Epiphany Eucharist and Burn the Note Celebration

Dear Saint Stephen’s Community,

Twelve days after the celebration of Christmas, the Church celebrates the Feast of Epiphany, the celebration of the Magi coming from the East to give gifts to the Christ child.  In the second chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, the Magi, or wise men, see a star shining, and they follow the star in order to pay homage to the newborn king.  The Magi recognize something special, and they follow the light bearing gifts. 

On Wednesday, January 8th, we will celebrate the Feast of Epiphany with a wonderful meal cooked by the MOSS (Men of Saint Stephen’s). Then we will gather on the patio to Burn the Note that we have been working so hard to pay off.  The paschal candle will be lit from the flame of the fire, and we will process ringing bells and singing as we move into the nave for a celebration of Holy Eucharist. 

Our congregation has done something extraordinary.  Over the past eight years, our congregation led a vision about how to expand and care for our community by providing space to grow. We constructed a beautiful addition to our campus which has allowed us to host numerous community and church groups and even a national gathering of Church planters.  We have a thriving preschool and space where people from the community and our church continue to meet and experience God’s love.  And then this past year, our congregation stepped up to finish the project and accelerated paying off our debt over $800,000.  Our congregation saw something special, followed the light, and gave gifts to the glory of God. 

This Epiphany, we will experience the story of the Magi and the Christ child with new ears and eyes, because we have lived it as a community.  Everyone is invited to be a part of this celebration.  Whether you gave gifts of time, talent, or treasure, you are invited to join in the celebration.  If you haven’t been here for a while but need a story of hope, come and join us.  If you have just found your way to Saint Stephen’s, come and celebrate.  We all can be models and stories of hope in each other’s lives.

Our Epiphany Feast will begin at 5:30pm in the Parish Hall, and the Eucharist will take place at 6:30pm.  Our regular Wednesday night activities will resume on January 15.    Come and make a joyful noise this Epiphany on January 8 at 5:30pm. 

Faithfully,

John+