:12–25 ESV

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Gospel Reading

I read and listened to the news this morning as I do many mornings. I consider it a spiritual practice - a type of prayer because it’s hard to read the news without finding yourself in conversation with God. Sometimes it’s lament or anger, but I always find a need to connect with God while I’m reading about all the things happening around the world - the wars and earthquakes and elections and fires.

Because of that, I’m thankful that scripture is not silent about hard topics like war, violence, abuse, loneliness, poverty, both physical and mental illness, racial injustice, sexism, and so many more. When Isaiah talks about “the people who have walked in darkness” that’s what he’s talking about. We have all both caused and been victim to darkness in the world - sin.

Scripture is not silent about hard topics like war, violence, abuse, loneliness, poverty, both physical and mental illness, racial injustice, sexism, and so many more. When Isaiah talks about “the people who have walked in darkness” that’s what he’s talking about. We have all both caused and been victim to darkness in the world - sin.

This passage from Matthew today is easy to skim or skip. We just had the baptism, which is really exciting. And we just had the temptation that is also really exciting. We’re prepping for the beatitudes. All Jesus does here is call a few disciples. . . at least on the surface. But these “easy to skim” “easy” passages have so much rich meaning underneath if you dig in. You guys - this is where Jesus starts his ministry! If you think about our partnership, the first couple years have been being born and getting baptized, and now we’re really just at the beginning of our ministry together too! I’m not ssaying we’re Jesus, but if we’re supposed to model ourseslves after him. . . let’s not miss the part where he starts doing the cool stuff!

Because of that, I’m thankful that scripture is not silent about hard topics like war, violence, abuse, loneliness, poverty, both physical and mental illness, racial injustice, sexism, and so many more. When Isaiah talks about “the people who have walked in darkness” that’s what he’s talking about. We have all both caused and been victim to darkness in the world - sin.

The yuck in the world is pretty subtle in today’s gospel passage. We like to focus on the part where Jesus calls disciples and we can sing “Here I am Lord” and get all excited about following Jesus too.

Don’t get me wrong - I love that hymn and you should all definitely be excited about following Jesus. But. . . let’s take comfort in the fact that scripture isn’t all pretty and glossed over, but it’s about the real and dangerous world.

In today’s passage from Matthew, Jesus finds out about the arrest of his cousin John, who just baptized him. This arrest will ultimately lead to John’s death. What’s interesting is Jesus’ response to this. He doesn’t go straight out to gather disciples and start the mission. He withdraws. And then he goes to this weird fringy place people don’t like too much. There is a reason the scripture says where specifically he went.

Capernaum is WAAAAAAAAY up at the northern end of the Sea of Galilee. It’s about a 4 day walk from Nazareth if you have good hiking shoes and clever guide. It’s a place that for many years in the history of Israel was captured again and again by invading forces. And the language in scripture is not that he just popped in there for a few days. He made a home there.

THEN, he begins gathering his followers. He settles in a bit, gets his bearings, lives in community with the people around him. Only then is he ready to begin his ministry.

This passage from Matthew today is easy to skim or skip. We just had the baptism, which is really exciting. And we just had the temptation that is also really exciting. We’re prepping for the beatitudes. All Jesus does here is call a few disciples. . . at least on the surface. But these “easy to skim” “easy” passages have so much rich meaning underneath if you dig in. You guys - this is where Jesus starts his ministry! If you think about our partnership, the first couple years have been settling in, building a house, fishing a little bit, getting to know the people around us. And now. . . now there is new excitement and readiness to dive into new and meaningful ministry!

I’m not saying we’re Jesus, but if we’re supposed to model ourselves after him. . . let’s pay attention even to the parts of the story that seem boring because not every part of our story will be exciting or miraculous either.

Repent! Jesus calls out. Admit the part you’ve played in this darkness!

