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...
by Epiphany | Jun 14, 2016 | Community Announcements, Message from Fr. Matt
Summer Neighborhood Gatherings: If you remember, I held 6 neighborhood gatherings of Epiphany Parishioners and guests during my first summer here as your rector (2013) in an effort to get to know you better in the comfort of your home. I would again like to invite you to take part in these gatherings by offering the hospitality of your homes to host 4-6 informal neighborhood gatherings. Please call the Church Office if you would like to host a small neighborhood gathering. You may invite your neighbors, Episcopal Church friends, or if you would like to attend one of the Summer Neighborhood Gatherings that is convenient for you and your family, please call the host to let him/her know you will be attending. Host will not be required to provide a meal- coffee, tea, desserts only. Thank you! All of Epiphany’s Summer Gatherings will begin at 6:00 p.m. -Thursday, June 16th at the home of Martha B. -Thursday, June 30th at the home of Mac and Julie...
by Epiphany | May 13, 2016 | Community Announcements, Episcopal Church, Message from Fr. Matt
Pentecost Sunday, the wonderful conclusion to the Great 50 days of Easter. On this day, we drink of the Spirit of the living God. And this Spirit is the fruit of the victory Christ won by his death and resurrection. Pentecost cannot, therefore, be separated from Easter. But why did the disciples receive the Spirit? This Sunday reminds us that the disciples received the Spirit in order to inaugurate the universal mission of the Church. As modern day recipients of the same Spirit, we ask God to shatter all barriers and lead the Church, and the Church of the Epiphany, where God wills. Having rested in awe before the One who transforms our every crucifixion into resurrection and makes possible the handing over of our lives in love for yet another day, another year, the rest of our lives, we stand ready to inaugurate again the great work that God has entrusted into our lives. And don’t forget to wear your red. (Adapted from the St. Andrew Bible Missal, p. 379, 464). – Peace, Fr....
by Epiphany | Feb 6, 2016 | Community Announcements, Message from Fr. Matt
Bishop Jake’s Annual Visit will take place on Sunday, February 21st, at the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist. Following the Eucharist, there will be a Reception to which all are invited. Please come and participate in this annual celebration when the Shepherd of the Diocese gathers us together in the unity of Christ’s Body. For when we gather with the Bishop of the Diocese, we are gathering with the chief teacher, sanctifier, and shepherd of God’s people. As Bishop, Jake possesses the fullness of Orders (bishop, priest, deacon), so that the fullness of Christ’s grace can flow through the Church in sacramental form. In other words, Bishop Jake has been given the awesome responsibility to see that all the faithful under his care might grow to full stature in Christ and become the very holiness of God. Through the laying on of hands, Bishop Jake has been given a special outpouring of God’s grace for the purpose of continuing the work of the Apostles (we call it Apostolic Succession). Therefore, when we come together with the Bishop of the Diocese in the Eucharist, we are in communion with the Universal Church. In other words, the whole of Christ’s Body, in all its fullness (past, present and future) is made present to us. Anyone who would like to make a reaffirmation of their faith while Bishop Jake is visiting, please feel free to do...
by Epiphany | Jan 29, 2016 | Community Announcements, Episcopal Church, Lenten Messages, Message from Fr. Matt
Epiphany’s Lenten Program will begin on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. We will celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 5:30 pm in the church. Following the service, we will gather in the Parish Hall for a light meal of soup and salad as well as an opportunity to participate in the Lenten Program. This year, best-selling author Kathleen Norris provides a unique viewpoint on “what matters most,” including: Belief Matters: Why does belief matter? To what do we give our hearts? What is the core message of what we believe-creeds or commitment? To what extent is to believe also “to be-love”? The Bible Matters: The Bible is our collective story. How is that story reflected in our daily lives? What is it about the Bible that always seems to address our present moments? Community Matters: In community, individualism and imperfection meet grace and acceptance. What is our part in the Body of Christ? Place Matters: In what ways is faith set within the physical space of home, church, land and people? We Matter: What does it mean to remain in God’s image and to counter our selfishness by embracing the world and its needs? Each of the five DVD session begins with a 10-15 minute video presentation by Kathleen Norris followed by filmed interaction with a diverse small group of adults. Following the video presentation, we will be invited to delve more deeply into each session’s theme. Group members become teachers for one another, following a personal, respectful and engaged model of adult learning. Each person will be supplied with a Participant’s Workbook (suggested donation – $10) which contains all the...
