A new year raises questions about purpose and direction. Epiphany answers them not by turning us inward, but by lifting our eyes to the God already at work in the world through Jesus. Today we begin a new series, Manifesting Messiah, with a sermon titled “Manifesting Destiny.” Our scripture focus is Matthew 2:1–12, where the magi follow the star and discover that God’s purposes are bigger than our fears and more generous than we imagine. On this first Sunday of 2026, Epiphany invites us to trust the God who reveals his plan in Jesus and calls us to live for the praise of his glorious grace.