Sunday's Worship Service
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Epiphany House Blessing
The Epiphany House Blessing is a specific blessing for the home that is traditionally done each year on the Epiphany (also known as Three Kings Day or Twelfth Night) that is done on the front door of the house and uses symbols drawn with any piece of chalk (it does not require blessing). This is called the chalking of the door, and is practiced by many Christians including Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, and more! Printed copies of the instructions and the liturgy and prayers for chalking your door, along with pieces of chalk, will be distributed at Sunday's worship service, or you may download the instructions from the PDF below.
| epiphany_house_blessing_instructions.pdf |
2022 Epiphany Star Words
Beginning Sunday, January 9th, you may pick up your 2022 Epiphany star word at church on Sundays. If you would like to pick up your star at another time, or if you need your star mailed to you, contact Tabitha at the church office by phone at (414) 425-7030 or by email.
THE SYMBOLS IN OUR STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
The colors of each window border proclaim the fullness of God’s love throughout the year in the various Liturgical Seasons: Blue and Purple symbolize the beginning of the church year in Advent celebrated the 4 Sundays before Christmas.
The frosted areas of each window admit the brightness and white light of the sunshine, symbolizing the white or purity of Christ’s birth at Christmas and the First Sunday of Epiphany – the season celebrating God’s incarnation in Jesus Christ. White also symbolizes the cleansing power of God’s Spirit that is open to all of us who in faith confess our sins and find forgiveness, new life and stronger faith in Holy Communion.
Green is the color of Epiphany - the season of Christ coming among us bringing new life, faith, and the holy example of life lived in harmony with God.
Purple is the color symbolizing Lent - the forty day season prior to Easter when we reflect on Christ’s suffering and death on the cross and its meaning for all of us.
Red is the color for Pentecost – symbolizing the coming of the Holy Spirit to the church on Pentecost Sunday as revealed in chapter two of the Book of Acts.
The stars in each window remind us of the Star of Bethlehem, the birth star of our Savior Jesus Christ. As the angels revealed God’ glory to the shepherds in the field and as the Wise Men traveled from the East, the star led them to Bethlehem where Christ was born.
The pointed blue border and peak in each window remind us of our tower and entrance to this sanctuary that has been integrated into the design of our pulpit and communion table. This shape suggests the familiar outline of a church steeple, the symbol of sanctuary and hope for the world.
The frosted areas of each window admit the brightness and white light of the sunshine, symbolizing the white or purity of Christ’s birth at Christmas and the First Sunday of Epiphany – the season celebrating God’s incarnation in Jesus Christ. White also symbolizes the cleansing power of God’s Spirit that is open to all of us who in faith confess our sins and find forgiveness, new life and stronger faith in Holy Communion.
Green is the color of Epiphany - the season of Christ coming among us bringing new life, faith, and the holy example of life lived in harmony with God.
Purple is the color symbolizing Lent - the forty day season prior to Easter when we reflect on Christ’s suffering and death on the cross and its meaning for all of us.
Red is the color for Pentecost – symbolizing the coming of the Holy Spirit to the church on Pentecost Sunday as revealed in chapter two of the Book of Acts.
The stars in each window remind us of the Star of Bethlehem, the birth star of our Savior Jesus Christ. As the angels revealed God’ glory to the shepherds in the field and as the Wise Men traveled from the East, the star led them to Bethlehem where Christ was born.
The pointed blue border and peak in each window remind us of our tower and entrance to this sanctuary that has been integrated into the design of our pulpit and communion table. This shape suggests the familiar outline of a church steeple, the symbol of sanctuary and hope for the world.