“In this Gospel story, the disciples are not called to lead but to follow. THey are not called to be the best, but to be together.” Following is the reltionship between all Christians and JEsus. Evern more to the point, according to biblical scholar Ulrich Luz, ‘following has its center in suffering.’ The suffering may well have to do with teh fact that folowing - accordin to JEsus - means taking on the hard work of inviting more people to follow. It is not about overcoming the monster, it is about building the community.This may be hard to hear. It is counterintuitive, whether you live ith the mid-set of the conqueror or the conquered. One wants to keep power and expand it; the other, to destroy the powerful and create a paradise. Instead, Jesus way is foolishness, the “Power of God.” This meanss that those who are called to follow Jesus may find themselves in a minority, advocating for unpopular movements, asking dissquieting questions, objecting to the abuse of others, standing in the way of the bombastic and proud. God’s way unites us through what is weak and fooliwh. This is not a theology of triumphal victory but of dying and rising to newness of life.” p77 Preaching God’s Transforming Justice

The yuck in the world is pretty subtle in today’s gospel passage, but it’s certainly there. We like to focus on the part where Jesus calls disciples and we can sing “Here I am Lord” and get all excited about following Jesus too.

Grace in the Text:

Good news is meant to be particular.

Don’t get me wrong - I love that hymn and you should all definitely be excited about following Jesus. But. . . let’s take comfort in the fact that scripture isn’t all pretty and glossed over, but it’s about the real and dangerous world. Hope means more when it is given in the midst of the less than ideal.

Trouble in the World: This world is a dark and messed up place sometimes. What darkness are we sitting in here?

In today’s passage from Matthew, Jesus finds out about the arrest of his cousin John, who just baptized him. This arrest will ultimately lead to John’s death. What’s interesting is Jesus’ response to this. He doesn’t go straight out to gather disciples and start the mission. He withdraws. And then he goes to this weird fringy place people don’t like too much. There is a reason the scripture says where specifically he went. This is a clear message from the gospel writer that Jesus didn’t come to help the most powerful or desirable.

Be identified with this sort of kingdom!

Capernaum is WAAAAAAAAY up at the northern end of the Sea of Galilee. It’s about a 4 day walk from Nazareth if you have good hiking shoes and clever guide. It’s a place that for many years in the history of Israel was captured again and again by invading forces. And the language in scripture is not that he just popped in there for a few days. He made a home there. It’s not terribly clear for how long, either. It seems to indicate he was there for a while.

THEN, he begins gathering his followers. He settles in a bit, gets his bearings, lives in community with the people around him. Only then is he ready to begin his ministry.

I love this from “Connections” commentary p206: “‘Why does Jesus’ message about God’s kingfom begin with a call to repent? This is a terrible sales strategy. You do not make a demand on a customer before you sell them the benefits. I suppose that it workd for Jesus becasue the listerners arleady had a solid vision of the benefit: the kingdom of heaven has come near. . . Very opften the church has called people to repentance without making clear the vision of the kingdom of God. The kingdom has been presented as an equivalent to going to heaven after one dies rather than what it is, the active presence of God in one’s life, in the world, and in all creation.”

This passage from Matthew today is easy to skim or skip. We just had the baptism, which is really exciting. And we just had the temptation that is also really exciting. We’re prepping for the beatitudes. All Jesus does here is call a few disciples. . . at least on the surface. But these “easy to skim” “easy” passages have so much rich meaning underneath if you dig in. You guys - this is where Jesus starts his ministry! If you think about our partnership, the first couple years have been settling in, building a house, fishing a little bit, getting to know the people around us. And now. . . now there is new excitement and readiness to dive into new and meaningful ministry!

I’m not saying we’re Jesus, but if we’re supposed to model ourselves after him. . . let’s pay attention even to the parts of the story that seem boring because not every part of our story will be exciting or miraculous either.

Be identified with this sort of kingdom!

This world is a dark and messed up place sometimes. And it’s a changing place. The ways people communicate with one another have changed vastly even in the past decade. Cars are starting to drive themselves. Few people still use cash as a regular payment for things. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell the difference between change that is just confusing and uncomfortable and the darkness of sin and trouble creeping into the world.

I think that’s why the past few years we’ve spent together “resetting” have been important. Some of us probably need a personal spiritual reset or retreat like Jesus took, too. Call me if you need help figuring out what that might look like.

Grace in the World: Be identified with this sort of kingdom that is so great people are willing to pay with repentance for all the terrible things that are in the world. Repent and be light shining on the work of the kingdom today!

