Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord Sunday - January 7, 2024

This special service was a time for reflection, celebration, and spiritual growth as we commemorated significant moments in the Christian faith.

First Lesson: Our service began with the enlightening words from Isaiah 60:1-6, a passage that encapsulated the theme of divine light and guidance, setting the tone for the day's message.

Gospel Lesson: The Gospel lesson for this service was taken from Matthew 2:1-12, a narrative that beautifully captured the journey of the Magi and the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah. This story reminded us of the far-reaching impact of Jesus' birth and the significance of Epiphany in the Christian calendar.

Message: The highlight of our service was the sermon titled “A Time for Choosing” by Pastor Bruce Johnson. In this sermon, Pastor Johnson delved into the themes of decision-making and divine guidance, drawing insights from both the First and Gospel lessons. His message inspired us to reflect on our spiritual journey and the choices that lead us closer to our faith.

Baptism: This service was also a time to celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, a moment that marked Jesus' own baptism and the beginning of his public ministry. It was a day to remember our own baptism and reaffirm our commitment to Christian living.

The Sanctuary Choir directed by Patrick King sang We Fall Down/Holy, Holy Holy, Chris Tomlin. The hymns, sung by the Sanctuary Choir and congregation, accompanied by Heidi Jacobs were Jesus Shall Reign, Arise Shine, The First Noel and Go All Ye Faithful.

We joined in this beautiful service as we started the new year with renewed faith and hope. Whether we were with us in person or joining online, we welcomed everyone to be a part of our church family on this special day.