Church of the Ascension

The Story at Home—Engage with Sunday’s readings all week long

Come and see the Lamb of God…and then tell me about it

The Story
January 19, 2020

John 1:29-42

The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter).

Something to Do

And John testified

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus not only through his ministry of baptism and preaching but also through his witness to his own encounter with Jesus, when he saw the Spirit descend and knew Jesus to be the Son of God.

We, too, are called to bear witness to our encounters with Jesus – to let people know about the impact of our faith on our lives and who we have come to understand God to be. Over the next few weeks, we will hear from some Ascension members as they share their Epiphany stories with us. If you are not one of those storytellers, find another opportunity to share your story with someone you trust.

Come and See

Last Sunday, I issued an Epiphany challenge. Actively look for the presence of God in your life by developing the habit of asking yourself how God is speaking to you in any given situation or experience. What is God revealing about you or the world or Godself in this particular place or encounter? How is God inviting you to respond to this particular challenge or opportunity? Where is God calling you?

This discipline starts with the assumption that God is, indeed, present to be heard or seen or felt. Remember that in each moment and every place, Jesus is inviting you to “Come and see”.

And, having seen, do as John the Baptist or as Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, and tell someone about it.

Something to Wonder

What are you looking for?

Imagine that you are following Jesus, curious about who he is and what he’s doing. He turns and sees you and asks, “What are you looking for?”

How do you answer?

The many names of Jesus

  • Son of God
  • Lamb of God
  • Rabbi
  • Messiah

These four names are all used to talk about or address Jesus in this passage. Which of them means the most to you? Why? Which means the least? Why?
What name (in this list or not) do you use for Jesus? What does that name mean to you?

Something to Learn

The Lamb of God

The image of the Lamb of God is a rich and complicated one, with layers of history in both Jewish and Christian thought. The articles below offer a glimpse of this richness. Some of the meanings will be comforting to you; some of the meanings will be challenging.

“Another Look at the ‘Lamb of God’” by Chris Skinner goes through 9 views on the image of the lamb of God. It’s long but easily skimmed.

“Why is Jesus called the Lamb of God” from the website Catholic Straight Answers provides a very traditional Catholic perspective.

“The Politics of the Lamb of God” by Amy Lindeman Allen wonders about the political implications for Christians of this image, tying it to the great liberating message of the Gospel.

Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

God’s Beloved Son is baptized and everyone is invited!

The Story
January 12, 2020
Baptism of Jesus

Matthew 3:13-17

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. 

And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’

Something to Do

Remember your (or a loved one’s) baptism

Perhaps in addition to your regular mealtime grace, light a candle in remembrance of the candle you received at baptism (bonus points if you have an actual baptismal candle in the house) and offer this prayer from the baptismal service:

Loving God,
we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon me your servant the forgiveness of sin, and have raised me to the new life of grace. Sustain me, O God, in your Holy Spirit. Give me an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.

The Spirit of God descending like a dove

In our baptism, we are joined with Christ and included in his relationship with God. Make an origami dove as a sign of the Spirit’s presence, alighting on you and revealing you to be God’s beloved child.

Instructions with diagrams or with video

Something to Wonder

Who saw what?

The different Gospel accounts describe the baptism of Jesus slightly differently. Matthew’s account strongly suggests only Jesus saw the Spirit while John’s is clear that other people saw it as well. Mark and Luke are less clear on the question.

What do you imagine happened?
What are the different implications of the different possibilities – of a private versus public revelation?
If you were Jesus, which would you have preferred?

This is my son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased

This is a profoundly beautiful expression of love and it describes not only God’s relationship to Jesus but also God’s relationship to each of us. Sit in silence for a number of minutes (1? 5? 10?) and softly repeat to yourself “I am God’s Beloved, with whom God is well pleased”. Don’t think too much about it. Just let yourself feel it.

You are my beloved, with whom I am well pleased

Who might you say this to? Do it.

Something to Learn

Mikveh – The Jewish practice of immersion

The baptism practiced by John was part of a long and broad Jewish tradition of immersion in water that continues to this day. There are certainly resonances with some of our Christian understandings of baptism but the two are also quite different.

My Jewish Learning offers this essay: What is a Mikveh? Whether you’re dunking for conversion or for any other reason, here’s what to expect at the ritual bath.

Eastern Orthodox Epiphany

Western and Eastern Christianity’s Christmas/Epiphany celebrations are offset from one another in interesting ways. For one, the Feast of the Epiphany, when we celebrated the arrival of the magi, is when Orthodox Christians celebrate the baptism of Jesus and they call it the Theophany. Both celebrations focus on the physical revelation of God in the person of Jesus and are part of a season in which God making Godself known in the world is celebrated.

