Note from Pastor Rick (12/21/2016)

Thanks to everyone who helped make last Sunday a warm “family” gathering in worship and community. Special thanks to Jan for her gifts of music and all who helped with the brunch. After a week of rehearsals and concerts, it is nice to feel a slightly slower pace this week. However, I did make a run put to EHP today and the pace is definitely not slow there. I was moved to see Nevida Butler in her jeans and sweatshirt marshaling the forces in the food pantry. (Isn’t she supposed to be retired?!?!) There were people everywhere, serving and being served. In our comfort and privilege, let us never forget that there are others of our “family” in need, some in desperate need. I know EHP could use more toys and gifts/gift cards for teens, as well as warm clothes in these cold days, if you have the time and inclination. There is an ongoing collection site right outside my office door. Remember it is precisely to meet the needs of all creation, physical as well as spiritual, that God comes close to share our reality and set things right.

Note from Pastor Rick (12/14/2016)

This Sunday marks the culmination of our Advent adventure as we focus on the Love that came down at Christmas. Love that comes to us again and again, pleading with us to open our hearts and make room. The augmented choir will provide extra music along with Daniel Ramirez on cello. Afterward we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for our annual Christmas Brunch. If you can come on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM, we could use your help setting up for the brunch. Also, remember, if you’ve signed up for the Adopt A Family project, bring your gifts on Sunday.

The texts for Sunday include Isaiah’s proclamation of “great light” that shines on those who walk in darkness and his prophecy that a young woman (or virgin) will bear a child whose name will be “God with us.” Mattthew then picks up that prophecy when he gives his account of Jesus’ birth. His tale gives a prominent role to Joseph and the angels. Mary becomes the “young woman” (or “virgin.”) More than anything it is a story of love and light coming into the world that changes everything forever. Immanuel, “God with us.” It is unquestionably a reason for singing.

Plan to join in the joy of the day, beginning with worship at 10:00 AM and continuing through the brunch. Bring finger food to share and someone to share the day with you.

Together, let us strive…to know God’s love!

On the Way (12/11/16)

A sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Randle R. (Rick) Mixon
First Baptist Church, Palo Alto, CA

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Texts: Psalm 146: Isaiah 35:1-10; Matthew 11:2-6

On the way. We’re anxious to be on the way, but then we’re not entirely sure which way it is we are to be on? Where are we headed and how will we know we’re following the right route? There’s no electronic voice assuring us that our route guidance will begin once we’ve backed out of the driveway. However, we have some voices in today’s texts which we may find helpful. Isaiah says of the wilderness, stretched out between Babylon and Jerusalem, ^“A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way…” Dietrich Bonhoeffer proclaims that “God travels wonderful ways with human beings…” John the Baptist wants to know if he and his followers should journey with Jesus or wait for another guide.

Note from Pastor Rick (12/7/2016)

Our Advent journey continues. With watchful and wondering attentiveness, we have wandered through the realms of hope and peace. Now this week, we approach joy. It may seem hard to hold on to joy in this season of shrinking days, cold, and rain. The political climate is difficult, challenging. We are met often with pain, suffering, and death. The whole world groans in its winter sleep. Where will we encounter joy in such an environment? Our wise companion on the journey says joy will not just happen to us while we’re sitting and waiting. “We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day,” Henri Nouwen writes. It sounds very much like real joy is one of those spiritual disciplines we need to cultivate in order to make the journey to God’s Beloved Community.

Describing the “holy way” by which the children of Israel will travel from exile in Babylon to their home in Jersualem, the writer of Isaiah says, “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God” (Isaiah 35:1-2.) Facing a long and arduous journey to an uncertain future, the prophet is still willing to proclaim that God will make a way and that his people can walk that way with God. That is reason enough to sing and rejoice.

Sunday is Gaudete or Joy Sunday on the Advent calendar. Come, share the joy of the day as we worship and study. Our texts for the day will be Isiah 35:1-10 and Matthew 11: 2-11. In Adult Spiritual Formation we will conlude our study of Jesus’ birth and the incarnation, using the Saving Jesus Redux video series. We have had some lively discussions in this series. You are welcome to join us.

In the afternoon, we will gather at the church at 4:00 PM to go caroling to several of our members we don’t see so often. Because those folk are somewhat spread out, it would be nice to have a couple of groups of carolers. You don’t have to be a trained singer to join in. You just have to love to sing Christmas carols and love your neighbor. After caroling, we will gather back at the church for chili supper. If you can help with set up or clean  up for the supper, please let one of the pastors know, so we can plan accordingly.

Plan to join in the joy of the day, beginning with worship at 10:00 AM and continuing through the education hour and caroling. Bring someone else along to share the day with you.

Together, let us strive…to know God’s love!

