Worship This Week 
EPIPHANY SUNDAY
Sunday, January 2, 2022
Texts: Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Star Word Gifts

Celebrating Epiphany
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
    and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
    and his glory will appear over you.
~Isaiah 60:1-2

“The Feast of Epiphany [officially January 6, but observed by us on the first Sunday of January] is the final feast day of the Christmas season. It celebrates those events in Christ’s early life that revealed his divine nature to those around him. In a larger sense, this feast reminds us that the Incarnation involves the announcement of salvation to “all nations.” The Good News is not for a privileged group but for everyone everywhere.
Epiphany comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, which is translated both as “coming” and as “manifestation” or “appearing.” While Christmas celebrates Christ’s coming in the Incarnation event, Epiphany celebrates manifestation—the ways in which the Incarnation is revealed to us.” 
(from God With Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas, “Feast of Epiphany” by Beth Bevis, p. 165, Paraclete Press 2007)

We will celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. In person attendees can pick up a pre-sealed juice and wafer at the back of the sanctuary. Online attendees are encouraged to gather something bread-like and juice-like to participate from home.

We will also have Star Gifts, words written on starry paper and drawn randomly out of a basket, intended to be a gift from God to us that God uses to bless us, guide us, and provide insight in the new year. They will also be available in worship on Sunday, January 9. If you are unable to attend worship and would like a Star Gift Word, please contact Pastor Lori (lori.wunder@firstpresmv.com) and she will get one to you.

**We strongly encourage in person attendees to wear a mask (and everyone get your booster as soon as you are eligible).**

Find the bulletin here: https://firstpresmv.com/

Find the service online:
•    Facebook (First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon, Iowa) livestream starting at around 9:20am. Service will be available to watch anytime after it is finished.
•    YouTube (FirstPresMV) will have the video available by around noon 

WINTER WEATHER
With the impending winter storm, here’s how we will communicate the decision to cancel in person worship:
•    Congregational Email
•    KCRG notification “Mount Vernon First Presbyterian Church”
•    Facebook page post
If the bandwidth at home holds, Pastor Lori will lead worship at 9:30 via Facebook live.

SUNDAY SCHOOL RETURNING JANUARY 9, 2022!
We are excited to announce the return of Sunday School to First Pres. MV!
Beginning Jan. 9th, kids Pre-K through 8th grade are encouraged to join us downstairs after "Discovery Time" for a fun, interactive presentation of God's Word. Sunday School will run concurrent with Lori's sermon and the remainder of the service. All kids will return to the Sanctuary during the final hymn (approximately).

We are committed to providing a safe, worry-free environment for your kids. Be assured that all of our paid staff and volunteers will be background checked (18+) and required to participate in child protection training when working with minors. We will adhere to the Child Protection Policy and Procedures adopted by Session and available upon request (just ask for a copy).
High schoolers are welcome as helpers (contact Jonathan for details on specific volunteer roles including those available for older kids and adults).

We will be using curriculum that allows us to divide into smaller age-based groups. Groups will rotate week to week (for three Sundays) as they are presented an activity and message on the same theme through art, music, cooking, story-telling, games and science. On the fourth Sunday kids will be back in the Sanctuary and may have a part in the main service.

With this "3:On, 1:Off" formula, we hope to bring what we're learning back to the congregation every fourth Sunday and give our volunteers a break - while resetting for a new theme and message to begin the following week.
•    My hope is to develop a volunteer base that will allow a rotation for leaders and helpers (3 weeks on, and 5 or even 9 weeks off).
•    Volunteers need only commit to 3 weeks at a time to see if this is a good fit for you.
•    We WILL find a role for you if you are interested!
•    We're not taking attendance because Sunday School isn't for every one, every week. Children are always welcome to stay in the Sanctuary for the main service. We love the fun and energy of kids in church, too!

Please continue to pray for the efforts of the Session, Christian Education Committee, Staff and Volunteers as we move forward. Thank you!

~Jonathan Walsh, Interim Director of Christian Education (education@firstpresmv.com)

STEWARDSHIP NEWS
Thank you to everyone who has already turned in a pledge card or has made arrangements to give online or automatically through your bank. We so appreciate the tremendous support of the mission and ministry of FirstPresMV, and we look forward to doing more together in 2022 and beyond!