The season after Epiphany has a unity and theme in the various "epiphanies" found in the gospels: the baptism of Jesus, the healing miracles, and ultimately in the transfiguration of Jesus on the final Sunday after Epiphany.  The baptism (on the first Sunday of the season) and the transfiguration (on the last) form a sort of "frame" for our celebrations. Here are some of the "through-lines" that inform the season:
  • the manifestation (revelation) of Christ to the whole world. When we see Christ, we are seeing God
  • recognition Jesus as God by many people, among them the magi, John the Baptist, Jesus' disciples, and Christians in every age, including our own
  • rededicating ourselves to our own ministries and our missionary task - to continue to spread the light of Christ in our world
  • remembering that just as Jesus first disciples were called to follow him, we, too, have received a similar call, which we recognize in the sacrament of baptism
  • remembering the many signs of Jesus that reveal his presence to people throughout the world as he tended to basic human needs.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot gather as a group until conditions are safe from the real possibility of community spread. As we enter this liturgical season, we are given the opportunity to give thanks to God and our express hopes for the future by making time to grow more deeply in our faith. 
Scroll down this page to the current Sunday
to find resources and suggestions for each week.  Since you know your family's needs better than anyone, you will be able to use these resources and suggestions in ways uniquely appropriate to your family.


The First Sunday after Epiphany - January 10

​The Baptism of the Lord

The Spirit of the Lord is deeply connected to water, beginning in the first words of the bible (the book of Genesis) and emerging in the symbols of our baptism. Water was used by the people of Jesus day as a symbol for change in status - or restoration. It was a way of preparing, of getting ready, to see Jesus as God's Son. When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, the evangelist Mark tells us that the heavens were "split open" and the Spirit of God descended upon Jesus like a dove. When we baptize even now - thousands of years later - we use words expressing our hope that the heavens will likewise open up and allow the Spirit of God to come upon those who are newly baptized. 

Readings for this Sunday

The readings for The First Sunday after Epiphany are: 
​(Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.) ​

Godly Play online!

The Stories of Jesus
​Today we begin offering 6 Godly Play presentations of parables: The Parable of the Good Shepherd
  • ​Genesis 1:1-5 (Theme: Darkness and chaos give way to the Spirit of God at God's command. Light and order result in a place ready to receive God's creating Word.)
  • ​Acts 19:1-7 (Theme: Just like the Spirit of God came upon the disciples at Pentecost, baptism prepares disciples i every age and in every place to receive the very same Spirit.)​
  • Mark 1:4-11 (Theme:  Jesus is revealed as both divine Son and Spirit-filled servant - a high calling that is given to every disciple of Christ. )

Resource Corner

The video below describes the baptism of Jesus from Mark's gospel in a way that children can understand.
Here is another version using "claymation". 
Family Activity
In the story of Jesus' baptism, we hear the report of a significant moment in Jesus' life. By accepting baptism from John the Baptist, Jesus shows himself to accept solidarity with sinners. In the voice from heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit, we know that God received this offering from Jesus and found it pleasing. In the passages that follow in Mark's Gospel, we learn that Jesus' baptism marks the beginning of his public ministry.

Although many of us may have already taken down our Christmas decorations, liturgically speaking, the Christmas season has just ended; The Feast of Epiphany serves as the last official day of the Christmas Season. Holidays like Christmas are highlights of our year, moments of great grace. This grace renews us and prepares us for our celebration of the Epiphany season, to the continuing work of discipleship.
​
Gather as a family and discuss your feelings about the ending of the Christmas season. How does it feel to take down the Christmas decorations? Many of us experience a letdown after the excitement of Christmas; others may feel relieved that life is returning to normal. Liturgically, we end the Christmas season today by reflecting on the importance of Jesus' baptism.

​Read together today's Gospel, Mark 1:4-11 (or watch one of the videos above). Jesus' baptism prepared him for his public ministry. What will we take from this Christmas season to carry us forward into our daily lives, to renew and strengthen our life of Christian discipleship? Conclude by praying together the Prayer to the Holy Spirit:

