Dear Holy Cross Family
As we settle into the winter season and the lights of Christmas are packed away for another year, sometimes it seems darker, colder and we feel a weariness around us. The parties, holiday meals, pageants, concerts and celebrations are over. We may ask what is ahead and what things do we have to plan for to do.
As I look over the past weeks of Advent and Christmas, I keep reflecting on the light of the season. From the first week of Advent with the light of one candle to the fully lighted Advent wreath to the Christmas Eve Service where all hold a lit candle, we are reminded of the joy, power and promises of The Light of Christ in our lives. We conclude The Christmas Season with Epiphany. Epiphany reveals God’s glory revealed in Jesus Christ. From the light of the star that brought the Magi to the manger to the Light that shines through Jesus, we are sent out as children of God to be a light to the world and share the love of God with all.
For this new year our text focuses on the Gospel of Mark. Here again we are called to through our baptismal calling to go out into the world to reveal Gods love. We will hear of Jesus baptism by John. This is a powerful time to focus on our own baptism and the power of water and God’s word. May we hear the call to invite others to “come and see” the light of Christ here at Holy Cross and in the world around us.
May 2024 bring us new opportunities to share how each of us can contribute to our call to invite, reach out, care and pray for others. 2023 brought us new members and other opportunities we could never have imagined. These first two months of 2024 call us to experience growing together, a time to remember our baptism and many opportunities to experience the light of Christ around us each and every day. May we also experience our Lenten Season starting on Ash Wednesday 2/14 as a time to focus on the journey to Easter. We are “Resurrection People” walking together.
Happy New Year to all!
Walking with you
Lynn Whitworth
Synodical Authorized Minister