7th Sunday of Easter worship service May 24 2020.  First Reading Acts 1:6-14; Second Reading 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; Gospel Reading John: 17:1-11.  Sermon message: On this last Sunday of Easter, John takes us to the meaning of eternal life, the Gospel says we were created for relationship with God.  This message is Jesus's prayer to the Father, taking place in conversation around a table, the end of the last supper, so that it leads to the Crucifixion.  He has spoken to them with boldness and urgency, and prayed, rendering his heart to them.  What does it mean for us to read and hear through scripture Jesus's prayer for us disciples today?  Author Debie Thomas writes about this reading. Jesus spends his final hours on earth by humbling himself, hoping into doubt, rushing into danger, this being the last tender memory he give them.  In this beautiful prayer, we get a clear and concise definition of eternal life.  This is not the picture of eternal life we envision, but eternal life is to know God in Christ.  To know God means to be in relationship with God - knowing the one true God and Jesus Christ, whom God has sent, beginning now in faith, coming to know the love of God who made us, the future promise through the resurrection when faith and relationship with God will be complete.  "And now I am no longer in the World, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you.  Holy Father, protect them in your name, so that they may be one, as we are one."  This prayer defines what Pentecost is to us - Jesus has gone to the Father, and we are still in the world, as disciples marked with the Cross of Christ, Jesus's works are now in our hands as we are the presence of Christ in his absence.  The promises of the resurrection are now ours to fill, Christ is made real, Christ is made known. On the night before his death, Jesus prayed and pleaded for the unity of his disciples, unified and committed to the sacred tie that binds, determined to love, reconcile, bless, and unify across all barriers, just as Christ and the Father are one, is our call, here and now.  This is how the world will know who we are, whose we are, and whose relationship we are bound together. Amen.

Sixth Sunday of Easter Worship Service First Reading Acts 17:22-31; Second Reading 1 Peter 3:13-22; Gospel John 14:15-21.  This weekend across the Synod, we are honoring high school graduates.  The Sermon given by NE UNL Campus Synod Pr. Adam White.  This wasn't the future anyone had in mind for the future.  The abundant life stuff Jesus was talking about - this promised future and all things are going so good - but then out of no where, the hour for Jesus's time to depart. Time to socially distance himself from the disciples.  You know this is hard, imagining that promised future and it just disappears, so many things planned with every reason in the world that all those plans were going to happen.  Just like the disciples, you are asking "what does this social distancing suppose to mean" just like the disciples were wondering "what does this following Jesus mean exactly?"  If today's scripture is any indication, Jesus steps into the mess.  Jesus is the one who does not leave, he is here, just like with the disciples then and now.  Even with the physical distance, the sting of absence, God's abundant life is right here in front of you, to power you to love one another.  In the future, there is life after distance, the spirit of God's love and abundant life is there, and it is here now.  All the people stepping up to help one another is ways none thought possible, people being empowered with the spirit to do better and greater things, that is God's abundant live pouring out right now.  Love one another as I have loved you - it is a way of life, a way of being.  Congratulations Graduates.  Remember the distance will not wreck God's future planned out for us for Spirit of  Love and Abundance remains. Peace of Christ be with you. Amen.

