Dec
25
2011

No Time For Sermons

No Time For Sermons (Luke 2:25-38)

Pastor Jeff RaffaufPastor Jeff Raffauf, December 25, 2011
Part of the Advent series, discussed at a Christmas Day service

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Luke 2:25-38

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. (ESV)



About Pastor Jeff Raffauf: The Reverend Jeffery A. Raffauf was appointed Senior Pastor of the West Lawn United Methodist Church on July 1, 2000. He is an elder in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church. He previously served the Jonestown UMC in Lebanon County (1982-1992) and the Columbia UMC in Lancaster County (1992-2000). Pastor Jeff grew up in the West Lawn area, and specifically, in the West Lawn UMC. He considers it both a great privilege and a great challenge to minister in the community that played such an important role in his life. He is a graduate of Wilson High School, Penn State University (’77, BA in Sociology), and Wesley Theological Seminary (’82, M.Div.) in Washington, D.C. Jeff is married to Cheryl Flynn Raffauf, of Baltimore, MD. They have two grown children, Justin and Andrea, who are now serving the community in their own careers of education and counseling, respectively. Jeff and Cheryl have long felt a strong commitment to ministry in the community as a part of all they do in the Church. They are enthusiastic about working together to fulfill the vision of this church, which is β€œto invite, embrace, and empower all to be the family of God in Christ.” If you would like to share with them in this exciting ministry, please be in touch with the Raffaufs by contacting them at the church, or join them in worship this Sunday. Email Pastor Jeff at jeff@westlawnumc.org
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