Looking into the lectionary - Big, bad John and his Grinch-like greeting

December 15, 2024 Third Sunday of Advent  Luke 3:7-18 I had a pastoral colleague who had a distinctive and disarming way of responding when people asked her how she was: “How are you doing today, Sally?” “God is good,” she would reply. “Hey, Sally, how are you?” “The Lord is faithful,” she would say. When asked about herself, she always responded by saying something first about God. “God is gracious.” “God is kind.” “The Lord is good.” For her, it was a way of saying that her life had meaning in relationship to God. A good and gracious and faithful God was the larger context in which she set her own life. Before she talked about herself, she had to talk about God. You ask about her, but she points beyond herself. Don’t look at me. Look at the Lord! In this way, Sally reminds me of John the Baptist. I’ll admit that I find John one of the more challenging characters in Scripture. The biblical passages about John mostly come our way during Advent, during this time when Christmas is in sight and we’re trying to be happy and bright and joyful. We get out the special decorations, the trees and the poinsettias, the garland and the manger scenes, and all the rest. Maybe we make a special effort to come to church. Maybe we put on that Christmas sweater with a winsome snowman or a jubilant elf. We’re trying to feel the spirit of the season as we make our way to the pew. Then we open the Bible and who is waiting for us? Big, bad John with his Grinch-like greeting. You brood of vipers, you bunch of snakes. What are you doing here? You have to change your lives. You have to repent. Happy holidays, everyone! He is a hard man. And it’s a hard message. And it doesn’t sound much like holly-jolly Christmas. But two things really impress me about John the Baptist. First, I am amazed by how people respond to his words. His is a sermon about sacrifice and commitment and looking after others and sharing your wealth and being fair and honest and righteous. Repent, turn around, live right. Give up your extra coat. Offer your abundance. Change your hearts. Change your lives. Great crowds show up to hear this hard message. ... Read the rest of the commentary on the website. Thanks to this week's writer John Wurster. Order of worship — December 15, 2024, by John Wurster Practicing Christ’s patterns by Teri McDowell Ott ​Zechariah’s prophecy (December 15, 2024) by Lucus Levy Keppel  Holiday reading by Amy Pagliarella Want the worship resources for December 8, 2024? You can find them here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Resources for grief and loss Amy Pagliarella suggests the resources for grief pastors, caregivers, and loved ones will want on hand, to reference or offer to others in need.  Sit down, and rest The world will wear me down unless I demand otherwise, writes Dartinia Hull. Two Presbyterian churches receive $175,000 grants to maintain their vitality First Presbyterian Church of Fargo and First Presbyterian Church of Taos are two of 24 recipients for National Fund for Sacred Places grants. A key day of the 227th General Assembly will be spent out in the community GA planners say the Presbytery of Milwaukee and its partners will help determine what Community Day will be. — Mike Ferguson Bishop Gene Robinson, first openly gay Episcopal bishop, preaches defense of McBride Robinson voiced deep frustration with the critics of U.S. Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, who is the first openly transgender person elected to Congress and an ordained Presbyterian elder. — Jack Jenkins Looking forward to the 227th General Assembly The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly hears how plans are proceeding. — Mike Ferguson Got an empty church lawn? Why not turn it into a dog park? For some churches, starting a dog park turns underused church property into a place for community. — Bob Smietana Austin Seminary and Schreiner University launch innovative MDiv/MBA dual degree program to prepare future faith-based leaders Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Schreiner University have partnered to offer a dual degree program blending theology and business education. — Austin Seminary An Advent Candle Liturgy by Dr. Montisa Anntoinette Watkins and Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis — Free for a limited time!