Of Christ in Christmas: In the Garden of Eden, God Planted the Seed

'Twas the week before Christmas but nobody knew,

No stockings, no ornaments, no gifts or good news.

All the world had lost hope; all the people felt fear.

Now listen; I'll tell you why Christmas came here.

Has your heart ever had a big secret to share?

A surprise no one knew that you planned with much care?

Did it tickle your tummy? Were you so excited?

God, too, has a mystery; and we're each invited.

From long, long ago our God knew what we'd need;

In the Garden of Eden, He planted the seed.

Like a scavenger hunt, He left hints through the years

How to find His great gift, Who was soon to be here.

(the Narrator in What God Wants For Christmas excerpted from FamilyLife)

 
 

Around Christmastime, one of the rituals in which our family has participated in years past was that of opening up our storage boxes containing Christmas tree ornaments. We would take things out of their containers and then consider out loud together how we might specifically trim the tree for the occasion at hand. We would at times set the scene beforehand and build the experience up as a great and wonderful adventure to unearth things from the past. What wonders we might find in the vast numbers of various possibilities of trimmings awaiting for us to rediscover amidst the sea of boxes large and small all spread out across the living room floor!

 
 

While our practice of this yuletide rite may seem simple and ordinary enough to reenact, there was for us in this blessed event a special aspect that served as an opportunity for us to be drawn closer to one another in Christ at Christmas. In this case, it involved not only the physical task of finding and putting the various ornaments in place upon the tree, but the mental, spiritual and emotional exercise of remembering the significance of each piece and its association with a particular treasured memory in our common journey(s) of faith together.

 
 

One remembrance comes to mind of a Christmas prior to our having children when we as a couple had but only a few ornaments to choose from. Among the precious items laid out on our apartment's beautiful hardwood floor was a Christmas tree ornament from a previous trip to a place out west where we had spent some time by the ocean. Melissa and I loved to walk along various coastlines and visit lighthouses by the sea. It was on one of these our earlier travels when we discovered she was bearing the first seed of our blessed union. Little did we know, that seed would be the first of six blessings for us to bless others with from above.

 
 

I was recently asked why it is that in our annual Christmas Eve Service of Lessons & Carols we first include narrative readings from near the beginning of the Old Testament book of Genesis—the account of Adam and Eve. My initial response was that according to the Holy Scriptures, Jesus Christ is referred to in the New Testament as the second Adam. That is, "Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come," (Romans 5:14) however sinned; whereas Christ, who was, and is, and is yet to come again, instead obeyed. As we may read further in Paul's letter to the saints in Rome:

 
 

"Yes, Adam's one sin brought condemnation upon everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness makes all people right in God's sight and gives them life.

Because one person disobeyed God, many people became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many people will be made right in God's sight."

Romans 5:18-19 (NLT)

 
 

Along with my first responsive inclination, Jesus is also referred to at the beginning of the Bible as the seed of the woman, Eve when God addresses the serpent:

 
 

"And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed ; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel." Genesis 3:15 (NAS)

 
 

Because of both the first and second Adam, and especially God's seed of the woman, Eve in Christ who sets us free from sin and the enemy of our souls, we beloved are delivered to be "children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" from above (John 1:13). Jesus, God's Seed of Christ in Christmas celebrates us as God's own dearly loved ones, even as we celebrate the Christ child at Christmas. May the truth and reality of our spiritual identity be made more so evident for you and yours this Christmas.

 
 

