Happy New Year!

In our house when I was growing up, we had the tradition of eating certain foods on New Year’s Day. You eat these foods to start the year right, to begin the year with the best things you can fill your body with. No, not kale and vitamin C. We ate pork, that roots forward and doesn’t scratch behind. We had black-eyed peas for peace. We ate greens for green money. I’m sure there was more, but that’s what’s being passed down to at least the third generation! It sounds like an excuse to eat good Southern food — ham, beans, and collard greens!

What about you? Any traditions for the new year? I’ve heard of wearing dots or white clothes. I’ve heard of eating round foods or long foods like noodles. Some people jump seven waves or break a dish or jump over a chair. Do you hang onions on your door like some Greek families?!?

Traditions can be fun and can connect us with the generations who have gone before us. Or, they can be paralyzing and keep us from embracing what is in front of us.

This year, I invite you to start or re-start the tradition of attending church. It’s been easy to get out of the habit or tradition over the last year. And maybe you need to wait until February, after Omicron has settled down. But the tradition of attending church isn’t just for the high holy days. It’s a tradition and a ritual that can uplift and connect you with one another and with God. It can give you strength for the week or the task ahead. It can connect you with the generations who have gone before and help you embrace what is in front of you. It can help you connect with God.

This Sunday in worship, we celebrate the Epiphany. This day remembers the Wise Men who found baby Jesus after his birth. It’s the day we celebrate the light that Christ brings to the world. It’s the Sunday that we celebrate Holy Communion and bring in the new year.

Join us, won’t you? Online or in person — there’s room for you! Let the tradition of worship bring in your new year.

See you soon,
Pastor Lynn

WORSHIP SCHEDULE
(Please note, masks are required during all services as well as inside all St. Mark’s buildings.)
Join us for worship:

• 8:30 a.m. Traditional service with choirs in Sanctuary and child care in Rm 15
• 10 a.m. Modern worship service with Praise Team in Fellowship Hall
• 10 a.m. Traditional service with choirs in Sanctuary
• 10 a.m. Youth and children’s Sunday School and child care
• 10 a.m. Livestream premieres on YouTube and Website

To access our pre-recorded service:

• From the main menu on our website click “Worship.”  -OR-
• Go to YouTube and search for UMC St. Mark’s Oro Valley or use this link.