1 Corinthians 9:24-27   Living as if something other than our own wishes or prejudices is an essential identification of the followers of Jesus.

Mark 1:40-45   Jesus cleanses a leper restoring him to the community from which he came.  This is what Jesus does: he builds community by healing and forgiving.

1 Corinthians 9:16-23   Paul reminds the Church in Corinth that the gospel is the most important thing in the life of the church.  All things must be shaped by the gospel among God’s people.

Mark 1:29-39   Jesus does something that we might think not very wise.  After winning popularity for his healing of people who were sick, he announces that he will move on to other towns.  Walking away from success is not in the play books of business and corporations, but that is exactly what Jesus does.  Like him, the church is called not to focus on “successes” but rather to continue faithful ministry for the sake of the world.

As most of you know, over the past couple of months I had the opportunity to go to my mother’s house and see my siblings and their families. A highlight at these times is “the dinner”. We are fortunate. My mother’s table is large enough to seat me, my brother and sister, their spouses, five nieces and nephews ranging in age from 2 to 10), my mother, and one of her friends. There is no kids table. It can get a bit chaotic. It certainly gets a little loud. Bravely, my mother puts out the good china, stemware and silver is on the table. Add to Christmas dinner, poppers, and there can be mayhem. Things do get spilled, although I must admit that my fuzzy hands are the biggest culprit. I do not know how my sister keeps it together, if she gets to eat more than two bites without interruption, it is a genuine miracle. Sometimes there is crying. I love those dinners. We get to be family.

It amazes me to see the patience and love of my family as we gather for this important time of being together. It is fun to reflect on previous years. How old we were, how old the children were. We learn how to do it by doing it. We help each other out. Family members offer to serve portions to me, just as the younger kids are served. Sometimes the younger ones do not like the food, and of course some are asking to leave the table constantly, or just crying (that is what two year olds sometimes do). One starts realizing that some of the younger ones like potatoes as much as the older ones. Pleases and thank yous are in evidence. Everyone knows that grandma (my mother) prays the prayer. I get to see my little brother and little sister be awesome parents.

For me, church has been like this. I grew up going to Sunday School and the right after church. No kids table.  I am sure it was not easy. My father was an airline pilot, so this meant at least half the Sundays it was my mother and the three of us kids. We had in frequent communion (1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays). There were no children’s message. Sermons were regualrly twenty minutes or more.Without a doubt, I had no idea what was going on for a long time (one might still make that argument).

Over time that changed. Just like the participants at family dinners. Church worship taught me how to sing. It taught be how to pray. I began to hear some of the same stories read in church that I learned in Sunday School. Communion Sundays, I got to go up for a blessing, and finally sharing the bread and wine in 8th grade. Thankfully that age barrier has changed. That would have been awesome to receive communion. I could even listen to the sermon. But I was a part of the work of the church, the liturgy. I learned how to worship by doing it.I am fortunate that I grew up being at church on Sundays for as long as I can remember. If I had not, I do not think I would be a pastor today.

The God revealed though Jesus loves children. Love us all in fact. One of my touchstone bible passages is thr end of the eighth chapter of Romans. Nothing can separate us from God’s love in Jesus. Not peril, or nakedness, or sword, not heights or depths, or powers. I am convinced age cannot separate us either.  Not old age, or youth, not drooling, or yelling, or confusion, not mental faculties, not disease,or non-functioning bodies. Nothing.

God’s peace and blessings be unto you

Pastor Harris

Most of the time we keep our clothes in. In fact is seems to me as adults we don’t seem to have these “Ah ha” moments too often. Maybe it is because we already know everything. Well probably not. Maybe it is because we do not like to admit we did not know something.”I knew that, I knew that” we protest.

Recently I got to be a part of a young person’s “Ah ha” moment as she read the bible for the first time. As she read the Spark story bible, the excitement and smiles grew. She got it. God was at work! God was revealed.

Epiphany is an “Ah ha” moment. It is not just the day January 6 either. Every Sunday following has Epiphany stories where Jesus is manifested (becomes clear or obvious). Magi show up to bow to God Incarnate, Jesus is baptized, turns water into wine, heals people, launches his public ministry, the Transfiguration. Ah ha! It is  God made flesh! I get it! Jesus is reveled. God is revealed (This is also called a Theophany).

We have Epiphanies all the time though. TImes when God is made real to us, Jesus shows up. We have a God sighting. We are Epiphanies for others. People encounter Jesus in our Words and deeds, at least that is the plan. We also have these Epiphanies during our Sunday worship. They help us identify those other moments in our lives as an Epiphany. There is Jesus in the words of forgiveness, in the Words of Scripture, in the Water of baptism. in the sharing of Christ;s peace, as the cross passes by me and drags my gaze with it, and in the Bread and Wine. For me one the greatest Epiphany moments during our Liturgy is during the Holy, Holy, Holy song, (AKA the Sanctus). It is exciting, I get a little giddy. Thankfully I am already clothed.

So the question is, do you get excited when an epiphany comes? Are you a bit giddy when Jesus shows up? Do you smile? Do you allow worship to be a series of Ah Ha moments? Is it wow or I knew that? I hope that you are continually surprised by God as God shows up in your life. Smile, get giddy.

Peace and blessings,

Pastor Harris

Christmas is more than gifts and food.  We gather together to hear the great news of God’s deep love for us in sending one who will teach us and show us that God’s purpose for this world is life and wholeness.  Isaiah sees this and rejoices that God’s purposes will become reality.

Hebrews 1:1-12

The Letter to the Hebrews traces how God has been at work through the people of Israel, and how God has continued the promises through Jesus.  But the writer also proclaims the radical good news of Christmas: God did not send an emissary; God’s very being came to earth in Jesus.

John 1:1-14

The beginning of the gospel of John sings of the incarnation: God takes on our human life and comes among us in lowliness, in vulnerability, and in love, all for our salvation.  John uses the contrasts of light and darkness to describe this truth: without God we walk in darkness, with God’s presence with us in Jesus, we get a clear picture of who God is and who we are.

Here we read God’s covenant (promise) to David: one of his household will be the ruler over God’s people forever.  Christians see this promise fulfilled in Jesus.

Romans 16:25-27

In this song of praise of God, Paul celebrates the compassion of God in Jesus which brings salvation to all people.

Luke 1:26-38

As we prepare to welcome Jesus, we read the story of the annunciation to Mary.  Jesus is from God, but born of a human mother.  This great mystery is a foundation of our faith: God comes to us as a genuine human.

This Sunday we hear God’s purpose for the creation: it is one of healing and peace.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

God’s purpose is for us to know joy.

John 1:6-8, 19-28

John never points to himself in God’s plan.  His life and ministry always points to Jesus.  In this he sets an example for all followers of Jesus.  Our life, like John’s, is about Jesus and what is important to him.

The prophet’s message is one of comfort, but ironically it is also one of judgment.  God’s comfort cannot come to us without knowing ourselves as those whose lives need to be remodeled along God’s lines.

2 Peter 3:8-15a

God’s time and our time are two different things.  This is what the apostle reminds the readers of this letter.  The writer also reminds us that history points to an end, a conclusion.  This fact shapes how we live in the present time.

Mark 1:1-8

The very first words of Mark’s Gospel tell us that the story of Jesus is the good news (gospel).  John calls for preparation through repentance, examining life and making changes which bring peace.  His call to do this is because a greater one is coming.