HELLO!

You have been asking, “When are we worshipping again with the other United Churches in Dartmouth, like we did for the 100^th anniversary of the UCC last June?” The answer is, this Sunday, January 4^th at 10 am at Woodlawn United Church (we are the obvious space for this gathering, given our parking lot). Bethe is coordinating this service. She is our representative on the United Churches for Dartmouth committee. (Bethe and I have a New Year’s message-video featured on the UCFD website.) https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17xUWnCUTd/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Bethe offers a summary of what to expect this Sunday: “There will be a joint choir, engaging activities for children and an inspiring worship service with stars, light and an appearance by the Magi! After the service stay for community time at Coffee Hour and have some “Myrrh cake”. As we celebrate Epiphany and the new year it is good to be together.”

There will no sermon by me. You will be leaving the sanctuary by 11 am.

The idea of following a star sounds odd, even terrifying. If astrologers had invited me to join them, they might have had a hard time getting me out the door. They, however, seem to have taken their mysterious journey in stride. When the star disappears, they stop to ask directions and continue onward. The Magi were seeking the One who would be, as Isaiah describes, “A light for all nations, a light to guide exiles home”.

An epiphany is a sudden revelation or insight, an awareness of a truth that wasn’t apparent before. God’s truth challenges us to see things differently, to change our minds on things we thought we were so certain about. We live in a broken world that is in desperate need of mercy, justice, and redemption. We need the God who came to us in Jesus, who will bring us home, and show us what’s important. We need the God who stands with those who are most impacted by poverty and oppression.

The poet Rilke’s meditation on the visit of the Magi called “The Birth of Christ” ends thus with reference to the gifts of the Magi: He, the child, already outshines them all. All amber shipped from distant climes, each golden artifact and perfumed spice that roams distraught among the senses—all these were of such sudden brevity and, in the end, brought only sorrow. But (you will see) He, alone, brings joy.” Peace, Kevin