First Wednesday of Advent Daily Devotion

First Wednesday of Advent

Grab Your Bible and Read: Micah 5:1-5a

Reflection:

The words of this passage are often quoted around Christmas time - the picture of Bethlehem, the least of the cities of a small, unimportant tribe, being home to God’s sent leader who will restore God’s people and bring peace.

Itʼs a common theme in Scripture - that God uses the least and most insignificant to accomplish God’s purposes. It’s an important theme to remember, and it flies in the face of our worlds view of importance and success - the meritocracy that applauds only the “best”, the “richest” and the “most powerful”. Once again, God’s reign is revealed as an “upside-down” way of being, and the One who comes in God’s name as a humble, peace-bringing Shepherd, as opposed to a grand, militant conqueror.

This offers us a new possibility for encountering the God who seeks to come to us again in this Advent season: to find God in the small, the least, the unexpected, the peaceful, the caring and nurturing people and places.

What are the unexpected places in your life where you would be surprised to find God? Can you look deeper in those places and see if you can find evidence of God’s presence? In what ways can you embody the gentle, humble, peacemaking character of God’s Sent One?

Prayer:

Humble and Caring God,

Thank you that you choose the weak and small things of the world to accomplish your purposes. Thank you that I can be one of those things, and that in my small daily commitment to follow you, I can contribute to peace and grace in our world. In Jesus’ name we pray. ~Amen.

First Wednesday of Advent Daily Devotion

First Tuesday of Advent Daily Devotion

First Tuesday of Advent

Grab your bible and read: Revelation 18.1-10

Reflection:

Today we are again faced with the metaphorical, symbolic language of prophecy - this time from John, the writer of the Revelation. Here again, we might be tempted to view this only terms of judgement and destruction, but there is a message of grace and justice to be found here as well.

The personification of Babylon is a powerful way to depict the temptation to ignore God's ways of justice and peace, and embrace, rather, the ways of power, accumulation and addiction. The excesses that are represented by this arrogant figure are prevalent in our economic political and entertainment systems today. We have fallen prey to exactly the dangers that this visions warns against - uncontrolled desire for wealth and power, and the constant, instant gratification of every desire - and our world, and its peoples are suffering under the weight of our lack of wisdom and responsibility.

This is why God calls God's people to distance themselves from this way of being. The reign of God calls us to be people of simplicity and generosity, not accumulation. The reign of God calls us to be people of service and humility, not domination and control. The reign of God calls us to be a people of discipline and restraint, not addiction and self-gratification. Ultimately, God's ways are really common sense, and lead to the best, most abundant life. But, if we choose to go our own way, we will, eventually, have to face the consequences - as we are doing in our world now.

So, in what ways have you allowed yourself to become part of the "Babylonian" ways? Are there parts of your life that are still plagued by greed, or the hunger for power or self-gratification -- even in small ways? In what ways can God's coming to you challenge you to release these ways, and embrace the ways of God's reign a little more? Choose one thing to practice in particular today.

Prayer:

God of justice and mercy,

You always call us to life that is vibrant and full and that brings life to others. Teach me your ways of simplicity, humility and restraint. Use me, however you can, to bring more of your grace and wisdom into my world. In the many names of Jesus I pray - Amen.

First Tuesday of Advent Daily Devotion

First Monday of Advent Daily Devoiton

First Monday of Advent

Grab your bible and read: Micah 4:1-5

Reflection:

Micahʼs vision of Godʼs reign is one of peace and prosperity, with worship at its heart. This aligns very closely with the vision that Jesus gives in his teaching and in his actions. It offers an encouraging message for us - when God comes, the motive is not to destroy, judge or conquer like a military dictator. Rather God seeks to restore and to reconcile.

As always, the challenge of these visions is that we can begin to experience and live out the values of Godʼs reign in our own lives right now. So, take a moment to consider Micahʼs vision again, but this time, ask yourself how you can begin to embody this vision for yourself this Advent season.

In what ways can you make your worship - the "mountain of Godʼs temple" - the most important place in your life, and how can it be something that attracts other people to God?

How can your life be used by God to bring mediation between those who are in dispute, or to reconcile those who are in conflict? How can you contribute to peace and prosperity in your community?

These may sound like big expectations that God has for us, but small actions that respond to these promptings can have a significant impact, if we will just commit to living out our faith and hope daily.

Prayer:

God of peace and justice,

May my worship of you give me a clearer vision of your reign. May my love for you be expressed not just in songs and prayers, but in working for peace and reconciliation, and for prosperity and security, for those with whom I live and work and play. In Jesusʼ name. Amen.

First Monday of Advent Daily Devoiton

Advent 1B, Nov 27, 2011 Sermon

Sermon based on the Revised Common Lectionary - Advent 1B - Mark 13.24-37 at Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, Grand Rapids MI ~ Rev. Steph Maxson, Pastor

You may find an i-pad version by clicking here.

Advent 1B, Nov 27, 2011 Sermon

Christmas Eve Love Offering

Following tradition, each year Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church donates the entire offering collected during our Christmas Eve service to an organization or cause whose program or goal would be significantly impacted by this generous gift. This year's offering will be received to support Blue House Effect of Canada.

We can all do something to make our world a better place. The people who join and support Blue House Effect are dedicated to action. They are a grassroots charity that primarily supports an orphanage and school in the village of La Urena, in the Dominican Republic.

Over the last eight years, almost 90 volunteers have paid their own way to experience the "blue house effect" - that's the feeling you get when you help others. Whether it's teaching kids to build a table, make crafts, learn to read, or just knowing that our few dollars buys shelter, food, clothing and education for kids. Blue house supports life.

In the past, some of their projects involved construction, which provided the origin for their name. Nine volunteers, in 2004, constructed a small wooden house, painted blue, as a home for a woman and five children. Three other homes were constructed but their vision was to create living space for abandoned and orphaned children so their greater goal was to build the dormitory, which opened in 2008.

Blue House effect is linked to these children and committed to their future.

Below is a music video of Pastor Steph's first trip to the Dominican Republic with Blue House Effect.

Christmas Eve Love Offering

Nov 20, 2011 Sermon

Sermon based on the Revised Common Lectionary - Reign of Christ Sunday - Matthew 25.31-46 at Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, Grand Rapids MI ~ Rev. Steph Maxson, Pastor

You may find an i-pad version by clicking here.

Nov 20, 2011 Sermon

Nov 13, 2011 Sermon

Sermon based on the Revised Common Lectionary Ordinary 33A -

Matthew 25.14-30 at Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, Grand Rapids MI by Rev. Steph Maxson, Pastor

You may find an i-pad version by clicking here.

Nov 13, 2011 Sermon

Nov 6, 2011Sermon

Sermon based on the Revised Common Lectionary Ordinary 32A -

Matthew 25.1-13 at Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, Grand Rapids MI by Rev. Steph Maxson, Pastor

You may find an i-pad version by clicking here.

Nov 6, 2011Sermon

Oct 30, 2011 Sermon

Sermon based on the Revised Common Lectionary Ordinary 31A -

Matthew 23.1-12 at Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, Grand Rapids MI by Rev. Steph Maxson, Pastor

You may find an i-pad version by clicking here.

Oct 30, 2011 Sermon