| “Then a voice came from heaven,…The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder.” John 12:29 Dear Friends: A blessed Holy Week my friends. This morning in seven o’clock worship, we read of the voice of God speaking from heaven like a sound of thunder announcing Jesus as the Son of God, the light in the darkness, the Messiah, the one who comes to save. Jesus is just hours from his death. Tomorrow, Maundy Thursday, Jesus will mandate a new law, “love God and love your neighbor as yourself”, as he kneels lovingly before his disciples in humble servanthood and washes their feet. On Friday, Jesus will go to the cross where he dies and is buring until Sunday morning he will again rise and we will sing Alleluia, Christ is Risen, the Lord is Risen indeed! Easter morning brings a new kind of sound; a sound of joy and hope for the gift of new life risen for all God’s children! Today however, this Wednesday in Holy Week, we might want to listen for the sound of God. This week the world has heard some serious thundering sounds. The bellowing fire sweeping through Paris’ Notre Dame gothic cathedral alerted all to the dangers of a spark of flame. And yet, in the midst of the catastrophe God’s voice of hope is being heard. Just today French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced an international architecture competition to rebuild the 305 foot spire. The French government has raised nearly one hundred million dollars toward the rebuilding of the historic cathedral. Hundreds of million dollars more from wealthy donors is pledged. The journey will be long. We remember our National Cathedral suffering from the thundering earthquake nearly ten years ago and its ongoing efforts to restore the damage. Our houses of worship serve as monuments to a great God who calls us to face our challenges and trust in a God who heals, a God in Christ who equips us to find solutions and possibilities never before thought possible. We’re well off to turn a listening ear to God who comes with impressive certainty. There has been some thundering and pounding on the corner of Epiphany this week. The noise is likely to continue for some while. In a proactive effort, and with much needed financial support from The Diocese of Virginia, Epiphany is taking steps to replace the roof over the three-story classroom and attic storage space. While working on the roof yesterday, NV roofing (the same roofers who expertly replaced the roof not long ago on the original building) found extensive water damage. Rather than patch the roof until the next problem arose, they have suspended their work. In doing so NV roofing is talking to the architect who designed the newer section of the building around 2002. As well, NV roofing is taking steps to secure the right materials to replace the rusted steel foundation of the roof, the wood planking and assure the roof is properly ventilated. As you can imagine this will take some time. For the time being, the roof is securely tarped and safe. We’ll keep you abreast of continued progress on the roof and further plans to manage deferred maintenance concerning our building. We are a blessed community to serve as a bright light of welcome to the forty thousand cars driving by our corner each day and to serve as a home to the hundreds of folks who frequent Epiphany all week for one event or another. God clearly has chosen for us to hear his bellowing sound of inviting love and hope; that we are foolish enough to believe we can do what others claim cannot be done! May the rest of your Holy Week bring you closer to Christ. Come tomorrow night at 7:00 and bring your kids. Last year, 75% of the Maundy Thursday congregation were kids and they all washed feet! Truth is often seen and heard through our children. Often serving Jesus is a difficult task. Learning from our children is a good path to hearing God’s most holy words. Come Good Friday for solemn prayers at 7:00 a.m., noon and/or 7:00 p.m. as Jesus ventures to the cross. Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. we’re gathering for brief prayers. At 10:00 a.m. families won’t want to miss the Easter egg hunt, resurrection garden making, and venture through the amazing stations in the back of the worship space. Sunday we worship at 8:30 a.m. Worship at 10:00 a.m. will offer a short children’s message to accompany the brief message for the wider congregation. Babysitting for children ages 0-3 is provided during ten o’clock worship. And, kids, don’t forget at 10:00 o’clock worship, we’re restoring the Alleluias! Following worship Alleluia cake is awaiting all! Many blessings, Hillary |
