Rev. Paul Wrightman, Pastor

Independent and United Church of Christ

December 27, 2020

Dear Friends,

Here is our worship service for December 27th.

As I’m sure you’ve noticed already, the “Dear Friends” part of the service is how we make announcements during the time while we’re apart due to Covid-19. ​​ If you have anything that you would like me to announce, or something that you would like to share with the entire congregation, please let me know by email: ​​ paulccmp@yahoo.com.

Stay Safe, Take Good Care,

And Always Remember that Jesus IS Emmanuel – God-WITH-Us!

Pastor Paul

WORSHIP SERVICE FOR DECEMBER 27, 2020

INTRODUCTORY READING  ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Ray McGinnis, Contemporary

AN ADVENT PSALM

Blessed is the God of Heaven and Earth

who gives us the bread of hope

when we are discouraged, or even in despair.

For too long we have been lulled to sleep,

our senses numb from fears of war,

terrorism, pestilence, scarcity,

global warming, danger lurking everywhere,

on every newscast, on every TV screen

and radio call-in show.

Sleepers awake. ​​ Look around and see. ​​ God

is doing a new thing like a spider’s web woven in the dark,

coaxing out the best in us, calling forth people in our midst to manifest

the courage to lead, being the change we seek, showing us

through small victory after small victory

the wisdom of compassion

the strength of listening

the joy of practicing respect

the​​ courage of nonviolence

the blessing of mercy.

The day is coming

as a child being born in Bethlehem,

bringing to birth a new era, a new dawn.

All you who walk in the land, have faith and live in hope.

Taste and see that our God is good. ​​ Give thanks and praise

to God who leads us with stars and angels and carol song.

Blessed is the God of Heaven and Earth. ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Amen.

SUGGESTED MUSIC  ​​ ​​ ​​​​ In the Bleak Midwinter – Susan Boyle –

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Lyrics – (HD SCENIC)  ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ You Tube

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​           ​​ ​​ ​​​​ 

OPENING PRAYER  ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ UCC Book of Worship

Loving God,

we thank you

that you have come into our lives​​ 

and that you act with redemptive power

to make all things new.

We thank you for pouring out your life

into the person of Jesus

and for the continual rebirth of the Christ

in the human heart.

Touched by your Word made flesh,

we would embody, incarnate, and signify your love

on this earth.

May the joy of Christmas never end,

but continue through the ages

until at last your reign of justice and peace

is fully established on this earth.

We pray in the name of Jesus, the Word made Flesh. ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father,

who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING: ​​ Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. ​​ When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ​​ Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and​​ unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. ​​ But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife,​​ for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ​​ She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. ​​ All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

  “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

  and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God with us.” ​​ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Sermon: ​​ JOSEPH THE FORGOTTEN ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Rev. Paul Wrightman

(The underlining indicates what I would emphasize if delivered orally.)

Those of you who have been here at Community Church during Advent and Christmas for the past few years know that it is my custom to devote a full sermon on the significance of​​ Mary.​​ 

Realizing, however, that Mary’s husband, Joseph, is the person​​ least​​ celebrated in the drama of Christmas, this year I have decided to dedicate an entire sermon to​​ him. ​​ Mary will have to wait until next Sunday! ​​ 

Just to underscore the point about Joseph being under-represented in our Christmas ​​ festivities, in choosing the music for this Sunday, I searched all the major Christmas carols to find references to him. ​​ There were none, except for an added third verse to “Angels We Have Heard on High.” ​​ Even here, I was not able to find a version on You Tube that included this third verse. ​​ Needless to say, our Christmas music is bursting at the seams with references to Mary. ​​ 

But before I begin to talk about Joseph, I need to briefly consider the​​ reliability​​ of the birth narratives of Jesus in general.

Until fairly recently mainstream Scripture scholars tended to assume that the stories of Jesus’ birth were composed​​ independently​​ of the rest of the Gospels and then​​ tacked​​ on, as it were, to underline the miraculous nature of Jesus’ birth,​​ to present his more-than-human nature from the very beginning. ​​ More recent studies of the authenticity of the oral traditions​​ behind​​ the Gospels stress their​​ trustworthiness. ​​ Given this, I’m simply going to​​ assume​​ that the story of Jesus’ birth as narrated in the Gospels is basically​​ credible.

One of the great strengths of our church is that we not only​​ allow​​ but​​ encourage​​ a huge​​ diversity​​ of opinion in terms of Scripture and theology.

