Embracing Light and Community in the New Year

I hope that you have had an opportunity to be with some people that you love this season, and I hope that is part of what has brought you here to this place today, that you desire to be with people who warm you, people who are among those you love. [00:03:24]

We're going to explore how the Beatitudes provide a step-by-step blueprint for constructing a life of blessing, strengthening our connection with God, and building better relationships with others. So we're really excited about this. So excited that we decided to add, an extra little element of, of education and community building to that. [00:04:34]

We also are aware that there are people who do not have access to the same kinds of things that we maybe take for granted, like socks and hats and long underwear. So we'll be doing a collection of those throughout the month of January and then donating those to Greensboro Urban Ministry. [00:10:19]

We also, as a nation, mourn the loss of, one of our former presidents, Jimmy Carter, passed away as many of us know here recently. Whether you liked his politics or not, I think we could all agree that he was probably one of the best human beings, of our lifetime and certainly lived out his Christian, Christian witness better than many or most people do and have. [00:08:17]

Help us be people of the light shining your light of righteousness peace and joy into all the dark places of our lives and world unlock the mystery and glory of the babe born in Bethlehem turn our aimless wanderings into a journey of purpose guided by your star let the light break into our lives and our world and transform us into people of the light. [00:16:30]

Friends as certain as the dawn follows the night so is the promise of God's forgiveness and love for us all arise and shine follow that star find the light of the world born in Bethlehem and be transformed from darkness into light as forgiven followers of Jesus the Christ Amen. [00:17:49]

They found, what did they find? Baby, baby Jesus. That's exactly right. Except Jesus was probably more like two years old at this time, but we're not gonna talk about that. They found Jesus, the light of the world, and it's the same light that still helps to lead and guide us today. [00:22:31]

And each of these stars has a special word on it. Our star words on Epiphany. So everybody's gonna get one of these and I'm gonna ask some young people, if you're not going to jams, would any of you like to help me pass out these star words a little bit later in the service? [00:23:03]

So, so generous of you. So each person is gonna come by as they take communion, they're gonna get their communion elements and then they're gonna come and they're just gonna reach in the basket and they're gonna take one of these stars. And it's got a word on it. They're not, what they're not gonna do, guys, is they're not gonna look in the basket and pick through and say, ah, that's not mine. That's not mine. They're just gonna take it because the Spirit of the Lord is gonna direct their hand to the right star word. [00:23:49]

Or it might say dance. Now, how do you think those things like laughter or listening or dance, how can those things help show God's love or help shine the light of the Lord into the world? Can you think of anything? [00:24:34]

We remind you that it is part of our worship, part of our response to the word, part of our response to the light, part of our response to the gifts poured out on us and in us and through us to return our thanks through the giving of our gifts so that those gifts might be light to others. [00:48:34]

The Gospel says that Jesus sat at a table with some travelers and He took bread and blessed it and broke it and gave it to them and then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. Perhaps in the same way, the Magi recognized Jesus when they came to the place where the star led. [00:53:04]