Last Updated on Monday, 02 January 2012 22:23 Written by Admin Monday, 02 January 2012 22:18

“Holy Name”

January 1, 2012           

 Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Rockford, IL
The Rev. Pamela M. Hillenbrand 

The angel Gabriel came to Mary and announced that she would bear a child and that she was to name the child Jesus.  Eight days after this boy child was born, Mary and Joseph took him to be circumcised, and named him Jesus – a form of Jeshua or Joshua.Two additional acts were required of devout Jewish parents in addition to naming and circumcision:  the redemption of the first-born and the purification of the mother.  As a reminder of the exodus, the firstborn child was to be presented and consecrated to the Lord.  In addition, the mother was to present herself as one who had remained ceremonially unclean for seven days following childbirth, and underwent purification for 33 days.  (Twice that if she had a girl child!).  During this time, the woman could not enter the temple or touch anything holy.  When the forty days were over she was to offer a lamb or two turtledoves or two pigeons at the temple.Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph did all this in order to underscore the fact that they were devout Jews, and that it was in such a household that Jesus would be raised.Luke – the only gospel in which we find this story – goes on to tell us about two unusual people Mary and Joseph meet at the temple:  Simeon and Anna.  Simeon was not a priest – he wasn’t even identified as a prophet – he was simply a righteous and devout man.  On this particular day, Simeon felt prompted to go to the temple.  He was, we learn, a man who had been patiently waiting.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah – the Lord Christ.Seeing Mary and Joseph with Jesus, Simeon approached them and took the baby in his arms.  He immediately recognized in Jesus the Christ – the anointed one of God.  Simeon gave thanks to God, blessed the family – and then gave a warning.  The child, he said, would cause the falling and rising of many in Israel.  He would be a sign that would be spoken against, to that the thought of many hearts would be revealed.  Simeon did not stop there – he looked at Mary and told her that a sword would pierce her heart.  Just in case Mary and Joseph were doubtful about this prophecy, Anna, an 84 year-old prophetess came up to them.  Thanking God for Jesus, she then spoke of him as the child to whom all were looking for redemption.Luke packs a lot into this short story:  the giving of a name, the observance of a rite of passage for a child and his family and an unsettling prophesy of times to come in the life of Jesus and in the life of the nation.You might say it all began with the name – Jesus, which means “God saves.”  Names carried great significance in the stories of our faith.  One’s name was often thought to have prophetic meaning, thus, setting the course of one’s life.  And to be given a new name signaled a transformation in character, relationship to God, and mission.  God renamed Abram who became Abraham (father of many nations); Sarai became Sarah, Jacob became Israel, Simon became Peter – and Saul’s name changed to Paul.Even today the tradition continues for men and women who enter religious orders.  They take on a new name to signify the new direction their lives are taking.Think of your own name.  How has your name shaped you over the years?  Has it suited you?  Have you suited it?    What transformation of life does God desire for you in this new year that begins today?  If God were to give you a new name to symbolize this transformation – what might that name be?“Bearer of Hope?”  Perhaps God is inviting you to be the bearer of hope for someone who is lost in the shadows of sadness and despair.  Or…perhaps God is inviting you to let go of your own sense of “why bother” and commit yourself to something that matters.Perhaps your new name might be “one who heals” – healing of relationships, perhaps.  Or healing of your own self – your physical body or your spirit.“Generous-Hearted” – generous with your own self in serving the needs of others…or generous with the gifts God has given you – letting go of the temptation to worry that you just might not have quite enough.  Sometimes, I believe, God invites us to embrace the name “Courageous One.”  Perhaps it is time to move out of your sphere of comfort, find your voice, and advocate for someone whose voice has been silenced for too long.What will be the cost if you ask God what your new name for the coming year might be?  And what just might be the promise?At the beginning of a new year, I find it especially meaningful to ponder what new name God might be calling me to live into – to challenge me with.  It helps me explore what area of my life beckons further growth from me so that I might better represent Jesus in the world. In the journal, “Awaken” this was written for our consideration today:  “In the story from Luke, the parents of Jesus take him to Jerusalem to observe a rite of passage.  How will you observe a rite of passage from the old year into the new?  What are your songs of praise for the year past?  What are your visions for the year ahead?  How will you present yourself to God in the new year?” 

Last Updated on Saturday, 29 October 2011 20:56 Written by MCZ Thursday, 27 October 2011 23:28

Jeremiah Garden

 Four churches have come together to create a community group called Jeremiah Development.   The churches are First Presbyterian, Second Congregational, Court St. Methodist and Emmanuel Episcopal.  One of the projects of this coalition is a garden on the Southeast corner of Park and Court Streets.  Volunteers have built 20 raised beds and put in a berm.  Under the tutelage of Ginny Hatwich, Master Gardener, vegetables and fruits have been growing there for two seasons. 

Currently, Fall 2011, an ad hoc garden committee is meeting to plan the 2012 gardens and to find ways to make our work more productive and perhaps easier.  The goal of the garden is to feed the hungry, teach those who wish to learn more about gardening and to enjoy the shared activity.   Anyone who wishes to volunteer could call any of the four churches and leave word; the chairwoman of the ad hoc committee, Jeanine is at Court Street Methodist and the master gardener is at Emmanuel Episcopal.   The work is shared and not too hard. 

Last Updated on Thursday, 27 October 2011 15:14 Written by Admin Thursday, 13 October 2011 22:52

May God's Blessing be upon you, make you strong, healthy and content.  May you have a long life, be a blessing to your family and a sign of God's love to all who know you. Amen.   (Service of the Blessing of the Animals in honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assissi,)

Youth  

Sunday School

Sunday School is available for students in preschool through 12^th grade. Classes meet on Sundays from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Children and youth learn about liturgical seasons, prayer, and community rituals. They also are encouraged to apply Biblical teachings to their everyday lives and current events and develop deeper relationships with God.

Youth Group

We have two youth groups: one for middle school students (grades 6-8) and another for high school students (grades 9-12). Youth group members participate in fellowship and service activities, such as lock-ins, soup kitchen, and an annual mission trip.

For more information

For more information about Christian formation and fellowship for youth, please contact Amy Gustafson at 815-964-5514.