ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH
  • Home
  • WORSHIP
    • Online Worship
    • Baptism
    • Prayer & Praise Requests
    • Weekly Prayer Initiative
  • Giving
  • ABOUT US
    • Chi Rho Newsletter
    • History of ALC
    • Becoming a Member
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Links >
      • Evangelical Lutheran Church
      • Helping Hands
      • Habitat for Humanity - Mid Ohio
      • Lutheran Social Services
      • Southern Ohio Synod
  • ZOOM MEETINGS
  • Contact Us
Picture

Ascension Blog

A Message from Vicar Kimberly Cooper

1/15/2019

0 Comments

 
​Advent is an important time of preparation – not for Christmas festivities – but for the birth of God incarnate. As part of that, we are going to take a look at the ancestresses of Jesus, who are named in the first chapter of Matthew (Matthew’s begats). The five listed, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary have important stories that help us understand God’s work in the world before actually becoming human. We don’t usually hear much about them, because they don’t all appear in the lectionary. I think one big reason for this is their stories are a bit Rrated. 
​In addition to stories of sex and violence, these women turn the judgement of humans’ upside down. Israelites weren’t supposed to marry outside of their own nation. Yet, three of the ancestresses were from outside, Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth. Generally speaking, prostitution has been seen as a sinful form of employment, but both Tamar and Rahab were prostitutes. Ruth propositioned Boaz! And Mary became pregnant outside of marriage. Bathsheba, the only one to be viewed as a sultry temptress, can be recognized through our modern #metoo lens as a victim.

When we look at these five women collectively, we see that God has always been in
relationship with humanity. Even before becoming incarnated as a baby, God was involved in the messiness of the world. Time after time when humanity thought they had worked everything out,

God saw the oppressed and didn’t just help them, God set them up as key players. Who are we disregarding in the world today? Where is God working to set up the oppressed as key players? These are important questions to ask for those of us wanting to participate in the Mission of God.

I will be preaching on two of the women in Sunday services Dec. 2 and 23. The other three will be covered in Wednesday lunch sessions on Dec. 5, 12, and 19. If you would like to take a look at the women in scripture here is a reading guide:
  • Tamar: Genesis 38; Ruth 4:12; Matthew 1:3
  • Rahab: Joshua 2 and 6; Hebrews 11:31; Matthew 1:5; and James 2:25
  • Ruth: Ruth; Matthew 1:5
  • Bathsheba: 2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Kings 1-2; Matthew 1;6
  • Mary: Matthew 1-2; 12:46-50; 13:53-58; Mark 31-35; 6:3-4; Luke 1-2; 3:23; 4:16-30; 8:19-21;
  • 11:28-29; John 2:1-12; 6:42; 19:25-27; Acts 1:14; Rom 1:3; Gal 4:4)
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human.” – the Nicene Creed

Weekly Advent Worship Service EACH Wednesday
December 5, 12, & 19 at 12:00 NOON
Advent Worship, Soup & Bread In the Assembly Room.

Vicar Kimberly will be leading our Advent worship/study. She is leading a series on the Ancestresses of Jesus mentioned in Matthew 1. On December 6, Rahab, on December 12, Ruth, and December 19, Bathsheba. (She will be preaching about Tamar on December 2, and Mary on December 23.)

Come enjoy our weekly Advent Celebration of seasonal worship along with warm fellowship including homemade soup and bread.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Authors

    Pastor Tim

    Picture
    Vicar Kimberly
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Blooming Ascension
    Celebration
    Christmas
    Easter
    Epiphany
    Facing Storms
    Faith
    Freedom
    From The Vicar
    Germany Videos
    Gift From God
    Giving Thanks
    God Calling
    Healing
    Jesus Glory
    Jesus Is The Light
    Joseph
    Kids Sermon
    Lent
    Lord's Prayer
    Martin Luther
    Pain
    Peace
    Poem By Oscar
    Reforming
    Repentance
    Revolution
    Sacrifice
    Sermon
    Springtime
    Stewardship
    Sunday School
    Tanzania Ministry
    Team Together
    Tension
    The Cross
    The Third Way
    Travel

    Archives

    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    November 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014

    RSS Feed

About Our Church
​
​
1479 Morse Road
Columbus, Ohio 43229

We would love to have you join us in church this weekend. 
​
Sundays at 10:00 am
Sunday School at 11:00 am:
​
Confirmation Classes, Sunday School Classes & Adult Forum Classes
Office Hours

​Monday - Thursday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

P: (614) 262-7389
E: 
[email protected]
Give Online
Download Give+ App
Contact Us
Contact Us
Find Us
Website by Buckeye Dynamics
  • Home
  • WORSHIP
    • Online Worship
    • Baptism
    • Prayer & Praise Requests
    • Weekly Prayer Initiative
  • Giving
  • ABOUT US
    • Chi Rho Newsletter
    • History of ALC
    • Becoming a Member
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Links >
      • Evangelical Lutheran Church
      • Helping Hands
      • Habitat for Humanity - Mid Ohio
      • Lutheran Social Services
      • Southern Ohio Synod
  • ZOOM MEETINGS
  • Contact Us