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THE CHRISTMAS CHOIR ! COME ONE, COME ALL!
 We will be singing two beautiful pieces for the Christmas Eve Services at 5 and 10 p.m. Sunday Dec 24. Rehearsals are: Sunday Dec. 17 at 11:45 am after church, and Thursday Dec. 21 at 7:00 pm. Speak to Mary Therese or Phil Campbell, or just come and sing! (It is fine if you can only make one rehearsal, or only one service on Christmas Eve. We want you to join in!) VENITE, VENITE!
Becoming a People and following a God of---Creativity, Compassion & Connection.
Sermons Online
 View the sermons preached each week at Epiphany, online www.youtube.com/epiphanyep/
This link is also located on the left side of this e-News labeled "Sermons", along with other links you may find useful.
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THE DECREE
by Ann Weems
And in these days a decree goes out to all the world,
for these are taxing times.
We are all called again to go to Bethlehem,
no matter the state of our health or our world.
We come, obedient and faithful,
for we have heard the message,
we have dreamed the dream
that God will come to dwell among us.
We come, expectant with joy,
pregnant with anticipation,
for God has done great things for us.
We come searching for a sign;
bearing our gifts, we come.
We come, called fromt he silent hillsides of our hearts,
startled and frightened by the magnitude of light,
we huddle together toward Bethlehem.
We come, one by one,
and yet, as one,
dancing into the Promise.
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| This Sunday |
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The Fifth Sunday of Advent (Expanded): O Key of David
Sunday, December 10, 2017
8 & 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Sermon: The Reverend Jennifer Zogg
Adult Forum, Book Study: Barbara Brown Taylor's "Learning to Walk in the Dark," 9:15 a.m.
Adult Bible Study: The Book of Exodus, 9:15 a.m.
Youth Formation classes, 9:15 a.m.
Scripture readings:
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Mark 1:1-8
Read these lessons Liturgical Ministers for this Sunday:
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Altar Server-John Turner
Lector-Tammi Miller
Ushers-Neal Harrington & Kya LeDuc
Greeter-Judy Phillips
Healing Prayer Team-Virginia Rocha
Coffee Hour-Kristin Chase & Karen Virtue
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Altar Servers-Theresa Mello, Lyla Halkyard & Emma Chartier
Lector-Michelle Callahan
Ushers-Bill Dench & Denise Messier
Greeter-Marilyn Fuller
Healing Prayer Team-Linda Vaughan-DuBois & Carol Marsland
Altar Guild- Cal Loven & Mel Inman
Coffee Hour-Carol & Richard Marsland & Denise Messier
Counters-Kevin Kelley & Dawn Campbell
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| December Adult Forum Study |
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December Adult Forum Study (Dec. 10): "Learning to Walk in the Dark," Barbara Brown Taylor, Episcopal priest, author and well-known preacher has written a book exploring the spiritual richness and opportunity of darkness in all its forms. Our Christian conviction is that Jesus was born in the darkness of a cave at night and was risen to new life from the darkness of a tomb. Darkness is not bad. In this season of ever-decreasing light outside, come explore with us the often overlooked invitations and blessings of darkness, both physical and spiritual, in our lives and in the Bible. In order to prepare, please obtain and read Barbara Brown Taylor's book, "Learning to Walk in the Dark." |
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| December Youth Formation Schedule |
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Sunday, Dec 10: Classes, 9:15 a.m.
Friday, Dec 15: Labyrinth Night Experience, 5-6 p.m. and 6 p.m. Youth Group Dinner with the Rector (Jr & Sr High)
Sunday, Dec 17: Godly Play Worship (pre-schoolers), 10:15 a.m. |
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| Advent Observances |
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Advent Observances for Nurturing your Soul and Waiting in Hope:
Friday, December 15
Labyrinth Night, 6-9 p.m. (5-6 p.m. Youth time)
Tuesday, December 19: Celtic/Blue Christmas 7p.m. (featuring the music of a Celtic harpist.) |
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| Labyrinth Night: |
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THIS Friday, Dec 15, 6-9 p.m.
