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Pastor's Page |
J. STEVEN MINDRUP, INTERIM PASTOR - Phone 815-988-4992 - Email:
From Pastor Steve …
EPIPHANY: GOD IS HERE!
Epiphany is just a fancy Greek word that means appearance. The birth of Jesus means that, in the words of Scripture, “The grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all.” (Titus 2:11). Epiphany is the name that Christians in ancient times gave to the story of the Wise Men, who worshipped the infant Jesus and signified that God’s glory was manifested in him. Between now and Ash Wednesday our theme will be the ways that Jesus makes God known.
The Epiphany celebration is traditionally on January 6, but many Christians observe it on the first Sunday in January. This year, because of how the calendar falls, we chose instead to celebrate the January 1 festival of the Holy Name of Jesus.
On the second Sunday of January we will commemorate Jesus’ baptism, and see how that act reveals him to be God’s Son.
Advent was all about waiting, longing, expecting. Christmas and Epiphany are about promises fulfilled, and finding the peace and love humankind is seeking. When we know Jesus, we know God. When we follow Jesus, he leads us to God.
In this season of Epiphany I hope that we will renew our covenant with God as we remember his Son’s baptism on January 8. I hope that we all are praying about Salem’s future, and envisioning what great things this church may yet accomplish.
Yes, there are many uncertainties facing us in this new year. When will we get a full time pastor? Will COVID continue to be a threat? How should we respond to hunger, poverty, violence and war? What is God asking of us in 2023? Despite all that vexes and troubles us, I don’t think it is too much to expect that our Lord will manifest himself to us in new and wonderful ways in the days to come.
We are no longer waiting. He is here. Thanks be to God!
Pastor Steve Mindrup