In his teachings,​​ Jesus​​ himself​​ makes it abundantly clear that he could​​ care​​ less​​ what we believe​​ about​​ him. ​​ What matters to him is how well we love God and neighbor.

Another reason that I personally can accept the Christmas story basically as it stands is that I agree with J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis that instead of​​ detracting​​ from the Gospel accounts, the many​​ mythical​​ stories​​ of virgin births throughout the ancient world actually​​ point​​ in the​​ direction​​ of the​​ Gospel​​ accounts.

According to Lewis and Tolkien, humanity was created to be in relationship with God, and nothing could be more​​ natural, so to speak, then that at one​​ particular​​ point in history God​​ became​​ a​​ person​​ so that we could experience a person-to-person​​ relationship, and not just a theological​​ abstraction.

Now to Joseph.

Where would Mary have been without the sensitivity, the courage and steadfastness, the wisdom and practicality, the support and parenting, that Joseph provided? ​​ In the time and culture into which Jesus was born, Mary simply would not have been able to carry and raise Jesus alone.

We seldom stop to reflect on the magnificent person that Joseph must have been.

Our appreciation is made even more difficult because the Gospels give us relatively little specific information about him. ​​ But we can get a good picture of Joseph as we study the Jewish culture in which he lived.

There are numerous pictures of the Madonna and child. ​​ In fact this is​​ the​​ most often painted theme in the history of art in the western world. ​​ In contrast, there are very few pictures of Joseph and Jesus.

I’m thinking right now of a rare exception, a picture of an old wood carving of Joseph and the child found in a rural French church. ​​ In his left hand, Joseph carries a wooden hammer and in his right arm he is tenderly, affectionately, holding the baby Jesus, his head bent down to touch the child’s​​ head.

Who is this man who played such an important role in the protection and nurturing of​​ Emmanuel​​ – God-with-us?

Joseph was a carpenter by trade. ​​ He had been trained by his father, who had moved from Bethlehem to Nazareth because the Greek region around the city of Sepphoris was growing and thriving.

In Israel the upper stories of most of the stone houses were made of wood, and real skill was needed to make them secure and keep them in repair. Because iron and metal objects were not common, workers in wood also made plows and yokes and all the equipment for the threshing and winnowing of grain.

Every community of any size needed a resident carpenter. ​​ Since most laborers worked twelve hours a day just to provide for their families, there was just no time to “do-it-yourself.”

Joseph had an important job, and he did it well.

Joseph came from an old and distinguished family. ​​ He counted King David as one of his ancestors.

When the Jewish people were carried away to captivity in Babylon, the carpenters and smiths were among those taken into exile. ​​ These craftsmen were important, in short supply, and highly valued. ​​ They were the technicians of the ancient world.

When the Jewish people returned to their own country, they were ruled first by the Persians, then the Greeks, and, in Joseph’s time, by the Romans. ​​ All these rulers taxed the people heavily.

So Joseph’s life was​​ hard, and his lineage did not carry with it any material benefit. ​​ He was a survivor who came from a remnant of survivors.

He took his religion seriously and believed that only through God’s grace had his people returned to the Holy Land.

He longed for the time when Israel might again have its own rulers.

Joseph attended the synagogue school in Nazareth, where he learned Hebrew, so he was able to read the sacred Scriptures in the original language. ​​ In this school he also learned the religious traditions of his people.

Joseph could speak and write Aramaic, the vernacular of his day, and he knew enough Greek and Latin to deal with his Gentile customers.

Much of Joseph’s life was prescribed by religious law. ​​ He would not eat anything considered to be unclean. ​​ He did not shave or cut his hair short, and he wore the proper headcovering at the proper times. ​​ He paid his tithes on all that he earned and on what grew in his garden. ​​ He kept the Sabbath day holy.

He looked forward to Sabbath services at the synagogue, and made the annual pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem for Passover. ​​​​ He celebrated each Sabbath eve with the cup of blessing.

The whole​​ fabric of his existence was shot through with the golden thread of the presence of God. ​​ Joseph knew his Scripture well and believed that God still spoke to ordinary human beings as God had done with Jacob, Moses, Amos, and Isaiah. ​​ One did not have to be a priest or a scribe or a Pharisee to be an instrument of God. ​​ Even a shepherd, a cultivator of sycamore trees, or a carpenter could be used by God for a special purpose. ​​ God could touch any person with a dream or vision, or by words that spoke in their hearts.

