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TOUCHpoint
Week of January 3, 2021
sermons, prayers & more from
Knox Presbyterian Church
A Diligent Search
Letter from the Editor
Welcome to this week’s
TOUCHpoint!
Stay up-to-date with Knox news.
Visit us online at knox.org, or
Dear Friends,
subscribe to our weekly enounce-
ments by contacting GlennWilliams,
This past week a friend of mind told of celebrating the arrival
Director of Communications at
of 2021 with her husband and two young daughters. The family
gwilliams@knox.org
tradition for New Year’s Eve (which they celebrate at 8:00pm
right before the children go to bed) is to offer a positive memory
of something good that happened in the previous 12 months.
For the adults, that was a struggle. But the six-year-old daughter
explained that “2020 was the best year EVER!” When asked by
TOUCHpoint!
her puzzled parents why she felt that way, she said, “because I
got to spend so much time with you!”
Many of us didn’t get to spend much time with our loved
families, of course. But there’s still a lesson in that little girl’s
Week of January 3, 2021
statement that we should hear; a lesson of taking joy in the now
no matter where we find ourselves. SCRIPTURE
What? Joy in the isolation of 2020? 5 Matthew 2:1-12
Jana explains in her excellent Epiphany Sunday sermon on the New Standard Revised Version
following pages. “While we look ahead with hope for 2021 to
bring brighter days,” Jana writes, “God invites us to stay right
EARTH CARE CORNER
here in this present moment where there is no waiting needed 7 Ways to Care for Creation
to receive and enjoy God’s hospitality, which makes all things by the Knox EarthCare Team
whole. We need only consent to receive it...What lies behind all SERMON
our desires and longings is really a longing for God – a treasure
not out there, not hard to find, but living within us, every
8 A Diligent Search
moment.” by Rev. Jana Reister
So, let’s bid good riddance to 2020, and welcome 2021 20 PRAYER LIST
with optimism. But let’s also remember that real hope and
real joy can be found only when we seek God’s presence
in the eternal now of the present.
Peace and health to you!
Glenn Williams, Editor
Editor: Glenn Williams
Art Direction & Photo Editing: Christina Miller
2 knox Presbyterian Church knox Presbyterian Church 3
PRAYERS FOR EVERYONE (a ministry of Knox Deacons) This Week's Scripture
First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless
them all and tell God how thankfulyou are for each of them.
(1 Timothy 2:1, Contemporary English Version)
The Deacons invite you to take a moment and join them in prayer, Matthew 2:1-12
lifting the names of these friends to the God who loves us all unfailingly.
2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from
the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the
these families these individuals Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When
The Harrison Family: Hartman, Kelly King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling to-
Brady, Heather, Bud Hattendorf, Pattie gether all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Mes-
The Harte Family: Hays, Dale siah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written
Andy, Helene, Charles, Andre Heaton, Pam
Heckle, Dana
by the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among
The Hartman Family:
Randy, Marcy, Zachary, Brooke Hodge, Dan the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
The Haussler Family: Hoffar, Mary Lou 7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when
Steve, Eleanor, Allison, Emily Harris, Al the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search dili-
The Hautz Family: gently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go
Bill, Jon, Hannah
and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of
The Helms Family: O my them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the
Blake, Susi
The Helms Family: Strength, to child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
Howard, Mary you I sing praises, 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down
The Henger Family: and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold,
Erin, Mathew, Holden, Harper for you, O God, are my
frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
The Herman Family: refuge, the God who shows they left for their own country by another road.
Susan, Jim, Jamie
The Hess Family: me unfailing love. (Psalm 59:17).
Ashley, Alison, Harrison, Holden,
Georgia
The Higginbotham Family:
Brad, Stephen Eadicicco, Giorgia, Luca
The Hillegass Family:
Jerry, Gloria
The Hinger Family
Tony, Lisa, Meredith, Bradley, Elise
The Hodge Family
Jeanine, Hank
knox Presbyterian Church 5
being the church
The
Earth Care Corner
KNOX Ways to Care for Creation
Book Group 1. Eat Those Leftovers!
