{"id":26440,"date":"2021-01-10T10:28:58","date_gmt":"2021-01-10T15:28:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=26440"},"modified":"2021-01-10T13:28:24","modified_gmt":"2021-01-10T18:28:24","slug":"you-are-gods-epiphany-1-10-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=26440","title":{"rendered":"You are God’s Epiphany! (1\/10\/21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Renewal. If there was ever a year that we needed to turn the calendar and take a breath of renewal, 2020 was it. It’s been a difficult year for all of us. And the difficulty and stress reaches into our clergy too. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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To give a much deserved break to\u00a0 our clergy, our Conference (the Greater NJ Annual Conference) produced a series to two “virtual”worship services which could be used during this “clergy renewal”\u00a0 period on Sundays 1\/3 and 1\/10.\u00a0 This\u00a0 post presents the second of these two services.\u00a0 <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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Like the rhythm of a heartbeat, the Christian calendar cycles through several annual “seasons,”and this period immediately after Christmas\u00a0 is called Epiphany. \u00a0 Epiphany recognizes the arrival of the Magi when they visited Jesus after His birth.\u00a0 For us, it also marks today’s reality where God can appear to us.\u00a0 It’s not necessarily in supernatural ways (like a big star or pillar of fire), but God uses the Bible, other people, and our experiences to “speak” to us.\u00a0 Sunday January 6 is known as Epiphany Sunday, so the two “Clergy Renewal”services follow the topic of Epiphany.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Week 1:\u00a0 Your Epiphany from God…<\/span><\/h3>\n
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GNJAC Bishop John Schol speaking at PUMC on 11\/17\/13)<\/p><\/div>\n

In his first message (presented via You Tube on Sunday 1\/3\/21), Bishop Schol related his own personal\u00a0 “epiphanies” and showed us how God speaks to us.\u00a0 For God to speak to us,we must be prepared to listen.\u00a0 That means that we need to:<\/p>\n

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  1. Observe<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0
    \nPay attention\u00a0 to nature.\u00a0 Listen to other people. Read the Bible.\u00a0 As Yogi Berra said,”You can learn a lot just by watching.”
    \nBe open to others; don’t apply a label to them and then ignore them.\u00a0 God might be using them to speak to you.<\/li>\n
  2. Be Quite<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0
    \nPut your mind and body in “neutral.”\u00a0 You don’t have to empty your mind, but you can shift your focus.\u00a0 If your mental “to-do list” is on your mind, write it down.\u00a0 But then get away from the list.\u00a0 Soak in nature.\u00a0 Watch kids playing.\u00a0 Temporarily lay your concerns aside and take time to just\u00a0 listen.\u00a0<\/li>\n
  3. Be Curious:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>
    \nAsk questions and encourage curiosity in others.\u00a0 Like a toddler opening drawers, always try to discover new things.\u00a0 God speaks to us through our wonder and questions.\u00a0 Ask, “God, what do you have for me next?”<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    To view the first service, click this button:\u00a0\u00a0 Week 1 Renewal<\/span><\/span><\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n

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    Week 2:\u00a0 You’re God’s Epiphany!<\/span><\/h3>\n

    The first part of the message dealt with how we can receive an epiphany from God.\u00a0 The second part (broadcast on 1\/10\/21) showed us how God can use us to become an epiphany for others.\u00a0 God speaks through OUR actions and words.<\/p>\n

    The presentation is arranged as shown below. Use the time markers to select parts of the video, or just click “Play” and watch the entire service…<\/p>\n

    00:00- 05:22<\/strong> \u00a0 Welcome & opening song: “Everlasting God”
    \n05:22- 06:15<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0 Opening Introductions (Bishop Schol)
    \n06:15- 07:24<\/strong> \u00a0 Opening Prayer (Hector Burgos)
    \n07:24- 10:30<\/strong> \u00a0 Announcements and comments (    invest<\/a><\/span>)<\/p>\n

    10:30- 13:30<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0 Children’s Message- Remember Your Baptism (Bishop Schol)<\/p>\n

    13:30- 15:00<\/span> \u00a0 <\/strong>Scripture readings:\u00a0 (Isaiah 64:1-4<\/a><\/span>\u00a0 and\u00a0 Mark 1:4-8<\/a><\/span>)
    \n15:00- 41:35\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>Sermon, “You’re the Epiphany” (Bishop Schol)<\/p>\n

    41:35- 45:15<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 Pastoral Prayer (Bishop Schol)<\/p>\n

    45:15- 48:09<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Closing music, “Come Thou Fount”
    \n48:09- 40:10<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0 Benediction<\/p>\n

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