Letter from Pastor John Welton

Dear Members and Friends,

Happy New Year!

This week we will celebrate Epiphany. This is the arrival of the magi or the 3 wisemen. Those visitors from the east who followed the Star to Judea. We will hear how they spotted a sign from God in the heavens and followed it to Jerusalem. Where they asked for directions from King Herod and his court. After this the magi arrived in Bethlehem and discovered the holy family and gave gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  These travelers are warned in a dream to go home by a different road. In the Eastern Church this is the day that Christians give and receive gifts. We will also have the opportunity to gain a gift.

Star Words are a recent tradition from the 2010s. We like the magi can receive inspiration from a star. In this case we cut out stars with an inspirational word written in the center. We can put this star on our refrigerator or office desk and let that “word” inspire us all year. We will have several of these star words available in the sanctuary. I hope to see you this Sunday as we hear the story of the magi and gain the gift of a star word. Have a wonderful New Year.

John