January 8 is our annual celebration of the Epiphany

Order of Worship and Bulletin (link)

The feast day of the Epiphany (January 6, or twelve days after Christmas) is when Western Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi at the home of the Christ Child in Bethlehem. Interestingly, it’s the day Eastern Christians celebrate Christmas, since with it not only has the Messiah come to the Jews, but he has been introduced to the Gentiles as well. Our Epiphany Celebration, which includes festive worship and a potluck afterward complete with a New Orleans-style King Cake, is our remembrance of the pronouncement of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

The gospel according to Matthew states that astronomers (Magi) from the East, perhaps Persia, arrived at Jerusalem about two years after Jesus’ birth (2:1-12). They came in numbers so vast that King Herod the Great and all those who resided in and around the capital were “troubled.” The last time so many had arrived from the East, they had sacked the City and destroyed the Temple, carting off the wealthy and the influential into exile and leaving Judah for all intents and purposes an empty husk of its former self.

We don’t have hundreds of people to emulate the Magi’s encampment, but we do have Giant Puppets. Created in a worship renewal project, in 2008, our Magi and Camels make an appearance every couple of years for our Epiphany Celebration, the Sunday between January 6 and 12. They make for quite a spectacle during the reading of Scripture.

After worship in place of our usual Coffee Fellowship, we gather for a Potluck Lunch. Beverages and baked ham (as well as the aforementioned King Cake) are provided. You are invited to bring a favorite salad, side dish, bread, or dessert. Or simply enjoy our hospitality, if you haven’t any food to contribute.