Starting Jan. 6, our Children’s Church will return once more to our “Godly Play” Bible storytelling series, with lessons about the meaning of some of our special celebrations (like the visit of the Magi and the baptism of Jesus), as well as story versions of Jesus’ parables. This class for children in Grades K-5 begins after the Message for the Whole Family of God is shared in the sanctuary at our 10:15am worship service. 6th graders and up may participate in Confirmation; infants through PreK are welcome in the nursery at the beginning of the service, or after the Family Message (whichever parents prefer).

Our 9:00am Bible Study will also resume on Jan. 6. For the season of Epiphany, the topic will be an introduction to the Gospel of Luke, our Gospel for our current lectionary year. In Lent (beginning February 17), we’ll return once more to Handel’s Messiah with six more sessions on the music and Scriptures of this masterpiece, building up to our Easter Hallelujah! Meanwhile, the “Animate: Faith” class for adults will meet two more times in January (Mon. Jan. 14 & 28); and our next adult study offering will begin with our Lenten Wednesday program.

The season of Epiphany officially begins on January 6 and lasts until Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. The visit of the Magi to the Christ Child is what kicks off this celebratory time that precedes the penitence of Lent; but it’s not all about a star, some traveling sages, and some unusual gifts. Epiphany is a season of insisting on the glory of Christ’s guiding light even in the darkest times. For churches likes ours in the Northern part of the Northern hemisphere, the literal darkness of our shorter winter days helps underscore the meaning of Epiphany. But even on the sunniest days of summer, our need for Christ’s light is never diminished. We take this season to contemplate the ways in which we, like the Magi, are on a journey of faith. Sometimes we can see the star of Christ only at a far distance, and we must continue as individuals and as a church community to find the best path to that light. Our worship throughout the season will be filled with hymns, Scriptures, prayers, and candle-lighting to help us focus on the journey we walk together, and the goal we seek of reaching Christ and living in the light of his presence.