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“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” – Isaiah 43:18-19


A new season of the church as well as a new year for each of our calendars. The verse above is a great reminder to let go of the past disappointments and embrace the new opportunities God is creating not only for each of us but this church too. We know all too well how our personal calendars affect our daily lives directly as we plan and prepare for this new year. The other new season is that of the church which is often an unseeable concept that few people have heard of yet think about. It is EPIPHANY. Just saying the word Epiphany brings a smile to my face. This is such a wonderful word, but not one used often in our regular conversations. In terms of meaning, we can go in two directions: ordinary everyday use - a moment of sudden revelation or insight. A Christian view - the manifestation of Christ to the world - God came to earth just as God promised in the Old Testament. This child - proclaimed by angels, visited by shepherds, sought out by the wise men, is recognized as the Promised One.

Another image of epiphany is that of light breaking into our world, bringing life-changing actions into the lives of all who believe. God made known the birth of the Son by the light of a star. When life is changed, transformed; when life is turned upside down, we realize that we have received more than a life-improvement plan. We have received the gift of transformation.

This prayer, whose author is unknown, spoke to me as a very good reminder and prayer as we start out this new year: Lord, We are your people, the sheep of your flock. Heal the sheep who are wounded, touch the sheep who are in pain, clean the sheep who are soiled, warm the lambs, who are cold. Help us to know the Father’s love through Jesus the shepherd and through the Holy Spirit. Help us to lift up that love, and show it all over the land. Help us to build love on justice and justice on love. Help us to believe mightily, hope joyfully, love divinely, and renew us that we may help renew the fact of the earth.

Amen Peace, SAM/Intern Wendy