We begin the celebration of the season of Epiphany this week.  Epiphany comes from a Greek word that means manifestation.  We are seeing the manifestation of God’s light and life and love in the world.  The season starts this Sunday with the Magi following the star to Bethlehem and it ends on February 11th with the dazzlingly brilliant light of Christ revealed to the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration–the last burst of light before going into the dark wilderness of Lent on Ash Wednesday.

The service will reflect on the epiphanies of God’s light that we see that make us shine with a radiance that helps those around us.

We will read the beautiful “Arise, shine!” passage from Isaiah 60 and hear the story of the Magi from Matthew 2:1-12.  We will sing “What Child Is This” and “Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light” as well as the communion hymn “The Light Is in the Summer Sun,” another tune written by the Rev. Will Burhans.

The choir will sing the Native American “On Eagle’s Wings,” and “Ubi Sunt Gaudia” by P. Hayes and Thomas Tallis’ round, “All Praise to Thee.”  Annemieke will play pieces by V. Rebikoff, P. Hayes and C. Debussy.