Reflections from Your Co-Pastors Monday, January 4, 2021
Happy New Year!!!! 2021, a year we hope will offer a reprieve from the suffering and grief we have felt with those who are suffering in our country and the world, and with those suffering within our intimate circles. Joy and suffering are two sides of the same coin and the gift of relationship well lived.
We are in the week of the Epiphany, a remembrance of magi called to begin a relationship with a personal, embodied Deity. They are called, ‘pulled’ forward by a star. They appear prosperous. They respond with intelligence and self-assurance as they decide to be drawn by an unknown light to something unknown, and to return a different way to avoid death for the embodied deity. They kneel in worship upon seeing the Baby. Here is the beginning of relationship.
Previously, shepherds were shown the way by angels. They are desperately poor. They have not the slightest chance at education. Angels told them where to go and what they would find. Shepherds needed assurance before they would respond to a ‘push’ toward the embodied Deity. They kneel in worship upon seeing the Baby. Here is the beginning of relationship.
The image included shows an
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overwhelmingly large angel, shedding light energy and pushing the sitting group of women, men, children, dog, sheep, and shepherd toward the right path to a relationship with God. I imagine that both pulled and pushed, magi and shepherds, were following the same distinctive angel light energy. Whether Jew or Gentile, simple or complex, poor or rich, or anything in between, we are at certain times in our lives pushed or pulled toward God.
As all instinctively knelt at the mystery of the birth of Jesus, may we kneel and pray for the wisdom to notice and respond when we are pulled and pushed into deeper relationship with God. May we be blessed with noticing relationships well lived in 2021.
Affectionately,
Your Co-Pastors
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'Announcements to the Shepherds' by Beate Heinen |
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Scheduling Your Vaccination Appointment? |
If you have the opportunity to schedule a Covid-19 vaccination appointment and need transportation, we may be able to assist.
Pastor Jane is offering transportation to vaccination appointments that can be scheduled in the morning. Contact Jane at 973-610-6104 to find out more.
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Prayer Requests and Service Links |
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Healing prayers for Carol and Mike Persons - members, and Aidan - grandson of Mother Kae. Prayers for Lisa McCann - member, for personal challenges this year.
For Jim Berry - member, for his new journey to chaplain. For Lauren Roob - friend of Rosanna Bateman.
Healing prayers for Dianna Padilla, sister of Lisa Jones, who underwent surgery for cancer. For Liz and Ken Zornes and family, friends of Sandra and Dick Life, whose daughter is struggling with addiction. For Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe.
For Dona Bosse - community member and Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother. For Dani - niece of the Cloyds and Mary Crosby – parishioner.
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For Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll. And Leo Six – father of Michael Six, Mike Gudim, Suzanne King, Robert Browel
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For the peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the families.
For Marietta Ricke - sister of Jim DeMuth and for Kristin - daughter of ECC priest Scott Jenkins and Joan Kneeland - sister-in-law of Bill and Chris Kneeland. For Aunt Ilo and Aunt Ginny - Aunts of Jean Christian.
For Rita Ortiz, friend of Deacon Rosean, and for Margie Weitz - member. For Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones.
For Bob, husband of Joyce Dehaven -
friend of Cathy Engel
For David Heyman - member,
Teri Kent - member,
Bill McClellan - Father of Jennifer Pfeister,
Father of Julie Shoenbauer, member, and
Edwin White - brother in law of Pastor Jane
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Sunday Service Recordings and More
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For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our webpage. Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection with and for the community - marymagdalafc@gmail.com
Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal
What are our partners in ministry here up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
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