January 11, 2021 selection
Contact: Becky Gibbs After the holiday season you will likely have leftovers. A great way to be a steward to
rebeccamgibbs@hotmail.com the Earth is to consume your food. Did you know that Americans throw away 25%
of the food they buy? Not only is this a waste of money but it is also harmful to the
(513) 221-0265 environment. Producing food takes land, water, and heavy machinery. By eating your
leftovers you are not only saving money but also preventing energy waste from food
Join us! production. Not to mention you are keeping them from taking up space in a landfill.
2nd Monday of every month
2. Green Your Laundry Routine
via Zoom
• Use cold water when washing clothes to reduce energy use. Energy is needed to
7:30 pm heat water. You can also opt for a shorter wash cycle.
• Only do laundry when the load is full. Not only does this save water and electric-
ity but it also saves you money and time. You can either wait until you have more
items to wash or combine your partial load with your family or housemates.
• Avoid using energy to dry your laundry by hanging a laundry line or using a dry-
ing rack. This cuts down on your electricity bill as well!
3. Cut Your Shower Time by Five Minutes
Cut five minutes off your shower to save water. According to a study done by Harvard
the average American shower uses 2.5 gallons per minute. You will save 12.5 gallons
More 2021 selections: of water if you shorten by just 5 minutes. Or, consider turning the water off while you
lather up and only turn it on to rinse.
February 8: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
and our ca
ation
March 8: Foreign Affairs by Allison Laurie th
wi orld th egation grow
l
cre at God loves l to c
ar
e
e w r fo
April 12: The Bright Edge of the World by Eowen Ivey c
en the ur c
r o
on g in a
wa
re
rt
For more ideas visit www.creationjustice.org/
he
re d
n
May 10: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
ca en
p
He o
wo
f
l
ll to ep
es
rld
so
atio on and our ca nterd
June 14: The Nightwatchman by Louis Erdich
fc
tha
lim
i
t Go
July 12: News of the World by Paulette Jiles God Our Creator,We anticipate the newness that you are bring-
ond to our
a
te justice issues a our
d loves
August 9: The Wonder of the Whistle Stop by Fannie Flagg ing forward. We commit our energy to caring for creation.We
September 13: Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd thank you for renewing our hope.Amen.
n resp
reg creati
October 11: The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek by Kim M. Richardson
Help
nd c o
November 8: The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
n ith
th n
rc ew
The KNOX Earth Care Team
ei
g
r
l
gr inte
December 13: Circe by Madeline Miller
es
c
o
eg rse ssu den u
at ctio ei
ion n with her justic pen lp o
exploring God's call to be good stewards of the world
resp ot de He
ond to our inter
6 knox Presbyterian Church
Message by Pastor Jana Reister of Knox Presbyterian Church.
The full video message delivered on Sunday,January 3, 2021
can be found at knox.org/sundayjanuary3.
A Diligent Search
This week we celebrate Epiphany in the Roman Empire, which he did at the expense
life of the church, the celebration of the of the interests of the people he ruled (Hein-
revealing of Jesus’ birth to the nations richs, Unsettling the Word). way, inviting
beyond Judea, beyond the Jewish people—a When the magi arrive in Jerusalem seek- her to welcome
revelation to the Gentiles that a Messiah has ing the king-child, Herod, the power-hun- into her body the
arrived. In today's Gospel lesson we meet gry, paranoid dictator that he was, becomes fullness of God. Mary
the magi, commonly known as the Wise fraught with fear. He wants to know the responds to God’s
Men and the first of the Gentiles to receive exact whereabouts of this new threat to his hospitality by con-
the epiphany. reign, so he encourages the wise men to be senting to bear the
In going about their work one evening, sure to “search diligently” for the child and child Jesus. Through
studying the night sky and ever seeking to let him know when they find him. divine providence,
wisdom, a particular star grabs the attention Herod claims to want to offer Jesus hos- which to the world
of the magi. With the discovery of this star, pitality, to welcome him and to pay him appeared scandal-
they also receive a divine message about homage. Further in the story we learn that ous—and into a
a child born in faraway Judah—Jesus, the Herod has no interest at all in showing hos- hostile world—
Messiah, the one called King of the Jews. Ju- pitality, only in self-preservation. Mary helps
dah already has a king, King Herod, whom The magi are about to discover true welcome
the Roman occupiers of Judea made their welcome when they meet one of our great Jesus into
puppet king. Scholar Steve Heinrichs points teachers of hospitality, Mary, the mother being and
out that Herod essentially bought the title of Jesus. God welcomed Mary into God’s onto his own
for himself by serving the interests of the salvation story for the world in a unique divine path.
