Posts from December 2020
Seventh Day – New Year’s Eve
Readings: 1 John 2:18-21, John 1:1-18 John Lundgren In John chapter One we learn that Jesus “came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…And from His fullness have we all received Grace upon Grace.” This is Grace that we dare not refuse. Our first “work” as believers is to receive. Our…
Sixth Day
Readings: I John 2:12-17, Luke 2:36-40 There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the…
Fifth Day – Thomas Becket
Readings: Psalm 126; Matthew 10:16-22 Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves … you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them … and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10 Andy Bramsen December 29th is the feast of Saint Thomas Becket, martyred in Canterbury Cathedral 850 years ago today. Becket was trained in…
Fourth Day – Holy Innocents
Readings: Psalm 124; Matthew 2:13-18 [I]f the Lord himself had not been on our side, when men rose up against us, Then would they have swallowed us up alive… But praised be the Lord, who has not given us over to be prey for their teeth. Psalm 124 A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more. Matthew 2 Sara Bramsen December 28 marks the…
Third Day – St John the Evangelist
Readings: Psalm 92; 1 John 1:1-9 [The righteous] still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright. Psalm 92:14-15a That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 1…
Second Day – St Stephen
Readings: Psalm 31 and Acts 6:8 – 7:60 Steve Baird Stephen’s powerful ministry was characterized by signs and miracles. He was definitely having an effect, which did not go unnoticed by certain groups of the Jews. His wisdom and persuasiveness only increased their fury. Unable to rebut his testimony, they conspired to accuse him of speaking “blasphemous words against Moses and God”. They stirred up the people, including the elders and scribes using false claims that twisted Stephen’s words to…
Christmas Day
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:9-13 Fr. Paul Calvin Jesus’s birth should…
Not Only With our Lips, But in Our Lives – December 2020
Church of the Redeemer, Over the past year, our nation has grieved the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. The public outcry in our community drew attention to the disparate experiences and deep generational sins and wounds of our nation. As a church that seeks to share in Christ’s ministry of reconciliation, Church of the Redeemer earnestly desires to serve as ambassadors of Christ. In fellowship with him, Jesus Christ brings reconciliation between all people, races and…