Celebrating Epiphany!

The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King. The Wise Men or Magi were the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as "King" and so were the first to "show" or "reveal" Jesus to a wider world as the incarnate Christ. This act of worship by the Magi was one of the first indications that Jesus was for all people, of all nations, of all races, and that the work of God in the world would not be limited to only a few. With this Sunday, we will enter the Epiphany season. This season will continue until the beginning of Lent (Ash Wednesday, Mar. 9th, 2011).

Our call during this season is to be attentive to the signs and presence of Jesus being revealed, perhaps in the most unexpected and unlikely places as well as by
the most unexpected and unlikely people. Our call during this season is also to be like those wise men: to reveal Jesus as Christ and King for all.

During the next three Sundays, we will explore these calls by:

Lifting up the ministry of Small Groups…a warm, supportive place to practice being attentive to the signs and presence of Jesus in your own life. / Jan. 9th – Small Group Ministry Sharing Sunday

Exploring our boundaries around what “all” really means and being challenged to be in right relations with “all people, all nations, all races.” / Jan. 16th – Human Relations Sunday

Celebrating the ministry of the laity. / Jan. 23rd – Laity Sunday

Happy Epiphany! May we be surprised as we, like the wise men, follow the bright star.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Emily