Wesley Word – December 14, 2022
To go along with service on: Sunday, December 18, 2022
Experiencing Grace
- Contemporary Song: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Traditional Hymn: #234 O Come, All Ye Faithful
Exploring Truth – It’s Time to Step Up
Romans 1:1-7 & Matthew 1:18-25
This week we turn our attention to Joseph, who usually does not get a lot of attention. Joseph was called upon to do a very difficult task: to be a protector and provider for Mary and the infant Jesus. He was, what we would call today, a stepfather. However, he did not just step in, he stepped up.
God the Father could have sent Jesus to the world in any number of ways. He could have just had him appear on the scene as an adult, but God chose to send Jesus to a family. God did this because he wanted to show us that families are important, in fact essential, to human flourishing.
The Christmas season calls us to focus on families, particularly families in need. Let us be like Joseph, let us step up for the family, for our own families, and for other families that need our help.
New Testament in a Year: https://wesleyonline.org/biblereading/
- December 14 Revelation 5:1-14
- December 15 Revelation 6:1-17
- December 16 Revelation 7:1-17
- December 17 Revelation 8:1-13
- December 18 Revelation 9:1-21
- December 19 Revelation 10:1-11
- December 20 Revelation 11:1-19
- December 21 Revelation 12:1-17
Expressing Love: Family/Mission Activity
We might imagine that after several months of pretending to be interested in china patterns and bridesmaids dresses, Joseph figured out that the role of the husband-to-be is to say, “Yes, dear.” The rabbi and organist are lined up. Things are going according to schedule until Joseph learns the unthinkable. Joseph decides to break off the engagement quietly. And then an angel appears and tells him it will all be okay. Joe is a background figure in the story of the birth of Jesus. How can this be? Joe is the adoptive father of Jesus, God made flesh on Earth! He follows his instructions as given to him in the dream and stays with Mary, quietly working in the background to give her and her Son a good life, including moving them to Egypt when he was told to do so by an angel. By listening to God’s messengers (the angels) and doing as they say, Joe is the ultimate example of stepping in and stepping up.
So, this season, as you look around, think like Joseph and when you think “What do I do now?”, be still and listen.
DO well to always remember: So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Hebrews 1:4
Announcements
- WOW is done until after the first of the year. Please join us on TODAY, December 14th at 6:00 pm for a showing of “The Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis”
- Wesley Kids! Grades 2-6 – Open Gym in the Wesley Family Life Center, Tuesday, December 27 and Friday, December 30 @ 2:00-4:00 pm. Come and bring a friend (or two). Basketball, Soccer, Snacks, Games!
Holiday Worship Schedule
Christmas Eve – Saturday, December 24
6:00 pm Contemporary Candlelight Communion Service
9:30 pm Organ Recital by Sally Potter
10:00 pm Traditional Candlelight Communion Service
Christmas Day -Sunday, December 25
One Service at 10:00 am
New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1, 2023
One Service at 10:00 am
*The church office will be closed December 23, 26, 30 and January 2.