How do Presbyterians follow the “star” today?

Journeying through the liturgical year and reading the weekly lectionary text unites God’s people around the world. The climax of the Christmas season comes on Epiphany as the star leads the Magi to journey from the east to worship the Christ child.

The Magi remind us of the persistent hunger in all of us to be part of God’s work in the world. These three men were not part of the Jewish hierarchy that knew about the coming Messiah from the scriptures; they were Gentiles who studied the stars. They wanted to know what God was doing in the world. Through their study of the night skies, they came to the conclusion that a great Jewish king was to be born. They followed the star, to see the gift that God had prepared for the world.

As believers today, we also hunger to know what God is doing in the world. We want to know because it is part of our identity as the people of God. If we don’t travel the world to seek out these actions of God, like the Magi, we can be encouraged in our faith journey by stories of those who are witnesses of that work. Stories abound—stories of faithful Presbyterians in the United States and around the world who work to follow their “star” as God leads them to worship and serve the Christ.

The Witness Season Web site, www.pcusa.org/witness, is a great tool for awakening interest in stories of God’s people at work. New Minutes for Mission are posted on the first and fifteenth of each month. These are stories fresh from the field—from presbyteries, from mission workers, from church partners, and from congregations.

These Minutes for Mission are formatted and can be easily printed and reproduced for worship services or meetings. Indexed and archived, there is no need to worry if you miss a posting. They are always available to you.

One of the great privileges we have as believers is to tell our own story of how we have followed the “star.” You or your congregation may participate through the “Share Your Story” option on the Witness Season Web site. Many congregations already have. On May 15, 2004, for instance, the Witness Season Web site posted the story of Palms Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and their mission involvement in Haiti. A seventeen-member team from Palms Presbyterian spent a week finishing walls and building desks for students and teachers at the Blanchard School. You may read more about it at www.pcusa.org/witness/min4mis_pdf/05_15_04.pdf.

Give other Presbyterians the chance to be inspired by your story!
As you follow your journey of faith, take a moment each day to look for the stories of God’s faithfulness that are all around us. These stories are well worth seeking. They provide evidence of God’s work in the world and a wonderful reminder that we are all part of the unfolding of this miraculous story.

The writer, Billie Healy, is Associate for Mission Education Resources. She can be reached at (888) 728-7228, ext. 5689.