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November 26, 2014
A Devotional Life

 A Devotional Life

 

 

Luke 18:31-43

 

"...but he shouted even more loudly, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'" (Luke 18:39)

 

            This passage begins with Jesus telling His disciples that it is time to go to Jerusalem in order to die and atone for the sins of the world. Well, He doesn't say so in as many words, but this is the essence of His confusing monologue to the disciples. Yet in the very next scene, not more than 15 minutes into His journey (or so it would seem), He is interrupted by the begging and pleading of a blind man.

            This is a common trope in the gospels. Jesus is trying to do one thing and the begging and pleading of a needy person comes along and interrupts Him. This is unremarkable. What is remarkable is that Jesus always stops, always allows Himself to be interrupted, and always tends to the need before Him.

            We don't tend to deal with interruptions in this same way. Recently I was working on my sermon when I remembered an e-mail I needed to send. So, I interrupted myself and started to write it. About halfway through the e-mail - the sermon still on my mind - my phone rang and my sister started talking to me. Okay, I thought, I can listen to her and quickly finish this e-mail. As I finished the e-mail, I started to get off the phone (this can be quite the process with my sister, as she was affectionately called "Jabber Jaws" as a kid and maybe hasn't outgrown that habit yet). Just as I was saying, "Goodbye," Brianne called to me to ask a question about ladybugs or something like that. I cracked. I yelled back, "I'm really trying to get some work done here." Unnecessarily chastised, she left me alone to tend to whatever ladybug problem we had in the bathroom. I felt ashamed. 15 minutes prior I had been working on the proclamation of Good News for a wonderful congregation. Then - with just a couple of interruptions - I was turned into this bellowing tyrant. Well, apologizing is a type of interruption too, but was necessary.

            Interruptions are annoying, but Jesus shows us how they can be transformed from annoyances to holiness. By allowing Himself to be interrupted time and again, we discover that great blessings - indeed, legitimate miracles - can also interrupt lives that need them the most.

            As we approach the holiday season, there are going to be lots of plans, lots of agendas, lots of to-do lists. In other words, it is prime time for the annoyances of interruption to run rampant on our lives. Faithfulness, however, is not avoiding the interruptions, but catching a glimpse of the holiness contained within them. Amen.

 
Advent Devotional Booklets
Booklets will be available beginning this Sunday.  A devotion for each day of Advent has been written, compiled and printed in booklet form.  All of these short essays have been written by members and friends of Center Church.  You will find the devotional booklets on Sunday in the Gathering Place.  Click here for an online copy:  Advent Devotions
A Worshipful Life
"The Unwanted Gift"    
 

Mary's pregnancy was not a "gift" anyone was ready for.  Joseph is reviled at the apparent transgressions of his fiancé and Mary is probably confused out of her mind.  Yet it is often the unwanted gift that means the most.  Tragically, peace is often the unwanted gift in our world.  There is much to be gained in conflict and strife (supposing, of course, you end up on the winning side).  However, peace is one of the gifts God gives us through Jesus Christ - wanted or not. 

Our Singing Faith

 

"A hymn of glory let us sing!

New songs throughout the world shall ring:

Christ, by a road before untrod,

ascends unto the throne of God".

 
These ancient words, penned by a seventh or eighth century English monk, are a fitting introduction to the new hymnal for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Like the hymn above, this hymnal emphasizes the sovereignty of God, a central theme in the Reformed tradition. It proclaims the good news of Jesus Christ - risen from the dead and ascended to "the throne of God," reigning with justice and love in the ongoing story of salvation. It lifts up "new songs" that have arisen from the church "throughout the world." It explores some new directions in congregational song, including roads "before untrod" in a Presbyterian hymnal. It seeks, above all, to offer a "hymn of glory" to the triune God.
 
                                      Coming soon to a pew near you...

