FPCLA Worship January 9, 2022

four community hands interlocked

Dear FPCLA,

I hope that everyone is well and practicing precautions due to the pandemic. I just want to share a story from the food pantry last week. There are a few homeless people that come consistently every Monday to receive the homeless to go bags/boxes. There is a French brother and sister family that comes with their heavily laden carts, and they are very nice and courteous. We always ask (all homeless) if they need anything specific. And this time, they needed lights for the evenings in their tent. I had an extra led lantern in the office and gave it to them. They were so appreciative and said thank you so many times. I was reminded once again of the little things that I take for granted, others will cherish for their basic needs.

Sermon: Epiphanies
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 The Message Bible

1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory—this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”

3-4 When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

5-6 They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly:

It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land,
    no longer bringing up the rear.
From you will come the leader
    who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.”

7-8 Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.”

9-10 Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!

11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

12 In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.

Announcements:

  1. We are still doing in person worship at 1:15pm and remote worship.   There is no fellowship hour afterwards, but instead will head out for meal and drinks.  
  2. Our annual congregational meeting is on January 30, 2022 at 2:30pm on zoom.  We will send out an annual review packet a week or so before.  If you would like to attend, please send me an email and a zoom link will be sent to you along with the packet.
  3. If you have the means, please give to FPCLA.

Blessings,

Pastor Sam

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