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THE GRAPES and CUP symbolize the sacrament of Holy Communion. In this sacrament, our use of the “juice of the fruit of the vine” represents Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our salvation. The cup is our invitation to renew our faith through participation in communion – a means of grace – God’s love made real in us. (Matthew 26:17-25; Mark 14:12-21; Luke 22:7-14, 21-23; John13:21-30)
THE DESCENDING DOVE represents the sacrament of Baptism and the coming of God’s Spirit upon us all. Matthew’s gospel tells us that after John the Baptist had baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, “he came up out of the water. The heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and lighting upon him.” The rays of light also indicate the coming of God’s Spirit and the Olive Branch in the dove’s beak is a symbol of hope for the future revealed to us in the story of Noah and the flood. (Genesis 8:6-12)
THE DESCENDING DOVE represents the sacrament of Baptism and the coming of God’s Spirit upon us all. Matthew’s gospel tells us that after John the Baptist had baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, “he came up out of the water. The heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and lighting upon him.” The rays of light also indicate the coming of God’s Spirit and the Olive Branch in the dove’s beak is a symbol of hope for the future revealed to us in the story of Noah and the flood. (Genesis 8:6-12)
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THE CROSS and CROWN symbolize the reward of the faithful in life after death to those who believe in Jesus Christ as the crucified Savior of the world. (Revelation 2:10)
THE LAMP symbolizes the light of the Living Word of God clearly revealed in Holy Scripture. As we grow in understanding God’s Word through Holy Scripture, we see God’s plan for us more clearly revealed. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.” (Psalm 119:105)
THE LAMP symbolizes the light of the Living Word of God clearly revealed in Holy Scripture. As we grow in understanding God’s Word through Holy Scripture, we see God’s plan for us more clearly revealed. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.” (Psalm 119:105)
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THE EASTER LILY symbolizes resurrection and eternal life available to all who believe in Christ Jesus, and seek His way by choosing Good over Evil, Grace over Sin, and Life and Light rather than darkness and death. (Mark 16: 1-10; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10) In the same panel, THE BUTTERFLY symbolizes the new birth available to all who find salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. The butterfly’s transformation from the lowly caterpillar through the cocoon into a lovely, soaring butterfly is an analogy of the transformation available to us by faith when we die to our “old selves” and are reborn as people of God.
(Romans 5:12-21)
THE HARP symbolizes music rendered in praise of God and gratitude for the joy of song and the harmony of vocal and instrumental music. “Praise the Lord with the Harp, sing to God with stringed instruments.” (Psalm 33:2)
(Romans 5:12-21)
THE HARP symbolizes music rendered in praise of God and gratitude for the joy of song and the harmony of vocal and instrumental music. “Praise the Lord with the Harp, sing to God with stringed instruments.” (Psalm 33:2)
Blue Christmas
| blue_christmas.pdf |
The holiday season is not always a time of joy for everyone. Sometimes, the increased hours of darkness propel people into a feeling of darkness and sadness too; and consequently there is an increased sense of guilt for not being happy about the holidays. Surely loss of loved ones weighs upon our hearts as we find empty chairs at our tables and remembrances fading. Relationship changes, loss of employment or purpose in retirement can also trigger a darkness within us at this time of year.
The Blue Christmas gathering is centered in the faithfulness of Godwith-us as we journey our days acknowledging the difficult steps along with the easy ones. “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:5 is a promise that guides the readings, the silent moments and the actions of naming and remembrance for our time together. This is a safe and welcoming space for your feelings of fear, sadness, uncertainty, anger and hope as you accompany one another
in the ever-present love of God into this holiday season.
The Blue Christmas gathering is centered in the faithfulness of Godwith-us as we journey our days acknowledging the difficult steps along with the easy ones. “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:5 is a promise that guides the readings, the silent moments and the actions of naming and remembrance for our time together. This is a safe and welcoming space for your feelings of fear, sadness, uncertainty, anger and hope as you accompany one another
in the ever-present love of God into this holiday season.
To read the latest information coming from the UM conference, click on link below.
www.wisconsinumc.org/
Worship and Ministries
Our Worship Services, Educational Classes and Ministries are designed to create an environment where everyone can
encounter and experience Jesus and enter into a life-changing relationship with Him!
Our Worship Services, Educational Classes and Ministries are designed to create an environment where everyone can
encounter and experience Jesus and enter into a life-changing relationship with Him!
In person Sunday Worship has been suspended through February 2022. Join us Sunday's at 9:30am live on facebook OR pull in ~ tune in~ service will be broadcast on the radio from Our Lords parking lot 5000 Sunnyslope. Sunday Worship servicess will be posted on this website and to YouTube the following Monday. |
HOW WE SERVE @ Our Lords
Thanks to ALL who gave their time and love to the garden @ Our Lords and provided fresh vegetables to the New Berlin Food Pantry & United Methodist Children Services. |
