Podcasts about today christ

Today Christ is risen, and we gather together with astonishment and joy. Christ is risen, and we have been set free from the bonds of death. Christ is risen, and we are forgiven. Christ is risen, and with the women at the tomb and Peter, we are amazed. Scripture Reaading:Isaiah 65:17-25; Acts 10:34-43; Luke 24:1-12

You may have noticed that the closer we get to Christ's crucifixion, the more time seems to slow down. This is intentional, as Matthew is highlighting the importance of Christ's time in Jerusalem before he is executed by the Jews. Today Christ tells his disciples about future things, including the destruction of the temple, which happened only 70 years later, for the old covenant is passing away and the gospel of Christ's kingdom has come. Jesus tells his followers to expect persecution, false prophets, false messiahs, an increase of wars and an increase in natural disasters. Even so, the gospel will go forth into all the world. Finally, no one knows the day or hour when Christ will return, but that shouldn't stop us from anticipating that day. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Our annual performance of Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols on the Third Sunday of Advent, 10th December 2022, is given by the upper voices of St Bride's Choir accompanied by harpist Sue Rothstein. It is preceded as usual by a short, candle-lit lower voices Evensong. Download Order of Service → https://bit.ly/47Miafp The work opens and closes with the chant "Hodie Christus natus est" (Today Christ is born)sung in procession. The chant is also the basis of the poignant and dramatic harp Interlude which is both at the centre of the whole work and its longest movement. This service is preceded by a shortened form of Evensong, sung by men's voices which complements the Britten by using two of the same elements - plainsong, which is used for the responses, psalm and canticles, and medievalism, with a piece of seasonal medieval music ending the service just before the Ceremony of Carols begins. ========================= If you enjoy listening, please leave a comment below or subscribe to our channel. It is great to get your feedback. We are hugely grateful for people's generosity which we rely on to continue our work, maintain our wonderful architectural heritage and support world-class music. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so at www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet Alternatively, in the UK, text 5STBRIDES or 10STBRIDES or 20STBRIDES to 70470 to donate £5, £10 or £20. ========================= Ceremony of Carols was premiered by the women's voices of the Fleet Street Choir so it is fitting that it has become such a central part of our Advent here at the Journalists' Church in Fleet Street.

You may have noticed that the closer we get to Christ's crucifixion, the more time seems to slow down. This is intentional, as Matthew is highlighting the importance of Christ's time in Jerusalem before he is executed by the Jews. Today Christ tells his disciples about future things, including the destruction of the temple, which happened only 70 years later, for the old covenant is passing away and the gospel of Christ's kingdom has come. Jesus tells his followers to expect persecution, false prophets, false messiahs, an increase of wars and an increase in natural disasters. Even so, the gospel will go forth into all the world. Finally, no one knows the day or hour when Christ will return, but that shouldn't stop us from anticipating that day.:::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Fr Toby on participating in Christ's priesthood.

A reflection on suffering for the sake of love

Welcome to Eastridge Today. A podcast from Eastridge Church, located in Issaquah, WA. Tune in each week for an inspiring message. To watch or listen to the full service go to: eastridgetoday.com

Welcome to Eastridge Today. A podcast from Eastridge Church, located in Issaquah, WA. Tune in each week for an inspiring message. To watch or listen to the full service go to: eastridgetodayradio.com

