Hesed in His Light -I Love You Because I Love You-
12.21.25 Stetson Memorial
UMC
<Hesed
in the Pageant and Baptism>
Dear
beloved sisters and brothers in Christ, last Sunday was filled with many
moments of joy and deep meaning. As a church family, we celebrated together as
we welcomed Addison and Alaina through the sacrament of baptism. Their
testimonies touched our hearts in a quiet yet powerful way. They shared that
they now see life with new eyes and that they have found a peace they could
not fully explain with words.
Their
stories were closely connected to the Christmas pageant we shared together.
Just as Charles Dickens passed on his faith to his children and grandchildren
through The Life of Our Lord, we witnessed faith being handed down
through generations in our own congregation. Jean Smallwood, Charles, and Sue
Anderson shared their faith with their children and grandchildren, not only
through words, but through lives of faithfulness. Seeing families gathered
together across generations was a gift, and it reminded us that faith is never
meant to be kept to ourselves. It is meant to be shared, lived, and passed on.
This
year, four churches came together to create one living pageant. Children from
different congregations took part, stepping into roles with courage and joy. Together,
we became one body. Angels, shepherds, and wise ones came alive among us, not
as a performance, but as an act of worship. Thank you for being part of this
holy moment and for offering your time, patience, and love.
Yet
even in the middle of the celebration, I want to speak honestly with you. I was
anxious that day. As a pastor, I am called to be a calm and steady presence,
but I struggled. I could not find the baptism bowl. I misplaced the baptism
book. I pushed the wrong button. The pageant video did not open at first, and
the special music stopped in the middle of singing. In those moments, my
frustration showed, and I know it made some of you uncomfortable.
I
will never forget my first baptism and pageant here. Afterward, I felt terrible
for several days. I replayed everything in my mind and wished I could go back
and fix it. As I prayed and reflected, I began to see many things God is still
shaping in me. I saw parts of my personality that need refining, schedules that
need pruning, skills I must continue to learn as a pastor, and responsibilities
I need to share with others. (Thankfully, some people already volunteered for
the next year's Pageant and media!) But more than anything else, I discovered
something deeper and more important. I discovered that God still loves
me—steadfastly, patiently, and without hesitation.
This
is God’s covenant love, called Hesed. Hesed is a Hebrew word that means
steadfast, loyal, never-failing love. It is not based on emotions or
circumstances. God’s love does not grow weaker when we fail, and it does not
disappear when we are tired, anxious, or ashamed. God’s love flows like a
waterfall, even when no one is watching. It moves like the ocean, even when no
one comes to the shore. God says to us today, “I love you because I love
you.” We are not loved because of what we do or who we are. We are
loved because God is love. This Hesed love depends not on our situation, but on
God’s character and covenant. I love you because I love you.
<Hesed in John>
We
find this same Hesed love in today’s Scripture from John 1:10–13. God loved the
world so deeply that He sent His beloved Son into it. That waterfall-like love,
that ocean-deep love, entered the world as light. Yet the world did not Recognize
Him, and many did not Receive Him. Still, to all who Believe, to
all who receive Him, God gives the right to Become children of God.
A
waterfall continues to flow whether we notice it or not. The ocean continues to
move whether we visit it or not. But when we step into those places, we finally
experience the gift that has been there all along. Pastor Kim Ki-seok calls
this a “light experience.” When God’s light enters our lives[1],
it brightens the darkness within us and does not go out. It helps us see the
world clearly, even its pain and brokenness.
This
is what we heard in the baptism testimonies last week. Addison and Alaina spoke
about being held within a greater light. They did not lose themselves, but
found themselves embraced by something larger and stronger than fear. Faith in
Jesus gives us a fresh start. While our parents gave us physical life, God
gives us spiritual life and brings us into His family. Scripture tells us
clearly that we are born not by human decision, but by God.[2]
Again, we are not loved because of what we have done. We are loved because God
is love. This Hesed love depends not on our situation, but on God’s character
and covenant. I love you because I love you.
<Hesed
in Fire, Death, and illness>
This
past week, our community faced deep pain. Addison’s great-uncle Steven and
Cheryl lost their garage to a fire, and Michael, who worked there, lost
everything he owned. Thirteen people escaped with their lives, but all their
belongings were destroyed. The center of Patten was left wounded and grieving.
At the same time, Pastor Kwan Lee, who once served this church and the Houlton
church, is preparing to complete his earthly journey and return to God. As we
rejoice in the birth of Jesus, we are reminded of the fragile line between life
and death. Many in our communities have also been suffering from illness, and
COVID has kept several members from being with us today. In the face of so much
pain, there were moments when all I could do was cry.
Yet
as I cried tears of despair, something within me began to change. I found
myself weeping again—not because we are loved for who we are or for any
condition we meet, but because God is love, and because God has chosen to love
us. We receive this love by grace, and we are called to share it with one
another.
Even
if everything we own is burned and lost, even if our bodies return to dust, and
even if pain and suffering press heavily upon us, there is one thing that can
never be taken away. That is God’s steadfast love—Hesed. Nothing can
separate us from this love. As Paul declares in Romans 8, neither death nor
life, nor anything else in all creation, can separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Within
one day after the fire, our church was filled with emergency supplies. Through
our treasurer, Raye, we met with Town Manager Gail and local leaders to listen,
plan, and encourage. Many volunteers stepped forward to serve at the collecting
center. Through our sister churches in Houlton, Hodgdon, and Mars Hill, we have
received $880 and essential supplies, along with support from Christian
organizations and local businesses. We all say “Patten Strong.”
Even
a child became part of this story of love. Walter, Sarah’s grandson, wrote a
heartfelt letter and donated three dollars to Cheryl, who lost everything. And
on Christmas Eve, through Lindsey’s caring idea, we will begin our worship at
the site of the fire, inviting our neighbors to receive God’s comfort and love
together.
When
we visited a 94-year-old pastor, his daughter told us through tears that God
had sent angels. In the middle of bitter tears, God gave us a hope the world
cannot explain. My tears of sorrow are becoming tears of thanksgiving. Once
again, we are not loved because of who we are or what we have done. We are
loved because God is love. This Hesed love depends not on our situation, but on
God’s character and covenant. I love you because I love you.
Throughout
this month, we have been reading the Gospel of John together. I love how John
begins his story, not with the manger, but with creation itself. The Word who
created all things came into the world as light, and that light gives life.
Today, we have tasted God’s Hesed in that light—steadfast, faithful, and
unchanging. We are held in a love that does not let us go. God says to us
today. I love you because I love you.
Let’s
pray.
Gracious God, You
so loved the world that You gave Your only Son,
that through him,
we might find life and light.
As we light the candle
of Love, Hesed, we pray that the same love that took flesh
In Bethlehem would take root in our lives
today.
Cast out our fear
and replace it with your perfect love.
Let our lives
shine with the radiance of your grace.
We wait in hope, we pray in peace, we dwell in
Joy, and we walk in love. Amen.
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