A Note from Pastor Bill

Dear Saints:

Sunday is the twelfth day of Christmas, known as Epiphany. Tradition holds that the Magi presented their gifts to the child in Bethlehem on that day. Three Kings Day, as it is known in many cultures, is when gifts are exchanged, even today.

You all made some amazing gifts during this holy season. In addition to the wish trees and many selfless acts of hospitality and sharing, you also gave $119,000 for The United Methodist Children’s Home through the Christmas Preeve and Eve offerings, helped us surpass the $4 million mark in BodyBuilding receipts, and exceeded the “70 in 07” goal for Water, Shade and Healing with our mission partners. Giving to St. Luke’s ministry continues on track (we have a fiscal year operating budget: April 1 through March 31) and we continue to receive those important “Yes!” cards for 2008 commitments. All of this amazing giving coincides with Matthew’s scripture for Sunday. (Matthew 2:1-12)

The Magi arrive in Bethlehem, offer gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and then instead of retracing their steps, they go home “by another road.” Our sermon title this Sunday is “New Ways for New Days.” We are beginning a focus on deepening our discipleship that will carry us well into the New Year. The question we are asking is “Can we go back to the same ways of doing things after we have been to the manger?” (Of course, it’s a rhetorical question!) Obviously we don’t think so, but how do we begin to chart a new course?

We start with the first Sunday of the year Service of Holy Communion and Covenant Renewal, which John Wesley strongly urged for Methodist believers. Then, on January 13, we reaffirm our baptism and take home a small reminder of what it means to be washed in the water of new life.

In this New Year, I hope we will be as determined to grow in our discipleship at least as much as we are determined not to grow in our waistlines.

Read Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12 in preparation for Sunday.

With faith, hope, love and Gospel GPS,
Bill