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We are glad that you are here this morning. We hope this time of worship nurtures
your faith enlivens your spirit and engages your mind as we celebrate God’s
love and healing for the world with the resurrection of Christ, our Risen Lord.

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READ THE SERMON

January 8, 2023 –  Epiphany of the Lord
Rev. Denise Clark-Jones

“HOUSE RULES: HEROD, HOGWARTS, AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD”

Today we are celebrating Epiphany, the final day of the 12 days of the Christmas season, and the start of the Epiphany season, which is marked by white paraments in the sanctuary. Epiphany is a fixed date of Jan. 6, but we are celebrating today at this Sunday worship service. The biblical Greek word, “epiphaneia,” can be translated as “manifestation,” “appearance” or “revelation.” The Epiphany season is associated with the first manifestations of Jesus—to the wise men, in his presentation in the temple, in his baptism, to his disciples, and in his first miracle. Our reading from Isaiah speaks to the newly released exiles who are returning to Jerusalem. Isaiah urges the former exiles to “arise” because the holy city has received salvation, “light,” and God is with them. The people will reflect the presence and glory of God. Written as a letter from Paul from prison, our reading from Ephesians reminds the audience of his own “revelation” or epiphany when he encountered the risen Christ on Damascus Road. The letter claims that both Jews and Gentiles are called to join in Christ’s saving activity, which is part of God’s plan for the salvation of the world. Matthew used the description of a divinely appointed king from Psalm 72 to link the Old Testament with the infant king of his gospel. In Matthew, the wise men also follow a light—a star that guides them to the Christ child, revealing to the world that this small infant is Lord and King, and therefore, worthy of our praise and worship.

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PRAYER

“What goes through your mind as you sit in the sanctuary and look around?

As I sit in my pew and look up at the cross with the wonderful light illuminating it, I am reminded of why I am at Westminster on this particular day. The cross reminds me that Christ died for me and, in a sense, I am to do the same in my daily life. The brightness of the cross illustrates for me the brightness of living my life in the way of Christ.”