​Activities for Children
Click on the file below to download "The Sunday Paper and "The Sunday Paper - Junior" for this week.
sunday_paper_jr_-_1st_sunday_after_epiphany.pdf
File Size: 144 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
sunday_paper_-_1st_sunday_after_epiphany.pdf
File Size: 126 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Putting faith into practice
​(Use examples from everyday life to teach a vital truth about the faith. They don't need to be structured into a lesson plan but are part of how we live out our faith.)​​​
  • Water. Life on planet earth needs water. Christians see the waters of baptism as the matrix of our new life in Christ. The baptismal font is like the river Jordan that leads us to a new land of promise. Discuss the many ways that we use water to give new life. 
  • Dove. In several BIble stories, the dove symbolizes the presence of God's Holy Spirit. The white color matches our own baptismal garment. Even secular culture associates the image of the dove with peace. Doves are gentle, graceful birds. How can we be gentle and graceful every day? How might this bring a sense of peace to those we know?
  • Light. We can take light for granted. Many people in the world remain dependent on nature to give them the light they need to do their daily work. How dependent are we on light - maybe we don't really know until the "lights go out" like when the power goes off. Discuss how light can give us power to do many things and how vulnerable we may be when we do not have enough light.  
​Facebook discussion group 
​Also available for parents is a special Facebook Group where parents can support one another, ask questions, offer advice, share ideas and insights as we work together to strengthen the faith of our children. For permission to participate in this discussion forum, please contact Mother Mary at youth@stlukeslebanon.org
Prayer to the Holy Spirit 

​Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.

Lord,
by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Second sunday after Epiphany - January 17

The ability to hear is an important skill. Whether it is noisy or quiet, if we are busy or still, alone or with lots of people, it is important to pay attention to what is happening around us. God is revealed to us in lots of ways, many of which are unexpected. If we are always alert, we may notice God speaking to us through friends, family members, teachers, and even those we don't know well. St. Benedict once said, "Listen, my child, . . . with the ear of you heart." How do we listen with our heart? What might God be calling you to do?

Readings for this Sunday

The readings for The Second Sunday after Epiphany are: 
​(Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.) ​
  • 1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20)  (Theme: We hear about the call of the prophet Samuel in the temple at Shiloh. Samuel is but a boy, yet he hears the voice of God - even when few others have ears to hear. No one is ever too young to hear God's call.)
  • 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (Theme: Paul reminds us that we are freed from the guilt of the world's sinfulness because of our baptism - being joined to Christ. But as a result, we must live our lives accordingly. Once given this gift, how can we not acknowledge it by the way we conduct ourselves in the name of Christ Jesus?)
  • John 1:43-51 (Theme: Nathanael is a skeptic. You might say he would be at home in our modern way of thinking: question everything. And still, his heart is open to see what Jesus has to offer.)

Resource Corner

Here ae two different animated tellings of the gospel call of Philip and Nathanael to be his disciples. Chose the one that works best for you!
Facebook discussion group 
​Also available for parents is a special Facebook Group where parents can support one another, ask questions, offer advice, share ideas and insights as we work together to strengthen the faith of our children. For permission to participate in this discussion forum, please contact Mother Mary at youth@stlukeslebanon.org

Godly Play Online!

​Another parable
The Merchant and the Great Pearl
The second of our series of Parables tells us about how valuable the kingdom of God is - so much so that someone would sell everything they had to be part of it. 
Putting faith into practice
​(Use examples from everyday life to teach a vital truth about the faith. They don't need to be structured into a lesson plan but are part of how we live out our faith.)​​​​
  • Rabbi. We know that rabbis are teachers in the Jewish community. Jesus was considered a rabbi by his disciples. In many places he is addressed by this or similar terms like "teacher" or "master." Because we share Jesus mission through our baptism each of us has an opportunity to be a "teacher" as well - not so much by the book learning we acquire but by the way we show others the way to Jesus by the way we live.
  • Temples of the Holy Spirit. In many of his writings, St. Paul refers to our bodies as the "temples of the Holt Spirit." Paul has a deep conviction that God does not live in a physical place built of brick or stone but in the hearts of people who love God. It's as if there is a little room in each of us where God dwells. But we should never try to keep the door to that room closed. Instead it should be open so that everyone can see God living in us! 
​Activities for Children
Click on the file below to download The "Sunday Paper" for this week.​
sunday_paper_2nd_sunday_after_epiphany.pdf
File Size: 138 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
sunday_paper_jr_-_2nd_sunday_after_epiphany.pdf
File Size: 158 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Family Activity 
Today we encounter a very personal God in deep relatiuonship with each of us. Calling us by name and knowing us so well that God is in us, and our body is the very temple of the Holy Spirit. What if we loved ourselves as if God lived inside us? Would we ever do anything that we thought would be shameful? Maybe, if we realized that more often we would be a little more kind to others - and to ourselves. 

Discuss how because God lives in each of us, we can see God in one another. Recall the baptismal promise we make when we say agree to "seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself." (see BCP 305).

​Then discuss how when we make a mistake of which we are not proud, we should listen to the voice deep within us that tells us how much God loves us despite our failings.
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