Our annual performance of Britten's Ceremony of Carols on the Third Sunday of Advent, 11th December 2022, is given by the upper voices of St Bride's Choir accompanied by harpist Sue Rothstein. It is preceded as usual by a short, candle-lit lower voices Evensong. Download Order of Service → https://bit.ly/3iMxDaI The work opens and closes with the chant "Hodie Christus natus est" (Today Christ is born)sung in procession. The chant is also the basis of the poignant and dramatic harp Interlude which is both at the centre of the whole work and its longest movement. This service is preceded by a shortened form of Evensong, sung by men's voices which complements the Britten by using two of the same elements - plainsong, which is used for the responses, psalm and canticles, and medievalism, with a piece of seasonal medieval music ending the service just before the Ceremony of Carols begins. ========================= If you enjoy listening, please leave a comment below or subscribe to our channel. It is great to get your feedback. We are hugely grateful for people's generosity which we rely on to continue our work, maintain our wonderful architectural heritage and support world-class music. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so at www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet Alternatively, in the UK, text 5STBRIDES or 10STBRIDES or 20STBRIDES to 70470 to donate £5, £10 or £20. ========================= Ceremony of Carols was premiered by the women's voices of the Fleet Street Choir so it is fitting that it has become such a central part of our Advent here at the Journalists' Church in Fleet Street.

You may have noticed that the closer we get to Christ's crucifixion, the more time seems to slow down. This is intentional, as Matthew is highlighting the importance of Christ's time in Jerusalem before he is executed by the Jews. Today Christ tells his disciples about future things, including the destruction of the temple, which happened only 70 years later, for the old covenant is passing away and the gospel of Christ's kingdom has come. Jesus tells his followers to expect persecution, false prophets, false messiahs, an increase of wars and an increase in natural disasters. Even so, the gospel will go forth into all the world. Finally, no one knows the day or hour when Christ will return, but that shouldn't stop us from anticipating that day.:::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching “The last enemy to be destroyed is death,” Paul writes. Today Christ is risen, and we gather together with astonishment and joy. Christ is risen, and we have been set free from the bonds of death. Christ is risen, and we are forgiven. Christ is risen, and with the women at the tomb and Peter, we are amazed. Let us rejoice: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! Isaiah 65:17-25 New heavens and a new earth Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Ps. 118:24) Acts 10:34-43 God raised Jesus on the third day Luke 24:1-12 The women proclaim the resurrection

Our annual performance of Britten's Ceremony of Carols on the Third Sunday of Advent, 12th December 2021, is given by the upper voices of St Bride's Choir accompanied by harpist Sue Rothstein. It is preceded as usual by a short, candle-lit lower voices Evensong. Order of Service (pdf) → https://bit.ly/33fdhPE The work opens and closes with the chant "Hodie Christus natus est" (Today Christ is born)sung in procession. The chant is also the basis of the poignant and dramatic harp Interlude which is both at the centre of the whole work and its longest movement. This service is preceded by a shortened form of Evensong, sung by men's voices which complements the Britten by using two of the same elements - plainsong, which is used for the responses, psalm and canticles, and medievalism, with a piece of seasonal medieval music ending the service just before the Ceremony of Carols begins. ========================= If you enjoy listening, please leave a comment below or subscribe to our channel. It is great to get your feedback. We are hugely grateful for people's generosity which we rely on to continue our work, maintain our wonderful architectural heritage and support world-class music. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet Alternatively, in the UK, text 5STBRIDES or 10STBRIDES or 20STBRIDES to 70470 to donate £5, £10 or £20. ========================= Ceremony of Carols was premiered by the women's voices of the Fleet Street Choir so it is fitting that it has become such a central part of our Advent here at the Journalists' Church in Fleet Street.

You may have noticed that the closer we get to Christ's crucifixion, the more time seems to slow down. This is intentional, as Matthew is highlighting the importance of Christ's time in Jerusalem before he is executed by the Jews. Today Christ tells his disciples about future things, including the destruction of the temple, which happened only 70 years later, for the old covenant is passing away and the gospel of Christ's kingdom has come. Jesus tells his followers to expect persecution, false prophets, false messiahs, an increase of wars and an increase in natural disasters. Even so, the gospel will go forth into all the world. Finally, no one knows the day or hour when Christ will return, but that shouldn't stop us from anticipating that day.:::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Aaron Colyer and the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Series to help preachers teach the basics truths of the Christian faith. Dr John Hall begins an examination of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. #Pastors #Churchleaders #preach #Bible #Christianity #basics #deathandresurrection #LordJesusChrist #historical #1Corinthians15v1v8 #predicted #preplanned #Isaiah53 #sufferingservant #cross #peace #Ethiopianeunuch #Philip #Acts8v32 #humiliation #1Peter2v21-25 #sinbearing #guiltoffering #notguilty #victorious #thieves #Luke22v37 #secure