The 216th General Assembly (2004) of the PC(USA) authorized the research into the feasibility of a new Presbyterian hymnal. The results were reported to the 217th General Assembly (2006) which authorized its research and development. Glory to God was developed by the 15-person Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song (PCOCS), a committee of musicians, scholars, pastors, and theologians. The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC), the Office of Theology & Worship (OTW of the PC(USA), and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM) collaborated to develop the project. After reviewing over 10,000 submissions, 3 years of meetings, and countless hours of homework, the PCOCS's final meeting was in January of 2012. The new hymnal was commended for use in the PC(USA) by the General Assembly, and was published in 2013. Glory to God  contains 835 hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs covering all major historical and contemporary sacred genres.   The PCOCS diligently sought to compile a new resource that would accomplish to: "unify a diverse church", "serve and enrich a changing church", and "strengthen God's church for a new generation".

 

"O risen Christ, ascended Lord,

all praise to you let earth accord.

You are, while endless ages run,

with Father and with Spirit one."

 

In these words we find the end of all worship and the goal of human life - to join the hymns of heaven and praises of earth, here and everywhere, now and always giving Glory to God.

                                                                                                                                         - Linda Boice

For further information about Glory to God, please visit the Presbyterian Hymnal Project website at www.presbyterianhymnal.org 

An Advent-full Life
Each week in Advent will bring a different experience to Center Church worship. 
  • Sunday we return to two services and celebrate the first week of Advent with Holy Communion at both services.  Kendra Buckwalter Smith will join us during the Christian Education hour to talk about our new hymnal, Glory to God
  • Poinsettias with a Promise is new this year.  When you purchase a $10 plant, you will also be making a $4 donation to Family Promise.   As the flowers brighten our sanctuary throughout the Christmas season, our promise of support will brighten the season for those who need it most.  Order forms will be in the bulletin and orders accepted through December 7th.  Please mail, order online, or place the form in the collection on plate on Sunday.
  • December 6th from 9am - noon and December 7th from 8:30am to 2:00pm the Fair Trade Market will be in full swing.  Stop by to shop for those hard to buy for folks and know that your purchases will make a difference in the life of the person who crafted or grew it.  Catalogs for the Heifer project will also be available if you care to support under-privileged families with a donation to help provide clean water or livestock. 
  • December 7th is the date of a Congregation Meeting to elect the officers for year class 2018.  If you are not currently serving as an officer, consider answering the call to serve on the Nominating Committee.  We will be electing those folks as well.  The meeting will convene immediately following 11:00 worship.  Attendees at 8:30 are encourage to return to participate in this important part of the life of the church.  Orders for Poinsettias with a  Promise are due. 
  • December 14th plan to arrive in time for the Advent Breakfast.  Serving begins at 9:45 and will be followed by an entertaining program.  Worship at 8:30 and 11:00
  • December 21st brings us together again with one worship service for the Annual Musical Presentation.  What a wonderful way to lead us up to Christmas Eve.
  • Candle light Worship services will be at 7:30 and 11:00 pm.  The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be celebrated at both services. 
A Servant's Life
Upcoming Events
  • Hymns for the Family of God hymnals may be taken home by anyone interested.   
  • The Giving Tree in the Gathering Place is filled with tags of gift suggestions for Soldiers Angels and Family Promise.  Please return your gift wrapped, with the tag firmly attached by the date indicated.  No gift bags please. 
  • Presbyterian Women again are sponsoring C-Mail.  Christmas cards for your Center Church friends can be placed in the alphabetical slots in the box provided.  These cards will be sorted and placed on tables ready for pick up.  Please check each week for cards addressed to you and to be sure that cards you have addressed have been claimed.  PW asks that in lieu of the of postage saved, a donation be made to support the mission projects of the Presbyterian Women.

  • With the conclusion of this year's Stewardship Series," We Give Because," the Stewardship Committee hopes that everyone found the past three weeks to be a spiritually fulfilling time in your relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Committee would also like to thank all of those who participated (naming names would be almost impossible) in making this a special time in the life of Center Church. Hopefully we can use these past three weeks as a springboard into the Advent Season, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.


 

A Joyful Life

 

It's getting colder and there will soon be snow, so... "Pittsburgh Dad: Snows Coming": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdrD31SZ2kI