A Note from Sarah

You are a light

Dear friends,

We’re now in the season of Epiphany, which began on January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany. The word “epiphany” means revealing or manifestation; something is made known to us that was otherwise hidden. In the season of Epiphany, our Sunday gospel readings offer stories of how Jesus was revealed as divine, as the Son of God. Epiphany is also known as the season of light, which rings true because light reveals what was otherwise hidden.

And so the Epiphany season begins with the story of how the wise men followed the light of the star of Bethlehem to the manger, where it was revealed to them that the infant Jesus was a king. It ends with the telling of Jesus’ transfiguration on a mountaintop, when his disciples saw him radiant with heavenly light, revealed as the Son of God.

In between, on two Sundays we’ll hear the first part of Jesus’ profound teaching we know as the Sermon on the Mount. It includes these words: “Jesus said, ‘You are the light of the world….Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your

Father in heaven.’” (from Matthew 5.13-20)

In these troubled times, you and I and countless others are looking for light, the “light that shines in the darkness, which the darkness did not overcome.” (from John 1:5) Yet even as we seek the light, Jesus reminds us in the Sermon on the Mount that we are the light as well. You and I bear the light of Christ into the midst of this troubled world, in ways that are unique to each of us. I imagine that each of us has been the light of Christ for someone when they most needed that light – whether we knew it or not. Think, too, of those who have been the light of Christ for you; take courage from their gift and thank God for it.

May you know God’s peace today.

~Sarah

priest@gracechurchsalem.org

Antiracism Team

Forum on January 18th

A regular monthly antiracism forum will be held this year, with the theme of building a beloved community. Our first forum will be on Sunday, January 18th in the Common Room after the fellowship time following the 10:00 a.m. service. Our second forum will be offered on Sunday, February 15th following the Celtic service.

Annual Meeting on February 1st at 5:00 p.m.

with Chili Cookoff

On Sunday, February 1st, Grace will hold its Annual Meeting at 5:00 p.m. in Abbot Hall. Our chili cookoff will provide a delicious meal for those in attendance!

Annual reports are due in the church office no later than Wednesday, January 21st, so that the Annual Report may be prepared in time for the meeting. Please be sure to submit your report to office@gracechurchsalem.org as a Word file.

This Sunday

Parish Prayer List

Please keep the following in your prayers:

Deven Manthorne, Chuck Manck, Margarette Connor, Barbara Dwyer, Lilyann, John Gilbo, Vance Gilbert, Reny Sparapani, Laurel, Gary Young, Amy, Paul, Heather and Prescott, Ariana, Sheridan, Javy, Faith Aroko and Family, Jesse Hurst and Family, Maureen Joyce, Arthur, Deb Young, Cindy Rhodes, Ron, Allison Mascolo, Melissa Glassman, Max Joyce, Marc Britt, those battling cancer, Mel, Corey MacNeil, Dianne, Jenny, Loretta and Kris, Priscilla Lemons, Deb Papps, Derek Fuller and Family, for the peaceful repose of the soul of Smadar and all victims of war the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and their ministries; the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem, the Salem Public Schools and for an end to racism, war, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, gun violence and oppression. In thanksgiving, we pray for the ministry of The Reverend Debbie Phillips and her husband, Eric Wagner, this community of faith, for God’s grace and forgiveness, for those with the courage to stand up to tyranny, for creation, for the diversity of people, and for all the blessings of this life.



If you have additions or deletions to the prayer list, please email prayerlist@gracechurchsalem.org by Tuesday at noon for publication in that week's e-news. 

The Parish Prayer List is read aloud each Wednesday at Morning Prayer.