Rev. Tom Sweets

Dear Friends,

As you enter the Season of Lent ( February 22 – April 8 ) it will certainly be a different season for us than its original form in the Church. In the early church lent was a period of fasting for 40 days. During this time meals were only taken in the early evening with meat, fish and eggs strictly forbidden. The point was to weaken the flesh in order to build the spirit.

This week I read a book by the great 4^th century Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, Athanasius. About 350 years after Christ he wrote the life story of a monk named Anthony. This early church monk was raised as a Christian by a well to do family in Egypt. As he grew into his early 20’s he gave up his privileged lifestyle and began to fast and pray. Athanasius wrote, “He endeavored each day to present himself as the sort of person ready to appear before God—that is, pure of heart and prepared to obey his will, and not other.” Anthony sought to weaken the flesh and make his spirit strong. He left the crowds behind and lived the life of a hermit spending his days in prayer and generally eating only bread in the evenings. He lived by Romans 8:18, “…for the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Despite his meager diet and his retreat from society Anthony thrived. Physically he looked good, spiritually he was an inspiration for those who sought his counsel by traveling to his desert outpost, and eventually his life, because of book by Athanasius, inspired Christians for generations. By entering into a period of penitence and restraint in the season of lent we can know something of this type of sacrificial life. We might not be able to retreat to the desert, but we can bring some discipline and restraint into our lives. This is the goal of lent.

From the pulpit I will think I will bring a sermon series entitled “RSVP, Responding to the call of Christ,” I will focus on 7 aspects of the invitation that Christ gives to us:  “Covenant of Faith” (February 26); “A Blessing Differed” (March 4); “True Reformation” (In three Days) (March 11); “Born from Above” (March 18); “A life worth living” (March 25); “A Certain Success” (April 1; “Seeing is Believing” (Easter Sunday April 8). It will be a season in our lives when we will attempt to restrain the flesh so that we may strengthen the spirit.

Stephen will lead us in worship on February 22 for an Ash Wednesday service and on April 5 for a Maundy Thursday service. Stephen and I will host early morning prayer and communion Monday through Friday. Oh, and if you want to join in the spirit of great Christian leaders form the past you too might choose to refrain from some special foods, or enter into other forms of Christian discipline. Take a minute right now and ask God how you might connect in your relationship with Him on a deeper level.

Blessings to you!     Tom

Rev. Tom Sweets

Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem? He was to establish the throne of David, he was the second great king of Israel, the first was David, the second is Jesus. It was fitting that Jesus would be born in this place. Isaiah prophesied saying:  Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) Not only was Jesus born in the birthplace of David, his birth to a virgin who carried the child of God was also foretold over 700 years before his birth.

The first David was a wonderful man and a great leader. David was the great king of Israel and its most effective leader. It is written that he had a heart after God’s own heart. He was deeply spiritual. He was a great theologian for he reveals as much about the true character of God his psalms as any writer of the Bible. He was a poet and a talented musician. He a courageous warrior, he became an astute politician. He was an incomparable king, ruling wisely, establishing Israel as a powerful nation, and leading the whole nation into the faith of his fathers and grandfathers.

David was probably greater than any King of England or France. I imagine that he was a greater leader than any president of the United States, though some would come close to his level of achievement. But, despite all that his kingdom was lost. His grandson Rehoboam split the kingdom. A few generations later Ahab turned them into a pagan cult worshipping Baal. By 723 B.C. less than 250 years after David ruled the nation was carried off into captivity. So God sent someone to rule on the throne of David who would not lead the people astray, it was Jesus.

Jesus became the second David establishing a kingdom that would never be lost. As it says in Isaiah 9,

⁶ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

What we learn of the difference between the two kingdoms points us to the truth of the kingdom we now serve today, it brings sense to our calling, our troubles, and our salvation.

What is amazing is that David for all his heart, for all his artistic talent for all his military wisdom, established a kingdom that only lasted for 40 years at it  heights, 80 by some measure. But the rule of Jesus goes on. It is not political. It is not tied to any denomination. The First David set up a political kingdom which was short lived. The rule of Christ began some 1980 years ago and has continued to grow since that day. Living on this earth today are over 2.2 billion people have confessed faith in Christ. The kingdom of the one placed in the manger almost 2,000 years ago stretches into every nation of the world. His government, the church, rules in the hearts of all who commit their way to him.

The first David was an excellent king and leader and a faithful man of God. The second David, Jesus, was perfect. He set up a different sort of kingdom that would never fail. Jesus’ Kingdom reaches from here to eternity. So, we celebrate his birth and we set aside a whole day to remember. We remember the gift of Christ and exchange gifts with our friends and family. WE remember the peace of Christ and we still ourselves with those we love the most. We remember that the Angels sang for the shepherds and we sing carols which remind us of the truth of his coming. We even go to find him by setting aside time for worship, as the wise men did traveling from Persia to give honor to the one who was born the King of the Jews, and the Lord of the Universe.

Political kingdoms will come and go. Nations will have their golden age and then fade. But, the Kingdom established by true King of Israel, the second David, Jesus the Christ, his kingdom will never end.

In 1865 at the age of thirty and Episcopal rector from Philadelphia visited Bethlehem so that he might experience the land where Christ was born. Phillip Brooks was deeply touched and wrote the Christmas Carol, “O Little town of Bethlehem” He reminds us of that

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

Blessings to you this Christmas.

Rev. Stephen Eyre

As we have moved from a Christian to a Post-Christian society the values by which the world operates are spiritually unhealthy!    We Americans find our value primarily, not in our family or community, but in our careers.  As we become career focused, we are driven to be successful. Most Christians don’t realize it, but this drive to be successful is in contrast to the scriptures which call us not to be successful, but to be faithful.

Let’s be reminded that He (God) created me; He will provide and protect me.  I find, as God continues to reveal and meet His promises to me in my daily life, I have an underlying gratitude welling up from within.   ”Thank you God” is the quiet sub-text of my heart.  More than that, there is a quiet confidence that transcends my circumstances.   In new ways, I can embrace the wonderful prayer of Julian of Norwich; “All shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” 

Rev. Tom Sweets

As we enter into the fall season, let us stop, reflect and be joyful and thankful for God’s love, His mercy and His grace.  We are so blessed.  

Do you have this joy in Christ?  Do you have the confidence in this life that comes from "Rejoicing in all things?  What a wonderful week to take the step of tarring before God and offering Him our Thanks and Praise.   

I encourage you to……Find a private place and talk with God……saying "Praise the Lord" and thanking Jesus for His sacrifice for us.  Make this divine connection as we humble ourselves before Him, Rejoicing in the Lord Always, which is the secret of the victorious Christian life.