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Rex

New Castle Courier Times | Roland Selke

Sunday, October 21, 2012 Roland Selke Sunday, October 21, 2012 Roland Selke, 98, died peacefully Oct. 20, 2012, leaving deep sadness along with wonderful memories for his beloved wife, devoted children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and so many others whom he loved and mentored. He was born July 4, 1914, in Cincinnati, a son of Chris and Julia Selke. He had two younger sisters and a brother, also deceased. Roland grew up in New Castle during the Great Depression. At a young age he learned the value of hard work, family, helping others and being resourceful and practical as well as appreciating life's simple pleasures. After graduating from high school, Roland received a partial scholarship from his church to attend Hanover College. He studied math and the sciences and played on the college's football team. It was during a weekend home from college - sporting a broken arm from a football injury -- that he and some friends appeared uninvited at a girls' gathering. There he met Waneta La Mar, his life love and partner. From that point on they built a relationship which carried them through the joys and struggles of the Depression, World War II, raising their family and growing old together. They were married in 1937 in the First Presbyterian Church in New Castle where Roland later served as a Deacon and Elder. He and Waneta established an ongoing fund through the church which provides disadvantaged youth the opportunity to participate in extracurricular and enrichment programs. Roland was loyal to the church and devout in his beliefs, which he showed through example in the way he lived his life - always faithful, selfless, kind and forgiving. Roland was employed 37 years at Chrysler Corp. in New Castle as a tool and die designer. He was chairman of the Die Sinker Apprentice program at Chrysler. During World War II, he worked in Los Angeles for ALCOA designing aircraft parts. Roland was a man of many talents. He could build, repair and refurbish most anything. He particularly enjoyed restoring classic cars and collecting and refinishing antique furniture and clocks. He enjoyed sports, music, singing and dancing and once won a Charleston contest at Coney Island in Cincinnati. He and his wife were dance partners well into their 90s. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary just a week ago on Oct. 13. His memberships included the Twenty/Thirty Club in Los Angeles and, in New Castle, the Elks Club, Community Foundation and First Presbyterian Church. Roland believed that his purpose was to provide for others, particularly his family. He designed and with his own hands, built the home in which his family found joy and comfort for 48 years. He was especially proud of the comforts and security he gave his wife and the college educations he made possible for his daughters "without a bank loan." Throughout his long life, Roland demonstrated his compassion, gentleness and strength to everyone he met. No one was a stranger. He greeted those he knew with a hug or handshake and was quick to notice where there was a need. He always was anxious to reach out to help anyone regardless of race, social or economic status or life circumstance by providing encouragement, prayer, a meal, transportation or financial assistance. Roland was the patriarch of the family -- the rock upon which each could rely. The family feels blessed to have had him in their lives. Included are wife Waneta, to whom Roland was completely devoted; his grateful daughters, Diane Robbin of Chapel Hill, N.C. and Susan Nuss of Zionsville; sons-in-law, David Robbin and Bill Nuss; grandchildren (to whom he was "Boompa") Scott Starbuck, Margot Starbuck, Jeff Lantz, Jennifer Moyers and their spouses and great grandchildren, Teague, Ethan, Zoe, Rollie, Abhi, Evan, Mason, Eli, Cash, Eliana and Katriel. He sacrificed to better the lives of his family and was proud of each of them. He will live on in spirit and inspiration through them. Among their favorite memories are summers at Lake Wawasee, sharing popcorn and chocolate sundaes, holiday traditions, family celebrations, singing in church, dancing, his sweet blue eyes and his mischievous smile. He taught many life lessons and what is important in becoming a good person. The family is most appreciative of the personal care, affection, humor and security that their "angel" and Roland's granddaughter, Jennifer Moyers, gave him over his last several years. She lovingly stepped into the role of caregiver allowing Roland and her grandmother Waneta to have the joy and dignity of remaining comfortable and independent. "Fortunate is the man who loves and is loved." Services will be noon Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church, 1202 Church St., New Castle, IN 47362. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service Tuesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the La Mar Fund at the First Presbyterian Church, Big Brothers/Sisters of Greater Indianapolis, and Smile Train with envelopes available at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. A celebration of Roland's life will also be held at Marquette Retirement Living in Indianapolis at a later date. You may express condolences or share a memory at Roland at www.hinsey-brown.com. Oct. 20, 2012 Related Links:

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Fall Into Love With Jesus

Fall Into Love With Jesus

Thursday, October 18, 2012

One of the prevailing habits characteristic of my prayer life is what I sometimes refer to as "drive-by prayers". Having lived in semi-suburban neighborhoods not too far from inner-city urban U.S. metropolitan areas during my childhood, I grew up hearing reports of "drive-by shootings" in places such as greater L.A. and other densely populated sections of our nation. Rather than dwelling on the negative images associated with those incidents of violence, promoting a positive [re]appropriation of the term(s) became for me a way of participating in the spiritual transformation and ministry of reconciliation that I am called to as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Just recently, I again found myself praying (with my eyes wide open, of course) while driving on the highway as I passed by a number of different residences, businesses and churches along the way into town. As I lifted them up to the Lord, asking for God's blessings upon one place of work, home and/or congregation after another, I came across a sign that caught my eye as the Spirit stirred my heart and soul. It read, "Fall into Love with Jesus".

