Pastor's Message
January 2008
Greetings in the name of Jesus:
The Epiphany of Our Lord is celebrated on January 6. This year Epiphany (which means "manifestations") comes on a Sunday. The celebration is that we rejoice that the Gentiles (all nations) have Jesus revealed to them as the Christ. One of the petitions that can be used for that Sunday is:
[...] let us pray for the church, radiant with joy over the Savior’s birth, that we may follow faithfully where you lead and serve as your light in the world.
Jesus reminds us in the Gospel of Matthew:
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
What does it mean to be the light of the world in today’s world? Do we simply turn the lights on in the church when it is dark out and people will be attracted to its lights? Is this what Jesus was talking about? What really attracted those magi to Jesus? Was it the star in the skies or the fact they had been watching and listening for a sign from God that would set them upon a journey for the rest of their lives?
We are meant to be carrying the light of the world with us. We are called to be walking wherever the Messiah leads us. Do we have the excitement concerning this light like the little three-year-old daughter of a mother who had brought her to church for the first time. The church lights were lowered, and then the choir came down the aisle, carrying lighted candles. All was quiet until the little one started to sing in a loud voice, "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you..." We, who are the light of God, need to prayerfully listen for and seek instructions on where to share it.
All pastors are called by their ordination vows to serve as I serve, but it is often difficult to keep things in perspective when you are so intimately involved with the people of God in a particular community of faith. The pastor and the people often focus on each other rather than the mission to which God has called them in and through their baptism. If everything goes well then there is a mutual patting of each other’s backs. If everything goes wrong then there is a mutual pointing of fingers at each other. Neither one of these really has much to do with being the baptized children of God and can diminish the light of Christ entrusted to the community of faith.
In 2008 the Bridgebuilder process will be coming to a close. Hopefully, some significant energy will be put into developing an idea about mission and vision by the people of Emmanuel. A call committee shall soon be established to seek the next pastor of this community of faith. How shall this lead to the manifestation of God’s light in the world?
One of Christ’s servants,
Pastor David A. Hendricks - CoG/I.I.M.