Here I am Lord, Send Me

The Bible is filled with many stories of men and women being called to do what God would like for them to do. Abraham is called to be the patriarch of a great nation. Moses is called to tell Pharaoh to let God's people go from slavery in Egypt. Kings and prophets are called to lead God's people, share God's message, which sometimes the people didn't want to hear. The Christmas story is packed with those called to serve - Mary, Joseph, Zechariah (the father of John the Baptist), the shepherds and Magi. Over and over again, God calls people to carry out God's mission.

When we look at these people God calls, we might wonder what does God have in mind. When God called Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, Moses himself thought God had it all wrong. What qualifications did he have to make such a demand of the king of Egypt? Likewise when God called young Jeremiah to deliver a severe message, Jeremiah thought God must have lost his mind. A farmer by the name of Gideon was called by God to lead an army and save Israel. A farmer called to defeat a powerful enemy – God must have the wrong person. And Simon, Andrew, James and John – just ordinary fishermen – were called by Jesus to bring God's Kingdom to others and change lives. What was God thinking? (from a sermon by Pastor Vince Gerhardy)

Yet over and over again, we see God can do great things when God and the one called are on the same page. As we look forward to the call process ahead of us, may we seek God's guidance to find who God might call to serve here at Epiphany in the years to come. May we also pray for those who are asked to serve on the call committee, that they, too, are open to God's calling to serve. And may we be ready to welcome the one who is called and accepts the invitation to serve.

Church Council will be meeting with Bishop Suzanne Dillahunt and Assistant to the Bishop Ed Williams on February 11 to discuss the process ahead of us. We will have more details to share after that meeting about what will transpire in the coming months. Please continue to pray for a smooth process, a healthy transition, and God's direction for the church and those who serve.

Peace,

Pastor Charlie