Rosenberger, John & Lola 2

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) - “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Message: We take comfort from the fact that God is not only the God of the Resurrection but also of the Cross. In our desire to get from the parade of Palm Sunday, to Easter morning, we would like to take a “long jump” over the passion events of Holy Week. It is necessary that we understand Jesus experienced the darkness, to be able to understand our own darkness and despair. After all, parades are fun and exciting, but that is not where we spend most of our days. If our Savior did not enter into the shadows where we often walk, what kind of Savior would He be? Furthermore, what good is a faith that can function only in a pain-free and smooth going life? Is your Christ only good for the parades, or do you have a Savior that walks with you in the difficult times as well as the good?

The Garden of Gethsemane was not easy for Jesus to go through, and neither are the storms and difficulties of our lives, yet we have a God who made that promise to His children, and the promise is for everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ. Have I allowed God Himself to say to me: “I will never leave you. I will never forsake you.”? Am I willing to allow God to walk with me in the difficult places of my life?

Go to Dark Gethsemane¹

“Go to dark Gethsemane, ye that feel the tempter’s power;
Your Redeemer’s conflict see; watch with him one bitter hour;
Turn not from his griefs away, learn of Jesus Christ to pray.
Early hasten to the tomb where they lay his breathless clay;
All is solitude and gloom. Who has taken Him away?
Christ is risen! He meets our eyes; Savior, teach us so to pray.”

Prayer: God, we realize that we do not face anything in this life by ourselves. You are there right beside us and all we need to do is to reach out to You in faith, believing. Amen!

Lola Rosenberger
(adapted from writings of and in memory of Pastor John Rosenberger)

1. “Go to Dark Gethsemane” by James Montgomery, 1820 amended 1825. 1989 © Copyright. Published by the United Methodist Publishing House, Abingdon Press. Public Domain.

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Scriptures: Luke 1:46-55 (NRSV) - "And Mary said: 'My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has tilled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and His descendants forever, just as He promised our ancestors."'

Luke 2:14 (NRSVA) – “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!”

Luke 1:28 & 42 (NRSVA) – “And he [Gabriel] came to her [Mary] and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.” “and [Elizabeth] exclaimed [to Mary] with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’”

Message: The florists have a slogan, “Say It with Flowers.” The jewelers might proclaim, “Say It with a Diamond.” And St. Luke might well have exhorted, “Say It with Music!”

In fact, Luke's writing surrounded the birth of Christ with songs and their inspirations, such as Elizabeth and Zechariah’s “The Benedictus” (Luke 1:68-79), Mary’s “Magnificat” (Luke 1:46-55), the angels’ “Gloria in Excelsis” (Luke 2:14), and the angel Gabriel’s “Ave Maria” (Luke 1:28 & 42). This is as it should be, for the birth of Christ is the most joyous event our sin-cursed world has ever known. I t brings joy in our hearts, an unquenchable hope that nothing can deny.

We hear Christmas carols in church and in stores, and our hearts are lifted up as we recall the truth of Christ’s birth. We know that love is greater than hate, faith is greater than fear, hope is greater than despair, and trust is better than suspicion. We know in our hearts that the anger and strife happening in our country and the world are not the final reality. Greed, cruelty, tyranny, chaos, entrenched evil, sickness, and death don't have the last word.

Yes, exclaim the birth of Christ with glorious, hope-filled faith. Christians have a song in their hearts for all seasons.

Prayer: O Lord God, let us say it with music as we sing our carols and hear the choir sing their special concert this blessed season of the year. May the music lift our spirits beyond what is happening in our life and in our world, for You have given a song in our hearts this season and all seasons of the year. Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

John Rosenberger (deceased)

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