Our annual performance of Britten's Ceremony of Carols on the Third Sunday of Advent, 13th December, is given by the upper voices of St Bride's Choir accompanied by harpist Sue Rothstein. It is preceded as usual by a short, candle-lit men's voices Evensong. Order of Service (pdf) → https://bit.ly/2Kf3pM0 The work opens and closes with the chant "Hodie Christus natus est" (Today Christ is born)sung in procession. The chant is also the basis of the poignant and dramatic harp Interlude which is both at the centre of the whole work and its longest movement. This service is preceded by a shortened form of Evensong, sung by men's voices which complements the Britten by using two of the same elements - plainsong, which is used for the responses, psalm and canticles, and medievalism, with a piece of seasonal medieval music ending the service just before the Ceremony of Carols begins. ========================= This event is free, but we hope you might consider making a donation towards the upkeep of our historic Wren church and to support our work and ministry. You can do so at JustGiving . Alternatively, in the UK, text 5STBRIDES or 10STBRIDES or 20STBRIDES to 70470 to donate £5, £10 or £20. ========================= Ceremony of Carols was premiered by the women's voices of the Fleet Street Choir so it is fitting that it has become such a central part of our Advent here at the Journalists' Church in Fleet Street.

St. Matthew 22:1-14 (The Wedding Feast) Today is the threshold of the new liturgical year, a time when we take stock of ourselves and the great story we are a part of.  Today I want to retell this story.  You are familiar with the events, but perhaps not with how they fit together or how they culminate with the revelation offered in today’s Gospel.  It is a huge story, running from the very beginning until now – and just a bit into the future.  Obviously there isn’t time to go over all the nuances of this story – that would literally take forever; but there is time to speak of the general contours.  Mel Brooks did it in two hours – I propose to do it in much less.  And while the story I tell will not be funny like his (nor will it allow our subdeacon to test out of this semester’s class on the Old Testament), understanding it can be a passage through which we can understand and rejoice in this world and our place in it. Act I: In the Beginning God brought order to things.  Even the waters – the ancient sign of chaos – were divided and contained.  Creation was established as a very special sort of place.  A place of wonder and the deepest magic.  And the greatest wonder was that he made a creature from the dust of that place and enlivened it with his own breath.  He gave that creature special power, endowed Him with His own image and likeness, then commissioned that creature to use its powers for the benefit of others.  It was the steward of creation.  Its power was such that everything in creation responded to its intentions.  The was the design of the God, that everything be interconnected so that every thought and action of His steward would be a blessing.  That everything would grow in perfection, unity, and love as His steward grew in perfection, unity, and love under God’s own example and instruction. But this new creature, this steward with the power to affect everything in the world around it, ignored its calling and used its power for something else.  It still had this power, the world still responded to its thoughts and actions, but instead of bringing blessings, it brought curses.  Instead of fruits, the world offered up thorns and thistles.  Instead of a joyful abundance of life, it brought pain and death.  The steward became perverted and warped, and it warped and perverted the world.  It groaned in sin. Act II: The Flood This steward was mankind.  One might expect that mankind would learn its lesson.  That it would grow tired of thistles and pain and death and disorder and separation, that it would return to its original commission and the world to its original purpose, but it did not.  It continued to use its powers to curse creation; it even turned its magic against itself.  Mankind became a living blight on the world.  When it seemed that all was lost, when perversion had twisted almost everything and everyone, God could allow it no more.  He withdrew His powerful protection that separated the waters and kept the destructive might of chaos at bay.  The world was flooded.  The last remnant of good was saved – life was given a new chance.  Mankind rejoiced at this and offered up its thanks to the Lord.  God commissioned mankind once again to tend to creation and promised never again to allow the waters of chaos in.  The world once again felt the blessings of love and unity. Act III:  The Tower of Babel and the Instruction of lsrael But this state did not last.  