• Rev. Ellie
• Rev. Tom
• Fr. Graham and MaryJo
• Fr. Steve & Maureen
• Howard
• Lindsey
• Scott
• Lynn
• Kathy
• James, Laura & Cristina
• Evelyn, Megan, & Sebastian
• Ryan
• Michelle
• David
• Ted 
• Richelle
• Elle 
• Kim
• Ceil
• Jim
• Evelyn
• Don 
• Eleanore and George
• Amy and Todd 
• Sandi
• Sandy, David, and Melissa
• Bob  
• Betsy & Ed 
• Jane 
• Jackie 
• Jack 
• Amy and Bill 
• Louise
• Daryl
• Addiction Sufferers & their families
• All whose lives are touched by COVID-19
• Epiphany School in Uganda, Primary Class Seven
• In the Diocese of Bethlehem: Grace Church and Grace Montessori School, Allentown

• Peter Gentile
• Oscar Kovelski

Getting Ready for Lent

The season of Lent (from an Old English word meaning "spring," the time of lengthening days) has a long history. In imitation of Christ's fasting in the wilderness, the forty-day fast was especially important for converts to the faith who were preparing for baptism, and for those guilty of notorious sins who were being restored to the Christian assembly. In the western church the forty days of Lent extend from Ash Wednesday (February 17th this year) through Holy Saturday, omitting Sundays. The last three days of Lent are the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Lent can be significant as a time of final preparation of adult candidates for baptism at Easter. Joining with them, all Christians are invited "to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word" (BCP, p. 265). - excerpted from Episcopalchurch.org

Epiphany is encouraging our parishioners and friends to take part in observance of a holy Lent by reading and meditation on God's Word by participating in one (or both) of two resources this year.

First, The Living Compass offers a variety of ways to access their Lenten devotional, Living Well Through Lent 2021: Listening with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind.

• Request a print copy of the devotional from Epiphany (the sooner the better)
• Download the devotional as a free PDF file in English
• Download the devotional as a free PDF file in Spanish
• Purchase as an e-book in English
• Purchase as an e-book in Spanish
• Enroll to receive each day's reading via a daily email
• Access all past daily readings through the online archive (once Lent begins)
• Join a private Facebook discussion group fro a Lent e-retreat experience
• Additionally, Deacon John plans to set up a weekly meeting via Zoom (stay tuned for specifics)  

Second, you are invited to delve into the eleventh season of Lent Madness to see which saint wins the Golden Halo in 2021. From the folks at Forward Day-by-Day and modeled on March Madness, Lent Madness is an interactive opportunity to learn about some fascinating saints. The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo. The first round consists of basic biographical information about each of the 32 saints. Things get a bit more interesting in the subsequent rounds as we offer quotes and quirks, explore legends, and even move into the area of saintly kitsch. 

Check out the 2021 bracket, and then come here every day of Lent to keep up with your favorite saint. Click here to download a PDF. of the bracket. To learn more, sign up for daily emails, buy a paper bracket poster, and more, visit https://www.lentmadness.org. Like Lent Madness on Facebook to receive daily posts during Lent. Visit this page to sign up for daily emails to learn about and vote for your favorite saints during Lent. Fun (and enlightening!) for the whole family!

Resources for Bible Study

The Good Book Club picks up again on January 1 through Shrove Tuesday, February 16, with the Gospel of Mark. … you’ll have a chance to dive deep into the scripture through the Good Book Club and then spend time with Mark throughout 2021!  We know you have a lot going on, so we wanted to make this year’s Good Book Club accessible and easy to participate in. Along with partners from across the Episcopal Church, the Good Book Club offers daily podcasts of the readings and reflections, online book studies (live classes and pre-recorded), weekly preview emails, and different ways to participate via social media. Visit our resources page to learn more and sign up for classes https://www.goodbookclub.org/resources

New International Version of the Bible on Kindle.

From Mother Lou - What I like about this version is the readings are chronological rather than book by book, verse by verse. The chronology is based on the beginning around 5,000 BCE according to Jewish legend about the formation of the earth. The readings are continuing through the generations from Adam, Enoch, etc. The psalms are seen as part of the story and are inserted where they might have been written.

I have read the Bible for many years, cover to cover, and I was looking for something different. This is a bit uncomfortable, but quite interesting (I'm only a few days into it...)

Other Bible Reading Plans

https://thebiblechallenge.org/

https://www.ligonier.org/blog/bible-reading-plans/