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Epiphany of Our Lord

By Vicar Lisa Rygiel

The Epiphany of Our Lord, also known simply as Epiphany, is a Christian feast day celebrated on January 6th. We will celebrate Epiphany at Zion’s on Sunday, Jan. 5. This day commemorates the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of the world.

The word Epiphany means “showing forth,” and it names the day that the church tells Matthew’s story of the magi from foreign lands who follow the light of the star and thus “see” Jesus as Christ. Their gifts are symbols: gold, because they honor Jesus as the king; frankincense, because they worship Jesus as divine; and myrrh, because they are readying for his death.

It's a day rich with traditions and symbolism, often involving special church services, processions, and the blessing of homes. It’s also known as "Three Kings' Day" in some cultures, where people exchange gifts in remembrance of the gifts given to Jesus by the Magi. Come to worship Sunday and hear more!

Feast of the Epiphany

Jan. 5, 2025

10 a.m. Worship with Communion

 

Announcements

  • Fellowship Time: Join us after worship today in the Fellowship Hall for our First Sunday Potluck & the continuation of our Stewardship study.
  • Weekly Bible Studies:
    • Zion’s weekly Bible Study resumes on Wednesday, Jan. 8, with the continuation of The Bible from Scratch, series, now focusing on The New Testament for Beginners. See the newsletter for more details.
    • A study of the life and legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) begins Sunday Jan. 19. Bonhoeffer was a German pastor, theologian, ecumenist, and peace activist who wrote profoundly about Christian faith, community, grace, and ethics, centered on the question, who is Christ for us today? This study is on Sunday afternoons from Jan. 19-Feb 23 and will include a Soup Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. followed by the study from 1 to 2 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Zion’s January Newsletter: Our newsletter Connections should be in your email boxes by Thursday afternoon. Hard copies will be available in the Fellowship Hall and in the Sanctuary.
  • 2025 Church Directory: It’s time to update information for the 2025 Church Directory. If you have updates to your information or photo, let Julie Wersal know no later than Feb. 3.
  • Save the Date -- Feb. 2: Join us for First Sunday Potluck, then stay for our Annual Congregational meeting.

E-formation – Epiphany of our Lord -- January 5

The celebration of Epiphany (which means in Greek the manifestation of God) on January 6 was important in the Eastern church from the fourth century and was variously connected with the stories of Jesus’ birth, the visit of the magi, and Jesus’ baptism. In some places it was a primary occasion for baptisms. In some cultures, Epiphany, “Three Kings Day,” is the date of gift-giving. According to the three-year lectionary, Epiphany concludes attention to the infancy narratives with the story of the visit of the magi to the young Jesus, who is now residing in a house. The child Jesus is lauded as a king who is already showing himself forth to the nations.

Matthew 2:1-12

This reading proclaims that even as a young child, Jesus is recognized as a king of the Jews who has significance for the entire globe. Even the sky shows new light. Not only Jews, but also people from other religions see God’s light in Jesus. Christians have seen their gifts to the poor and to the church as like the gifts of the magi. Herod’s threat is a down payment on the cross.

Isaiah 60:1-6

The lectionary appoints this poem from Isaiah because it served as a backdrop for Matthew as he wrote of the meaning of the birth of Jesus. The light becomes for Matthew the star, and the gold and frankincense are gifts that the magi present. Thus, for Matthew the gifts of the magi affirm that Christ is the light that the poem from Isaiah described.

Ephesians 3:1-12

The reading is appropriate for Epiphany because it speaks of the revelation of the mystery of Christ. The magi saw the light, and now believers also see the wisdom of God revealed in the life of Christ. We celebrate that light in our worship, and we see Christ in the scriptures, in the bread and wine, and in one another.

Zion's Lutheran Church

A Reconciling in Christ Community
zionsluth@gmail.com
719-846-7785