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A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1
Isaiah’s prophesy comes true about 700 years later through Joseph and Mary, descendants of Jesse. Isaiah goes on to say that this lowly shoot will grow into a mighty branch that would bear fruit. He uses the metaphor of a nearly dead tree to tell us that God can and does use the least of us to do great things!
First Evangelical is like that stump – a once mighty church that was nearly thought to be dead. But we’ve seen a shoot of hope pop up and grow! We’ve got a long way to go, but at least we’re making progress.
Churches, like people, often go through humbling periods in their history. It would be easy to give up – in fact many churches are doing just that. It is estimated that nearly 15,000 churches will close their doors in 2025. That’s roughly 75-150 closures a week. Some estimate that ¼ of all U.S. congregations will close in the next few years. Closures are quickly outpacing church plants.
Wow. That’s a crisis! One author called it a “tsunami”! We may be seeing the utter collapse of Christianity in our nation! Our society is trending toward more secularization. The “Nones” or “Dones”, as they are often called, may be spiritual but are choosing not affiliate with any religious organization. Declining attendance and increasing costs doesn’t paint a pretty picture for traditional denominational protestant churches.
We are in the middle of a time of religious change, not only in the U.S., but around the world. Could we be experiencing the “stump” of Jesse? For the nation of Israel, their line of kings – starting with Saul, then David and Solomon, had been long “cut off” like a stump by the time Jesus was born.
What does that mean for us? Like Israel – we need to put our faith in God! We are tempted to put our trust in kings, in our political and religious leaders, our nation’s military power or denominational size, but all of them can and will fail one day. This passage reminds us that when all hope is gone, God alone can save us. God gives us a shoot, a branch, then fruit – through Jesus Christ.
Christmas gives us a wonderful opportunity to be the church – the body of Christ – to the world. Even though many in the world around us may think we’re dead, useless, that doesn’t mean God is dead. It just means what we are doing is even more needed, and even more important! God has brought us back to life for a reason here in West Palm Beach. God’s not done with us – we have a mission, a calling, a purpose: to share the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In Christ;
Pastor Dan
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Invite someone to come with you for worship at First and Holy Cross churches this Sunday! Join us for a delicious meal following worship in the Fellowship Hall.
- Help decorate the church for Christmas by ordering a poinsettia by Monday, December 15th. Forms are available at the back usher’s table, cost: $10.
- Thank you to everyone helping spread joy and love this holiday season by adopting an angel from our angel tree and toy drive for children. Items are DUE THIS SUNDAY and will be picked up and delivered by Salvation Army later this week.
- If you signed up to take part in the Church Christmas Program, rehearsal is after worship today. We will put up some of the Christmas decorations in the coming weeks.
- The Church Choir will rehearse before worship next Sunday, and sing during worship.
- Invite others to join us for our Christmas Program on Sunday, December 21st during worship. Come listen to the “Voices of Christmas” – those who were there when love came down. Each voice tells a part of the story – a story of wonder, of faith, and of the greatest gift ever given.
- Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:00 pm on December 24th. Join us for beautiful music, decorations, and an inspiring message that reminds us of the real reason for Christmas.
- The Light WPB is looking for some ESL teachers. This is a volunteer position for 3 hours/week each semester with a potential for compensation and credits. English/Spanish preferred. A job description is available from Pastor Jeremy (The Light WPB).