Pastor Rick   

Mixon Muses: The Hopes and Fears

In 1868, the great American Episcopal preacher, Phillips Brooks, penned his best-known text in the Christmas hymn, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” inspired by a visit he had made to Israel in 1865. More than once, we have mined this hymn for the beauty of its words and richness of its imagery. The phrase that’s stuck in my head today is the joining of the “hopes and fears of all the years” as they meet at the foot of Bethlehem’s manger, I am drawn to the convergence of these two, presumably opposed, emotions because our own day and age is wrestling with just such a convergence.

Among the readings for Advent, we hear twice Luke’s angel say, first to Zechariah and then to Mary, “Do not be afraid.” As we know, this is a familiar theme in scripture, especially when an angel appears. “Do not be afraid,” seems like an appropriate word when confronted with the mystery of the holy. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure I’d feel fear if some sacred figure showed up at the foot of my bed in the middle of the night. I know Old Scrooge was shaken to the core as the spirits appeared in his locked chamber, well after midnight.

Note from Pastor Rick (11/30/2016)

Thanks to everyone who stayed to help decorate the church for the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany season. The sanctuary looks beautiful. Afterwards we gathered in the Parlor to consume a pot of “Stone Soup,” using stock from the Thanksgiving turkey and the contributions of those who stayed, including some kale and a rutabaga! Twelve people gathered at the parsonage on Thanksgiving Day to share the feast. I think a good time was had by all. Certainly no one went away hungry. The event seemed to work well enough that we will most likely repeat it next year,

I don’t want to be a nag about the Time and Talent Surveys, but so far only 10 responses have been received. As I said last week, I’m no big fan of surveys but it would be really helpful to the church leadership in planning for the future to know what your interests are and something about your willingness and ability to serve our congregation. Even if you think we already know what you’re doing and willing to do, please take time (only a few minutes) to fill out the form and turn it in.  You may discover something new or different that interests you. You may want to be liberated from something you’ve done for a while. You may come up with some creative ideas we hadn’t thought about. Take this opportunity to communicate with us. It will be much appreciated.

Advent continues this week with an emphasis on Peace. The text from Isaiah is his magnificent hymn to the “Peaceable Kingdom.” Both this text and the Psalm for the day invoke a style of leadership that is marked by justice, righteousness, wisdom, and shalom. Perhaps he will want to pray such prayers and sing such as songs as we consider a transition of leadership in our own land. In the gospel reading, John the Baptist excoriates the religious leaders of his day for the failure to grasp the need for such leadership among themselves. He predicts that One is coming who will sort this all out and make things right. Pastor Gregory will be preaching this Sunday and we will celebrate Communion.

In Adult Spiritual Formation we will continue our exploration of Jesus’ birth and the meaning of incarnation in his time and ours. Afterwards, the Lunch Bunch will gather at Mike’s on Middlefield. Let Melanie Ramirez or Alan Plessinger know if you’re planning to attend,

Plan to join in the joy of the day, beginning with worship at 10:00 AM and continuing through the education hour and lunch. Bring someone else along to share the day with you.

Together, let us strive…to know God’s love!

Pastor Rick   

Walking in the Light (11/27/2016)

A sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Randle R. (Rick) Mixon
First Baptist Church, Palo Alto, CA

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Text: Isaiah 2:1-5

“Isaiah is clear that we are not the ones who usher in a new era; it is God who brings it forth. Some would therefore say that Isaiah’s call is not to action but to hope; but hope, in the end is action, with the power to overturn old assumptions and sad cynicism, to give new eyes, and to heal our warring hearts.”

Stacey Simpson Duke, co-pastor, First Baptist Church, Ann Arbor, MI

In the spring of my freshman year of college the Glee Club went on tour. I had never experienced anything quite like it. We traveled by bus to Washington, DC, for our first concert. The rest of the tour was by train – to Cleveland, Cincinnati, Memphis, and on to Little Rock, our western terminus. While in Little Rock, we sang a concert at the Arkansas School for the Blind. Our conductor, J. Bailey Harvey, affectionately known as “Oats” for reasons I can’t remember, was a “hail fellow well met.” He was a big man with a booming baritone, an English professor at City College by occupation and an amateur conductor driven by his love of the male chorus tradition and memories of his own bight college days. He always insisted we sing like men, not boys and we did our best to comply with eager desire to fulfill his hopes for us and sound grown up.

Scenes of the Season

     

Love Came Down at Christmas (12/20/2015)

A sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Randle R. (Rick) Mixon
First Baptist Church, Palo Alto, CA

Sunday, December 20. 2015

Text: Luke 1:26-55

The little boy came racing down the hall, bursting with pride in the beautiful little ceramic tray he had made in Sunday School – his mother’s Christmas present! In his haste, he tripped and the tray went flying. It landed in several pieces and the little boy was inconsolable in his grief.

Well-meaning adults who had seen the unfortunate accident or who were attracted by the boy’s sobbing, were full of sage advice for the little fellow: “He son, it was just a tray. It was not worth all this fuss. You can make another one. You can always buy your mother a better present. Hush now. Big boys don’t cry. Don’t worry about it.” Like the friends who attempted to comfort Job in his distress, their arguments were unconvincing and the little continued to wail.

