Growing Your Church

January 6 is Epiphany which is a Christian celebration. It marks the end of Christmas, as it falls on the last of the 12 Days of Christmas. The word Epiphany is translated from Greek to mean – ‘to manifest, show, make known or reveal’ and is used in reference to God’s Glory being made known in Jesus the Christ in and to the world.

So Epiphany fully establishes the start of the New Year, and announces a sense of renewal. In Christ, the new has come! In that Spirit, I wish you a Happy New Year! I also encourage you to join me in this Epiphany prayer. Make these words your prayerful offering to God this year not just in saying them, but in how you will live in order to make God known to the world.

King Jesus,
We bring you our gold:
talents God gave us,
skills we acquired,
a little money, a little power,
a little success perhaps,
and plenty ambition.
These we offer to you,
so that you many make them really worth something
in your kingdom.

Jesus, great High Priest
we bring you our frankincense:
deep needs and longings,
which are sometimes easier to admit in church:
the need for forgiveness and peace,
the need for friendship and love
the wish to do good
and the knowledge that we must have help
if we are to do it.
Lord, help us,
pray for us.

Jesus, crucified Saviour
we bring you our myrrh:
shadows on our path,
weakness, illness, limitations,
grief for ourselves and others,
our knowledge of parting and pain.
These we offer to you
so that what we bear
may be touched with the holiness
of what you bore for us;
and so that, by your grace,
we may have part
in the world’s redemption

Amen.
[Taken from Baptist Praise and Worship]

I pray that 2009 will be a fulfilling year for you and your loved ones. Serve God with even more joy as you serve your sisters and brothers and make known the Glory of God in your life, workplace, home, community and church so that the kingdom of God may grow through your blessed efforts. Therefore, live a life that announces the Kingdom of God is here.

Shalom!
Marvia

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