January and February 2009 Message from the Pastor

On Alert

Our antennas are clearly tuned these days to transmissions that signal doom, fear and peril. International tensions and economic worries impact our “domestic tranquility.” I would bet that many of us sleep poorly and carry stress that we aren’t familiar with. Our jobs, our security, our retirement funds are all less secure and we wonder where we can turn for peace of mind, peace of soul.

In contrast, we are also living in Epiphany. The ancient church, (as I told the Confirmation Class night on Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas) celebrated this day with more gusto than Christmas itself because it signaled the importance of Christ for the gentile world. Wise persons coming from afar recognized Jesus as God’s agent for them and not the Jews alone. We attempt during these weeks of Epiphany to translate this joyous awareness into our days and our lives.

Are our antennas tuned to signals of Epiphany wonder and joy? Just as the church has chosen stories from the Gospels to highlight the epiphanies experienced by Jesus’ followers, we should also focus attention on those “wow” moments that brighten our days.

I see in your lives many bright spots that indicate how you have been enlightened by Christ’s presence in your life. I see it in your smiles and the joy you bring to conversations with friends after church. I hear it in your happiness as you tell me about your families and your service to our community. I know Christ’s Spirit touches you and gives you confidence as you hold out hope for better days to come.

I hope that the inauguration of a new President and government in Washington will signal a new confidence in our leaders. I pray that the creativity of our people, especially in this Valley, will signal greater confidence in our economy. I believe that God will continue to bless us in perhaps new and different ways and that releasing some of our dependence on financial security may be a good thing.

Please stay alert to the ways in which stars of wonder and might are still shining today! May our eyes continue to sparkle in the glow.


Pastor Jim Friedrich