Introduction
When I moved to Northwest Arkansas in 1988 I would have told you it was because I was running after something. As I reflect back now almost 40 years later, I could just as much say I was running from things. It’s always both y’all. James Thurber once said “All men should strive to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why.” I still have a long way to go before I find out, if I ever really can. But the key part of this bit of wisdom is the “strive to learn”, no promise we ever will, but still we need to strive for it. This is what the light opens for us, if we will take it. The opportunity to go, to search, to ask. It gives us a way out of the darkness, it opens the door and invites us out, it moves us from one place to another. It illuminates much more where we are than where we will go, much more what we already have than what we will find. Light is a revelation of much and an invitation to know so much more. Will we take it?
Text:
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows – light! sunbursts of light! For a child has been born – for us the gift of a son – for us! He’ll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. He’ll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going With fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this.
A Confession from John 15 (the message)
Reader: Jesus declared he is the Real Vine and his Father is the Farmer, that every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. That if we live in him -make our home in him just as He does in us, the harvest is sure to be abundant.
Everyone: Jesus we make our home in you and you make yours in us. Make this Church good soil for the Vine to take root and the branches to bear fruit.
Reader: Jesus told us the tree will be judged by the fruit.
Everyone: Give us hands to tend the soil, hearts to endure the pruning and ears to hear the song that gives us hope.
Lord’s Prayer
Christ, who taught us to pray saying:
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who’ve sinned against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory forever. Amen.