8 knox Presbyterian Church knox Presbyterian Church 9
The Knox Board of Deacons has been in a season of discernment this past energizes us to be able to changed, in heart, mind
year. They have been seeking God’s guidance as they ask the good and important offer God’s hospitality to and spirit. For no one can
questions about how and whether the deacon ministries are meeting the congre- others, willingly and with encounter the hospitality of
gation’s current needs for care. They realize that with the passage of time and the joy. This giving and receiv- God in Christ and leave in
advent of the pandemic, needs may change. ing of hospitality between the same way they came.
Understanding that hospitality is the foundation of all their ministry, the God and God’s creation is Back in Jerusalem, Herod
deacons have been exploring the spiritual practice of hospitality led by Director the nature of God’s Realm. learns that he’s been duped
The magi departed from by the magi, so he never
Herod on their diligent discovers the exact location
search, following that star of Jesus. Intent on eliminat-
until it came to a stop over ing any threat to his power
a certain house in nearby and control, and to secure
Bethlehem. While Herod his position as king, Herod
was at home wringing his orders the decimation of the
hands with murderous wor- very youngest of his popu-
ry, the magi were joyful with lation, forcing Mary, Joseph
anticipation. Mary extends and their son Jesus to be-
hospitality to the magi, wel- come homeless refugees as
coming them into her home. they fled the country to save
The magi respond by pour- Jesus’ life.
ing out their own hospitality, We have learned that
first with their bodies as behind hate lies fear, and
they kneel before Jesus in beneath fear is the lie that
awe, wonder and worship. one is separated from Love.
They then pour out their This is Herod’s state—a
treasure chest filled with terrified human, unaware of
gifts for Jesus, gifts fit for an eternally loving, wel-
royalty—gold, frankincense, coming God at work in the " . .. no one
of Congregational Care, Becky Bosarge. One aspect they have explored is God’s and myrrh. And when it was world and dwelling within can encounter
hospitality, which is another word for God’s grace—that unmerited favor we hear time for them to take their him. The curse of such fear
leave, they pack up their is that it blocks our ability
the hospitality of
about all the time in the scriptures, our hymns and our liturgy. As author Na-
nette Sawyer puts it, God’s grace is God extending to us a deep welcome, a loving empty treasure chest, and to receive God’s hospitality, God in Christ
depart with a new treasure, that inner treasure of grace
embrace, a holy hospitality that fills us up, and never ends (Nanette Sawyer, Hospital-
a felt presence of the Divine assuring us we are not alone,
and leave
ity, The Sacred Art).
We may relate to what some of the deacons discovered: that it’s easier to offer within them. They returned that we are connected to in the same way
hospitality, to do good for others, than to receive God’s hospitality. By its very home altogether different- Love—our generous Cre- they came."
nature, there is nothing we can do to earn God’s grace; many of us may not feel ly. Their actual route was ator—to one another, to all
worthy to receive it. No matter who we are, how we show up in the world, God changed thanks to a Di- creation.
welcomes us. Sawyer describes how God’s hospitality works: It is our consent— vine warning in a dream to Eckhart Tolle, in his book
our “yes” echoing Mary’s “yes”—to receiving God’s hospitality that allows us and avoid Herod, and they were The Power of Now, tells the
10 knox Presbyterian Church knox Presbyterian Church 11
"Ever looked inside?"
story of a man who had been "No matter Whether we did anything will begin to diminish; the desires and longings is really due to skin tone, nationality,
begging by the side of a road to officially welcome the economy will recover and a longing for God – a trea- religion, sexual orientation,
for over thirty years. One who we are, new year this past weekend, more people can return to sure not out there, not hard social status. There are still
day a stranger passed by this how we show up 2021 has finally arrived. If work; our hearts will heal to find, but living within us, millions of refugees and dis-
man. “‘Spare some change?’ you’re like me, for months from the great losses we every moment. placed people in our world,
mumbled the [begging man], in the world, now you have been receiv- experienced in 2020 – – the After the magi returned and more being made every
mechanically holding out God welcomes ing humorous memes, texts, deaths of loved ones, the loss to their own country, we day due to policy, greed and
his old baseball cap. ‘I have tweets about the desire for of stable income and housing, can be sure they shared the lifestyles that lead to glob-
nothing to give you,’ said
US." the awfulness of 2020 to end a school experience we ex- news of their encounter with al warming, and force the
the stranger. [The and that pected to enjoy but that was Jesus, because everyone migration and threaten the
stranger] asked: 2021 cannot derailed by the pandemic. transformed by presence of existence of more of God’s
‘What’s that you come soon And we hope for unity in our Jesus that we read about in people and creation each day.
