Manse Musings

MANSE MUSINGS

by Rev. Canessa Stafford

December 17, 2011


“Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28)

“Here am I, the servant of the Lord, let it be with me according to your word,” (Luke 1: 38) Mary’s reply to Gabriel’s astonishing proclamation in Luke 1, is worth emulating.  When we find ourselves confronted with unbelievable news, news that turns our world upside down, threatens to ostracize us from those we love, opens us to the ridicule and criticism of our community, we follow in Mary’s petite footsteps and simply respond by saying “Here am I…” 

Here am I?  Are you crazy God?  You’ve got to be kidding?  I’m too young (I’m too old!), I’m too busy, I’m too scared, are you trying to get me killed!?  (Mary could have been stoned!)  There are times in our lives that messengers bring tidings of joy but sometimes the news is unbelievable, not joyful at all.  The message means a major life change and not necessarily for the better.  Yet as Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, we trust that God has a plan, a vision of a new thing that is about to unfold.  We are given an opportunity to get on board or be left at the station. 

What messenger is God sending to you this Christmas?  What unbelievable news is being herald?  Instead of being receptive have you put out the “Do Not Disturb” sign?  Maybe, like Mary, we should sit, quietly, listening to what God is saying, and then we too might find it in our hearts to believe and confess “Here am I, the servant of the Lord”.  Get ready, God is breaking into our world, into our hearts, and we’ll never be the same!  Halleluiah!

Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate Christmas from A to Z!  (Really, from ABC all the way through the letter Z!)  Come be a part of our interactive worship this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at The Springs and 11:00 a.m. at Bethesda.  Everyone is invited to enjoy food, fun, and fellowship at 12:30 p.m. at Bethesda as we celebrate the Birthday of Jesus with pizza, salad, and Birthday Cake, designed and baked by our own Amber Tiikkala.  Rumor has it that Santa will be making an appearance!

Don’t forget if you adopted an Angel to bring your gift, they are due back this Sunday!

Hope to see you Sunday,
Pastor Canessa

“You go nowhere by accident.  Wherever you go, God is sending you.  Wherever you are, God has put you there.  God has a purpose in your being there.  Christ who indwells you has something He wants to do through you where you are.  Believe this and go in God grace, love, and power.” (Halverson Benediction)