Sermon: New Year's Eve 2016

THEME OF THE DAY
Today’s worship service, based on Rev. Daniel Haberkost's "church year service" is a fitting start to the New Year. We will be using familiar songs and readings from all the different seasons. Seldom do we get to see the whole picture. Hopefully, the colors, the readings, and the songs will enrich our understanding of the blessings of God reflected in the church year.

THE ADVENT SEASON ~ The color is Light Blue.
The Advent season is a time of hope-filled preparation for the coming of the Messiah. The verse we just sang dates all the way back to the 12th century, at the time of the Crusades. During the four weeks before Christmas, we will not only use more recent customs like the Advent wreath and candles, but also join with God’s people throughout the ages who read words of hope and expectation from the prophet Isaiah while they waited for God to come to their rescue. Listen to the reading from Isaiah 35.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 35

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON ~ The color is White
The Christmas season technically begins at 12 midnight on December 24, Christmas Eve, and lasts for 12 days (hence the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”). Although the first Christmas carols are already ringing through the stores, the church has traditionally limited its use of carols before Christmas, and the reason is very simple: We know that without a season of repentance and a time of spiritual preparation, Christmas will be a celebration with NO LIFE-CHANGING SIGNIFICANCE.

The hymn “Joy to the World” was written by Isaac Watts based on Psalm 98. It’s over 250 years old, and was sung at Christmas nearly half a century before the Declaration of Independence was signed.

THE EPIPHANY SEASON ~ The color is Green
“The glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love.” That’s really what the Epiphany season is all about — Jesus making known the wondrous glory of God’s power and love during His ministry on earth. Since the season begins with the visit of the Wise Men, we’ll read selected verses from that story from Matthew 2.

New Testament Reading: Matthew 2:1, 2, 9-11

THE TRANSFIGURATION
During Epiphany, we recall Jesus’ Baptism, His miracles, the call of His disciples, and finally, the Transfiguration of Jesus...on a mountain...before the very eyes of Peter, James, and John...and suddenly they see Him for who He really is.

THE LENTEN SEASON ~ The color is Purple
During Lent we use the royal purple to focus our attention on the price Jesus paid to become our Glorious King for all ages—the price of death on the cross. Lent is actually a “40 day fast” before the celebration of Easter. Beginning on Ash Wednesday with the custom of applying oil and ashes to the forehead in sorrowful repentance for our sins, Lent is an excellent time to think about our Lord’s death and what it means for us. Our reading comes from Luke.

New Testament Reading: Luke 23:33-38.

GOOD FRIDAY ~ The color is Black.
After being arrested, Jesus is tried and beaten. He is then led to Golgotha and is crucified. After six hours of suffering on the cross Jesus dies for our sins.

THE EASTER SEASON ~ The color is White.
Jesus died on the cross; God raised Him from the dead on the third day. Our celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday is the high point of the Church Year. Listen to 1 Corinthians. Let us praise our Risen Lord.

New Testament Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:19-20

THE ASCENSION
Yes, 40 days after Easter, Jesus ascended into heaven to take His place as King over all. He sits at the right hand of God and He will return to judge the living and the dead. Let’s sing His praise.

THE SEASON OF PENTECOST ~ The color is Green after the Red of Pentecost Sunday.
The season of Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit on Jesus’ disciples 10 days after His ascension just as He promised. The reading is from Acts 2.

New Testament Reading: Acts 2:1-4

THE SEASON OF LAST THINGS ~ The color is Gold
Our gold paraments not only symbolize the falling leaves, and our human frailty, the end of the growing season, and our gratitude for the harvest; but most of all the golden splendor of the new Creation of our Lord. We look toward the last day in faith and urge ourselves toward Christian living.

 New Testament Reading: Romans 13:3-8 (Sermon Text)
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

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