are sitting on?’ enough, and nation, compassionate hearts the scriptures, always ran In our diligent search for
‘Nothing,’ replied with it bring for all the world’s leaders, and told others the Good any and all who are in need
the beggar. ‘Just to an end racial justice, climate justice, News of the indescribable in body, mind or spirit, may
an old box. I have the many the end to all that creates treasure, the holy hospitality, we pour out God’s hospi-
been sitting on it challenges, hunger, violence, refugees. the grace beyond measure of tality in the name of Jesus
for as long as I can loss, dis- While we look ahead God’s love. the Christ, whose mother
remember.’ ‘Ever cord, and with hope for 2021 to bring And may we so do also, to Mary welcomed the magi
looked inside?’ hardship brighter days, God invites go and search diligently for from a foreign land, who in
asked the stranger. of the past us to stay right here in this all who need the treasure turn welcomed her son, who
‘No,’ said the beggar. world for more of what we year. present moment where there of God’s welcome, whether was welcomed by strangers
‘What’s the point? There’s think and hope will bring But ends sometimes take is no waiting needed to re- stranger or family, enemy in foreign lands when he
nothing in there.’ ‘Have a us “fulfillment...validation, time. Likely, we woke up on ceive and enjoy God’s hospi- or friend, wealthy or poor, himself was displaced and
look inside,’ insisted the security or love.” And in that January first to a reality that tality, which makes all things citizen or asylum seeker. And in need. May we love in the
stranger. The begging man pursuit, we remain beggars, appeared much like Decem- whole. We need only consent to the Herods that live in our way of Jesus who teaches
managed to pry open the lid. for we are looking in the ber 31. Things will change as to receive it. Jesus will grow world today, may we con- us that the Realm of God is
With astonishment, disbelief, wrong place. Our true trea- they always do, as time does up, and he will spend his sent as Jesus did and taught, more precious than any gold,
and elation, he saw that the sure is closer to us than that the holy work of healing us earthly ministry showing and as his mother Mary did frankincense and myrrh, that
box was filled with gold.” box full of gold was to the and our world. More and and telling the world how to before him, to speak God’s it is a treasure that cannot
Tolle’s point in telling this beggar who sat upon it. It is more COVID-19 vaccines find this treasure—this bread truth with love to the fearful be bought but only wel-
parable is that we can have the treasure found within us are administered every week, of life and living water as he that gives rise to hateful, in comed, and only grows when
ample wealth, success, and of God’s eternally welcoming and this increases our hopes calls it, that is nothing less solidarity with the suffering. it is shared, and with every
esteem, yet still be beggars presence, the source of true for many things: that the than the Kingdom of God. For there are populations sharing brings healing and
ever looking out there in the joy and unshakable peace. number of COVID cases What lies behind all our still being decimated today, wholeness to God’s beloved
world.
