Arise and Shine - Guest preacher Rev. Cari Pattison

As we enter a new year together, what does it look like to watch for the star? To look for those signs of God’s arrival in our lives and in our world? Epiphany season points to discovery, illumination, a new realization. We are still in a time of long nights and short days, and the concept of spiritual “dark” and “light” may hold more than first meets the eye. In Barbara Brown Taylor’s “Learning to Walk in the Dark,” she lifts up some of the unique gifts that only the darkness can bring. But here in Isaiah, the prophet speaks to a new dawn with brightness, rising, and radiance—people gathering together from near and far. This passage of Hebrew Scripture has been used by Christians to point toward Matthew 2:1-12, and the coming of the Magi to the newborn Messiah—even connecting the details of gold and frankincense. 

Tying into Matthew’s Gospel, what does this story teach us afresh about the gifts we bring? The unexpected ways wisdom shows up? The scope of this good news that extends widely into nations and peoples beyond our own? As we celebrate this coming anniversary of God’s mission through Village Church, what are some unique gifts of this congregation? How has Village been a light through many a troubled time, and into the future? How are we invited even now to “rise and shine” in this new day? Our scripture reading is Isaiah 60:1-6.

Rev. Cari Pattison, daughter of Marilyn and Dave and sister of George and Joe Pattison, is grateful to be a child of Village Church. She was baptized and confirmed at Village. Both her maternal and paternal grandparents were charter members. With fond memories of Village Church Advent workshops, VBS, day camp, youth group trips, listening to Dr. Bob's sermons, teaching Sunday school and serving on youth ministry staff, Cari traces her call to ministry most centrally to this congregation and God's gift of faith formation here. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2007, she currently serves as pastor of the Woodstock Reformed Church in Woodstock, New York, where the Hudson Valley meets the Catskills. She loves walking her dog Ollie, teaching yoga at the studio down the street and hiking with friends—especially the Appalachian Trail!