Mount Olivet UMC

Followers of Christ are called to a different story. We have not been left to figure out this story on our own or to write the story ourselves. The narrative changes because we have been changed by God's grace.

Where has God changed your narrative? The narrative of your community?

In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In the waters of baptism we too are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit, and named God’s beloved children. Our baptismal mission is to proclaim good news to all who are oppressed or in need of God’s healing

Linnea Carlson kicks off the New Year with a message about Epiphany and the revelation of Jesus, Emmanuel.

Today is a day to tilt our heads upward and look into the sky, just as the magi did long ago. There is something both mysterious and humbling about stars. Whether you ‘wish upon a star’ or look up and feel small as you ponder the immensity of the universe, stars grab our attention.

Today’s Scripture from Matthew is about God grabbing humanity’s attention to reveal the Messiah, God in the flesh. And our remembering this today is important lest we become enmeshed in the routines of life. Once a year it is good to look up and remember that God has come to dwell among us.

Oh come, Oh come, Immanuel.

Sam Riedel preaches in The Way on Sunday, December 29

Our word is ‘dream.’ The reading from

Matthew delves into a dream. Only, considering the implications of Joseph's reality, it is more

of a nightmare than a dream. His reality is not a vision of sugar plums dancing in his head but

of betrayal and shame, both personal and public. His dreams for the future are short-circuited by

circumstances. We are reminded that Jesus comes into a family facing turmoil and upheaval.

Jesus comes into the complicated relationships of our life and world. This makes his birth

all the more real and relevant.

As the shadows of Advent begin to give way to the Light revealed at Christmas, we recall the beginning of the Kingdom of God in a child and in doing so we await the full realization of a dream bigger than we can imagine but not so big that any of us will be left out.

When we approach God with thanksgiving, knowing that what was needed has been done by Christ, and all left to do is to be a part of the Kingdom Christ inaugurated when he left the grave empty, we realize the story we’ve been trying to write has been written.

Pastor Ed Walker

Pastor Teer Hardy