by Epiphany | Feb 2, 2017 | Community Announcements, Episcopal Church, Message from Fr. Matt
This class is for anyone interested in being confirmed or received into The Episcopal Church when Bishop Jake Owensby makes his annual visitation to The Church of the Epiphany on Sunday, February 19, 2017. In order to prepare individuals for confirmation/reception, Fr. Matt will teach a class on Sunday afternoons in the Vestry Room. Please note that the time of the class is 12:30 p.m., and will begin immediately after Sunday Hospitality. This class will focus on what it means to be Episcopalian. We will also learn about the structure of our church, the sacraments (especially Baptism and Eucharist), and the Book of Common Prayer. If you would like a refresher course, or to learn what our church teaches in our current Prayer Book of 1979, you are most welcome to participate in the class, even if you have already been confirmed. The dates for the classes are as follows: February 5th, and February 12th. We will meet for an hour and a half each of these Sundays in the Vestry Room. Please let Katherine know if you will be preparing for Confirmation or Reception. Thank you, Fr....
by Epiphany | Dec 23, 2016 | Community Announcements, Episcopal Church, Message from Fr. Matt
Christmas 2016 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear was written on a cold wintry day in December, 1849, by Dr Edmund H. Sears. As Dr. Sears – who was then pastor of the Unitarian Church in Wayland, Massachusetts – sat by the fire in his study and watched the snow come down, the words of the carol came to him. It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold: “Peace on earth, good will to men, From heaven’s all-gracious King”: The world in solemn stillness lay, To hear the angels sing. To hear the angels sing, “Peace on earth, good will to men,” must have expressed the deepest longings of this sensitive man’s heart. For like today, the age in which he lived was one of extraordinary unrest. It was the age of the Fugitive Slave Law and the California gold rush, the age of sweat shops and Indian massacres. But most characteristic of this age was abounding fear caused by the threat of a nation at war with itself. The song spoke to those fears, instilling hope by reminding them that humankind’s deepest and constant longings are one with God’s longing for God’s creatures: that justice and peace are God’s ultimate plan for all nations, all people. Today, many years later, the song is more valid than ever. Confronted by the evils of natural disasters and political unrest, economic uncertainties and the ever-growing threat of violence, we, too, need to hear the angels sing the eternal desires of God’s heart: “Peace...
by Epiphany | Nov 23, 2016 | Community Announcements, Episcopal Church
This year, The Episcopal Church’s Advent campaign will focus on daily themes highlighting cultural practices and traditions around planning, preparing, and enjoying food special to the holiday season. Each day of Advent, recipes will be posted to a new blog, Make Ready the Feast, https://makereadythefeastblog.wordpress.com/. This blog will feature recipes offered by members and friends of The Episcopal Church from around the world – Turkey Gumbo and Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya from Louisiana, Roast Buffalo from First Nations’ Kitchen in Minnesota, Buckeye Candy from Ohio, Fried Pork and Plantains from Haiti Coffee Cake and Leek & Potato Pie from New York, Pralines from Savannah, and many more. Prepare to cook and eat well this Advent season! Additional Advent Resources “Liberated by God’s Grace” 2016 Advent devotions prepared by the leaders of the Anglican Church of Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/posts/advent/liberated-gods-grace-2016-advent-devotions The Episcopal Church maintains an Advent blog here: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/blog/Advent Society of St. John the Evangelist #AdventWord Episcopal Relief & Development Advent Toolkit:...
by Epiphany | Sep 29, 2016 | Community Announcements, Episcopal Church, Message from Fr. Matt
The Church of the Epiphany will host its annual Ministry Fair, Sunday, October 16 after each celebration of the Eucharist. This will be an opportunity to participate in the ministry of the Church. Epiphany is the hands of Christ, the feet of Christ, the heart and mind of Christ in this local place (New Iberia, Louisiana). Know that by assisting at the Altar, proclaiming God’s Word, supporting the Liturgy music, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the lonely, and educating the children entrusted to our care, the mission of Christ is brought to fulfillment here and now. Please take a moment to discern how to best use your time and talents to do your part in bringing God’s Kingdom here on earth. We also need representatives from each ministry to sign-up to work at the various ministry tables. A sign-up sheet will be located at the church entrance, Sunday, October 2 and October 9 for you to volunteer as a recruiter. Thank...
by Epiphany | Aug 4, 2016 | Community Announcements, Episcopal Church, Message from Fr. Matt
Celebration Of Women’s Ministries weekend! It is time to celebrate our ministries for women! Episcopal Church of the Epiphany parishioners have been asked to suggest to Fr. Matt the names of one or two young ladies to attend this important upcoming weekend. The purpose of the weekend is to give young ladies in our parish an idea of what goes on beyond the pews and to let others know they are welcome to volunteer with the ministries. When: Friday, September 16 through Saturday, September 17 through 3 P.M. Time: Registration/Meet and Greet Friday, September 16 from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. For more information click this link: Celebration Of Women’s...
by Epiphany | Aug 4, 2016 | Community Announcements, Message from Fr. Matt
Once again, here at the Church of the Epiphany, we are excited about the start of a new school year. Sunday, August 7th, is the day when the school children’s backpacks will be blessed. We invite all children and young adults to bring their backpacks or briefcases to worship. During our worship services we will bless all the learners as well as the teachers. The weekends of childhood fly by – what precious little time we have to teach them the amazing truth of God’s unrelenting love for all. Like a backpack, we carry around that love as we journey through life. What else can help us cope with the challenges that come from fully living our lives except God’s love which has been poured forth into our hearts through the Spirit who has been given to us. You may also use the prayer for the blessing of backpacks (see below) at home with your own children before the start of school, perhaps the first day they go back to class. God of Wisdom, we give you thanks for schools and classrooms and for the teachers and students who fill them each day. We thank you for this new beginning, for new books and new ideas. We thank you for sharpened pencils, pointy crayons, and crisp blank pages waiting to be filled. We thank you for the gift of making mistakes and trying again. Help us to remember that asking the right questions is often as important as giving the right answers. As we begin another school year, we pause to give thanks for these your children, and we...
