Newsletter Archive for downloading
January 2026
God’s Peace to you all: I pray that each of you will have fulness of blessings in this New Year to come. We had a lot of on our church calendar these past few weeks and weeks to come. We had the time of celebration to the birth of Jesus, We had the preparation of our hearts for that time of his second coming. If we look in the days after Christmas, which is considered the 12 days of Christmas there is the circumcision of the baby Jesus which we can read in Luke 2/21-38. We can read the accounts of Simeon and Anna when they knew they were in the presence of Christ the King. Simeon said you can take me Lord, I have seen my salvation. What a wonderful time of the year this is. Then as we come to that 12th day after Christmas, we have the day recognized as the day the Magi arrived to see Jesus. This marking the start of the Epiphany season.
This is time and day of Epiphany more specifically marks the day of celebration when the Magi saw the baby Jesus. It is not the specific day they saw Jesus, but the day chosen to recognize this. The day of three kings. This day is the manifestation of Jesus to these the Wiseman. Jesus being made known to the world. What we can understand is that Jesus was made known to the world in several ways. In his Birth that silent night, away in the manger, in the little town of Bethlehem that angels did sing his coming in the flesh, Joy to the world the Lord has come. In the Magi seeing him, he was being made known to the Gentile world.
They were led from the East by God, by prophesy and this star. This star that moved miraculously by God, brought them to be the presence of Jesus. This new season in the church year reminds us of the many ways Jesus was made known to the world. These Wiseman were not Jews but Gentiles. Jesus in his birth was made known the Gentile world. We can read the prophesies and see this revelation of Jesus unto the Gentiles. We see that throughout the Old Testament it was told that the Gentiles would follow Jesus and retore the church. We can read about that in Isaiah. We saw the coming of this (restoration of the church with the Gentiles) in the New Testament, we saw that through the writings of the Apostles, through the life of Jesus.
All people are led to the revelation of Jesus in this world. It is not by a miraculous star, but it is by the light of Jesus shining into the hearts of the hearers through the hearts of the sharers. The Spirit of God shining into all, that Jesus and his Gospel will be known to the world. Oh, what beautiful message and promise we have been given. Our Hope always in Jesus.
We see by the baptism of Jesus by John; Jesus and his ministry was made known to the world. When John saw Jesus coming to the river he said behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. He goes on to tell those hearing; this is he who I have told you about. He said I knew him not, but he should be made manifest to Israel. John baptized him, he also told the people that I Baptize with water, but he will baptize you with fire and the Holy Ghost. (We saw that on the day of Pentecost). We can study after the Baptism that it was made witness to seeing the Holy Spirit descend unto Jesus and hearing the voice of God proclaiming his Son. The manifestation of God to the World in his birth and ministry.
In his transfiguration we see the Old and New come together, the prophesy and fulfillment stand together. We again hear the Voice of God proclaiming his Son and we now see who he really is, the Son of God, the perfection of Heaven, the Glory of God being shown in Jesus.
In Titus 2 we can read a few verses that says 11- 11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, and 13- 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
In our lives, through mission work and the sharing of the Gospel message, to all in our lives and around us, throughout the world we make Jesus known and his message known. We share the Love of God, the Compassion of Jesus, his humbleness and the gift we have been given of new life through his death and resurrection. His gift of salvation and holiness, by the Grace of God.
The importance of this day as with Christmas and Easter is to understand who Christ truly is and why he came. We should celebrate these every day, for Jesus is still here. Let us each day make Jesus known to those in our lives, be not afraid to proclaim the Gospel in how you live and talk.
In John 1 we are reminded who Jesus is:
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
A reminder that the Eastern Mission sponsors a podcast called “God’s Peace”. It is a discussion on different Biblical and church topics. Another podcast sponsored by Apostolic Lutheran church of America is called “God’s Word for Today”. It is a daily reading of the weekly texts and prayers. You can find them on any podcast app, the ALC community page and Eastern Mission Facebook page. Both are wonderful to listen to; it is an opportunity to be in the Word.
God’s Grace, Mercy and Peace be with you all:
Jon Salo
Pike, MN
2026 SCHEDULE
January - Jon Salo
February - Bob Tumberg
March - Nick Kandoll
April - Mark Traffie
May - Chuck Bylkas
June - Mark Seppanen
July - Scott Seppala
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Contact us at:Eastern Missionary Association
PO Box 69
Hancock, MI 49930
Chairman: Mark Traffie
Phone: (701) 580-0894
email: mtraffie@artekenterprise.com
Secretary: Jonathan Salo
Phone: (218) 969-5777
Email: jls220011@hotmail.com
Treasurer: Pastor Ernest (Chuck) Bylkas III
Phone: (906) 281-4983
Email: cbylkas@pasty.com