In short, Joseph was a good example of what were then called “people of the land” to distinguish them from the “upper crust,” which consisted of priests, scribes, Pharisees, and wealthy businessmen. ​​ In Joseph’s day the “upper crust” claimed that God limited God’s communication to​​ them. ​​ The “people of the land” knew better and enjoyed a much more relaxed and informal​​ relationship with God than did the “upper crust.” ​​ And being much more attuned to the reality of suffering in their everyday lives than was the upper class, they were much more open to being willing to entertain the idea of Israel’s Messiah coming as a suffering servant than as a victorious warrior-king.

Joseph was warm and caring, deeply committed in his religious practice, open to new revelation, courageous and stalwart, practical and visionary.

Joseph had known Mary’s family for as long as he could remember. ​​ He had watched Mary grow from a beautiful child to a vivacious, capable, and deeply religious young woman.

When it became apparent that Mary felt as he did, Joseph made the obligatory visit to Mary’s parents to ask for her hand. ​​ His offer of marriage was accepted, and the couple made plans for the formal betrothal. ​​ This was a gala occasion. ​​ All the relatives and friends of both families would be present. ​​ 

The account of the wedding in Cana in the Gospel of John gives us a picture of the festivities that surrounded such an event. ​​ For people who lived on the ragged edge of poverty, these festivals provided an oasis of plenty in the midst of a tenuous existence.

Mary’s encounter with the angel, and then her realization that the divine messenger had spoken truly, and that she was, indeed, pregnant, turned their joy into confusion, doubt, and fear.

They were faced with a tragic dilemma. ​​ They lived in a highly regulated, traditional society. ​​ Sexual misconduct was viewed with grave disapproval, and Joseph knew he was not the father of the child. ​​ There were laws – seldom enforced, but still spelled out – that provided for the stoning of a man and woman caught in adultery.

And a betrothed woman who had sexual relations with anyone but her husband was considered an adulterer.

Joseph was caught between his religious ideals, his practical human knowledge, and his love for Mary. ​​ He wanted to continue trusting her, but this story was just too much for him to believe. ​​ 

Since they were betrothed, and betrothal was tantamount to marriage, their relationship could only be terminated by divorce. ​​ Joseph decided to divorce Mary quietly without announcing the reason, and tacitly to take responsibility for fathering the child.

Perhaps he thought that his prospective wife was deluded and ill. ​​ Nevertheless, he could not go on with one with whom he no longer had trust. ​​ He was preparing to go to the rabbi and write a divorce decree the next day.

But that night​​ as he slept he had a strange dream. ​​ The atmosphere in the dream seemed vibrant and electric, and then a luminous figure appeared who was both tremendously attractive and tremendously frightening. ​​ 

Joseph was trembling with holy awe as the angel spoke to him. ​​ The angel’s stern words burned in his memory: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” ​​ Joseph awoke tingling with a strange wonder, and he realized how wrong he had been.

Joseph was a deeply religious man. ​​ He had read the Scriptures and knew that God sometimes spoke in dreams, and he knew that the Holy One had communicated with him. ​​ His religious beliefs stood him in good stead: his doubt was washed away. ​​ He knew now that what Mary said was true.

Ashamed of his doubt, he got up, went to Mary, embraced her, and told her that he understood. ​​ 

We know the rest of the story. ​​ Once committed, Joseph followed through. ​​ When he was called to Bethlehem by imperial decree, he took Mary with him. ​​ 

Joseph took all possible care of Mary on their arduous journey.

He helped with the birth.

Amazed, he listened to the shepherds.

In wonder, he watched the magi come and go, and then he dreamed again.

This time there was no joy in the dream. ​​ It was a dream of death and destruction, of horror, of bloodshed and murder, a​​ warning​​ dream. ​​ The angel showed him the impending slaughter of the infants by King Herod.

Now sensitive to these spiritual promptings, he roused the child and mother, gathered what food he could find, saddled the donkey, and they fled as refugees to Egypt. ​​ After three terrifying nights of travel, they escaped from King Herod’s kingdom.

