Sunday,
January 2, 2011
Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12
WHAT IF GOD IS ASKING
US FOR A SIGN?
Eleanor Epp-Stobbe,
preaching
An Epiphany
is an awakening, an insight, an "AHA!" moment when the pieces fall into
place. Epiphany traditionally celebrates the coming of the wise ones. The Christian
church celebrates Epiphany to acknowledge Jesus' coming as the light of the world.
Our
Advent - Christmas - Epiphany worship has invited us to extend worship into our
week - remembering why we are people of faith, recalling and receiving the love
and peace of this holy season. What kind of sign might God be calling you to be
in the world? What kind of sign might God be calling us, as Erb Street Mennonite
Church, to be in our local community? Questions for us to ponder as we begin our
160th year as a Mennonite Christian community of faith in the Waterloo area.
May
the light of this mysterious epiphany of God in Christ call forth the same response
of worship in us. May God's deep love surround us and draw us into the Christian
community in ways that build up the body of Christ, transcending our differences.
May our prayers and aspirations for the year ahead be based on the infinite love
and grace of God.
May we discover, as we journey through the year ahead together - a special year celebrating 160 years of being a rooted ~ growing ~ branching people of faith; that whatever challenges we face, God will amply supply our needs, deepen our experience of faith, and invite our response in worship - here in this place and as a people sent to be a blessing.
Isaiah
60:1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come.They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.' When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel." 'Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.' When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
New Revised Standard Version