Mankind soon drifted away from its purpose once again.  It joined together, uniting its great power to work against the order and love that created and sustains the world.  God saw that if this continued, there would be no end to the evil mankind would do.  He divided them into nations, assigning divine guardians to watch over and instruct each of them and He Himself took up the instruction of one of them, the sons of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  He established a new covenant with them through Moses, and gave them the Law.  He used the Law to teach them how to use their powers for good, to teach them the proper order of things and how they can be maintained, and to forbid those things that would sow discord and chaos.  He demanded that they keep themselves pure and holy as He is holy so that mankind would become the blessing to creation that it was created to be.  When they went astray, he sent prophets to guide them back. Act IV:  The New Adam But even with the Law and the Prophets, this nation – the Israelites – could not stay true.  The nations around them had given themselves over to demons and many of the Jews had joined them.  As in the days of before the flood, it seemed as though all creation would be destroyed by the wickedness of mankind.  But among them there were some that still stayed true, most notably the Virgin Mary.  And through her, the most amazing thing happened: God’s commission to mankind was finally realized in full.  Adam’s power was perfected and completely turned to its proper purpose.  How was this done?  Through the Incarnation of the God-man Jesus Christ.  He is called the “New Mankind”, the “New Adam”, because all the things mankind was called to be and become were brought about in His person.  Creation responded to Him and it was a blessing.  Remember how, when He went into the river Jordan at His baptism, all the filth and evil that had accumulated in its waters from generation after generation of curses was turned back by his presence – the Jordan turned back!  Sickness fled at His touch.  Leprosy was healed.  The blind could see.  The lame could walk.  Creation finally had the steward she was made for, and it responded in joy!  But evil did not rejoice – it retaliated.  It could not tempt The New Adam from His purpose, so it conspired against Him.  The fallen powers of the world hated Him for His goodness.  They condemned Him to death and crucified Him on the Cross.  But they underestimated His power – death itself fled from His power and from His love.  No curse, no disease, not even death itself, can abide to be in the same place as the New Adam. Act V:  Unity in Christ But the story does not end there.  There is a New Covenant and there is a new power.  Jesus Christ is the New Adam, the new mankind, the One who can live up to the high calling of steward to creation.  His presence, His thoughts, intentions, and actions, bless the world and transform it.  They bring about its healing, unity, love, and perfection.  But the most amazing thing about this act of  history is that we are called to join Him!  Through Him, we, as created beings, can be purged of all filth.  Through Him, we can become true stewards.  We can become the New Adam.  We can become a blessing to the world.  The Church is the Body of Christ.  Those who are baptized (in the water He transformed) have “put on Christ”.  Those who believe in Him have Him in them and they in Him.  Through Him the unity of mankind is restored and it is finally ready and able to go about the work of its original calling.  Matter is transformed by the intentions and actions of the Church: water is sanctified, oil heals, a prayerful touch brings the remission of sins, another brings the charisma of ordination, another unites man and woman into one flesh, through the actions and intentions of the Church even bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ!  The world is transformed around the New Adam, and all of us are part of that.  This is the most heroic epic ever written – and we are offered the part of heroes!  Today Christ refers to this calling as a wedding feast.  He desires that His people join Him in His joy.  But do you remember how they responded?  They had other things to do!  They mocked and turned down His offer.  They even killed His messengers.  But others did come in.  We have joined them.  We have put on our wedding garments and bask in the glory of Our Lord. But the story does not end there.  We, here at Holy Resurrection in the heart of Appalachia, have the fullness of the Church.  We are the New Adam.  The world is groaning in sin – the people suffer.  We must go out and be the source of healing, joy, and unity that we are meant to be.  It is time for us to live up to our commission.  Through Christ, this is possible.  