12 knox Presbyterian Church knox Presbyterian Church 13
prayer list Kersey, Katlyn, and family, niece of Jeff and
Pam Kersey
Stearns, Sally
Stefanik, Mim
Kersey, Lynne, sister-in-law of Jeff Kersey Steiner, Ace, friend of Kathy Wall
Week of January 3, 2020 Kersey, Pam and Jeff Stewart, Mary
Griffey, Keishna, friend of Mary Lou Krohn
Koenig, Joe, friend of Heidi Perry Stith, Bette
Griffin, Nancy
Invitation to Pray Kuhlman, Art, father-in-law of Elisabeth Kuhlman Stith, Jack
Hall, Regina
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and Lachniet, Grace Talmon, Reba, friend of Kathleen and Foster Winter
High, Rachel
thankful. ~ Colossians 4:2 Lance, Beth, friend of Karen Wirthlin Tripp, Kila
High-Reilly, Brian and Robin, son-in-law
Lyon, Mary Trunick, Jim, brother of Mary Lou Krohn
and daughter of Rachel High
New Prayer Requests Martin, Gina, friend of Sheree Allgood Turner, Lorie, friend of Maria Anderson
IHN and the homeless families they serve
Emmanuel, Meghan, friend of Will Graham McCullough, Nancy Vickie, friend of Karen Grout
Ison, Ruth
Lowry, Janet, daughter of David Lowry McDonald, Mary Anna, sister of Ev Landen Volz, Sue
Jacobs, Cindy, mother of Leslie Jacobs
Mark, uncle of Luke Burton McDonough, Marj, aunt to Mary Nurre Waugh, Carol
Johnson, Kathleen
Tipton, Terri, spouse of Darb Dewar McGill, EJ, grandson of Susan and Terry Wiesjahn, Mitch, great nephew of Karl Power and
Kautz, Walter
McPherson, Don, nephew of Foster and Gana Taggart
Knox Members and Friends Kathleen Winter Wilson, Andrew, son of Anne Wilson
Allgood, Sheree Melson, Leslie and Jim, niece and nephew of Wuenker, Jim
Bellamy, Caroline, Mike and Ashley Barry Cors
Craft, Patty Morgan Family Our Global Outreach Partners
Blacklidge, Becky, wife of Bruce Blacklidge Morgan, Michael Boyd, Jeff and Christi and family, PC(USA) Mission
Bob and his sister Mary, friends of Sarah Aldrich Mooney, Cece Co-workers in Congo
Bruno, Adele, friend of Deland Basora Morgan, Greg Seitz, Jonathan and Emily and family, PC(USA)
Bunge, Janet Nielsen, Sue Mission Co-workers in Taiwan
Bunn, Nancy, friend of Foster and Kathleen Winter Nurre, Bob and Doris, brother and sister-in-law of
Carli, Patricia, mother/mother-in-law of Jim Nurre With Thanksgiving For Prayers Offered,
Lou and Christi Carli Ooten, Janice, mother of Julie Morgan Removed From the List
Cole Pack, Amelia, daughter of Woody Pack Davis, Susan, Craig and family
Copella, John, friend of Karl Power and Pfeiffer, Lisa Landen, Barbara
Gana Taggart Devote yourselves to Pierce, Lynda and Ron
Crossen, Ann, friend of Jan and Blair Battistini prayer, being watchful Perkins, Talon, nephew of Jim Elkin Jr. and Deaths
Dartnall, Lillian and thankful. ~ Colos- Brooke Elkin Jerry Simpson, 12/22/20
DeJah and Karen, cousin and aunt of Julie Morgan sians 4:2 Peters, Marilyn
Dorosch, Brian, relative of Sarah Aldrich Pursen, Dick Something to think and pray about this week
Downing Family (The) Qualley, Steve, cousin of Karen Grout [God's] Presence is so immense, yet so humble;
Driscoll, Fred, brother-in-law to Christine Driscoll, Preston, Dennis husband of Fay Preston awe-inspiring yet so gentle; limitless, yet so intimate,
uncle to Thad and Anne Drummond, Tara Raju, Sue, Family of, friend of Cathy Rector tender and personal. I know that I am loved.
Dryer, Seth Ritchie, Frank and Carole ~ Thomas Keating
Eiler, Artie Rutherford, Marvin, friend of Knox
Fiorelli, Linda, sister-in-law of Liz Haradon Scott, Mary, daughter-in-law of Jim and Recie Scott
Fleish, Kara Kruger, friend of Beverly Maisenhalter Singer, Andrea, friend of Karen Wirthlin
Ford, Starr Smith, Myrna
Stallsworth, Abby, daughter of Becky Stallsworth
knox Presbyterian Church 15
Adam Fronczek Jana Reister David Annett Tina Hubert
Senior Pastor Associate Pastor Dir. of Youth Ministries Dir. of Faith Formation
Pete Tuff Glenn Williams Rènché leRoux Pam Ward
Dir. of Operations Dir. of Communications Finance Manager Faith Community Nurse
Contact Us
Even though our offices are
closed, Knox staff members
are still working from remote
locations and are ready
to serve you. We are mon-
itoring the Knox telephone
voicemail throughout nor-
mal business hours and will
respond to you quickly.
(513) 321-2573
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