WEEKLY UPDATE & WORSHIP INFO

Today, Jan. 6th, the church celebrates the Epiphany of Our Lord. Sunday and Seasons worship resources remind us that:

Epiphany means “Manifestation”. Some Christian traditions celebrate three great epiphanies on this day: The magi’s visit and adoration of the Christ child, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River (which we will celebrate this Sunday with Virtual Worship) and Jesus’ first miracle in which he changed water into wine. As always word and sacraments are for us the great epiphany of God’s grace and mercy, which feed us, so that we too can embody Christ and go forth to witness to the light that shines brightly in our midst.

As I write, San Antonio has experienced its highest numbers of COVID-19 infections thus far, many of us are grieving the loss of those we know and love to complications from COVID, we wait for news on when vaccines will be available and protesters are storming the steps of our own nation’s capital. These are hard days.

These are dark days. But this Advent and Christmas, we have been continually invited to dream big dreams. Dreams bestowed to us as people of faith and children of God. Poet Sarah Are invites us to contemplate dreams of how we will persevere. Not because, we ourselves have the answers or know the ways, but because like the Magi, we travel to and with our God and chasing the light..

those who dream... persevere ~ written by: Sarah Are

I imagine they packed bags— Water and food, blankets and clothes.

I imagine they packed tools— Maps and telescopes that could bring the stars closer,

As if the sky was a comforter they could pull near.

I imagine they hugged loved ones and said, “We’ll be back soon.” And when loved ones said, “Don’t leave,” “It’s risky,” “You don’t even know what you’re chasing,”

I imagine they put lips to foreheads and said,

“There is a light in the darkness. I must chase that.”

And then I imagine they walked.

I imagine they walked until legs were tired and knees gave out.

Maybe they told stories on the road and laughed into open sky,

Or maybe they sat in silence and prayed for more light.

However the road unfolded, I imagine it was not easy.

I imagine all of this, not because I’ve chased stars,

But because I have dreamed. And these dreams for justice make the Magi’s story my own.

For every time we fight for justice, We start in the dark.

We hug loved ones and say, “There’s a light in the darkness, I must chase that.”

We walk until we’re tired, And then we keep walking.

We laugh at the open sky as a form of resistance.

We pray in the night for signs of more light.

And no matter how important the journey is,

And no matter how much progress we make,

The journey to justice is never easy.

And so I pray, That maybe one day, We will be like the Magi,

And will walk ourselves into the light.

Until then, don’t forget— There’s a light in the darkness.

We must chase that.

In God’s Peace –

Pastor Sarah

Join MPLC Online or On the Phone for Worship with Holy Communion, this Sunday, Jan. 10 at 9:30 am.

You can join Zoom Worship using your computer or smart device

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86728955613?pwd=WitKZFpnK3VZa2xzMUFBSXBEUXBDUT09

Meeting ID: 867 2895 5613

Password: 150794

Or By Phone

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 867 2895 5613

Password: 150794

Or One tap mobile

+13126266799,,86728955613#,,,,0#,,150794# US (Chicago)

This service will be streamed on all the synod social media platforms and on the Southeastern Synod’s Facebook and YouTube channel. Join in as we confess, lament, lean into the light of God shining brightly in Holy Scripture, the proclamation of the Word, and musical offerings from across the church. The Southwestern Texas Synod will premiere it on the Southwestern Texas Synod Facebook Page tonight, at 7 PM.

The Transitional Reading Group continues to meet on Wednesday Evenings at 6:30 pm, to discuss A Geography of Faith: An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82118678865?pwd=UUxUZ2lCZm02Q1VHYlNiU3BGTkM3dz09

Meeting ID: 821 1867 8865

Passcode: 824693

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,82118678865#,,,,,,0#,,824693# US (Houston)

Or by phone -

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

THE NEXT PLACE OF GRACE FOOD PANTRY IS WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20th, BEGINNING AT 10 AM.

Please consider volunteering at this meaningful and needed effort to care for so many who are facing food insecurity in our community.

With gratitude for those who have gone before and hope for the future, the ELCA & Southwestern Texas Synod gives thanks to God for the ministry of women

“Let Your Light Shine”

A Celebration of Women in Ministry

Sunday, January 10th @ 3:00 PM via Zoom (Register Here)

CAM is kicking off a new month with new needs for clients. During the month of January, the downtown campus needs are:

• men's underwear sizes s-2xl
• men's sweatpants sizes m-2xl
• Similac baby formula
• boxes of cereal
• emergency food kits

The NW campus needs are:

• full-sized hygiene items
• boxes of cereal
• jelly

CAM has an Amazon registry with some of these items listed. For ease of access, you can purchase some of these items from the comfort of your home and the items will be delivered directly to CAM!

Here's the registry link: https://www.amazon.com/.../ls/25KYWXI1AMOQ1/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

Harvey, Elly, Tom, Dorothy's son and grandson, The families of Neil & Lillian, The family of Greg who died of COVID-19, The family of Bill who died from COVID – 19, All those who are unemployed & underemployed, The family of Debra, The family of Rich, Jonathan undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Billy hospitalized with COVID-19, Danielle suffering from COVID-19, Beverly, Bernie, The family and friends of Rhea's nephew - Stephen, who recently passed away, Pat's Sister-in-law - Sybil, and her friend Jacqui on a Ventilator, The Family of Alicyn whose father is undergoing chemotherapy, The Family and Friends of Jerry, Blair's grandmother - Laura, Jimmie, Francisco, Teachers, Staff, Students & Families, Jan, Carol & all those in Rehab Facilities who cannot have family visits, Kathy, Those who are victims of racism and violence, All health care, nursing home and memory care workers.