Weekly Update

Sunday is the Feast of Epiphany. We commemorate the coming of the Wise Men from the east to worship the Christ child. The following Sunday is the Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord, where we commemorate Christs Baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist. the season after Epiphany concludes with Transfiguration Sunday the commemoration of Christs transfiguration on Mt Tabor where Elijah and Moses visit with him, witnessed by Peter James and John.

Liturgically we move from the celebration of the Birth of Christ to the meaning of the baby born in the manger and are lead to see that this child is the Word made flesh, God in human form. This is first witnessed to in that the Magi come and worship the Christ child.

This all reminds us that the celebration and joy of Christmas is not just about the coming of a baby, but that this baby was the gift of God with us, that this infant was born for us and to suffer with us. Thus we are already on our way to Lent and Holy Week. but we don't need to rush ahead, but to keep in mind the unity of the seasons of the Church year. They flow one into another, lifting up for a time different stories and themes of the Gospel, that we may ever continually enter more deeply into the mystery of God's saving Work and the coming Kingdom. As we celebrate Epiphany and the manifestation of Christ in the world, take time to reflect on Christ our light and life and how God is manifest in your life and those around you.

Announcements:
Professor Douglas Sharp of Northern Baptist Seminary will be our Baptist supply preacher on Sunday January 13th

The Rev. Doug Harris of North Shore Baptist Church, will be presiding at communion on Sunday January 27th.

The Rev. Jolene Bergstrom-Carlson, Associate Superintendent of the Central Conference in the Evangelical Covenant Church, will be our guest for worship on January 20th.

Our Annual Meeting is coming up on Sunday, January 27th. We plan to gather at 2:00 p.m. for a potluck and meeting, then will worship at 5:00. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this important every-member meeting.

In Christ,
Larry