With the leaves on the trees turning in this season of transition toward winter, the lush foliage of autumn colors spreading across the luscious landscape of the midwest is filled with opportunity for experiencing the wonder and awe of God's creation. It is a time in which we can indeed once more for the first time fall into love with Jesus all over and over again and again. Visions of children brushing upon mounds of fallen frond-like laden unfallowed ground come to mind, covering the once greener grass of the past spring into summer last.

We are blessed beloved to be able to behold and appreciate the grandeur of our Lord in the splendor of God's majesty attested to by the entire universe and in nature all around us. The very heavens and earth surrounding us elicit a response of gratitude and praise to Almighty God Who is worthy above all to receive blessing, glory, honor and power. As David proclaimed in the Psalms (19:1a), "The heavens declare the glory of God!"

As we approach the celebration of Thanksgiving dinners and other holiday festivities in this season of harvest time, we remember the blessed inheritance bestowed upon us in Christ through generations of saints before us. Members of the body of believers throughout all time and space remain in our collective memories as we may observe All Hallows' Evening on the eve of All Saints' Day. And we commemorate our continued traditions by re-appropriating them in service and sharing the blessings of our communal bounty in the spirit of God's love for others among us in time of need.

In this regard, we give thanks and praise to God once again for the mission and ministry of members effected through the efforts expended in holding our recent semiannual community rummage sale. Would you join me along with others also called by grace through faith in "shouting out" "drive-by prayers" of blessings of God's love showered upon nearby neighbors for the common good of all in our community? Will you prayerfully consider serving in a soup kitchen or helping stock up a food pantry in the coming weeks? Might each of us greet and pay a friendly visit with our neighbor's household or invite another family into our home for some refreshment and conversation? Could we in the process discover ourselves falling into love with Jesus in one another's lives all over again?

May it be so in this season of faith in Christ's love for the world, without end, Amen.

Pastor Rex

the called, solitary flight.... of the way, the truth, the life

...can perhaps be caught and held in a picture....

like a photograph of a bird in flight... Such is the solitary vocation. For, of all.... the solitary knows least where they are going, and yet more sure, for there is one thing they cannot doubt: they travel where God is leading them. That is precisely why the solitary doesn't know the way. And that too is why, to most others, the way is something of a scandal. (Thomas Merton)

Up in the Air — A Personal Perspective in Mid-Flight Over and Above the 220th General Assembly

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
What a blessing to stand with fellow delegates and colleagues at this year's General Assembly! Like a jumbo jet revving up its engines in preparation for takeoff, gaining momentum upon acceleration down the runway and setting its trajectory upward at the sky, the commissioners who gathered with others on the renewal partners' team this month flew and drove into southwestern Pennsylvania, standing firm together in faithful witness to the Word. With the Spirit's empowerment, we witnessed God's faithfulness prevail amidst the assembly's deliberations through committees and in plenary session.
While I continue in recovery upon reentry from the aftermath of serving as commissioner to GA220, I am at the same time feeling somewhat "up in the air" about all that transpired and am in the process of discerning even more intensively, it seems, following such an exhaustively productive, if enervating experience.
As the pastoral letter from Presbyterians For Renewal (PFR) following the 220^th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Pittsburgh, PA states:

The PC(USA) "train" has left the "station" of orthodoxy and is headed into an undefined future where, seemingly, anything is possible. Individuals and congregations who are skittish about the risks and challenges of transferring their affiliation to a different denomination must understand that continuing on with the PC(USA) is not for the faint of heart
either. In the decision of affiliation there is no status quo—there is no easy path. The only question is where is God calling you to engage in ministry? [Emphases added.]

 
This is not at all what many of us expected where we would be at this point as a denomination. Those among us commissioners who were of a more conservative, evangelical bent were initially anticipating that Christian marriage would be redefined and that divestment from companies engaged in business involving non-peaceful pursuits affecting the Israel/Palestinian conflict in the Middle East would be approved. Instead, these initiatives among others were held at bay.
"If nothing else, [I believe] this Assembly confirmed the [critical] role of The Fellowship of Presbyterians in maintaining the unity and integrity of an evangelical and Reformed witness across denominational lines."
As such, I urge us all to strengthen our resolve in prayer for God's wisdom to preside upon our leadership's deliberations in the process of discerning the Lord's will concerning His church.
May the Lord meet us "up in the air" as we pray for safe landing under God's sovereign grace.
Together in Christ's Service,
Pastor Rex

On "Christian Marriage" at this year's General Assembly

In the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s Book of Confessions, the Westminster Confession of Faith (6.131) states:

 
 

"Christian marriage is an institution ordained of God, blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, established and sanctified for the happiness and welfare of mankind, into which spiritual and physical union one man and one woman enter, cherishing a mutual esteem and love, bearing with each other's infirmities and weaknesses, comforting each other in trouble, providing in honesty and industry for each other and for their household, praying for each other, and living together the length of their days as heirs of the grace of life."