Fifth Sunday of Easter Worship Service May 10 2020.  First Reading Acts 7:55-60; Second Reading 1 Peter 2:2-10; Gospel John 14:1-14.  Message: "Do not let your Hearts be troubled.  Believe in God, Believe also in me." It is easier said then done these days.  Amongst the mix of a pandemic, isolation, loneliness, hunger, social distancing, and record breaking unemployment - add Jesus dying on the cross.  On a night when hope seems so dim, Jesus revels and counsels his disciples to believe in the resurrection, believe in God, and in Jesus, and he calls them to even greater feats.  John 14 is Jesus's farewell message, and how Jesus reassures them, he is going to his Father's house.  Jesus proclaims "I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me".  This is about Jesus going ahead to prepare a relationship with God for them, for us.  By his death and resurrection, Christ assures us there is a place for us with God, in this life and the after, for Christ has shown us the way to the Father, to the place, to the relationship with God.  We cannot control the things that worry us, daily we are reminded of our human vulnerability, but there in John 14 we find the antidote to all this grief and pain.  Following Christ, that in the face of life's cruelties, be ridiculously committed to loving one another - like the doctors and nurses and emergency responders who are caring for the sick and dying; Loving people looks like the countless food and time that was donated to Messiah last Saturday for the 600+ meals given out; Loving people includes your prayers raised up for the sake of the human family throughout the world, with faith and hope through the grief and fear - knowing that yes indeed, Christ's love from the cross and tomb will triumph.  As Christ has shown us, love will always conquer death, this is true hope. John 14 is addressed to us, in a world trying to find a way to the Father without Christ physical presents.  By Faith, we are privileged to participate now in the life of Christ in this world, believing that Christ has shown us the way to the Father.  Martin Luther wrote: In tho this world with devil's filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not yield, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us." Dear friends in Christ, do not let your Hearts be troubled.  Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Easter Worship: First Reading Acts 2:42-47; Second Reading 1 Peter 2:19-25; Gospel John 10:1-10.  Pr. Steven Peeler gave message about Psalms 23.  How fitting this psalm and gospel reading are at this time during this pandemic.  This psalms is a journey, that God's goodness and mercy is chasing after us as we travel.  This God walks with us, this God is faithful to us, This God is the Good Shepard.  There are paths of righteousness for us, and they do not go straight from the green pastures directly to the Lord,   Sometimes those paths go through the darkest valleys - in Jesus's case, the path went to the cross and the tomb and to resurrection.  As the Good Shepard, Jesus tends and guides us in relationship with each other, our community, and with God.  The good news of this psalms is that God walks with us on this path, and will guide us and see us through this.  God's goodness and mercy continues to pursue us.  God is guiding us through Saturday Suppers with social distancing and helping others, with acts of kindness be it large scale or person to person, And God's goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the House of the Lord.  Peace be with you. Amen.

Sunday April 26 2020 Worship Service
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
First Reading Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Second Reading 1 Peter 1:17-23; Gospel Luke 24:13-35. The message of the gospel is that this is going to be a long journey, filled with loneliness, Dispar, and isolation.  We need to remember that Christ is with us every step of the way. Like the Apostles, we are in a place between distress and belief; between dashed hopes and promises fulfilled.  Jesus walks with the Apostles, and once they name their pain, name their hear, fear, doubt; Christ picks it up from there and carries it on.  Christ walks with us to get us through tough times, to see past tough times and be known to us.  Once our eyes are opened, go and tell the story, share the love of Christ.  We are the hands of God, neighbor helping neighbor, friend helping friend, communities helping Communities in need - We need to open our eyes and see Jesus is known to us.  Once we open our eyes, we will see he has RISEN INDEED and all hope is restored.  He enables us to arise in healing and new life.  Christ is there with us, walking every step with us through our journey.  Once we open our eyes, we will see HE HAS RISEN INDEED! Amen.

Easter Sunday Service - First Reading Acts 10:34-43; Second Reading Colossian 3:1-4; Gospel Reading Matthew 28:1-10.  “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. HE is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.  Alleluia! Christ has risen indeed!  These past few weeks have felt like a preputial Good Friday filled with separation, fear, and death.  Jesus had been examined, rejected, crucified, and buried - but God did not let Jesus die. Easter is God's act of power, love, mercy, and forgives.  God's unconquered mercy and action by raising a Christ, God says yes to Jesus and no to crucifying power, yes to the healing touch, forgiveness of sinners and receiving outcasts.  the resurrection of Christ means that no ray of light, no loving dead, no act of mercy, no word of forgives is ever lost or defeated.  the resurrection promises that all our beginning and all our ending lays in the hand of God.  He is not here, for he is risen - it is the message for us now.  Matthew's Easter message that transformers the world then and continues to transformers the world now, here and now.  We will gather again, in person and in the flesh.  God, who longs to be with is in person to see us gathered as his body, will full us with abundance of life.  He is not here, he has risen.  He has risen Indeed! Amen.

