 Sunday, January 7, 2007 |
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On January 10, 2007, at 7:00 p.m., we will have a
special call meeting to follow up on items discussed at
the meeting of December 20, 2008. The agenda will
include four (4) items, the licensing of Jasmyn Bowden to
preach the Gospel, the presentation of a slate of
officers for the year, the 2007 budget and the
empowerment of a constitutional revision committee.
We encourage all Shiloh members to attend.
On the liturgical calendar, January 6th is the day of
Epiphany. The word means "manifestation"
but is usually understood to be the time when Gentiles
(non Jews) became aware of the birth of Jesus.
Matthew 2:1-12, the story of the Wise Men, is how
the Bible describes this event.
There are several aspects of the story of the Wise Men
that are significant. The word for "wise
men" comes from the Greek term "Magoi.".
"Magoi" is the root for magic and is
often rendered as Magi. Often we call them the
three Kings because the text from Isaiah 60 describes
Kings from the East who will come bearing gifts to visit
the Messiah at his birth.
Historians tell us that the Wise Men were astrologers
from Persia. They were learned men who studied the
heavens for signs and wonders in search of prophetic
fulfillment. Somewhere around 3 B.C. there was an
unusual stellar occurrence.
Modern day astronomers believe it may have been a
confluence of Saturn and Jupiter that caused the
appearance of what looked like a singular star that shone
brighter than anyone had ever seen. However, the
story in Matthew is much too complex for that
explanation. The star the Wise Men saw was not only
unusually bright, it moved and led them to the place in
Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
These Wise Men stand out for a number of reasons.
One, they were willing to take a great risk and
leave their families and responsibilities to find this
King, portended by the star. Second, they were not
tricked by the evil of Herod who said he wanted to
worship the baby, but only wanted to take his life.
Third, they were obedient to the word.
Although they were not Jews, they followed not only
a star but the word of God which was what ultimately led
them to Bethlehem. Matthew's Gospel concludes in
the 28th chapter with the Great Commission, which directs
the disciples to "go into all the world to make
converts." We rarely think of the fact that
Matthew's Gospel ends as it began with the Wise Men from
the East honoring the universal lordship of Jesus and
that lordship being proclaimed throughout the world.
It was Gentiles, non Jews, who were some of the
first people to recognize that this baby in a manager was
King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Readings
for January 14, 2007: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10; 1
Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11
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OUR PURPOSE
Building the Village by Caring
Concept: Our pastor, the Reverend Wallace Charles Smith, envisions a holistic Ministry of Building by Caring, which includes a 3-tier approach - Care for Ourselves (spiritually), Care for Our Relations (family, friends and members), and Care for Our Community (outreach). In building our capacity to care we will also create an atmosphere that will increase our church's membership, winning more souls to Christ; they will know we are Christians by our love;.
