Forsyth United Methodist Church News
	26 December 2004

This Weeks Scripture:

Jesus Presented in the Temple

 

²¹On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.

   ²²When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), ²⁴and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

   ²⁵Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. ²⁷Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, ²⁸Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: ²⁹“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
      you now dismiss your servant in peace. ³⁰For my eyes have seen your salvation,
      ³¹which you have prepared in the sight of all people, ³²a light for revelation to the Gentiles
      and for glory to your people Israel.”

   ³³The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, ³⁵so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

   ³⁶There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷and then was a widow until she was eightyfour. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. ³⁸Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

   ³⁹When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

This Weeks Sermon:

Teaching the children of God

Christ has come. We celebrate the arrival of our Savior. We begin to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas. Do you ever wonder why God chose Joseph and Mary? Joseph was a carpenter from the lineage of David. He knew the law. Mary was of the lineage of Levi (the priests). But more importantly, they were both holy people who had a relationship with God. We have a similar responsibilty to have a relationship with God and bring our children to church. As Jesus matured in the church, our children should mature in the church. We can be the greatest teachers to our children.

Word of the Week:

Epiphany

 January 6, which marks the end of the Christmas season or Christmastide. In the Western churches, Epiphany Day has marked the observance of the arrival of the wise men. In the earliest Christian traditions, maintained by the Eastern churches, the day began a period that celebrated the incarnation and baptism of Christ. The liturgical color for Epiphany Day is white.

Prayer of the Week:

Heavenly Father, we are your children and appreciate the teaching that you have done for us. The children of our church are our future. Help us to reach out to them like you reach out to us. Help us to always be there teachers; educating them in the ways of the Lord. Amen.

Question of the Week:

What does The United Methodist Church teach about the second coming?

United Methodists have varied interpretations and understandings of the second coming of Christ as referenced in scripture.  While you would find many who take a literal approach to belief in the second coming, most United Methodists would be uncertain about the meaning of the second coming.

Generally speaking, United Methodists are focused on Christ and welcoming his grace--prevenient that moves us to turn to Christ for salvation, justifying that works righteousness in us and trust for salvation, and sanctifying that perfects us in lives of love of God and neighbor. We tend not to be a speculative people. Often attention to the second coming can get pretty dicey and speculative. As the children of John Wesley, we are practical people attending to Christ present in worship and in the daily life and needs of others around us.

 

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