November 201729

Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy 2017

Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy 1 Advent 3 December 2017 Song:  sing verses 1 and 2 of “Light a Candle in a Darkened Place” by Care Stainsby 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Regardless of the persecution Paul suffered, God is rich in faithfulness and love; which by turn keeps us strengthened as we walk with God and as we follow God’s guidance and leading.  As we meditate on God’s faithfulness this season, let us, like Paul, have hearts full of encouragement towards those we serve, lead and shepherd.  May we humble ourselves before the Lord, put others first and open our eyes to those who need uplifting and encouragement, and may we open our hearts and arms to embrace all with the love of the Lord. The circumstances on the ground continue to be difficult in this part of the world, and around the world, however; we have a great mission to present ourselves blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Since God has called us into fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ, then surely, we are also called to fellowship with one another through Christ. Light the 1st candle. Let us pray, “come Lord Jesus, transform us in God’s image in order that we can faithfully reach out to all in need.  This Advent, prepare our lives for your amazing grace to be realized in us, so that we can stand for justice and love in this world.”  Amen.   Written by Michael Arteen who is serving with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church serving as chaplain at Bethlehem Bible College. Candle lighting liturgy provided by the Methodist Liaison office in Jerusalem, through the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, The Methodist Church of Great Britain, and the World Methodist Council of Churches. www.methodist-laision.org  ************************************************************ Candle Lighting 2 Advent 10 December 2017 Song:  sing verses 1 and 3 of “Light a Candle in a Darkened Place” by Care Stainsby Prophets are needed today in our world, in our churches.  They awaken us to realities that we would rather stay hidden.  They challenge our comfort and complacency and, as Jesus did, turn our worlds upside down.  And because of that, they are…

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  • Rev. Kristen L. Brown
November 201710

“Here in Our Midst… Drops of Water in the Ripple of Life”

All Saints Sunday 5 November 2017 St. Andrew’s Scots Memorial Church in Jerusalem   Rev. 7:9-17 Psalm 34:1-10, 22 1 John 3:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12   “Here in Our Midst… Drops of Water in the Ripple of Life”   Our God is bigger than we can ever imagine. The Matthew text for today is the beginning of perhaps one of the most well known sermons of Jesus, the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. The end of Matthew 4:23-25 shares that Jesus is preaching to great crowds and healing the sick.  People were changed by his actions of compassion and healing.  Jesus not only spoke the words that touched the hearts of people, but he also responded with actions of compassion and healing. Those of you who know me, have heard me talk about one of my mentors, Abuna Elias Chacour, now retired Archbishop of the Malachite or Greek Catholic Church in the Galilee.  He is often referred to as another man from Galilee. I first met Abuna Elias Chacour 21 years ago, on my first visit to Palestine and Israel.  I had joined a Volunteer-in-Mission team from a United Methodist Church in Oklahoma, with a group of people primarily from the congregation where I served as an associate pastor, in my first appointment. We stayed at the Mar Elias School in Ibillin, Israel, not far from Nazareth.  Each morning at the beginning of our work day, Abuna Chacour joined us as we planted trees in a very rocky area, or laid grass at a kindergarten in the town, or what ever the task of the day was, he “got his hands dirty” with us.  He then continued his work at the school, but wanted us to know that we need each other, and that it is important to work together, no matter the task. In the afternoons, we had the opportunity to visit churches and holy sites in the Galilee area.  Then, in the evenings, after dinner, Abuna Chacour joined us during our group reflections.  These evenings were special, and impactful, especially to me, a recent graduate from Duke Divinity School (seminary).  I knew I had a solid education, but being able to sit at the feet of another pastor, who has become a mentor, became invaluable to me over the years.  It is very different to read scripture in our churches in the USA or UK or else where in the world, these very same scriptures sound so much different when you read them in the area of the place where these events happened.  The insight and deeper meaning of the Gospel in the teachings of Jesus have forever changed my understanding and connection. Tour guides will tell their pilgrims that the land is the fifth Gospel.  Seeing the landscape, interacting with local people, experiencing extravagant hospitality, and walking in…

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  • Rev. Kristen L. Brown