In the weeks of Epiphany, the church focuses on its mission in the world. All the baptized have a calling in God’s world. God calls not just the clergy but also the youngest child, like Samuel. Like Samuel we seek to hear God’s voice as we pray: “Speak, your servant is listening.” In baptism God calls us to be servants who go forth with a simple mission: invite others to come and see. Having seen God’s great epiphany in Christ Jesus, we now graciously invite others to see Christ who is with us in the word, the waters of rebirth, and the holy supper.

       Today is the commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr., renewer of society, martyr, who died in 1968. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins this week on Wednesday, January 18.