Arise, Shine; For Your Light Has Come

Post date: Jan 13, 2023 4:24:9 PM

Dear Middletown Reformed Church Family and Friends,

The peace of Christ be with you!

It is the season of Epiphany — a time of wonder, awe, new revelations, journeys, and light. Come this Sunday at 10:30 AM in person or on Facebook live as we listen to the voice of John the Baptist telling us to follow Jesus, the Light of the World. Tom Martucci will be leading us as we glorify God in song. I am preaching from Isaiah 49.1-7 and John 1.29-42 and my sermon title is Following the Light. 

And now receive this blessing written by Jan Richardson as you make your way on the Epiphany journey following the light.

“Arise, shine; for your light has come” (Isaiah 60.1)

The Shimmering Hours (for Women’s Christmas)

There is so much 

I want to say,

as if the saying 

could prepare you

 for this path,

as if there were anything

I could offer

that would make your way 

less circuitous,

more smooth.

Once you step out

you will see for yourself

how nothing could have 

made you ready for this road 

that will take you

from what you know

to what you cannot perceive 

except, perhaps,

in your dreaming

or as it gives a glimpse

in prayer.

But I can tell you

this journey is not 

about miles.

It is not about how far 

you can walk

or how fast.

It is about what you will do 

with this moment, this star 

that blazes in your sky 

though no one else

might see.

So open your heart

to these shimmering hours 

by which your path

is made.

Open your eyes

to the light that shines 

on what you will need 

to see.

Open your hands

to those who go with you,

those seen

and those known only

by their blessing, 

their benediction 

of the road that is

your own.

In gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,

Pastor Trish