Preacher: Julia Baker Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23 When I saw that the gospel lectionary passage for this 3rd day of Christmas was The Holy Innocents — I wanted to pass. The story of King Herod and his plan to get rid of the infant Jesus before he can grow up to be a threat. Jesus is…
Tag: Christmas
Glittering Leaf- Love a Child
Preacher: Nathan Hosler Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Luke 2:1-20 A Mystery As I thought of love and the coming Christ child, the red leaf glittered. How and why? I wondered. There is almost a metallic character as the morning sunlight passed through. What is it that makes this growing energy-producing panel, which I mundanely…
ALIGNING WITH THE TRUE NORTH OF GOD
By: Julia Baker Colossians 3:12-17 I love this week of Christmastide,there is a liminal nature to these daysthat offer a sacred quiet. The Light has come, we no longer sit in darkness. And we look toward… In these threshold days many of us reflect on the year pastand the one ahead. As I do this…
Waiting. Hoping. Christmas 2023
Preacher: Pastor Nathan Hosler, PhD Date: December 24, 2023 Scripture: Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, Luke 1:26-28, 2:1-40, Titus 3:4-7 Waiting with bated breath we have been. Waiting for the coming Christ child. In these weeks of Advent—we have—at least principle, been waiting for the promised Messiah, the long-expected savior. Waiting. Longing. Hoping. If, however, you were distracted…
Voices that We Do Not Expect
Preacher: Pastor Jennifer Hosler, PhD Date: December 10, 2023 Scripture: Mark 1:1-8, Luke 1:39-55 I learned a new word recently: muzak. I was reading a Bethany Theological Seminary update email with a reflection by President Jeff Carter that included this word, discussing the saturation of stores with Christmas background music during this season. Momentarily puzzled, I…
Christmas Eve
Preacher: Chibuzo Petty Scripture: Jeremiah 30:1-24, 31:1-40, 32:1-44. 33:1-26 Date: December 24, 2022
Bright, Shining Wonder
Preacher: Jennifer Hosler Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 For those of us in the northern hemisphere, December is marked by short days and long nights. It is an adjustment for everyone, that first troubling transition out of daylight savings time when it just seems so very dark, so very early. I find those first few weeks quite…
Shines Forth (Enthroned Upon the Cherubim)
Preacher: Nathan Hosler Scriptures: Micah 5: 2-5a, Psalm 80: 1-7, & Luke 1: 39-55 “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…
The Trouble with Christmas
Preacher: Chris Bowman Scriptures: Luke 1:68-79 & Luke 3:1-6 It is an honor to preach here at Washington City Church of the Brethren. You have been a good and faithful presence in the neighborhood over the years. Thank you for that! And thanks to Jessie for the invitation to preach, this second Sunday of Advent….
Even the Prophet Doubted
Preacher: Jennifer Hosler Scripture: Isaiah 35: 1-10; Luke 1:46b-55; Matthew 11:2-11 Doubt, loss, pain, darkness… sounds like Christmas-time? Unlike our cultural displays of perpetual holiday cheer, our four weeks of Advent scriptures allow for a fuller gamut of Christmas-time emotions: pain, doubt, and loss come alongside themes of peace, hope, love, and joy. This 3rd…
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