Sunday, April 28, 2019

What's in a Name? April 28, 2019

Worship on Sunday, April 28 …




The Wilderness Journey! comes to an end as Jesus enters Jerusalem and all that awaits him there! 

As we move into the Eastertide, we begin to explore the concept of ONOMA … naming, in all of its Biblical significance! 
╬ Name Above All Names!

 “What’s in a name?”  A great deal, in fact!  In ancient traditions names were said to have particular power over people and places. In the Bible, God gives God’s name to the people and proclaims the gathered community as the place where “God’s name” will dwell on earth.  Jesus invites us to pray “in his name.” Renaming frequently takes place when God proclaims something new or consecrates people to new purpose.  The word “onoma” translates from the Greek as “name” but means so much more.  Onoma expresses the character, the essence and fullness of what is named.  In this season of revelation, we will explore the Biblical traditions and deeper meanings of naming – from Genesis to the Christian testament – and engage God’s name for each of us in our world.

 Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings.  

 Blessings to you all in the Eastertide!

 - Pr. Brad Highum
bhighum@abidinglove.org

 PRAYER OF THE DAY -----------------------

 God of grace, you call us by name and you call us your own.  Bless us to live into the name you reveal in the One who shows us the way and the truth and the live that is you, the Name above all names.  Amen.

 READINGS ----------------------------------

 First Reading:  Isaiah 9:2-7
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.  3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.  4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.  5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.  6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom.  He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

 Psalm 8
1 O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established;
4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet,
7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

 Second Reading:  Philippians 2:5-11
5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.  And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross.  9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 Gospel:  Matthew 1:18-25
18 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. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 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. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:  23 "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
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