Pastor's Page

January 2012

Dearly Redeemed In Christ,

Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and our Lord + Jesus Christ. Amen.

"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh" (Matthew 2:11).

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus, our celebration of the Nativity of our Lord now transitions during the month of January into the second oldest festival of the Church Year - Epiphany. During our Worship Services this month we will be hearing from God's Word about the Epiphany of our Lord. Epiphany means "manifestation" or "revelation," which refers to our Lord Jesus as the manifestation of God's love for fallen mankind. Over the years, Epiphany has become associated with the visit of the Magi to the house where the Christ-Child was living with Joseph and Mary. And this will be the subject of our worship service on the Day of Epiphany, January 6.

Following the Day of Epiphany, the manifestation of Christ continues with His Baptism, which the church celebrates on January 8. His baptism marks the beginning of His public ministry and during our worship service; the Holy Trinity will be especially emphasized.

As we move into the middle of January, Zion will worship our Lord on January 15 as we will highlight the Sanctity of Life - Jesus, Himself, being the Lord of Life. We especially look forward to this day, as our custom is to have our fourth year seminarian, David Behm, deliver his final sermon.

The Season of Epiphany will continue through the rest of January as God's Word will be stressing: Time, on January 22 - God's sweeping in to redeem, for the time is short; and on January 29: the teachings of Jesus are astounding, for He teaching with authority!

The colors of Epiphany are either white or green. White is the proper color for the Day of Epiphany and the First Sunday after. The remainder of the Season of Epiphany changes to green except for the final Sunday after the Epiphany, Transfiguration, which Zion will celebrate in February.

I pray that this Season of Epiphany will be edifying for you as you continue to learn of God's love for you in the sending of His Only-Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior.

Your Servant In Christ,

Pastor Patterson

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone the Glory!)