Matthew 11:2-11
 
Have you ever had your expectations not met by someone? You had anticipated so much from them and then found yourself underwhelmed? This is what is happening this week in the scripture reading. John the Baptist, who once preached ferociously in the desert about repentance, has found himself in prison. He has met and baptized Jesus already and now he can only sit and hear reports of what this "messiah" is doing outside the prison walls. Somehow, John is underwhelmed. Jesus is not acting like the political messiah that John had anticipated. John had preached about the Coming One baptizing with fire and destroying those who were unrepentant. Instead, John is sitting in prison hearing of Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners and healing those who are ailing. This moves John to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" John is wondering if Jesus is not the one they had expected after all. In response Jesus tells his disciples to go and report to John what he is doing: healing, cleansing, and bringing good news to people. 
 
We all have to figure out if Jesus, in the name of God, is acting like the powerful messiah that we thought he would be. Or, is he disappointing us in some way? Do we want him to come through our lives with more force, disrupting the political system and showing power in a more obvious way? Do we undervalue the subversive ways that Jesus did challenge the system? Is Jesus presenting us with a new way of being in the world that we cannot recognize?
 
If we get in touch with our disappointment, it sometimes clarifies what we had hoped for and expected. Jesus does not apologize for his choices or his actions. He knows what he has been called to do and he does it. Is it enough for us? As we anticipate the anniversary of his birth and ponder the power of Jesus in our lives, what do we need him to do? What do we need him to be for us? These are some of the questions that our text asks us to wrestle with this week.  We'll explore them in worship this Sunday as we celebrate the third Sunday in Advent. We'll be joined in worship by harpist Carolyn Sykes for some special holiday music. There is a Bible study in the church library from 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. before worship at 10:00 a.m. After worship there will be an Adult Forum led by Rev. Jake Pomeroy on the book The First Christmas. This is a new book by scholars Marcus Borg and Fr. John Dominic Crossan about the theology and meaning of the biblical Christmas story. Jake will present some of the new ideas in the book for discussion. Join us from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.  See you on Sunday!

 

The Rev. Marlene Pomeroy
 
Advent Wreath Lighters are: Kamryn, Tara and Duane Beasley
Liturgist is:  Jeff Levison
Acolyte is:  Tang Annis
Greeters are:  TBA
Ushers are: Sandy Biehler, LurlineBrown, Angie Schnapp, and Mel Smith
Church School Teaching Team is: Caroline Andres, Grace Rinck and Krysty Leckrone

Other opportunities for involvement this week:
On Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in our Sanctuary we will have our Children's Christmas Pageant. We hope all of you will come out to see and hear the Christmas Story in word and song, presented by our children and youth. Reception to follow in the Parlors. Parking is available in our lots only. Please plan to park in the Los Robles lot or on the street.   
 
We invited everyone to purchase a poinsettia or two for Christmas. They are being displayed each Sunday for worship and you may take one home after the Christmas Eve service on Monday, December 24. The price is $8 each and you may give it in honor or memory of a loved one. Please send your orders to Nina in the church office, by phone at 626-795-0696, or filling out an order form included in the bulletin this Sunday. Help us adorn our sanctuary with beautiful flowers this season!

 

 

This Sunday we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent and our text for worship is Isaiah 11:1-10 -- an imaginative description of the change that will occur -- in nature, in society, in human relationships -- when God's anointed One intervenes in human history.  In a sermon entitled "A Vision of Peace," we will consider how and why we would act "unnaturally" -- change our natural instincts and behavior to participate in God's work of a Peaceable Realm.  We normally think of the natural order as sacred -- an indicator of God's presence.  In this scripture the writers turn that idea upside down to suggest that God's work rearranges even nature to accomplish God's justice and peace.  Come and join us for worship in our Sanctuary at 10:00 a.m.!  We will receive the last denominational offering of the year in worship -- the Christmas Fund; your generous support will provide funding for ordained UCC pastors and missionaries who currently receive little or no pension support from their years of service in the church.
 
Ann Appley and her daughter, The Rev. Anne Cohen, will join us in worship this week to light our Advent Wreath.  Directly after worship all are invited to attend the Bakery and Treasure Table in our parlors at 11:00 a.m.  Barbara Klein and Sue Miele have collected wonderful, previously owned items that will make great additions to your own home and holiday shopping -- come and participate in this annual silent auction that raises funds for the work of our church.  Marie Spencer plans to make her plants available again this year for sale. Grace Rinck has carefully coordinated The Bakery in the adjoining parlors, where you can find specialty coffees, cupcakes, fresh chili and bread, cakes and other holiday treats.  Please bring an unwrapped toy valued at $10 for your admission to the festivities and you will receive a free raffle ticket for our prize drawing.  Prizes include original jewelry by Connie Washburn, a handmade wreath by Caroline Andres, homemade cakes by Irene Phillips and piece of art by Judi Tyler.  Our youth will wrap the donated gifts and take them to an organization that serves those in need in Pasadena.
 
Drop off and set up for the Treasure Table and Bakery takes place Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the church library and parlors.  Take care when parking on weekdays and Saturdays to only use our FCC lots adjacent to the church.  Fuller and University Club parking are only available on Sundays, and only when the University Club does not have a scheduled event.  Two church members received tickets this past Saturday!
 
Greeters this Sunday are: Jackie Lonnquist and TBA
Ushers are: Ron White, Kathie Arscott, Suzanne Burger, Jeff Levision, Jim Maddox
Acolyte is: Sandy Grant
Church School Teachers are: Caroline Andres, Krysty Leckrone, Jeff Tyler and  Natalie Maddox
Liturgist is: Barbara May
 
The Rev. John H. Pomeroy