A woman shares how she found her voice and she will not be silent. She suffered 15 years of physical abuse taking beatings and emotional abuse in a Christian marriage. Her life with her family looked good from the outside but she was suffering in silence. She over came fear and stepped into what the Lord spoke to her. In her culture talking to a pastor or friends about marriage issues was not safe or proper. Pastors tell women to pray more, fast more and don't talk back to your husband. She describes the abuse from church on women. She will not be silent. Many women right now are suffering in silence and dying inside. Her marriage was her everthing including her identity. Today Christ is her identity. She will not allow culture or religion to define her worth. She see's herself through the eye's of God and understands her value. Many women will never be able to share their story. Survivors need to make their voices known and keep sharing their stories. You are valuable, trust God and walk by faith because it works. Please share this story with every woman. Let us help give a voice to women. Email voiceforthewomen@gmail.com go to website https://voiceforthewomen.wixsite.com/website

TODAY CHRIST'S WORDS ARE BLACK & WHITE! HOWEVER, FR LOUIS SCURTI FOCUSES ON THE BOOK OF KINGS AND ELIJAH IN THE CAVE OF MT CARMEL, (AKA HOREB). _______________________________________________________Check out our website: https://www.friendsoftheword.orgJoin our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.FriendsoftheWord.orgDonate and support FRIENDS OF THE WORD, INC.: PayPal.Me/FriendsoftheWord_______________________________________________________Check out our website: https://www.friendsoftheword.orgJoin our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.FriendsoftheWord.orgDonate and support FRIENDS OF THE WORD, INC.: http://bit.ly/2qGY8Tl

TODAY CHRIST'S WORDS ARE BLACK & WHITE! HOWEVER, FR LOUIS SCURTI FOCUSES ON THE BOOK OF KINGS AND ELIJAH IN THE CAVE OF MT CARMEL, (AKA HOREB). _______________________________________________________Check out our website: https://www.friendsoftheword.orgJoin our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.FriendsoftheWord.orgDonate and support FRIENDS OF THE WORD, INC.: PayPal.Me/FriendsoftheWord_______________________________________________________Check out our website: https://www.friendsoftheword.orgJoin our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.FriendsoftheWord.orgDonate and support FRIENDS OF THE WORD, INC.: http://bit.ly/2qGY8Tl

In my philosophy degree, the first caution given to us was that of "double-ignorance." Its a type of ignorance that we remain unaware of. Today Christ reveals to us that He cannot cure this type of ignorance, when it results from our owns sin. We must come to a place where we allow him to teach us, even through people we never thought could.