Finally, his mother appeared on the scene. She knelt beside him, taking stock of the tragedy as she wrapped him in her arms. As his sobs subsided, she was able to say, “Well, now I think this we can fix this, honey. Let’s pick up the pieces and take it all home. We’ll glue it back together and it will be good as new.” You could have lit the whole world with the beam from his face, a reflection of his mother’s love.

In commenting on this tale, James Moore says, “Isn’t that exactly what the Christmas message is all about? The world is broken into many fragments, as are our lives. And God stoops down beside us. He hugs us and says, “Well, now, this is fixable. Let me help you pick up the pieces. We’ll put it back together and see what we can make of it!” (James W. Moore, Let Us Go Over to Bethlehem, p. 36).

Love came down at Christmas. First it appears in the guise of Gabriel, announcing to a young peasant girl that she is going to have a baby. As a an unmarried virgin, she is astonished at the news. She starts to protest when it suddenly sings in that this amazing heavenly being has just called her “favored one.” What can this mean? As though reading her mind, the angel assures her that she has found favor with God and that the child she will bear will be very special. And not only she, but her elderly relative, Elizabeth, is also pregnant with a special child. In the end, Mary is overwhelmed with the wonder of it all and her overflowing heart sings out, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

Mary makes the right response. Her heart is young and receptive, open and eager for the gift that God gives. Love came down at Christmas and Mary was ready.

Remember the Grinch, the one who supposedly stole Christmas? The moral of that delightful tale is that Christmas cannot be stolen if it truly lives in our hearts. Moore, again, in commenting on that story says, “The point is clear: if the Christ Child is born in your heart, no one can steal your Christmas! For you see, the real joy of Christmas is not in material presents (nice as they are); no, it is in receiving the only gift of Christmas that really matters, the gift of God’s love in Jesus Christ the gift that was wrapped in heaven” (Moore, op. cit., p. 44).

In her lovely Christmas poem, Christina Rosetti, in another place and time, asks “Worship we our Jesus, but where is God’s sacred sign?” Where are angels apparent? Where are miracles made on earth? Where does the holy inhabit our flesh bringing new life? How does God speak to her generation or to ours?

Rosetti’s poem goes on to answer her question with the affirmation that “Love shall be our token; love be yours and mine; Love to God and neighbor, love for plea and gift and sign.” Isn’t this what we see as a mother kneels beside her broken-hearted child or Mary kneels beside the manger, pondering all these things deep in her heart of hearts – prophecy fulfilled, promises kept, hearts healed, lives renewed, God in flesh appearing? What more can we ask? Isn’t it this very love that transforms life, that brings peace to earth and good will to all people, that turns the world right side up?

Again and again love comes down at Christmas. Will we be ready, receptive, open, eager like a little boy or a young girl to receive the gift? “How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of God’s heaven. No ear may hear Christ’s coming, But in this world of sin, [of estrangement from the God who made us and loves us with unstoppable love] Where meek hearts will receive him still, the Christ child enters in.”

In all the frantic activity of what we call THE HOLIDAYS, are we ready for the ultimate gift, the gift of God come so near we can’t even hear but only sense the presence in our own heart of hearts? Love comes down at Christmas. Can you feel it?

This Week at First Baptist (12/16/15)

This Week at First Baptist

• Thursday, December 17, 2015, 7:30 PM: Church Choir Rehearsal in the Parlor. We’d be delighted to have you join us as we prepare for this Christmas season.
• Saturday, December 19, 2015, 10:00 AM: Set up and preparation for the Christmas Brunch. Please come help us make ready for Sunday’s celebration.
• Sunday, December 20, 2015: 4th Sunday of Advent
  10:30 AM: Worship and Sunday School: “Love Comes Down,” Luke 1:39-55, Rick Mixon preaching
  11:15 AM: Annual Christmas Brunch and Pageant The children and youth will share their latest video creation. Bring finger food to share. Celebrate the joy of the season.
• Tuesday, December 22, 10:30 AM: Bible Study at Marylea McLean’s apartment, 373 Pine Lane, #4204, Los Altos.
• Meditation Group is on hiatus until Tuesday, January 12, 2:30 PM: led by Charlotte Jackson at Thelma Parodi’s house, 543 South El Monte Avenue, Los Altos.

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Advent, Christmas and Epiphany events
• Senior Connections Book Group  will not meet in December. We will resume on Thursday, January 21 at 12:00 PM. Our book is Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, a practicing surgeon. Being Mortal explores medicine providing not only a good life, but also a good end. Brown Bag Lunch (beverage will be provided).
• Thursday, December 24, 2015, 5:00 PM: Christmas Eve. Worship with candles and carols for the whole family
• Sunday, December 27, 2015: First Sunday of Christmas
  10:30 AM: Worship for the Whole Family
  “Christmas Carries On,” Luke 2:41-52, Gregory Stevens preaching.