Here’s the key too why that’s so important: it’s easy to lose our identity when we are scared.

I’ve been watching this TV show on Animal Planet called, “My Cat from Hell”. It’s about a cat behaviorist who helps people who have terrible cats at home - usually mean or destructive. It’s actually been making me feel better about my sassy little Fu. Her cattitude issues are chump change compared to the cats on this show. One thing that’s fascinating is that there seem to be two main issues causing these poor cats problems: one is boredom and the other is fear. When they are bored, they just tear things up to blow off extra energy. When they are scared, they forget who they are. He talks about how they are made to feel small or “compressed”. These are the ones that are amazing changes. Once the fear has been dealt with and they’ve been given the confidence they need to function, they come out of their shells and you see the wonderful little companions they really are - the sweet animal that was underneath all along.

As Christians, our identity, our vision, is key to being able to function in the world and to our ability to engage the people around us. I love this from “Connections” commentary p206: “‘Why does Jesus’ message about God’s kingdom begin with a call to repent? This is a terrible sales strategy. You do not make a demand on a customer before you sell them the benefits. I suppose that it worked for Jesus because the listeners already had a solid vision of the benefit: the kingdom of heaven has come near. . . Very often the church has called people to repentance without making clear the vision of the kingdom of God. The kingdom has been presented as an equivalent to going to heaven after one dies rather than what it is, the active presence of God in one’s life, in the world, and in all creation.”

As we begin to transition from this retreat time of getting to know each other and settling in to the knowledge that God is still with us, even when something hard has happened into a season of new ministry and mission, we’re having conversations about our identity and vision. Without a strong sense of who we are and why, we can yell “repent!” or “free food!” or “all are welcome!” until we are blue in the face and it won’t do anyone any good.

The kingdom that Jesus proclaimed and that we are called to proclaim is one of hope in the midst of a world where darkness and sin are always trying to find ways to creep in. That is the sort of good news that encourages people to leave their nets behind and follow.

I’ll try not to cross over into yearly pastor’s report just yet, but expect throughout this year that we’ll begin to do some very careful and purposeful exploration of identity - our identity as a congregation and as a partnership and as individual people. We’ll explore our vision and purpose. It’s time to drop our nets and move out of Capernaum!

Here in this place the new light is streaming; now is the darkness vanished away; see in this space our fears and our dreamings brought here to you in the light of this day. Gather us in, the lost and forsaken; gather us in, the blind and the lame; call to us now, and we shall awaken; we shall arise at the sound of our name.

We are the young, our lives are a mystery. We are the old who yearn for your face. We have been sung throughout all of history, called to be light to the whole human race. Gather us in, the rich and the haughty; gather us in the proud and the strong; give us a heart, so meek and so lowly, give us the courage to enter the song.

Here we will take the wine and the water; here we will take the bread of new birth. Here you shall call your sons and your daughters, call us anew to be salt for the earth. Give us to drink the wine of compassion; give us to eat the bread that is you. Nourish us well, and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true.

*Hymn #GTG401 (Insert at SAUPC) Here in This Place

Not in the dark of buildings confining, not in some heaven, light years away: here in this pace the new light is shining; now is the kingdom and now is the day. Gather us in and hold us forever; gather us in and make us your own; gather us in, all peoples together, fire of your love in our flesh and our bone.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord. who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. Lead us, not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures here below. Praise God above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

*Prayer of Thanksgiving

Sending

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love from which our birth over and around us lies.

Lord of all, to thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night, hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light.

Lord of all, to thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind’s delight for the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight.

Lord of all, to thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild.

Lord of all, to thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.

*Charge and Benediction

May the peace of our Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing, once again into our doors.Sending Song

Sending Song gtg#600 “Amen” (sing three times)

As you depart, please share signs of Christ’s peace with one another.

FOR EMSWORTH: As you depart, please share signs of Christ’s peace with one another.

*Those who are able may stand in spirit and in body

When Darkness Creeps In

Welcome, Announcements, Joys, and Concerns

Passing of the Peace

When Darkness Creeps

Prayers of the People

Sharing of our Tithes and Offerings

Amen