Claimed, gathered and sent

This is the sermon I preached for Blue Christmas, Sunday 12/22/19 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church. The Bible passage I used was Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 .     The people of Israel were in a really bad way. Psalm 80 is a psalm of lament, the psalmist’s response to the trouble. Diving together into the psalm, we will find comfort. The feelings expressed mingle with our own as we allow God to be with us in our sufferings, when we are blue. I’m not trying to put anyone on the spot, but is there anyone here who has never suffered pain and sorrow at some time in their life? If so, I’d like to see your hand. That’s what I thought. This psalm is one of communal lament. People broke with their normal routines, assembled at sanctuaries, offered sacrifices, lamented their distress and pleaded with God to intervene on their behalf. Psalms of lament follow this pattern: God We have a problem Why have You allowed this to happen to us?             How long do we have to put up with this

This is the reflection that was sent out to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church . This Sunday will be our Blue Christmas service and I will be preaching from this text. What are your thoughts about the psalmist's cries? Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 1  Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,     you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth 2      before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might,     and come to save us! 3  Restore us, O God;     let your face shine, that we may be saved. 4  O Lord God of hosts,     how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? 5  You have fed them with the bread of tears,     and given them tears to drink in full measure. 6  You make us the scorn of our neighbors;     our enemies laugh among themselves. 7  Restore us, O God of hosts;     let your face shine, that we may be saved. 17  But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,     the one whom you mad