A Homily for Epiphany 3 January 26, 2019 All Saints Anglican Church, Prescott, AZ   Text: John 4:1-14   Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be always acceptable in thy sight, O Lord our strength and our redeemer. Amen.               I remember when I first moved to Arizona, how my skin and my eyes felt incredibly dry, all the time, it felt as though I could feel every single cell in my skin drying out. I remember needing to adjust and be more diligent about drinking water. We probably all still need to be more diligent about this, but coming from the humidity of North Carolina, it was a sudden change for my body to adjust to, and now when I’m in a humid place I always feel damp.             Living in an arid climate we quickly learn the importance of water to our daily lives, our city council regularly discusses water availability and the effects various policies have on how much water is available to us at citizens. One of the most striking things I noticed when I first moved here is how quickly showers warm up compared to every other place I’ve ever lived, this of course is a wise water saving measure.             It was striking traveling around Israel how similar the climate is to Arizona. I remember one day driving in on the bus through the area where Jesus undoubtedly traveled, and thinking how I might as well be at home, I’d have the same views driving through the desert. Keeping in mind how dry our land is, we can start to have sympathy to the story we read today. We can understand what it would be like having walked all day and being wearied from our journey. How hot the sun is and how dry the air is. Water, for the weary traveler is therefore a necessity.             Water plays and interesting role in scripture. As I was reading about it one source noted at least three different ways it is viewed in scripture – first water is the source of chaos, second it is a source of cleansing, and finally, there is of course living water, that is water that brings life.             I have found this idea that water is the source of chaos as the most interesting. The Israelite have never been known as seafaring people, and so it is not at all surprising that as a culture they came to the conclusion that water, in particularly the sea is a chaotic force, but this was a general view of the ancient near east as well. The gods of water were often viewed as chaotic and even evil.             We see this portrayed most vividly in the book of Daniel when the evil nations rise out of water. Daniel is saying – these that will come serve not the living God, serve not the God of order, not the God that we gather together this morning to worship, but they serve chaos, they serve evil gods, they will serve themselves, these nations that rise out of water will serve chaos.             But likewise, this is why it is significant in the creation narrative when God separates the water from the land – separates the chaotic from the tamable. The seas have often captured the heart of man because out of that chaos comes a great sense of adventure, a great promise of riches, a great hope of something new – but also of great danger.             Where I grew up, many went to sea to make their riches, but not everyone came back, more than one childhood acquaintance went to sea, and never returned. We live in hubris to think that we can tame the sea, but we can just as easily be swept away by it. The sea still conjures for us an idea of chaos – and as such – we are reminded how in scripture the sea of represents that which is untamable. Just as water can give life, so it can rob men of their lives. For these reasons, when we see Christ walk on water and calm the storms – it is significant – for we are seeing that Christ has the same authority as the father – the authority to tame chaos, to tame power, Christ is more powerful than the forces of chaos.             But water also plays a cleansing role in scripture. Last week we talked about St. John the Baptist’s roll as a baptizer, he lead people to water to cleanse them. He baptized people to turn people away from sin. In Jewish villages throughout Galilee you can find baptismal fonts called Mikvas.              Don’t think baptismal fonts like what we have in the back of the church – don’t think of the little bowl in which we pour water over the head of a child or a new convert as an outward sign of the cleansing Christ does in the faithful – no, these were large enough for a grown man to walk through, to fully submerge himself in, to become totally washed clean. And not only that but the water was always moving through it, it was not a stagnant pool of water – but running water to wash away the symbolic dirtiness of the man’s sin.             Ritual cleansing was a big deal. Though it does seem that for John the Baptist, his baptism was more than just a ritual cleansing but a marking of a new life – a marking of a turning away from one’s sin in repentance, where the mikva’s ritual cleaning had more to do with simply washing away of sins before gathering for worship.             But this morning, we see the third type water – the most important type of water for the life of the Christian. We learn of living water.             It is no mistake that Jesus withdraws from Judea and makes his way back to Galilee when rumors that his ministry is mimicking that of John’s. For baptism, and repentance are important for the Christian life, but St. John the Evangelist wants to show something different – he wants the reader to see that in Christ is the light and life of humanity, that all that believe in Him should not parish, but have eternal life. St. John the Evangelist wants us to know that unless we have living water springing up in us, then we are spiritually dried up, we are spiritually dead for a human being cannot live without water, nor can we be made alive without the living water of Christ.             And so it is no mistake that Jesus meets this woman at the well. Think for a moment if we lived here 2000 years ago – if you have a hard time imagining it, take a day trip to Montezuma’s Well, this is a literal well that has an ancient small town built around it. The water here springs up from the ground and so the native Americans built their village around it, in order that they could easily have water year round.             Having a source for water would become a primary necessity for existence. Without electricity to pump water the well became a community gathering place of sorts and in the ancient near east – it became a place for women to gather, to catch up, and sometimes even for women to meet a husband.             But Jesus meets this woman who is a thorough outcast – in a culture where ritual purity was important, the intermingling of men and women was deeply frowned upon, furthermore, she was a Samaritan, and deep seated distrust between Jews and Samaritans existed. It seems that the prejudice existed on both sides, though the Jews seemed to hold more open distain for the Samaritans while the Samaritans were more vicious in their expression of their hatred towards the Jews. Finally, if we read on it would seem that the woman was not a woman of virtue and principles, but had known many men, and that she was now cohabiting with a man who wasn’t even her husband, and she had been married to several men before him.             