A joyous Epiphany to you! The twelve days of Christmas are now past and today we celebrate the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem. The story is told in Matthew’s gospel (click here). This is that wonderful “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” text we heard last Sunday. I pray that this year will be a year of rejoicing exceedingly with great joy for all of us, and that is more than just a happy thought at the beginning of a new year. Read the final section of this post, “The Hope That is in Us,” for an amazing story of rejoicing always.

In this E-pistle:
THIS SUNDAY AT PARK
AS SIMPLE AS ABC
THE HOPE THAT IS IN US

In a way, this Sunday is New Year’s Sunday at Park Presbyterian Church! After a few weeks off to celebrate Christmas and welcome the new year, we’re ready to get on with that new year.

Sunday School for all ages resumes Sunday at 9:30. Children’s and youth classes will pick up where they left off in December, and all our adults will meet in Guild Hall this Sunday only to enjoy the teaching of guest speaker Helen Clear who will be lead us in new discoveries about the seven churches of Revelation 1-3.

Worship will include the ordination and installation of new church officers. We will celebrate their willingness to say “Here I am, Lord,” and be challenged to add our own, “send me,” as we journey into the new year.

Both youth groups meet at their regular times on Sunday afternoon and evening.

Have you ever resolved to get to know the Bible better? Is your Bible literacy something you’d like to see growing in 2006? It just may be as simple as ABC! Our Adult Bible Class begins its 2006 edition on Wednesday, January 11, 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We focus on the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul as told in the second half of the Book of Acts. I don’t recall being as excited about a study series as I am for this one. ABC has been a great time of study and fellowship for many of us, and new comers are always welcome! Study booklets will be available in the Gathering Room on Sunday, or just come to the class of your choice.

The hope that is in us: You may be familiar with this text from 1 Peter, In your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15-16, ESV).

We often think of making a defense in terms of being prepared with a verbal argument for what we believe. We worry about some wily non-believer being able to out debate us as we’re left tongue-tied. Sometimes, though, our defense of hope is more in what we do than in what we say.

In the midst of the Sago mine tragedy there has been an incredible defense made of the reason for the hope that is in us. I’d encourage you to take the time to watch the CNN interview with Randy Toler, nephew of Martin Toler, the miner who scrawled that amazing note, “Tell all I (will) see them on the other side — I love you.” Martin Toler knew hope and Randy Toler knows hope. Click here and then on the “watch” link in the text of the story.

Certainly we can understand the anger, maybe even the hatred, of some of those who lost loved ones in the Sago mine earlier this week. Do we understand the incredible grace and hope to which both the Tolers witnessed? Surely God’s peace that passes understanding.

How do you and I react to the trials large and small that we meet along our way? Are we prepared to give witness to hope and grace, or will anger and hatred well up inside? We need not be victims of our circumstance. Martin Toler was not. Randy Toler tells us that his uncle’s “last scripture in church Sunday night” was Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” It’s clear where Martin Toler’s mind was in the last hours deep in the Sago mine. “Tell all I (will) see them on the other side — I love you.”

Where have you and I set our minds? Are we prepared to make a defense, in word and in deed, for the hope that is in us?

Reminders: New Officer Orientation and storage area clean up — both tomorrow morning at 9:00.

And then see you Sunday.