Dear Friends in Christ,

This upcoming Sunday, we’ll have our Annual Business Meeting.  Amongst other business items, we’ll review and approve our 2026 budget.  But what’s our business?  And what’s a budget? 

Jesus essentially told his parents when they found him in the Temple that he was there to be about “his Father’s – or God’s – business.”  He would “budget” his life’s time, energy, wisdom and love – not to mention his life itself – for this purpose as he understood it to be. 

But what of us as Christ’s people and church?  I think our business is doing ministry after Jesus’ manner.  And, a church budget, I think, is more than just numbers to be balanced; it’s a reflection of our understanding of our ministry and purpose. How we budget our money expresses what we value and deem important as Christ’s people and church. 

So… I wonder: What would you say our church budget reflects?  And, what does it suggest we think our business to be? 

We’ll consider these questions in our worship service which will serve as a kind of prelude to our “business meeting.”  So, I invite you to come with these questions on your mind, your perspectives, and see – in the end – how you answer.  

Blessings, Christ’s “Businesspeople!”
Pastor Ed

Dear Friends in Christ,
As I mentioned last week, we now find ourselves in Epiphany season. It’s the season between Christmastide and Lent. It starts on the 13th day after Christmas, lasts four to nine weeks depending on the date of Easter, and ends on Transfiguration Sunday, just before Ash Wednesday.

Epiphany literally means “appearance.” In the church, it refers to the appearance and manifestation of Christ Jesus to the world. In essence, it refers to a growing awareness that Jesus, the ”babe born in Bethlehem,” was more than he appeared to be – one who grew up to be “in the league of the highly esteemed Abraham and Elijah.” And, he would be one to hold many titles ranging from Rabbi or “Teacher” to Savior and Lord.

Epiphany is a season for asking ourselves, ”What do we make of all of this? And, who does this Christ-child grow up to be for us?”

For me, Jesus is divinely “human.” He’s the one who teaches me of my purpose as a human being and shows me how to fulfill calling as one of God’s chosen stewards of creation. But this baby born so long ago in Bethlehem, who – and what – is he for you?

Blessings of Epiphany Season,
Pastor Ed

Dear Friends in Christ,
An epiphany is a sudden, profound realization or insight triggered by an ordinary – or extraordinary – learning experience. It’s a “Eureka!” or “A-ha!” kind of moment that produces a new or deeper understanding of something.

In the church, after Christmastide, we now find ourselves in the season of Epiphany.  It’s a time when we’re called to grow in understanding of what’s happened at Christmas in the birth of God Emmanuel or “God with us.”  This we do by focusing on the experiences and growth of the baby born in Bethlehem become our teacher and savior, Christ Jesus who is the Light, Life, and Lord of our world.     

So, on this upcoming Sunday – which commemorates the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, we’ll share communion – and more.  The more?  A renewal of our Baptism by reaffirming our promises and experiencing a “sprinkling” of water. (No raincoats necessary!)

Ours will be, as it were, a “Sacramental Sunday,” a time when we celebrate Baptism and Communion as signs meant to give us “a touch and taste” of the holiness of God’s love in Jesus.   

I hope you can join us!  And, if you do, I hope you’ll experience your own “Eureka!” or “A-ha!”

Blessings of New Year’s Wishes – and More: Blessings of an Epiphany!
Pastor Ed