Reflection on Grief

By Betty Hertz

As I think about the recent deaths of St. John family members, I recall my questions when I grieved. I remember asking myself, “If I truly believe in the resurrection, I should be happy my loved one is with God. What kind of Christian am I to be weeping?” I sometimes cried out, “How long will I hurt?”

The Bible provided me with some answers. John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” I now understand the power of those words. By  Jesus showing human emotions, He is giving us permission to be human in our grief. Being honest with God allows us to feel His presence in our pain.

In response to how long, my friends said, “As long as it takes.”  From Isaiah 41:10 “but fear not for I am with you.”  Psalm 18: 16 gave me hope, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me, he drew me out of deep waters.”

As I moved from darkness into light, the words from Hymn of Promise also gave me hope:

            “There’s a dawn in every darkness

            Bringing hope to you and me

            Unrevealed until its season

            Only God alone can see.” (UMH 707)

I knew the healing had begun when I could sing the words without crying.

God, the Great Comforter,

            We give thanks you are with us always.

            Help us trust in your strength to guide us as we grieve.

            Through you, the darkness will become light.

            In Jesus' name, Amen.

 St. John member Betty Hertz is a Stephen Minister and Certified Lay Speaker.

Advent Week 5 - Christmas Day/Eve

Supplies needed: Bible, lighter/matches, 5 candles (individual or part of an advent wreath/log)

Luke 2:1-20 NRSVUE

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.

8 Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, 19 and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

Arrange your candles so one is in the middle, representing Christ.

Light all 5 candles.

Discussion: Who is Jesus to you?

Reflection: If Jesus is _________ to you, how will you live your life?

Awareness: Whatever holds your focus, will direct how you live your life. Focus on Jesus Christ to live in the love, joy, peace, and hope of God.

Pray:

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, pg 212.

Advent in a new light

By Betty Hertz

St. John Lay Leader

HOPE? PEACE? JOY? LOVE?

I hear those words during Advent as the candles are lit each Sunday. Sometimes my heart feels warm, but sometimes my heart feels heavy. December brings back memories of sad times and challenging times. I ask myself, “If you say you have faith, why are you feeling down? Jesus’ birth is about hope, peace, joy, and love.”

After I lift my judgmental thoughts, I am reminded: “God does not promise that we shall be spared suffering but does promise to be with us in our suffering.” (UMBOW p. 613). So I cry while feeling God’s loving arms around me. I find comfort in the words from the hymn Near to the Heart of God (UMH p.472):

There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God.

There is a place of full release, near to the heart of God.

“Quiet rest, comfort sweet, full release” … what more do I need?

 With these thoughts, I experience the four Advent candles in a new light. On my Advent wreath, the words are expressed this way:

           Share Hope

           Live in Peace

           Spread Joy

           Celebrate Love

Reflecting on this, I experience renewed faith, knowing God is always with me.

Dear Friends,

           I pray you find comfort in this verse from Romans 15:13:

May the God of hope fill you with such peace and joy in your faith

that you may be filled with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Advent Week 4 - Love

Supplies needed: Bible, lighter/matches, 5 candles (individual or part of an advent wreath/log)

Luke 1:57-66 NRSVUE

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. 60 But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” 62 Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed.  64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.

 Light 4 candles

 Discussion: When did you last experience God’s love? Share the details.

Reflection: How have you been part of sharing God’s love with others? How have others been part of sharing God’s love with you? What can you do this week to be an agent of God’s love?

Awareness: This week, be on the lookout for opportunities to be an agent of God’s love, both in giving and receiving.

 Pray:

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, pg 212.

Advent Week 3 - Joy

Supplies needed: Bible, lighter/matches, 5 candles (individual or part of an advent wreath/log)

Luke 1:46-55 NRSVUE

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.
    Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name;
50 indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones
    and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has come to the aid of his child Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Light 3 candles (if you have a pink one, it is appropriate to light it today).

Discussion: When did you last rejoice or express joy? What caused it? Tell us the scene.

Reflection: When have you been most joy-filled? How have you shared that joy with others? What joy did others share with you?

Awareness: Joy is most alive when in the midst of community. Find opportunities to rejoice with others this week.

Pray:

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, pg 212.