And so we see a Jewish man approaches her and asks for a drink of water. She knows not who this man is, and it would seem that she is deeply confused by her initial interaction with hm at the well.             Some commentators hypothesize that the woman sees this interaction as flirtatious – as another opportunity to meet a new man, maybe a better man than the one she is with now. Others are appalled by even this suggestion. Surely, they say Jesus wouldn’t be flirted with, surely she would have viewed this interaction as innocent.             I think the second suggestion is naive, for we have an internal craving to be known, to be love, and to find security. We live in a time when the act of truly loving is dying rapidly. We find to stand up for the other, to care about those who are outcasts, to invest in people may cause an incredible amount of confusion. We see marriages breaking down because we are too afraid to love well. We see friendships as disposable. We have culturally lost the art of loving well, we have lost the art of loving people, of being communities that truly care for the souls of others.             Certainly, compassion can become a rallying cry for liberals and conservatives alike – but when it comes to caring for those who are on the outside – those who are not like us, we find it much easier paint caricatures. When it comes to sitting with those who are hurting, and lonely, to caring for those who have created for themselves a pit of misery – we are not very good.             We have become Job’s friends, we are happy to sit for a little bit – to say “yes, yes, I get it you’re hurting.” But when it comes to long journeys of healing, to long roads of learning to love others well we find ourselves stumbling into legalism, we would prefer to cut ourselves off, we want to have little communities of perfection where we aren’t reminded of the frailty of humanity, but Christ models for us a radical love for others. We realize that in order to love – requires a certain amount of vulnerability – and we have trained ourselves never to be vulnerable for vulnerability is a scary act, it requires being known and knowing other’s imperfections. It requires seeing ugliness, and not pretending it isn’t ugly, but loving the other despite their brokenness.             C.S. Lewis penned the following in his book The Four Loves: “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” To love is to be vulnerable and here Christ opens himself up to criticism, later in chapter four his disciples are scandalized by how he has interacted with a Samaritan woman, and if we were to read on we would see that even at first the woman doesn’t understand what is going on.             So, it seems possible that the woman may be flirting with him. For she does not understand love, if we were to read on, we would see how baffled she is – she only sees men as a place of security, a place of assurance that the world will not crush her any more than it already has – but Christ has something better for her, Christ has something more fulfill, Christ offers her love – but not only love – love and life.             When Christ offers her living water she is excited – for she thinks – ah-ha! If I have this water I won’t have to make this journey to well over and over again and even here we get a hint that perhaps she’d rather cut herself off from the natural place of community, would rather isolate herself and hide from the world around her. She imagines how much easier will my life be without thirst. How much easier it would be to not have to go to the place where she must be vulnerable, must be ridiculed by others. Not to mention that but the pure practicality of the time saving benefits of never thirsting again. But – this is not the living water that she is offered by Christ and that we are offered.             No, the water of life that Christ offers her is the source and sustenance of the Christian walk. The water that he offers her is eternal security, it is security in ever moment, in everything, it is life.             Think for a moment about all that is troubling you: (Pause) Are you worried about paying your bills? (Pause) Are you worried about your friends? (Pause) Are you worried about your spouse and their health? (Pause) Are you worried about the state of the world? (Pause) And then ask yourself: where are you finding your security in these worries? (Pause) Are you looking for them in others or are you bringing these troubles to Christ? (Pause)             My confession is this – too often, I find it easy to let the winds of the world push me around, to let fear grip my heart – but God calls me, God calls us to lean on Him in times of trouble and in good times. And here is the promise that Christ is offering the woman, and is offering us – If we drink of Christ, if we trust in His promise, if we pursue Him and Him alone, we will have security in the here and now, and in eternity.             If we take time to trust completely in Christ, if we take time to trust that His words for us are good and true, if we take time to believe that Christ is our source of life, the water that keeps us alive and will cleanse and deliver us into an eternity in the heavenly kingdom – what can we possibly fear, what can we possibly be concerned about? What can possibly shake us?             Can news of war separate us from the love of God? Can medical concerns separate us from the love of God? Can financial concerns? Can anger of the other possibly separate us from the love of God?             Nothing can dry up the well spring of God’s love for his people! SO why do we fear?             This is not a promise of ease, this is not a promise of getting every earthly thing we want – but this is a promise that God will be with us no matter what comes our way, a promise that God is sanctifying us, a promise that God is working all things for our good and His glory.             Today – Christ offers a sinful woman a wellspring of life – Christ offers an outcast, a woman who has made some unfortunate choices the water of life – and likewise he does the same for us. No matter where you came from, no matter your brokenness, no matter the pain that wells in side your heart – Christ has offered you living water that you may thirst no more.             We come to Christ broken, lost, hurting, we come to Christ with pains and sorrows, with troubles and concerns, and Christ gives us life – life in the here and now and in eternity. Christ offers to us security – Christ offers to us the peace which we so long for.             So, my friends let us drink richly of the promises of Christ – for it is there that we find the love that we so long for, it is there that we are given the strength to love our spouse, our friends, our children, it is there that we are given the strength to love those who are like us, and those who are different from us. It is in Christ that we are given security in the face of chaos, it is there, that we find calm amidst the storm, it is there that we find the assurance, that even if we can’t see the end, that God will work out even the most messy and wildest of situations to His glory. It is there, in Christ, in His living water, that we find life, and the peace that passes all understanding.             So let us drink deeply in the well of living water that we may have life eternal and the joy of the security that Christ alone can give us.             IN the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost.  Amen.

