This first Sunday of the year is Communion Sunday, Epiphany Sunday AND the day that we receive our star words for 2025. They are picked randomly but prayerfully and meant to act as a guide for the coming year, akin to a North Star. Life can get so full and busy that sometimes we need something more simple to focus our attention on. If you are unable to receive a star word in worship this morning and you would like one mailed to you, please email Pastor Jessie.

Today’s Epiphany focus will be on these mysterious visitors to the baby Jesus. Why would such wise and illustrious and worldly people want to travel so far just to see a baby? What does this interaction mean for the our larger story of the Gospel? In what ways does Epiphany challenge us to make room for “strangers” who might have wisdom to share with us?

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The Christmas story is not over yet. By now Joseph was used to angels. And now he needed their timely warnings more than ever. Jesus was barely a toddler and His trouble with the Roman Empire had begun. Jesus, the Savior of Humankind becomes a refugee — forced from home by oppression and violence. We ask ourselves how we might usher in #morelife in the face of that which feels destructive. One last time in this series we hear the message #DoNotBeAfraid to get up and go — leaving those things that weigh us down and moving into the new year with new life.

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Over the last four weeks, we have heard of the stories of angel appearances heralding incredible news of the birth of a savior. They didn’t appear to kings and rulers or courts or the privileged of society. They came to an old and barren couple, a young girl barely a woman and to lowly shepherds on a hillside. They came to people like you and me. God worked through ordinary people and did extraordinary things. And so it is that God works through us every time we offer messages of hope, peace, joy, and love to an anxious world. We are called to fly in the face of fear — to be angels among us.

On this holy night, we consider the circumstances of Jesus’ birth and we ask: what do we make room for? In our hearts? In our lives? In our world?

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This week, we come to the story of the angel visitation to the shepherds. The sky was brighter than usual that night, making it easier to keep track of the sheep. And then it got really bright. You would have thought that all that “glory” shining would have been “the sign.” That’s what most of us look for–great big obvious clues about God’s presence.
But instead, the angel says that a baby… a newborn helpless baby in a feeding trough was it–the sign. In a flash, the message was that #morelove is found where you least expect it and perhaps is already there residing in the ordinariness of your life.
When God offers God’s self in this form rather than that of might and force, we recognize that love is what will save us if we but open
ourselves to each other. And we discover that God does and will use the so-called “lowest” or marginalized to bring the real message of love to the world.

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No sermon this week, but the message of Advent and Christmas is preached through music in our annual Christmas Cantata, provided by the excellent leadership of Diana Martin as well as members of our Sanctuary Choir, Bell Choir and Contemporary Band. There are even some special guest musicians. This service is one that we look forward to every year! Perfect for this Sunday of JOY!

Also this is the day where we receive the annual Christmas Joy Offering. The Christmas Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s. This offering distributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their
families. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years.

See this link for more information or to contribute online.