Good Friday Service - First Reading Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Second Reading Hebrews 10:16-25, Gospel John 18:1-19:42,
19Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus,20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh),21and since we have a great priestover the house of God,22let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.23Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for hewho has promised is faithful.24And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds,25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Maundy Thursday Service - First Reading Exodus 12:1-10, Second Reading Corinthians 11:23-26, Gospel John 13:1-14, 31b-35       “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”

April 5 2020 Palm Sunday worship Service.  First Reading Isaiah 50:4-9a; Second Reading Philippians 2:5-11; Gospel Matthew 26:14-27:66, Pr. Steven Peeler presiding.  Announcement: Saturday Suppers tried their curbside to go dinners for the first time.  Thank you to all who are still donating food for this ministry.  Grace and Peace be on to you from God our Father - Amen.  Only the suffering God can help in these times when people are confined to their homes, jobs are lost, lonely, and scared.  Only a suffering God can help the pain of the world in this pandemic.  Only the suffering God can help - for at the cross, Jesus shows the world who he truly is.  How much more can the world bear? On the cross, we are meet by one who bears it all for us.  He has not left us, he will not leave us alone.  Here is the suffering God among our suffering and sorrows, whose everlasting grasps is stronger then any illness, separation, or death.  This is holy week,this is the world right now - bring on the Hosannas for the Savior of the world. Amen.

Wednesday Lenten Service Week 5 First Reading Ezekiel 34:11-16, Second Reading Romans 10:8-13; Gospel Luke 19:1-10 To Save the Lost - Luke has consistently shown how Jesus cared for those in need and for those rejected by society. In the Zacchaeus account these themes are summed up in beautiful detail. The account is unique to Luke's Gospel, just as the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the compassionate father are. Luke always portrays tax collectors favorably (3:12; 7:29; 15:1; 18:10). In return to Jesus' openness to him, Zacchaeus makes the proper response. Having accepted Jesus' initiative, Zacchaeus becomes generous with his resources, even seeking to make restitution for past wrongs. He is a rich man who gets through the eye of the needle.
 

First Reading Ezekiel 37:1-14; Second Reading Romans 8:6-11; Gospel John 11:1-45.  Service performed by Pr. Steven Peeler, Message read by Jillian Anderson: to read the entire message click link:

First Reading Exodus 17:1-7; Second Reading Romans 5:1-11; Gospel John 4:5-42. Sermon given by Pr. Steven Peeler. You can almost hear the Israelites' questions - how they mirror what is happening today.  How do we protect ourselves? How long will this last? What's going on? How appropriate This morning's reading is set in this third time of crisis by the people of Israel, as the current world is going through a COVID19 Pandemic crisis.  The questions are endless. As this journey unfolds, the story of our experiences are about a group of God's people that are "stuck" between God's promise and fulfillment.  As the wilderness is no longer simply just a place, but for Israel and for now, it is a state of mind with an uncertain future. We, like Israel, may not remember God's great acts on their behalf, but God does.  God still lays claim to them and us. The key question is in verse 7: "Is the Lord among us or not?" It was the Israelites question, it is our question. God who provides us not just water, but life in the midst of chaos the death; bread and wine as the food for our journey through through this world, and the promise that I am with you always to the end.  On this third Sunday of Lent we are reminded by this passage that God still guides us on our journey.  Just as God led Israel, so also does God set us on our way.  This text reminds us all that god is not only faithful to meet us in our essential need, but also that god is able to bear the brunt of our cries, questions, complaints, doubts without vindictiveness or wrath.  God is always present  for the community of the faithful and is binding us together as we journey through this illness that has gripped most of the world. We need to remember that God's grip of us is stronger!

