Photo - “Christmas Cactus” by Vern Rempel

~~~Beloved Community Newsletter~~~

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Good day friends, 

Happy Epiphany! We will be reflecting on the contribution and meaning of the “Wise Men” and the location of the peace witness within times of violence. 

We have now merged with Mountain Community Mennonite Church. 

You are receiving this email because you have actively attended Beloved recently. If you see someone missing who should be added to this list, please let me know. This email list will be merged with one from Mountain Community. You will receive the Zoom and YouTube links for the Mountain Community service as part of a larger list. When you are added to the larger list, if you’re not seeing the emails, check your junk or spam files, in case your server didn’t like the new list. 

If you would like to make a donation within this newly merged structure, please plan to donate to Mountain Community. I think there will be a PayPal option available after a bit. 

Otherwise, you can carry cash or checks to either of our Palmer Lake or Dry Creek locations. 

This is still a time of consideration, but the current thought is to alternate Sundays between two locations - Palmer Lake and Dry Creek. So this Sunday will be in Palmer Lake at 9:00 a.m. and next Sunday will be in Dry Creek, probably at 11:00 a.m. but that time may have to be adjusted due to parking questions. 

Let’s always talk about car-pooling, as we wish. 

Here’s our Bible reading and meditation title. 

Epiphany: Gifts of the Magi

Epiphany Sunday

January 5, 2025

Lectionary reading from the Revised Common Lectionary:

Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; 

for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" 

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Somos una comunidad de fe intencional e inclusiva, reunida de todos los pueblos,

todos los colores, sexualidades y experiencias, mientras caminamos en el amor de Cristo.

We are an intentional and inclusive faith community gathered of all peoples,

all colors, sexualities, and experiences as we walk in the love of Christ.

Beloved Community Mennonite Church is a congregation affiliated with the Mountain States Mennonite Conference, a part of Mennonite Church USA and the Mennonite World Conference. 

May these gifts of joyful sharing and generosity create a community full of love and actions for Christ's peace here and in all the earth.

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Upcoming Events & Actions

~Thursday Circle - You are warmly invited to the this weekly expression of "Circle of Trust" practice, on the south side of the metro area, 7:00 p.m. Email pastor Vern for more information - vkrempel@gmail.com

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Get into community; our newsletter offers Numerous weekly connections:

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New Tiny Home Village to be built!
The Colorado Village Collaborative is kicking off a funding campaign for the new women’s village. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/CoVillageCo/

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Memories