Deacon’s Den February 2025

Deacon’s Den for February 2025

Can you believe that the first month of this new year is already gone? We are now coming up on our annual congregational meeting on Sunday, February 2nd (and, of course, it’s also our monthly potluck). This is the time of the year that we hear and/or read the annual reports of the various ministries and activities going on at St Luke’s. It’s also the meeting where we learn about the financial health of our small church. This is all good news! Everyone’s voices and votes are important, so please attend.

This 1st Sunday of February, we celebrate The Presentation. Jesus’ parents present their baby in the temple. This is a time for their purification according to the law of Moses. Every 1st born son is considered holy and, therefore, shall be presented to the priest in the temple in Jerusalem. The parents are required to offer an animal sacrifice at this time. Because Mary and Joseph are poor, they are required to offer either two turtledoves or two pigeons. Who would think these days that messy, pesty pigeons would be suitable as an offering? But in Jesus' lifetime, they were.

The Holy Spirit had let Simeon, a devout, righteous man, know that he would see the Messiah before he died. On the day of Jesus’ presentation in the temple, Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit into the temple. Can you imagine Simeon’s excitement and awe when he saw Jesus? Simeon takes Jesus from his mother and, I’m guessing, lifts the baby Jesus in his arms as he praises God. God has kept his promise to Simeon. He is overjoyed.

In the temple was also an 84-year-old woman, a prophet. She had been widowed when she was quite young. After becoming a widow, she devoted herself to fasting and prayer in the temple. She even lived in the temple. Her name was Anna. Like Simeon, she too recognized Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah, long foretold. Anna also praised God. The Holy Spirit would inspire her to speak to others about this special baby.

When we moved into our house in Deming, I discovered, on my living room wall above the fireplace, the following words, “Be still and know that I am God.” By being still and quieting our minds, we have a better chance to hear the “small still voice of God” as God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit. Is the Holy Spirit leading you to do something different or new? Is the Spirit saying go talk to a certain person? Where is the Holy Spirit leading you, guiding you? Toward healing, helping, and sharing.

Each day I see the words above my fireplace and am reminded to listen for God’s small still voice and to be more and more aware for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. The Holy Spirit is alive and well in St Luke’s. Do you feel her?

Blessings a’plenty ya’ll — Deacon Sandy