From Pastor Johnsen

EPIPHANY
January 2009
TA DA!! That’s Epiphany. I remember those words from last year on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, 2008. The words were spoken in the children’s sermon as a description and definition of the word “Epiphany”, as I pulled a cloth off the baby Jesus in the manger. Epiphany is the time when we answer the question – just who this Jesus born in Bethlehem is. His nature and mission is revealed in the readings in the Sundays of Epiphany. TA DA!! Jesus has come to bring light to the nations, He is baptized and declared the Son of God; the one who calls disciples to the mission; who begins to live out the term “Gospel”; the who is the one who has power over evil and illness; the one who heals and forgives; the one who shines Glory in the Transfiguration on the mountain top with Moses and Elijah. TA DA!! Jesus is revealed to us, and chooses us to follow him into the mission of light, healing and forgiveness.

It has been one year since that day in January when I came, with a little nervousness, to preach at Worship on the day of the Call Meeting. The will of the people and the will of the Lord was revealed that day and in the months following. The mission and hope of St. Andrew’s became clear in the way that people responded and talked during the first months of ministry together. WE have discovered the glory of God in so many ways together. The list could go on and on. We have been blessed and look forward this year, this Epiphany for more TA DA!! experiences from the Lord who will reveal his glory and his assigned mission for us as individuals and as a congregation. Expect those revelations, because God continues to be active in this world, revealing both his mercy and will. Seek those revelations and Epiphanies of the love of God. Jesus is present and is leading us into this new year as we continue to serve as his arm of grace and mercy.

Pastor Johnsen