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Epiclesis... An Ancient-Future Faith Community |
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Epiphany, 2012 |
Monday, February 13 |
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Bookends | |
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Greetings!
 Each year when the season of Epiphany comes around, I can't help but think of bookends. Why?
On the first Sunday, the season opens with that amazing (and theologically rich) scene where Jesus is baptized by John; the final Sunday of the season closes out Epiphany with that amazing (and theologically rich) scene where Jesus is transfigured before three of His disciples. Those events are the bookends, and they have several things in common: Coronation language with the affirming, approving voice of the Father; a dramatic fulfilling of the law and the prophets ("all righteousness," as Jesus says); and at least one human witness who might not have quite understood all that was happening.
And in between those bookends-- in the space taken up from baptism to transfiguration-- we have the remarkable privilege to discover more about the person and work of Christ as He is revealed to us in a whole season of unveiling. Our theme for Epiphany this year was "The Authority of Christ" and as we stepped through several significant passages of Scripture, we saw increasingly more who Jesus is. Now, as we come to Transfiguration Sunday, we see Jesus completely revealed as God.
At the Transfiguration, the great glory of God, in the person of Jesus Christ, was reveled to Peter, James, and John (Mark 9:2-12). In this glory we see a fuller representation of Jesus' identity, and we glimpse the glory He would receive at the completion of His redemptive work on earth. Transfiguration is the fourth celebration (after Christmas, Epiphany, and the Baptism of our Lord) that affirms the identity of Jesus as not only fully human but also fully divine. The timing of this observance is important. Just as the transfiguration prepared Jesus for His passion and death, so our prayerful pondering of His transfiguration helps prepare us for our Lenten journey in which we concentrate on His sufferings.
By the way, don't forget that we have a Lenten devotional book prepared for you. It gives Scripture readings for Sundays, plus some commentary and a word or two about the season. You may pick one up on Sunday mornings, or click right here to download your own copy from our website.
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In This eNewsletter Issue |
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Sunday Worship...
10:30 AM
The Carmichael Chapel 4600 Winding Way Sacramento, CA 95841
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Lenten J2J Series Coming
Four Sessions to Follow up Prayer Retreat...
 Our plan is to use Brett Pavia's visit and prayer mini-retreat to prepare us for a special Lenten series of four J2J sessions (beginning the week of February 26).
The focus will include spiritual disciplines and also some follow up to our recent, in-depth journey through "The Divine Embrace." The precise scheduling of the sessions will be up to each J2J group and will wrap up right around Holy Week.
Contact your J2J leader for more information:
Steve and Barb Pinson
Ellen Koehler
Richard Bethel
Norm Covell
Don Bowes
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 A Somber Service of Ashes and Repentance
Ash Wednesday at Epiclesis...
Make plans to join us on Ash Wednesday, February 22, at 7 PM, at the Carmichael Chapel for the annual service marking the beginning of our journey through Lent. Please mark your calendar and bring a friend, too-- it's going to be a memorable evening of Scripture, singing, quiet prayer and reflection.
Don't forget: We have a devotional booklet for Lent, 2012, titled "The Cross and the Covenant". Get yours by clicking here or you can always pick one up on Sundays.
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An Ancient-Future Quote to Note
Waiting for Us
 Always remember that we have renounced the world and are living here as guests and strangers in the meantime. Anticipate the day assigned to each of us for our homecoming. This day will snatch us up, set us free from the snares of the world, and return us to Paradise and the kingdom. Who, in foreign lands, wouldn't hurry to return to their own country? Who, when rushing to return to his friends, wouldn't eagerly want the winds at his back so that he could embrace those dear to him sooner? We consider paradise as our country. We already consider the patriarchs as our parents. Why don't we hurry and run, so that we can see our country and greet our parents? A great number of our dear ones are waiting for us there. A dense crowd of parents, brothers, and children is longing for us, already assured of their own safety and eager for our salvation. . . . Beloved, let us hurry to these people eagerly. Let us long to be with them and to come to Christ quickly. May God see our eager desire. May the Lord Jesus Christ look at the purpose of our mind and faith. He will give the larger rewards of His glory to those with a greater desire for Him! --Cyprian
 Check out a daily Scripture and a word from the Church Fathers by visiting The Chapel of the Ancient-Future Faith Network.
Image above: "All Saints" (detail); Fra Angelico.
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Epiclesis Website Tip of the Week:
Have you ever browsed around through the section of our website called "Resources"? There's lots to see and check out-- from artwork to weekly liturgies. Check it out today by clicking here. |
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