Church of the Epiphany //
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Happy Birthday, Epiphany!
All are warmly welcome to virtual worship at 11 AM!
Our online presence has improved immeasurably since the
beginning of the pandemic.
We hope you will give us another chance to show you;
it certainly is the next best thing to being there in person.
Tune in a few minutes early to see all of the announcements
and greet the other Zoomers.
If you are new to Zoom, be sure to download the Zoom software or app prior to the start of worship. Zoom for Android Zoom for Mac
Last Sunday, 26 people came together on Zoom for worship made possible from the church by 5 staff members and 1 volunteer. Thanks to all of you for keeping worship - and community - alive and well at Epiphany.
We hope YOU will join us this week.
Sunday Worship at Epiphany
11 AM Morning Prayer via Zoom
Join us visually at this link Virtual Worship. (Tune in a few minutes early to see the announcement slides.)
Or call in to join audibly by dialing 646 876 9923 (New York) then entering Meeting ID: 990 0523 0944#
Acolyte and Usher Schedules Are Back on the Website!
Join in reading the Book of Exodus beginning TODAY! The Good Book Club is an invitation to join in reading Exodus during the season of Epiphany 2022. Easily readable sections will be offered each day through the Epiphany season. You can sign up below to receive weekly emails, download the readings from the link below, or bookmark this newsletter each Thursday afternoon for seven days worth of readings.
In surveys taken before and after the first Good Book Club project in 2018 (reading the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts), participants reported growth in their understanding of scripture and a deepening of their prayer life. Perhaps most significantly, the percentage of people who reported reading the Bible on a daily basis increased to 73 percent at the end of the first Good Book Club reading, from 45 percent when it began.
Introducing 2022 Epiphany series videos & World Mission Sunday celebration
Join The Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion partners for a lectio divina-style study on the Gospel reading. The study spans the eight Sundays of Epiphany, starting Jan. 9 and concluding on World Mission Sunday, with a special recorded sermon in the final session.
The videos are designed to help individuals, small groups, congregations, and dioceses
do the following:
Reflect on the Gospel
Remember and honor The Episcopal Church’s international relationships and partners
Ponder our global interconnectedness and opportunities to see Christ in one another
Celebrate the many ways the church participates in God’s mission around the world
A virtual formation series (part#2 Thursday, January 13, 7:00-8:45 pm) focused on issues of racial reconciliation and the calling of the Church and our diocese to strive for justice and peace among all people. This series was born of the work and study of the diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Task Force and diocesan staff. We have worked together to create a series of guided interviews with authors and speakers from across the Church that will prompt group discussions and, hopefully, ministry in our congregations and action in our communities. Any questions, email office@diobeth.org Introduction: https://diobeth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/FOCL-INTRO-GLOSSARY-draft-2.pdf
"(Above) is information on the second in a series AND discussion with folks from around our Diocese.
It is important work that the national church has been doing for a few years and our Diocesan Task Force as well.
It is hoped that several folks from each parish will participate in order and especially to be part of the break-out discussions included and ministry & actions which may result.
We are matched up to compare notes on the series, with other folks from our area churches such as Christ Church-Forest City.
Please if you are able, register using the 2nd link (above) and plan to attend this next session on Jan. 13th.
Mo Lou and I Zoomed in to the first one. There was a speaker for the first half of the time, then break-out discussions, and a wrap-up by 8.45 pm.
The Diocese feels very strongly about this work and including all its churches in ministry and action.
If you have any questions, they may be directed to office@diobeth.org
There is no limit to how many individuals may participate and every voice broadens the discussions. I found it quite eye-opening."
With peace,
Adrien
If you stop by the church, we kindly request that you wear a mask to keep everyone safe.
Ever Wonder About Those United Thank Offering Boxes?
Every penny given to the United Thank Offering is distributed annually in grant funding to missions and ministries seeking to live Jesus’ way of love. More than $140 million has been awarded to more than 5,300 projects since UTO began in 1880, supporting staff positions, conferences, creation of educational resources, building projects, and much more. Learn more and support UTO at episcopalchurch.org/uto.
In the Diocese of Bethlehem: Mediator, Allentown; and Grace Montessori School
Next Week's Birthdays
Schelly Kalmanowicz
Anna Swanson
Angie Welsh-Mitchell
Marcelo Correa
Harry Williams
Rick Little
Karen Owens
Erika Christian
Tori Mattes
Alexia Kime
Lee McHugh
Amy Fleming
Dean Ross
Ashley Miskowski
Avery Fordham
Linda (Brittain) Floyd
A Verse for Today
I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
- Isaiah 43:19
A Prayer for Today
Let us embark on a journey of newness, of alternatives that sing of justice, of rivers that stream freely.
Epiphany recently received letters of thanks for our donations to The Women's Resource Center, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, and the Erin Jessica Moreken Drug and Alcohol Treatment Fund, Inc.- Tour de Scranton. Your financial support of Epiphany makes this community outreach possible. THANK YOU!
For more information on Epiphany happenings, click on a button below!