Second week of Lent jWensday Service Isaiah 53:7; 

First Reading Genesis 12:1-4a; Second Reading Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; Gospel John 3:1-17.  Prayer of the day: O God, our leader and guide, in the waters of baptism you bring us to new birth as your children.  Strengthen our faith in your promises, that we may lift up your life to all the world through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.  The first reading talks of Abram and Sarah leaving their family, their land, their home to go to a new land because God asked him to.  Abram just goes - no questions, no second guesses.  Would you have been able to do this?  We are planners, and we would not just take off and leave everything without having a clear idea as to what was going to happen.  Out of all the people in the world, it is Abraham that God calls to go to restore and begin again the creation that Adam and Eve broke, so that creation may be restored to live in harmony with God once again.  The call of Abraham is God's loving and passionate response to the Dilemma created by sin and evil.  That God will work to renew and restore entire creation.  God has a destination for us, even if we cannot see it, marked with the cross forever, gifted with the Holy Spirit, born anew, with the promise of eternal life, called together to go into those Unknown places in faith, and completely on the trust in God.  God is always calling on us to be a blessing for all here on earth.  "I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know WHO holds tomorrow."  In faith and praise to God - Amen.

First Reading Genesis 3:11-15; Second Reading 1 Peter 1:17-21; Gospel John 11:45-53.  Lenten Service: To Seek and To Serve: Week 1: That One Man Should Die.  God had a plan.  A plan in place before creation - that the son of Man and son of god, will bear our sins in his own body on the cross.  That he will suffer the penalty of death in our place, and defeat the devil.  One man would die, not just for Isreal, but for All people everywhere, every time, and every place.  God promised that an offspring of Eve would come to destroy the tempting serpent.  The serpent and the Savior dealt one another crushing, bruising, deadly blows in that battle to the death on the cross, but only one of them was going to rise up again.  Amen.

First Reading Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Second Reading Roman 5:12-19; Gospel Matthew 4:1-11 read by Pr. Steven Peeler.  This is the first Sunday of Lent, and it has all the makings of a Hollywood movie.  It has Temptation and Betrayal, ending with Hope and Courage.  This text shows the faithfulness of Jesus - the testing defines what it means to be the Messiah.  It also shows the conflict between the Kingdom of God and Kingdom of this world.  The Devil tries to temp Jesus with food and power, but fails, for Jesus says "the word of God is life" and "Fear your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name".  Jesus will not take influence and power like us humans.  Why test Jesus anyway? He's the son of God, the Almighty, the Emmanuel - god with us.  Jesus knows our humanness in every sense of the word - and has been tested as we are.  Jesus is Jesus because we are not.  we face temptation everyday from within and around us.  We are constantly tempted in this world to question God's helpfulness when things go wrong, we are compromised with the ways of the world.  To be human is to realize we are created for relationship with God and each other.  the goal of a life in faith is not to escape our limitations but to see a God that meets our needs and is enough for us.  Faith gives us the courage to stand among the hardships and temptations.  Our greatest temptation every day is to forget who and who's we are - god's people, claimed by God in Christ, marked by the cross, called, gathered, feed, and sent for the sake of the world.  The same Jesus invites us to find and live hope and courage in God, so that we may discover each and every day who and who's we are.  Thanks be to God.  Amen.

First Reading Joel 2:1-2. 12-17; Second Reading 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Gospel reading Matthew 6:1-6. 16-21.  Pr. Steven Peeler gave Ash Wednesday worship.  Tonight we are reminded of our mortality - from ashes we came, and to ashes we will return. As we begin the 40 days journey of lent, we reflect of our relationship with God, the great suffering that Jesus endured on our behalf.  Jesus tells us how to build the foundation our relationship with God by giving of alms, fasting, and prayer.  Jesus cautions us to never to practice our faith with the desire to be praised by others, for attention and applause.  We are not to devise ways to give, fast, and prayer to impress the crowds.  For we are to humble ourself before God.  When we give, fast, and pray for attention of others, there is no spiritual value.  Because this is the beginning of lent, this is also a day to talk about death and utter honesty.  We are called to see our struggles are like our neighbors - pain, hunger, sickness, and despair - and in need of redemption by God.  Jesus blesses those who are hurting and those who live with compassion.  Whatever gets in the way of our relationship with God, is swept away in the care of others, and prayer, and denying the greed of the world.  At the center of the gospel passage, God sees us, notices us, God pronounces us worthy of God's care and concern, redeems us, gives us faith and courage to engage in spiritual practices of faith whole heartedly, not for the achievement or approval of others, but confidence that God's approval has already been given.  We offer our lives as testimony for the one who gives us worth and dignity in the first place.  The ashes remind us of our absolute dependence on God's mercy and grace.  Ashes to Ashes, dust to dust - and Jesus's promise that God's sees us, loves us to the end, therefore come and live as the beloved redeemed marked ashes of God. Amen.

