FROM THE PASTOR

Ever been through one of those towns where if you blinked you missed it? Reminds me of those old jokes about “how little was your hometown?” (…so small the north and south ends of a horse could be in both the north and south ends of town at once.” (“…so small the “Welcome” and “Good bye” signs were printed on opposite sides of the same board.”) You get the idea.

I think about this because I have a very similar feeling about the Epiphany season which, this year, is about as long as a gnat’s whisker. Trivia time: the Epiphany season’s length is set by the date for Easter. If Easter is toward the end of April, there can be as many as 8 Sundays in Epiphany. When it falls “earlier” in late March (as it does this year) Epiphany comes and goes so quickly you can blink and it’s by you. And that’s too bad.

Epiphany is one of those “green seasons” in which the emphasis is on growing things; specifically it’s on growing our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus ~ what folks call “discipleship.” “Epiphany” roughly means “shine out” (it’s what the star of Bethlehem did, remember?) and we hope some new insights will illuminate our growth in faith and life.  

Peculiar thing though, seems like the more we concentrate on growth in faith, the more frustrating it can be. How do we know we’re growing? When is enough, enough? Seems awfully complicated. This is going to be one of those things which eats up my time and makes me feel guilty, right? Maybe the problem is that we focus on the wrong thing. 

In his book If You Want To Walk On Water, You Have To Get Out Of The Boat, John Ortberg notes: “Never try to have more faith ~ just get to know God better. And because God is faithful, the better you know him, the more you’ll trust him.” Great insight and that’s why I’d like to suggest we let Epiphany spill over into Lent with exactly that focus. Oh, and in case the Lenten reference caught you off guard, the timing of Lent is also tied to the date for Easter ~ as in, “Wow, Ash Wednesday is already here on February 9?!?”

Michael Foss has written Real Faith For Real Life, a discussion starter encouraging regular Prayer, Worship, Reading the Word, Serving, Building Relationships of faith, and Giving. (That’s right, he’s the one who came up with the PoWeR SuRGe concept.) None of the “faith practices” are meant to be an end in themselves, their focus is to help us know God better. And THAT is no small thing. See inside (REAL FAITH FOR REAL LIFE) for how you can participate now in a process that will goes on for a lifetime into all eternity. 

PRAYER

Gracious and Eternal God, as we stand upon the threshold between the Old and the New. In this hour of new beginnings, awaken in us a thankful heart for your gracious love which has brought us to this moment. As we enter upon the responsibilities and privileges of the coming days, strengthen us to live as those who have been awakened to the urgency of living, as those who would always adorn and never belittle the calling with which you have entrusted us. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. ~ Donald Houston Stewart

QUOTE

Vision Statement

Pastor Duval

“I want to be like Jesus in my heart”

I want to be a person whose life reflects a very basic commitment to God.  I want to value the things and people God values.  I want to be a person of grace and faith, open to whatever God brings. Beyond that basic foundation, I would like to be a person who enjoys the fellowship of faith, family, & friends.  I’d like to think my presence will have some value to others I meet along the way.  I hope that my final epitaph would be “well done that good and faithful servant.” 

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