AS WE GATHER The gift of faith by which we live one day at a time is something to be practiced, not taken for granted. We are each a mysterious combination of our families, teachers, friends, and experiences. Paul invites us to fan into flame the gifts of God we receive through the people in our lives. Not all gifts feel like blessings. Some are the traumas and losses we inevitably undergo. Even so, we have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control. Jesus invites us to let forgiveness, faith, and service become our daily habit. By following in Jesus’ way, we are empowered to freely share that love with every person we meet.

The Israel king David wrote in Psalm 27:8: “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” (ESV) As forgiven and beloved children of God who come to close to God our gracious Father with faith in our Savior Jesus and through the power of the Spirit our desire is to glorify God and to genuinely bring God pleasure and joy – instead of selfishly seeking God’s “hand” (symbolically) for some kind of spiritual “handout.” We don’t come to a worship service expecting to “get something” but rather to give ourselves, serve with our abilities, and with our hearts, minds and voices praising and thanking God who comes among us to bless us with His presence, acceptance, forgiveness, love and peace! We celebrate God and His victory for us!

As we gather today, we celebrate the gift of our Mothers and hear Jesus describe himself as the Good Shepherd. On this Mother’s Day we remember the healing power of love – God’s love for us and that love lived out in our families. We find our identity in Jesus, the source of that love.

The Apostle Peter is known for “stepping out of the boat” on faith (Matthew 14:22-33). He was able to do that because it was Jesus who was calling Him out of his position of relative security to one of apparent danger. Our leaps of faith aren’t as risky if God is the One calling us to leap. Truthfully, Peter was never in danger because Jesus was right there with him. Likewise, God calls us to step out of our safe comfort zone, into the seemingly dangerous water of generous giving. May we, like Peter, trust God to allow us to do what we ourselves are unable to do – give graciously and live generously!

Right here. Right now. Jesus is present. Take a moment and let that sink in. Jesus—the very Son of God and King of the universe—is present! As He was at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, where He gave the first sign of His glory, He also is present with us today through the Word proclaimed and the “sign” received in His body and blood. The Table will be prepared. The bread and the wine will be plentiful. And you will be invited to come: “Take, eat. Take, drink.” Christ’s true presence is here for you, and you are richly blessed! Savor this hour as we gather and receive Jesus into our midst. What a holy hour this is! Right here. Right now. You are blessed by Jesus’ presence.

Today is Epiphany.  It is one of the principal feasts of the Church, formally known as 'The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles'. This festival emphasizes that, from the moment of the Incarnation, the good news of Jesus Christ is for all: Jew and Gentile, the wise and the simple, male and female. Matthew’s account of the Magi is a familiar text. But it is interesting that we have become familiar with the magi - those gift bearers from the east - standing alongside the shepherds in our nativity scenes as if they all belonged there together.  It is, in fact, unlikely that these pagan worshipers would be standing alongside Jewish believers.  Yet, Christ draws all people to Himself. Epiphany Sunday, therefore, is a great opportunity for us to remember how wonderful it is that Christ has come not only for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles - which is most of us here today.