First Reading: Exodus 24:12-18, Second Reading 2 Peter 1:16-21; Gospel Matthew 17:1-9.  Service given by Pr. Steven Peeler, Interim Pastor.  Metamorphosis - Transfiguration - the gospel lesson is about change.  The change that Jesus goes through - from human suffering, sin, and death to holy, Divine and glorious.  The cross is the limbs of which we view his transfiguration.  Mountains is the place where God reveals God's self to God's people - where Jesus is transformed in front of the disciples.  Joined by Moses and Elijah, it is clear that Jesus stands in continuity with what God started in the old testament, tying in the new testament.  The Heavenly voice speaks confirming Jesus is the powerful son of God and at the same time the suffering servant.  Each and every time we meet for worship, we're met with a transfiguration moment, this is where God meets us in scripture read and proclaimed, through wine and bread, but we cannot stay here.  We are sent in and with and through the power of God's grace, to go out into the world to be Christ's presence in the world.  Jesus calls us to partner with God, and Together we see God working, through faith to nurture all of god's people, for we do not go alone, but God is with us, in us, surrounds us, for Jesus defeated sin and death so we can go forth to help those in need, to transfigure the world.

First Reading Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Second Reading 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Gospel Matthew 5:21-37 - Service given by Greg Tetro.   One belief as Christians we all have is that God created us for his purpose.  We get the opportunity to give hospitality, to demonstrate kindness, tolerance, love, gentleness.  Every day we get to encourage and pass on this sense of hospitality to our children and grandchildren. Today's sermon is about Matthew 5 with the hard words from Jesus about anger, adultery, and divorce.  Sometimes anger is needed, but Jesus is talking about the kind of anger of jealousy, envy, and ego driven.  Jesus is talking about adultery - which means to make "impure", to defile a relationship.   Jesus is talking about relationships with God and with each other.  The 10 commandments are not suggestions.  The first 3 are about our relationship with God, and the next 4-10 are about our relationship with each other.  Most people want to be their own priest, we want to be our own final authority of what is right and wrong over us, and to live with our own creed: Love Jesus and do what ever we want.  When we talk about God, we talk about being in relationship with God.  It is not always about doing the "right things" and "living the right way" but about loving your neighbor and putting God in our life, honoring those who we are in a relationship with.  We must remember that when we do manage to fill a law or a commandment, to not to become judgemental of those who do not/ cannot meet the same goals we do.  The genius of the Sermon on the Mound brings us face to face with Jesus Christ and we discover how we should live for others in this world.  Amen.

First Reading Isaiah 58:1-9a; Second Reading 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; Gospel Matthew 5:13-20.  Sermon given by Pastor Kristen Van Stee (NE Synod, asst. to Bishop Brian Maas).   We all like rewards for doing good work.  When kids, we expect rewards, and as adults, we should know better, and we know what we are supposed to do, without rewards.  BUT as people of God, we can fall into that same trap - I'm doing good so I should be earning points in Heaven - Right?  God does not desire our prayers if/when we are guilty of ignoring the poor, hungry, oppressed, etc.  The Hebrew people are complaining to Isaiah "why is God not answering our prayers?".  What the Hebrew people failed to grasp, and we as Christians fail to grasp today, that is God wants us to be people who will reflect HIS love in this world - salt and light - the job God wants us to do.  So, Why are we here?  What is our Mission?   Is it our job to keep the church doors open?  Where does it say in the bible that the mission is to keep the doors open?  There has to be more! It's 8:30 AM and we could have slept in, so WHY are we here?  Why do Saturday Suppers?  Why do Loads of Love?  Why do we do this?  Because of love.  Love is the mission of the church - we are called to embrace Gods love and then spread that love out into the world.  BECAUSE we have the Good News of God's Love - we are to spread that love out into our communities, cities, country, world.  IT's OUR JOB!  God is filling us with life and with love, and asking us to be Salt and Life for those who need it most.  Jesus is asking us to do this important sacred job, be loved and go out and share the good news.  God's love has not limits, the spirit can use our good works, be the salt and the light to change the lives of everyone you encounter. Don't be afraid, for there will be a cost, but this job is not impossible for the spirit is with you - giving you strength, courage, and ability.  So let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works, and Glorify our Father in Heaven. AMEN!

