20+C+M+B+21
A Joyous Epiphany Church!
Today is officially the day that the church celebrates Epiphany, Christmas is now over and we will now enter the season of Epiphany before we enter the Lenten season. The Wise Men have visited Jesus, Mary and Joseph and will soon be on their way home on a different route than the one that they took in.
The subject line for today’s email is different, but it is a blessing sent to you over the internet. It is the blessing that would be written on the door of your home or over the threshold to bless whoever comes and goes from that place during the year. 20 for the beginning of the year, C for Caspar, M for Melchior and B for Balthazar (the three Wise Men) followed by the end of the year. At the end of this week’s email, the prayer for the week will be the house blessing prayer, know that if I could be in each of your homes to bless them I would be. But instead send my virtual blessings to each of your homes.
If you want to take a fun journey and maybe some happy distractions today, over the past 39 days the Wise Men have been wandering Facebook. Last year I discovered this page and was excited to see them start their trek again this year. Each day, someone takes 3 Lego Wise Men and a camel and posts their adventures as they travel to the Baby Jesus. Enjoy their Facebook page if you would like a distraction today or save it for next year!
Turning to look ahead, in February we will be celebrating Black History month. I have started to plan some different things that will be happening over the course of the month and am excited to be sharing the pulpit with some fantastic people. If you would like to be a part of planning or have ideas from years past, please let me know.
Also in February we will have Jazz Sunday and the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. While things will look different this year, I am planning ways to make sure that traditions are still observed and celebrated.
During Lent there will be a new Bible Study on Wednesday mornings at 10am. I have not picked the study yet, but plan on having it picked out by the end of the week. If you would like to be a part of the Bible Study please let me know and I will keep you in the loop!
Our scripture for the week is: Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7 and Mark 1:4-11. Sunday we will be celebrating the Baptism of the Lord and remembering our own baptisms.
Our prayer for the week is the prayer from the United Methodist Book of Worship Blessing of the Home:
Almighty and Everlasting God,
grant this home the grace of your presence,
that you may be known to inhabit this dwelling
and defend this household;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit
lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
Eternal God, bless this home.
Let your love rest upon it and your promised presence be manifested in it.
May the members of this household
grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Teach them to love, as you have loved us;
and help us all to live in the peace of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
May this new year be gentle with us all and may the week land peacefully for you all.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Megan
Pastor Megan