Our 25' labyrinth will again be set out in the Parish Hall this Friday with candlelight and the music of monastic chant for you to pause for a time of prayer. Come and go as you wish between 6-9 p.m. to spend time walking with God, reflecting on the Spirit's movement in your life's journey right now and resting in the peace of a holy space. Even better, ask a friend or neighbor who needs some peace for their soul to join you. |
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| A Contemplative Celtic Service: Blue Christmas Worship |
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Tuesday, Dec 19, 7 p.m. (with music of a Celtic harp) While the world would have us believe the holiday season is only a time of rejoicing and merriment, we know that privately the holidays can represent challenges of all kinds. The church recognizes that this can be a difficult season, whether you are grieving a loved one, going through an illness or life transition, struggling financially, navigating complicated family relationships or feeling the pressures and stresses of daily life pile up. It is precisely to and for you that Christ is born. So, we offer this quiet, reflective service of Holy Communion as a respite, a space to be comforted by God's Word and a proclamation of our hope that God is with us in it all. It will feature the music of a Celtic harp, candle-lighting, silence, healing prayer and the nourishment of our daily bread. Bring a friend, co-worker or family member who may need just that kind of support right now. |
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| East Bay Community Action Christmas Giving Tree |
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Please return your wrapped gifts with tag attached to them by THIS Sunday, December 10. Any questions can be directed to Maurice Holmes (401-433-3192) or [email protected]  Use Amazon Smile when shopping for your holiday gifts this season and Amazon donates .5% of any purchase to the church. Link us to your existing account for an easy and fast way to support Epiphany. Follow this link or the Epiphany website (epiphanyep.org) to set it up. |
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| Christmas Flower Memorials and Thanksgivings |
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The flowers and greens that add to the beauty of our Christmas worship are provided by the Altar Guild with donations from members and friends. If you would like someone remembered with flowers on our memorial and thanksgiving list, please use the form on the table in the entrance of the church and return with your check to the church office by December 17.
Please make checks payable to: Church of the Epiphany. You may also pay online by visiting our website or by credit card using the kiosk located in the entrance of the church. Christmas plants and greens generally cost $20 or more. |
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| Meet your Vestry Members |
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The Vestry of an Episcopal Church is our name for the elected group of leaders of the parish. They are concerned with the spiritual and financial health of the congregation and charged with being good stewards of our resources (program, property and budget). They meet once a month, for two retreats a year and offer guidance and work in between. In this space we hope to better introduce you to these people. Ask them questions and present to them your feedback, prayers and ideas. Vestry Member - Kristen Dee
Kristen Dee Kristen came to Epiphany in 2013 with her husband, Tom, and children Liam(12) and Bridget (10). She grew up in Central Falls and Smithfield, Rhode Island in the Roman Catholic tradition. Kristen now lives in Rehoboth, MA and works as a corporate attorney at Mercer in benefits administration. She has served as Treasurer since 2014 during which time she has helped us move to electronic giving while vigilantly and clearly shepherding our parish finances. She makes sure our bills are paid, income is properly accounted for, our bank accounts and endowments are properly managed and creates the annual budget with the assistance of the Finance Committee and Vestry. Kristen can also be found hosting coffee hour, mowing the lawn, attending the Adult Forums and helping with any number of other parish events. Thank you, Kristen, and God bless you for your gift of time and talent to us! |
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| A Noteworthy Christmas Concert - |
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Noteworthy, is pleased to announce their return to Epiphany for the 5th year with their Christmas Concert to be held the Sunday, December 10 at 4 p.m. While the concert is free of charge, we ask that you bring a canned item to benefit the Bread of Life Food Pantry or a free will donation of $5 is always appreciated. For more information contact Phil Campbell: 508-761-4314 or [email protected]. |
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| December Community Prayers |
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During the month of December our community is praying for:
Locally: The Wish List children and their families.
Globally: The peace of Jerusalem and all of the Middle East.
At Epiphany: The children of this parish and their families. |
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| Next Sunday |
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The Sixth Sunday of Advent (Expanded): O Dayspringd
Sunday, December 17, 2017
8 & 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Sermon: The Reverend Jennifer Zogg
Adult Bible Study: The Book of Exodus, 9:15 a.m.
Scripture readings:
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Canticle 15
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8,19-28
Read these lessons Liturgical Ministers for next Sunday:
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Altar Server-John Eastwood
Lector-Jodi LeDuc
Ushers-Geri & Arthur Manning
Greeters-Nancy Leggat & Carol Robitaille
Healing Prayer Team-Janice Johnson
Coffee Hour-Halkyard & Pilato Families
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Altar Servers-Suellen Franze, Nastara Allen & Bridget Dee
Lector-Kristen Chase
Ushers-Scott & Will Haggerty
Greeters-Sydney & Patrick Trudeau
Healing Prayer Team-Denise Messier & Shirley Baker
Altar Guild- Betsy Kelley
Communion Bread-The Dee Family
Coffee Hour-The Dee & Haggerty Families
Counters-Vivian Johnson & Edie Menard
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