NE Synod Road Show Gospel Luke 24:13-36 - Sermon by Bishop Brian Maas.  What's Next?  What's next for our congregation. What's next for the future of our church?  It's not a hard question to image when Cleapos and his companion were making their way back to Emmaus from Jerusalem.  They were so confused, for the scripture has been saying Jesus would deliver them - but it did not turn out the way they thought it would 10 and 20 and 40 years ago.  Where we have experienced one disappointment after another.  Where what we thought was next has not come to pass. Where we are confused about our future.  What I hope is that as you traveled to this Emmaus, as you listen to the word being shared with one another, as you meet Jesus again at this table, you would realize that Christ is Alive, that we ARE God's people and we can be Fearless and Unstoppable because God IS WITH US and ever will be.  So my prayer is that you return home, not with doubt and confusion, but with excitement and hope, and talk with your Jerusalem about What is Next!. 

First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4; Second Reading Hebrews 2:14-18; Gospel Luke 2:22-40.  Sermon given by Greg Tetro.  Does our behavior match up with our belief?  Do we let our belief in God guide our behavior?  That is the challenge in today's world - to behave how our faith would guide us, and to pass on to the next generation our belief and faith.  God didn't send his son to the world, but to SAVE the world through him, to bring salvation to ALL people.  The story of the Messiah is the story of God's promise fulfilled - and we are saved by grace through Jesus Christ.  We know the grace of forgiveness and the joy of faith.  When we seek Jesus Christ, We know we can and do see Christ everyday, in acts of caring compassion, in the love we share, through the forgiveness we experience.  We tend to take things for granted, but God is working daily in our life, and we need to be living faithfully and fully, and as disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to show our belief, faith and love for each other and for our neighbors. Amen.

First Reading Isaiah 9:1-4; Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Gospel Matthew 4:12-23.  Sermon given by Fr. Chuck Peek.  Breath in the prayer to God - It is important to remember that God so loves the World - the WHOLE mess, even our own messes in our lives, our communities, all of it.  True belief is not to just be told about God, but comes from the experiences of God's work, out of experiences of JOY and WONDER.  Pray for who God is and all God does, For what there has been, THANKS, and for all there will be, YES.  The Lord shares the light with us, so how have we helped the world share the light?  How have we shown which light shows to true belief and not falseness. The Angel said "Do not be afraid for I am bringing you good new and great joy for All the people."  We are to go out and tell ALL people of Jesus's light, no exclusions.  Isaiah reminds us that those who walk in great darkness, will see the light, and when we walk in want - we walk in darkness.  There are two qualities that reach out and shed light in our life and out in the world - Thanks and Praise.  Don't ever base your religious life on anything else other then THANKS and PRAISE.  Breath it in -Songs of Thankfulness and Praise, Jesus Lord to thee we raise.

First reading Isaiah 49:1-7; Second reading Corinthians 1:1-9; Gospel John 1:29-42.  Worship Service performed by Jan Anderson from St. Paul, NE.  We hear a lot about John the Baptist after Christmas and Advent.  Why is John so special?  John says "I am the voice of the one crying out in the wilderness make straight the way of the Lord", and "Jesus is the light, the eternal word, and that he came to testify to the light."  So, to recap this gospel, on the 1st day - the Jewish leaders come and question John, the 2nd day - Jesus comes and John declares him to be "The Lamb of God", and the 3rd day - John's 2 disciples leave John and follow Jesus.  So when we discover Jesus, we come to know who we are and what we are intended to be.  We are defined by who and what we are created to do, created to be the children of God.  Maybe we should consider who we are not, it may help us discover who we are in relation to Christ, and point the way to God through Jesus Christ.