A Note from the Pastor

As the New Year approaches, the church calendar will soon enter the season of Epiphany. A word that means manifestation or revealing. Epiphany is about noticing how God makes God’s self known in the world, sometimes quietly, sometimes unexpectedly, and often beyond the boundaries we assume.

If you’ve ever experienced a moment where you solved a problem and thought, ‘I’ve had an epiphany!’ this is similar to what we celebrate in this season, except with a focus on how God has been revealed in a particular situation. 

Traditionally, Epiphany remembers the visit of the Magi to the child Jesus (as well as the baptism of Jesus and the Wedding at Cana). God is revealed and manifested in the birth of Jesus Christ, which we celebrate on Christmas Eve. For Epiphany, in Matthew’s Gospel, the Magi are guided not by scripture or prophecy, but by a star revealed in the heavens that draws them toward something they cannot yet name. When they arrive, Matthew tells us simply that “on entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage” (Matthew 2:11). There is no sermon, no explanation. Only recognition and worship. Epiphany reminds us that God’s self-revelation often comes before our understanding catches up.

In the Western church, Epiphany tends to focus on this moment: Christ revealed to the nations, represented by the Magi. In the Eastern Christian tradition, however, this same feast is often called Theophany, literally, “the appearance of God.” There, the emphasis is not only on who sees Jesus, but on who Jesus is: God made known, heaven opened, the Spirit descending, and the voice of God declaring love. Epiphany and Theophany are not opposites; they are different angles of the same mystery. One asks, “Who is this child revealed to the world?” The other asks, “What does it mean that God chooses to be revealed at all?”

That question feels especially fitting at the start of a new year. We may not know what this year will bring. We may carry hopes, anxieties, resolutions, or simply fatigue from all that has already been. Epiphany does not promise certainty, but it does promise presence (remember the meaning of the name Emmanuel?). The good news, to paraphrase what Paul writes in Ephesians, is that “the mystery of Christ” is now revealed to all people, who are now heirs and members of one body, drawing us into God’s life and purposes (Ephesians 3:4–6).

As we journey into this year together, perhaps Epiphany invites us to pay attention to the ways God may be revealing God’s self in places we did not expect. May this new year be marked by the many ways God continues to be revealed in our lives and in our world in unexpected ways.

Grace & Peace,

Justin Miller

From your Pastor Affiliate

“The Lord says, ‘Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it? I will make a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land.’” (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Well – I’m two months in now and thoroughly enjoying my ‘beginnings’ at First Presbyterian Church! You have all been so welcoming! Thank you all! As we journey into a New Year – and with a new baby coming to the Millers’ in January – it truly will be a time of ‘new beginnings’ for all of us!

I don’t know about you all – but I do tend to dwell on the past. My past has wonderful memories, as well as some difficult times. Ups and downs! Tears of joy and tears of sadness! I guess we all go through those times. Often a New Year brings ‘resolutions’ – which I often fail to keep a few weeks into the New Year – but we still look at January 1 as a time to have a fresh start. Of course, in reality, every single day is a fresh start.

I think the prophet Isaiah was reminding us of the ‘fresh start’ in the verses above. We need to let go of the past and look at the ‘new thing’ that the Lord is up to! And we need to ‘open our eyes’ to see it – especially the eyes of our hearts. God promises a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land – in other words, good things in the midst of the difficult times that come our way.     

As we enter 2026 let us keep our eyes open to the NEW THING that God is up to at First Presbyterian Church. God will help us through the ‘dry’ times and will overcome those troublesome past times – but we have to take some steps of faith. I am excited to journey with you into this New Year. I believe – with all my heart – that God is going to bring ‘good things’ our way! I am blessed to be on this journey with you all!

Happy New Year! In Jesus’ Love – Dan Hrach

Music Notes

“Another Year Is Dawning”  

Frances R. Havergal, 1874

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;

Another year of progress, another year of praise,

Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

And wow what a year it’s been! Beginning last January with a flood in the choir room, followed by the passing of our dear friend, Tina Newlin, and ending with the pipe organ breathing its last breath the day before Christmas Eve, we have certainly experienced a myriad of struggles and losses.  But in those difficulties, I found a renewed love and genuine appreciation for the people of First Presbyterian Church, Middletown.  The Sanctuary Choir and Renaissance Ringers, Brian Shepard, Davis Dorrough, Chris Baird, and Susan Beagle, all involved in the music ministry here at FPC, never missed a beat.  The collaboration with these talented musicians has been a dream come true for me. Rehearsing and serving in Worship week after week, we “made progress”, “offered “another year of praise” and through fellowship and grace completed a year “of proving Thy presence all the days”.

Moving on into year 2026, I look forward to continuing working with the musicians, Justin, Dan, Sandy, Cheryl, Sara, and Deb.  We have such a wonderful team of dedicated and caring people gathered in our community.  Staff members and the Worship and Music Committee continue moving forward with plans for the new year.  We anticipate the moments of celebration during the seasons of Lent, Easter and Pentecost, continuing to plan and prepare meaningful and spirit-filled Worship Services.

Upcoming dates:

            January 7       First Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 

          (We joyfully invite anyone interested in joining us!)

            January 8       2nd Bi-annual Worship and Music meeting

            January 11     First SC service in Worship

            January 17     Sing-a-thon  (Again, an invitation!)

            February 1     First Renaissance Ringers Rehearsal                                   (Again, an invitation!)

            February 15   Transfiguration

           First Renaissance Ringer service in Worship

            February 18   Ash Wednesday

            February 22   Lent 1

           March 29        Palm Sunday

             April 2            Maundy Thursday

            April 5            Easter

             May 24           Pentecost

            May 31           Trinity Sunday

In the final verse we sing of “another year of service, of witness for Thy love” We are looking forward to and preparing for another blessed “year with Thee”.

In His service,

Janet Scott, Director of Music/Organist 

Christian Education Notes

Bible Studies

Bible Study will be on a winter break until February 24. Our pastoral affiliate, Dan, will be leading us through a Lenten Bible Study series.

Odds & Ends

M & M (Men & More) Monthly Outing

Everyone is invited to join this group for dinner and fellowship at Wildwood Golf Club, 601 Aberdeen Dr. on Tuesday, January 13. Fellowship begins approximately at 5:00, and we usually order dinner around 5:30. We hope to see you there.

A Time Share in Florida

Tropic Sun Towers, 591 S. Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach, FL 32176, was gifted to the church several years ago and is now available for sale. We wanted to pass this information along in case anyone in the congregation might be interested in this opportunity for future vacations. For more details, please see Larry Anderson.

Weather Policy

Winter Weather Update
As we enter the colder months, we want to make sure everyone stays safe and informed when winter weather arrives. During the week:
If the local schools are closed due to weather, the church office will also be closed for the day. Staff will work from home as needed, and you can always reach us by email.
On Sundays:
If it is snowing or the roads are unsafe, we strongly encourage everyone to stay home and worship with us virtually. Your safety matters, and we never want anyone to feel pressured to drive in dangerous conditions.
If the weather becomes severe enough that we need to cancel in-person worship altogether, we will send a notification by email and post it on social media. 
Thank you for helping us keep our congregation safe throughout the winter season. This winter, may we be encouraged by the truth that our worship continues whether we gather in the sanctuary or from the safety of our homes.

Grace & Peace

-Justin Miller

In Case of an Emergency

If you have an emergency after hours or on the weekend, please email Justin at justin@fpcmiddletown.com.

In We give thanks to God for the life of. . .

. . .Marmy Dell, who died on November 27.

• Online Calendar

The church calendar is now online! Go to https://www.fpcmiddletown.com/calendar