 
 

Next week, into the month of July, the 220^th General Assembly will consider if the definition of marriage defended by Jesus in Matthew 19 and Mark 10, expressed in our Confessions, and stated in the Directory for Worship in the Book of Order, stands in the PC(USA). Four overtures are seeking to change the wording in the Directory for Worship from "man and woman" to "two people." Six overtures are calling for authoritative interpretations that would allow for "same-sex marriages". (An authoritative interpretation can be adopted by a simple majority of one assembly and would not require ratification from/by the presbyteries.) Three overtures have been submitted toward affirming and strengthening the current definition of marriage. ⁽¹⁾

For those among us who may currently express more conservative, evangelical convictions of faith, these are challenging times. In the so-called mainline denominations within the tradition(s) of western Christianity, we are being affected by an increasingly progressive postmodern cultural context that, in our continually unfolding experience, threatens the undoing of the established institutions we have grown up with and have come to appreciatively esteem through generations past. While we continue to espouse the reformation's cry of reformata et semper reformanda—reformed and always reforming—we wonder and ask if the following qualifier "according to the Word of God" continues to be applicable as we are encouraged in our commitment to submit ourselves to always "being reformed".

As you might imagine, in the aftermath of losing my spouse to cancer and now being a single parent of six, the issues concerning the subject of this article bear profound significance for me personally in my family's and my own journey of faith. And as a pastor called to help empower and equip leadership in the church for the shelter, nurture and spiritual fellowship of the children of God, I believe the Holy Spirit is calling us to pray with even greater zeal and fervor in the Lord for the welfare of our community.

In a recent committee meeting of your leaders, we discerned the Lord calling us to gather at the service this Sunday morning together as a congregation for a conversation regarding the current state of our denomination, sharing with one another questions and sentiments surrounding the issues before this year's General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). May the Lord lead us in our continuing conversations and deliberations, for the glory of God in Christ,

Pastor Rex

—

⁽¹⁾
http://www.pres-outlook.com/infocus-features/current-features/16738-outlook-forum-marriage-a-covenant-among-god-a-man-and-a-woman.html

Outlook Forum: Marriage: A covenant among God, a man, and a woman

Written by TRACIE MAYES STEWART, BILL TENG AND LISA COOPER VAN RIPER

TRACIE MAYES STEWART is associate pastor of Lake Murray Presbyterian Church in Chapin, S.C. BILL TENG is pastor of Heritage Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Va. LISA COOPER VAN RIPER is an elder at First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, S.C.

Educational Ministries — Mission and Ministry — GAMC

Creating a vision for educational ministries

An excellent process for evaluating and visioning educational ministry is explored in Embracing the Future: A Guide for Reshaping Your Church's Teaching Ministry, edited by Linda R. Isham through Judson Press. Although printed in 1999, the biblical discernment and reproducible tools in this resource remain relevant. This classic may be available for check-out at your presbytery resource center or in your church library, as well as at online retailers.

Your church may be starting a ministry from scratch and discovering the basics of organization. Thanks to the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, Witherspoon Press and the authors of Help! We Need to Organize the Education Program, chapters of the out-of-print text are available for download.

Download

 
 

Get ideas

Few books are available today that specifically address the organization of Christian education in congregations. The reasons for few books on the subject are complex. Instead of building programs, churches are seeking ways to encounter God across generations in all settings. This makes ongoing evaluation of when and how learning takes place even more important. Get a list of books and tools for evaluating educational ministry.

Download

 
 

The LOGOS Ministry, a holistic, midweek ministry with children, youth and teens for more than 45 years, has an innovative new tool for evaluating children's ministry in congregations, the Children's Ministry Effectiveness Model. Download this free resource. Web training is also available or contact Logos to schedule the "From Urgency to Action" event in your area.

 
 

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