A Hinge Point

As we follow the rhythms of the Church season, we look for clues to tell us what is happening. Beginning in Advent, we were paying attention to light. The Gospel told us “The Light shined in the darkness” (John 1:5), and we lit our advent candles each week to remind us that the “darkness has not overcome it.” The Shepherds see the bright light of the star as do the Magi who follow it and the star’s bright light leads us into the Epiphany season.

But beginning this week, the light begins to change. February 2^nd is traditionally celebrated in the Church as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Faithful to the rites of their Jewish faith, Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple to dedicate him (Luke 2: 25-39). Simeon and Anna who had been waiting their whole lives to see the Messiah, recognize Jesus as the One for whom they have been waiting and the light blazes for all the world to see.

Our Epiphany lessons focus on Jesus’ ministry- the healings, feedings, teaching that will lead him to the cross where, on Good Friday, the light will briefly go out to be rekindled in the resurrection fire on Easter Eve. The Feast of the Presentation is the middle point in the Church year between the light of the Advent candles and the re-kindling of the Paschal Candle. It is a hinge point in our journey.

Take moment this week to share the story of the dedication as a family. What are the hopes we share when a new child gifts the world? How do you and your children hope to make the world more like God’s Kingdom? Are there dark places ahead? What light will you take with you? How will you and your child shine as lights in the darkness?

Grace and peace,

Dr. Elizabeth

The Lord's Prayer

As we move through the liturgical calendar into the heart of the Epiphany season, the Church School has been hearing the stories of Jesus calling the disciples and the things he teaches them. In the time we have before music begins each Sunday, I have been sharing and talking through the prayer Jesus' teaches his disciples with our children.

As it is something we grown-ups say in Church every Sunday, it tends to be something we don't think much about - as familiar to us as the Pledge of Allegiance or "The Star-Spangled Banner." It is a prayer almost every Christian knows, absorbed largely through osmosis - and we expect our children to learn it in Church School.

In my first professional position as Children's Chaplain, the only "must" in my job description was teaching 3-7 year-olds the Lord's Prayer. It struck me at the time (and it still does now) as a somewhat odd assignment - how do you ask small children who often can't say their first and last names together to stumble through such words as "hallowed," "trespasses," and "temptation?"

Out of this experience came what I call "the Lord's Prayer in a Bag" - an "audience participation" homily with props to help children think, share and learn together what the Lord's Prayer means line by line, taking our time to really explore the "big" words of the prayer, as well as the imagery of the words "Father," "bread," and "Kingdom."

So here is my question for the adults of the SUMC congregation: When was the last time you really spent some time thinking about what the words of the prayer mean? What does it mean for you to "hallow"God's name? By what name do you refer to God? What constitutes your "daily bread?" How do you deal with your "trespasses" as well as those "who trespass" against you? What "tempts you"? From what do you yearn for "deliverance?" And just what does God's "Kingdom" look like to those of us who live in a democracy? And did you notice that this a prayer to be prayed corporately? We address "Our Father" and "forgive those who trespass against us" What does this mean in a culture that celebrates the individual?

They aren't easy questions, are they? There is an awful lot of meat in this one prayer - and that is why the Church incorporates it into is regular worship and why we are taught it. So I hope that you will spend some time this week thinking about the prayer: how does it speak to your life? Invite your children into your discussion - I've been listening to them for the past several weeks and they have a lot to say and share. And when you are finished talking together, say the prayer together . . .

Grace and peace,
Elizabeth