New Year’s Message from Archbishop

Metropolitan Ernest Anthony Ross

Contributed • January 1, 2019

CANONSBURG, Pennsylvania — Archbishop Metropolitan Ernest A. Ross of the Anglican Church

Worldwide issues the following message for the New Year on January 1, 2019.
“Happy New Year! We thank God for bringing us safely and graciously to another year. Now we must
put the old behind us and look forward to the new. A time of fresh starts bringing new opportunities for
God to use us in the furtherance of His Kingdom, a time of of new blessings and expectations,”.
“On New Year’s Day, January 1, the Anglican Church Worldwide celebrates the Circumcision of Jesus,
which the Lord instituted as a sign of His Covenant with mankind, Christ also received the Name Jesus
[Savior] on the Octave [eighth day] after His birth as an indication of His service, which is the work of
the salvation of the world. Both His Circumcision and Naming should serve to remind Christians that
we have entered into a New Covenant with God and “are circumcised with the circumcision made
without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ” [Col
2:11]. It is a sign of the Christian's entrance into a new life and relationship with God. Knowing this we
should therefore trust God and seek His glory in everything as we submit ourselves to the faithful
fulfillment of all His divine ordinances, trusting that He shall “work all things together for good, to
those who love the Lord and are the called according to His purposes” [Rom 8:28].
2018 was a challenging year for both our nation and our Church, we were witness to political unrest,
spiritual crisis, and the abuse and senseless slaughter of our fellow man. As tragic as these things are
they should not dishearten us or dissuade us from our mission, rather they should inspire us to
recognize just how much the world needs God! The idea that Christ humbled Himself and submitted to
His Father's will in circumcision offers a wonderful example for our year ahead. We must immerse
ourselves in God’s love and respond to His presence and grace by doing His will and by bringing His
love and light to others. I admonish you to share how God is working in your life with those around
you and resolve to let God shape your heart to be a more generous and loving people. With eyes of
faith and a hope-filled heart, you will know God’s presence in your daily life and it will bring you
blessings and peace.
“May this new year be a time of commitment, courage, and renewal. Be always assured of our love and
prayers that 2019 will be a year full of blessing and joy, for you, for your loved ones, and for the
Church worldwide”
God bless you as you impact the world for Him!

Sincerely,

Archbishop Metropolitan
++Ernest Anthony Ross