Today Christ the Rock had it's first sermon for 2020. This year is the year that CRCC will focus on our youth. We must keep them and instruct them in the ways of God. We also learned not give excuses to God but rather give ourselves to Him because we are His

Today Christ descends into the waters of the Jordan, a body of water symbolizing the great divide between the wilderness of this present evil age and the age to come, the Kingdom of God. __________ "The one who was born of an unwedded virgin is revealed to be the Son of God, with the Spirit of God resting upon him and the Father himself proclaiming his sonship to all. The one who was concealed in the depth of the earth in a cave begins his public ministry, openly proclaiming the gospel to all. And the one who appeared as a weak infant is revealed to be the Lord of creation. By descending into the Jordan, Christ has made known the true knowledge of God as Father, revealed by his Son an known in the Spirit, the Trinity whom we worship. By descending into the Jordan, Christ brought illumination to the world, so that we may all live in the light of the gospel. By descending into the Jordan, Christ has transfigured the waters and all creation, so that we also may be transformed, reborn in the same waters to live in his Kingdom" (from Fr. John Behr, homily on the Theophany. These three themes—Epiphany, illumination and transformation (New Creation)—are at the heart of this feast of Epiphany or, in the Eastern Church, Theophany. For at the baptism of Christ, the Holy Trinity is revealed … the true knowledge of God as One God in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

This week's Announcements:Our Christmas Concert - "Today Christ is Born!" is Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 4:00PM and 7:00PM.We will celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in a beautiful concert featuring the Chancel Choir, Children and Youth Choirs, Handbell Choir, La Jolla Brass and The King's Brass.As always, free admission. (A free will offering will be received.) Free parking in underground garage accessed from Kline Street. Free reception with the musicians will follow the 7:00PM concert.The Blood Bank is coming December 18th. The need for blood often goes up during the Holidays, but the supply often goes down. If you are able, please give blood and help save a life. The blood drive will be in a new location, room LC-3, upstairs from Fellowship Hall.Thank you to everyone who donated cookies and decorating supplies, for last week's post-parade outreach. It was a HUGE success, and a great time.Also thank you to everyone who purchased quilts and other items from the Circle 8 sewing sale. Because of your generosity, the Circle 8 ladies can donate $2,500 to missions. God bless you!