Theophany is marked with special ceremonies for blessing water in various forms – some of which is taken to people’s homes and used to bless those as well.

Read more here:
Theophany Icon Explained on the website, Orthodox Road.
Feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the website of the Orthodox Church in America
Theophany on Orthowiki

Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

Chalking the Doors – an Epiphany Home Blessing

The Church Times explains the tradition of chalking the doors this way:

The blessing and distribution of chalks with which houses are marked with a special logo commemorating the visit of the Magi is a Catholic custom that seems to have originated in and spread from Central Europe at the end of the Middle Ages.

On or near the feast of the Epiphany, and conveniently close to the begining of a New Year, the tradition has been to ask God’s blessing on homes and mark the door post or lintel with chalks that have been blessed for that purpose. The doors are chalked with the legendary names or initials of the three Magi, and the numerals of the New Year, connected with a series of crosses. The initials C, M, and B commemorate the Magi, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, but also stand for the Latin prayer-request Christus Mansionem Benedicat: “May Christ bless this house.”

Marking our doors is a visible sign of our desire to make our homes places of welcome and sanctuary and of our faith that God is present with us, at home and wherever we go.

This Sunday, we will bless chalk to mark the door of our church and to distribute, along with a copy of the prayer, so you can mark your own doors. If you are unable to join us, use chalk blessed simply because it is part of God’s good creation and the prayer below:

Standing on your doorstep

The Lord be with you (or, if alone) In the name of the Holy Trinity:
And also with you

The wise ones followed God’s star to Bethlehem, seeking the saviour.
I will follow the star.
They found Jesus in Bethlehem and knew they had found the one they were seeking. 
I will seek to recognize Jesus.
They fell down and worshipped him, offering him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
I will offer our gifts to the Lord.

The door is marked 20+C+M+B+20 while you say:

Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s son who became human two thousand and twenty years ago.  May Christ bless this home and each person who lives or visits here.

Holy God, watch over my/our going out and my/our coming in throughout this year.  Fill me/us with the light of Christ that I/we may grow in love, in wisdom, and in faith.  Amen.

Mary’s Story: Part Five

The Birth of Jesus

by Rhonda Waters

There once was a young woman named Mary.  We don’t know much about her except that she was engaged to marry a man named Joseph and she lived in a town called Nazareth.  Then, one day, something extraordinary happened to Mary.  Do you remember what happened? (Read Part One)

After she was pregnant, Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was also having a baby.  Do you remember what happened? (Read Part Two)

When the baby was almost ready to be born, Mary and Joseph got some news.  Do you remember what they had to do? (Read Part Three)

Well, after that long, long walk – probably at least a whole week long – Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem.  But even when they finally arrived in Bethelehm, their problems weren’t over.  Do you remember what happened? (Read Part Four)

That’s right – in the barn!  But it was warm and quiet which was what Mary needed because she had very difficult, very important work to do.  This is that story:

______

Mary:
I was so glad to be off my feet, even if all I had to sit on was a pile of hay.  Joseph got some blankets from the innkeeper and I was actually quite comfortable – but that didn’t last.  

Joseph:
It’s a good thing we found that helpful innkeeper when we did!  I barely had time to fetch the blankets when the pains hit Mary.  Her face went kind of white.  My face went kind of white.  I rushed back to the inn to see if one of the women there could come and help.

Choir: Do not, do not, do not be afraid.  Do not, do not, do not be afraid.

Joseph:
Things probably weren’t really that bad.  We were just tired.  And Mary kept insisting that the baby was on its way.  Her back hurt in a new way, apparently?  If it hadn’t been for that, we’d have been fine just squeezing into someone’s back room with the whole crowd.  But Mary needed more space.  And no one wanted to have front row seats at a stranger’s birthing bed.  So we kept looking.

Mary:
I had seen my mother give birth – and heard her, too.  So I knew it wasn’t easy.  But there’s knowing and then there’s knowing.  I was so grateful to the women who came to help, bringing water and towels and – most importantly, calm.  Of course, they had no idea that this birth was anything unusual.  But I knew.  I knew my baby was a miracle baby – even more than every other baby. I remembered the angel.  I thought of Elizabeth and her sweet little boy.  I gave thanks for Joseph and his faith in me, in us.