The rest of the trip took many weeks. ​​ Joseph searched out other​​ Jewish refugee families who helped them on their way. ​​ Finally they came to ancient Cairo with a large Jewish community and several synagogues. ​​ 

There Joseph’s knowledge of Greek and Latin enabled him to ply his trade. ​​ The family was able to make a living, but they longed to return to their own land; they were aliens in Egypt, refugees with no rights.

Several years passed, and then the angelic messenger visited him again as he dreamed. ​​ The angel told them that the family could return home safely and directed them back to Nazareth.

Can you picture Joseph in his Nazareth shop, teaching the young Jesus to saw and to plane, to make joints in wood, and to repair anything that the villagers brought to them?

Try to imagine them going to the synagogue on the Sabbath to listen to the Hebrew Scriptures and to ponder their meaning.

As a good father, Joseph taught Jesus to read and write in Hebrew and Aramaic. ​​ In addition, Joseph taught Jesus enough Greek and Latin to get along in the Roman world.

Most importantly, Joseph taught Jesus the character traits of courage, steadfastness, endurance, and hope.

For Jesus he provided a fine model of masculinity and humanness. ​​ He was forgiving, loyal, sensitive, and caring.

This Advent and Christmas season we’ve talked quite a bit about the importance of Jesus being born – not just literally on that one night some two thousand years ago--- but metaphorically born anew in each of our hearts and minds​​ today. ​​ 

For Christ to be born in us and live with us throughout the year, we need not just the willingness of Mary. ​​ We also need the disciplined steadfastness and sensitive strength of Joseph to support our open willingness.

These habits may not be as glamorous as the total openness of Mary, but they are just as necessary and important if we are to protect the Christ in us from our own inner Herod and his soldiers.

Like Joseph, we need to be in close touch with the world as it really is. ​​ 

The Christmas story tells us that the world can be hostile to the birth of Christ in our lives, and that we need to be attuned to the guiding presence of God’s Spirit. ​​ We need determination to keep up the ordinary work of our home, school, office, or retirement in order to support, protect, and nurture the growing Christ within us.

We need discipline.

We also need humility.

As Joseph was willing to stand in the background, we need to be willing in the same way.

We also need the raw, naked courage that Joseph demonstrated when he took Mary on the difficult journey to Bethlehem and when he led the family during their desperate flight to Egypt.

In short, Joseph was a remarkable human being, a magnificent combination of the best human qualities. ​​ He was down to earth but at the same time knew how to deal with a difficult world dominated by a foreign power.

Joseph, deeply​​ spiritual​​ but also solidly​​ practical, can teach us all. ​​ Unless we have our feet on the ground, we will not be able to deal creatively with real religious experience, and real religious experience is what God wants to give us.

As we read in today’s Scripture reading, one of Jesus’ many names is​​ Emmanuel, which means God-with-us.

Are we ready to experience God-with-us?

Joseph was.

We need to be as well grounded and practical as Joseph​​ in taking care of Jesus.

Joseph took care of Jesus as his adopted son.

We are called to care for Jesus by encouraging the Christ child to grow​​ in​​ us.

Amen.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• What has been your favorite manger scene over the years and why?

• Why do you think Mary has gotten so much more “press” than Joseph?

• What characteristic of Joseph stands​​ out for you the most?

• When you were growing up, who was your most significant masculine role model? ​​ What did you learn from him?

• How do you feel about viewing Jesus as a model for masculinity?

​​ 

CLOSING PRAYER  ​​ ​​ ​​​​ UCC Book of Worship

Blessed are you, O God,

for you have visited and redeemed your people,

coming to us in Jesus,

delivering us from all enemies,

remembering your holy covenant,

the oath you swore to our ancestors in the faith.

You have come to set us free

that we may serve you without fear

all the days of our lives.

In Christ you have given us knowledge of salvation

and the healing of what is broken in us.

You have come to us to give light

to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet in the way of peace.

Therefore we praise you​​ 

with psalms and hymns and carols

and with thankfulness in our hearts

for your gift of yourself in Jesus.

Through your Spirit, may we put on compassion,

kindness, humility, and patience

to understand and forgive one another.

Bind us together in the perfect harmony of love.

May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts

that we may be instruments of your peace on earth.

We offer all our words and deeds and prayer in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

SUGGESTED MUSIC  ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Angels We Have Heard on High

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Christendom College  ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ You Tube

BENEDICTION

Patiently and persistently, God loves.

Relentlessly and unconditionally, God loves.

Now and forever, God loves.

AMEN.