Rob found a most interesting church one minute away from our hotel. St. Andrews Presbyterian Church is in the heart of all the hotels so the church ministers to the transient crowd. We sit around round tables and share breakfast. They call it Manna Cafe. The sermon is given with breaks in the presentation to have discussion. It was a lot of fun, and we learned a lot.
Devotion
An introductory devotional was given about Candlemas. Only one person knew what it was and that person admitted that they were brought up in the Catholic Church.
The celebration of Candlemas started in the 4th century to celebrate bringing Baby Jesus to the Temple as described only in Luke 2:22-40, and it happens 40 days after Christmas which is Feb 2. The church’s custom of blessing candles by the clergy found its way to Germany. The German conclusion that if the sun appeared on Candlemas, a hedgehog would cast a shadow, making a “second winter”, was the origin of the modern American festival of Groundhog Day, as many of Pennsylvania’s early settlers were German. And now you know!!
When Mary and Joseph presented baby Jesus at the Temple, two elderly people recognized Him immediately.
Simeon was wise and was promised that he would see the Messiah before he died. He was moved to go to the temple THAT DAY. And there he met Jesus.
Anna was the daughter of Penuel of the tribe of Asher and was 84 years old. She lived in the temple and also knew that He was the world’s salvation.
May we all recognize Him for who He is!
The congregation was asked if anyone had some good news to share. One young adult that was there with his Grandpa told us that he was baptized last week in the ocean at Christchurch. How cool is that?
The church all gathered around a woman who is being treated for cancer and prayed for her healing.
Ancient Words
Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the Ancient words impart.
Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.
Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.
Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age.
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.
Sermon
Most of us were afraid of the dark when we were younger. We are ready for the light.
In Genesis God said, “Let there be light. And it was good.” Light is a common theme throughout the Bible.
Astronomers using telescopes can see stars that we cannot see but we know are there. New age religions don’t know that He is there nor do they have a name. They don’t know God. He looks like Jesus. He is the visible of the invisible.
God wants to be with His people as illustrated throughout the Bible. God: If you can’t be with Me, I will be with you and get as close as I can be.
- Ark of the Covenant was transported with the people in a treasure box.
- Tent of meeting was used when his people wandered the desert.
- Temple in Jerusalem.
- Jesus is God in the flesh to walk among us.
- Holy Spirit lives within us.
- Heaven means together forever.
God gets closer and closer. We don’t meet him just in church but He is the light in us.
I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
Jesus wants to pull us into the light not expose our shame. The Pharisees wanted to expose the woman!! Jesus flipped the narrative by exposing the Pharisees and drew the woman into the light.
Jesus deals with us gently…
SIDENOTE: The Lantern Festival on February 24 is the highlight of the Spring Festival which began on February 10, Chinese New Year. The Lantern Festival celebrates the first full moon of the year – the departure of winter and the beginning of the spring season.
On this day, people light lanterns to symbolize driving out darkness and bringing hope to the coming year.
The Chinese are celebrating the Light of the World aka Jesus and aren’t even aware. He drives out darkness and brings hope.
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