January 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany, the holy celebration of the Magi’s visit to the infant Jesus. It is a sweet part of the festive season that began, really, with Advent.
Sometimes, though, it might seem more like an afterthought, an “oh yes, remember this,” tacked onto the end of the holiday.
But it is far more than that, and worthy of being robustly remembered.
The Magi were the first Gentiles to honor the Christ Child. They wouldn’t be the last, of course, as the church became increasingly Gentile. But the Magi were the first non-Jewish folks to be drawn into the mystical, loving graciousness of God made known through Jesus Christ. They were harbingers of the direction that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection would take—first to the people Israel, then to all the world. And we are drawn close to the God of Israel through Jesus.
As far as we know, the Magi came only to honor Jesus, not to become his followers. They returned home, to their lives, to their own religious communities. Perhaps that was that. But perhaps their lies were enriched by following that star, by taking a risk that their own hunch, their intuition, their own religion’s guiding Spirit was pointing them towards something that could change the world. So they went back to their own lives. But I suspect they were never the same. And they influenced and shaped their own communities by their experience of bringing costly gifts to a Jewish peasant baby.
The truths that various religions share resonate among them, and across the world. Love, joy, wonder, mystery, hope, trust—and the belief that in the end, nothing is more powerful than love, and no energy brighter than light.
So we stand with the Magi, following the bright light of a star, and begin our journey each day, to bring glory and honor to God, and love, justice, and mercy to the world—by following Jesus Christ.
Blessed Epiphany and Happy New Year!
Pam+
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For the sake of better communication . . .
We have created a new email account for reporting Trinity events you'd like to see publicized either through our newsletter, or other weekly email blasts. The address is: communications@trinitybeth.org. You may also add folks to the prayer list.
This account will be checked frequently throughout the week, so that we have at hand all we need to keep Trinity well-informed.
Now for something completely different—When you scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter, you may need to look below and click where it says
View Entire Message. This will open up the entire newsletter for your reading enjoyment.
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Sunday, January 13
9:30 Holy Eucharist
After the service, all will gather for potluck luncheon and Annual Meeting
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In less than year, the Hospitality Ministry has become tremendously important to the life of our church. All the members are excellent cooks and know how to take our time together to another level.
In order to keep the Hospitality Ministry functioning efficiently and to avoid over-working them, we need the following:
A work crew to help clean up after each Sunday brunch. The more folks who volunteer for this, the better. More people, less work! We'd like to begin on January 6. If you would be willing to serve in this capacity, please
click here.
Once a month, we will give the Hospitality Ministry a break. On those Sundays, we will have a Potluck Brunch.
January 13 is, of course, our Annual Meeting, which is always a potluck meal, so this seemed an appropriate day to start doing this on a monthly basis to help the Hospitality Ministry.
Other potluck Sundays will be:
February 10
March 10
April 14
May 12
to bring a dish on a specific Sunday.
Then email communications@trinitybeth.org
to tell us what dish you plan to bring.
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Serve the present. Honor the past.
Provide for the Future
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A Reminder
If you have not yet completed your 2019 pledge card in support of Trinity, please take the time to do so now.
Pledging is our commitment of faith—
and our reminder that everyone is called to take part in God's work. When you offer your financial support to Trinity, you are are engaging in a spiritual discipline that shines the Christian faith into the future.
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Listening Sessions will resume sometime
in February. Stay tuned for more details!
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Friday, February 8
5:30 p.m.
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Come join us in the Parish Hall for potluck Dinner and a Movie!
The movie will be "The King and I"—a classic musical that stands the test of time.
Bring a side dish or dessert, and take a break from everything!
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Buy Scrip Cards Year Round!
When you buy GIFT CARDS though Great Lakes Scrip, a percentage of the face value of the card is donated to Trinity. Cards are available for many retailers in the area and online. The cards must be purchased with cash or check. A variety of cards that are frequently requested are available for immediate purchase (Giant, Weis, Shoprite, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Home Depot, Lowes) and other cards can be ordered. The extensive list is available at the Great Lakes Scrip website link given below. When you decide which card you would like to purchase, please contact Pat Sisson by email at rssdbs@aol.com.
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NOTICE
Jacket found in nave
A black, hooded, Old Navy jacket, size 7 S/P has been left in the nave at Trinity after church services.
Please retrieve from business office. If it not claimed soon, we'll donate it to the Soup Kitchen.
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Sunday, January 13th, immediately after the 9:30 a.m. service
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Annual Meeting!
With Potluck luncheon
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Friday, February 1-Saturday, February 2
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Potluck Brunch after 10:00 service
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The Imposition of Ashes
Service times to be announced
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Maundy Thursday, April 18
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Maundy Thursday Service with Footwashing and Eucharist
Dinner 5:30 p.m.
Service 6:30 p.m.
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Good Friday Services
Times to be announced later
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Easter Vigil 7:00 p.m.
Easter Feast afterwards!
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The Day of Resurrection!
Festal Services 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Parish Breakfast between services hosted by Trinity Vestry
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Serving This Month
Lectors, acolytes, intercessors, Altar Guild, ushers, greeters, eucharistic ministers:
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Birthdays
Jean Everett, January 1
Alex Lega, January 3
Patti Pasda, January 3
JoAnne Hornyak, January 5
Bernie Gardiner, January 9
Joel Krieger, January 14
Rebecca Seigenberger, January 14
Dorothy Cherkos, January 17
Owen Arancibia, January 18
BethAnne Arancibia, January 21
Amy Bucher, January 22
Christian Baukal, January 23
Quinlyn Coke, January 25
Sophia Krieger, January 25
Gerry Kasten, January 26
Jonathan Palmeri, January 26
Joyce Meinke, January 30
Anniversaries
Loretta Brobst and Frankie Pastor, January 18
Dawn and Bill Winterburn, January 30
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44 E. Market Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018
610-867-4741
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Saturday Service: 5:00 pm
Sunday Services: 8:00 & 10:00am
Office: 9:00am-2:00pm, M-F
Soup Kitchen: 12:00-1:00pm, M-F
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