And then all the thinking stopped.  It felt like the whole universe was holding its breath; like my body was the only thing, the only place that mattered.  I remember the woman telling me to push.  And then, he was here.  My sweet, little Jesus.

Joseph:           
I stood outside under the stars and waited.  It felt like forever.  And then I heard him cry and the universe stood still – until the woman came to tell me I could go in to Mary…and to Jesus.

He was in Mary’s arms and they looked so beautiful, so perfect.  “He has your nose”, the woman said to me.  Mary and I looked at each other, across the head of our little miracle baby, and laughed.

Mary:
I wrapped my little boy up, nice and warm, and, once he fell asleep, laid him in the cows’ feeding trough.  Joseph had cleaned it all out and put fresh straw in it – it was a strange first bed but something about it seemed just right.

And then Joseph and I just sat there and stared at our little miracle baby.

Away in a Manger

______

Meanwhile, on the hills outside Bethlehem, shepherds were watching their sheep – just like they did every night.  

They had no idea that this was a special night.  The sheep just kept on sleeping.  The shepherds just kept on watching and chatting with each other.

But then, all of a sudden, an angel appeared!  The shepherds let out a shout of surprise and the sheep all woke up!

Angel: Do not be afraid, said the angel.  

Choir: Do not, do not, do not be afraid.  Do not, do not, do not be afraid.

I have wonderful, happy news for you!  A very special baby has just been born in Bethlehem – this baby is the Messiah, the one God has sent to be the saviour of all.  He’s all wrapped up, nice and warm, and laying in a manger.

And before the shepherds could say anything, a whole crowd of angels appeared and they all started singing: “Glory to God in heaven and peace to all on earth!”

Hark the Herald Angels Sing!

The shepherds decided to go see the baby so off they went to Bethlehem.

They found baby Jesus just as the angels had described.  Very quietly, so they wouldn’t wake the baby, the shepherds told Mary and Joseph all about the angels – and also, of course, about how perfectly adorable baby Jesus was.

And that is the end of the story of the birth of Jesus.  
I wonder which part is your favourite?
I wonder if you can remember the story so you can tell it to someone else.
In fact, I hope you share the good news with lots of people tonight, tomorrow, and every day after that!  

Jesus Christ is born!

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Joseph – a righteous man we know almost nothing about

The Story
Dec 22, 2019
Fourth Sunday of Advent

Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. 

Something to Do

Pay Attention to Dreams

Joseph is not the only person to receive a message from God in a dream – which is not to say that all dreams are messages from God but maybe some of them are.

Consider keeping a dream journal or, if you live with other people, get into the habit of sharing your dreams. At the very least, you’ll hold only to some wacky stories and, just maybe, you’ll hear the very voice of God!

Last Minute Preparations

Christmas is right around the corner so take a minute to check in with yourself and your household. What needs doing so that you can really enjoy the celebration?

This might involve some last minute grocery shopping or advanced food prep or house cleaning. It might be decorating or gift wrapping (or gift buying).

Or maybe it is more internal than that. Maybe you need to lay down a grievance or a regret. Maybe you need to express gratitude or love. Maybe you need to find an opportunity for quiet or give one to someone else.

You’ve got a week – so hop to it!

Something to Wonder

They shall name him Emmanuel – “God is with us”

Think of a time when you felt God’s presence with you. What was going on? What did it feel like? How did you react?

Do you often think of God as being here with us? Or do you more often think of God as being beyond us in some way? Which seems more comfortable to you? Why?

Spare a thought for Joseph

Joseph doesn’t get a lot of space in the Biblical story but because of his role in the Christmas story he gets quite a lot of space in our imaginations.

What do you think you know about Joseph?
How do you feel about Joseph?
How do you imagine Joseph’s personality? Describe him as if you were describing someone to a friend who doesn’t know them.

Something to Learn

What Tradition Says about Joseph

Although Joseph does not feature prominently in the Biblical record, Christians through the ages have given lots of thought to him.

The St. Joseph Wikipedia page is, as always, a great place for an overview.
It covers what the Bible says; what other ancient traditions say; and the areas of responsibility Joseph has as patron saint (they are numerous!)

What’s with all the Isaiah?

If you’ve been in church in December, you may have noticed that all of the Old Testament readings have been drawn from the Book of Isaiah. These prophecies have long been interpreted by Christians as pointing to Jesus, the one whom we await in Advent (our Jewish and Muslim siblings obviously have other understandings of those prophecies). In fact, Isaiah is where we get the first mention of the Messiah as Emmanuel.

Watch the Bible Project’s overview of Isaiah from a Christian point of view.

Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.