Epiphany Season 2025: Epiphany Moments
“Epiphany” comes from a Greek word that means “reveal.” When someone has an epiphany, it’s not that reality changed. The way they see that reality is what changed, for a deeper truth has been revealed. An epiphany is an “a-ha!” moment causing us to look at things very differently.
In the Church Year, Epiphany is the season where we see Jesus begin his ministry, revealing the reason the Son of God came to earth. In this season we will come to understand that when we have Jesus in our lives, it does not always mean our reality drastically changes. It simply means that we see reality differently (and better). Jesus always provides an abundance of epiphany moments.
January 12 | Baptism Is the Cure for an Identity Crisis
January 19 | God Delivers More Than We Ask, Not Less
January 26 | Rejection Is Not Proof of Failure
February 2 | Popularity Is Not Proof of Success
February 9 | The Least Qualified Are the First Sent
February 16 | Blessings Are Cursed; Curses Are Blessed
February 23 | Love Your Enemies, Overcoming Evil with Good
March 2 | Glory Is Hidden in Order to Be Revealed
Midweek Lenten Devotions: 3:30 PM & 7 PM
It is one of the most common prayers of God’s child. “Lord, have mercy!” Mercy is the withholding of punishment or negative consequences that a guilty person deserves. Thus, when we pray, “Lord, have mercy,” 1) we are acknowledging that we have lived in ways deserving of God’s condemnation and punishment, and 2) we are begging God to not condemn or punish us. How important is that prayer? If you cannot say it with sincerity, you cannot be saved. For if you cannot speak that prayer, you cannot possibly believe you need a Savior. Therefore, God gave us his law, in part, so that we would see our need for mercy. St. Paul writes, “I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law” (Romans 7:7). And God gave us the gospel that we might know he has shown us mercy.
Thus, it is good and right that in this solemn season of Lent, we would review God’s law as revealed in the Ten Commandments and connect it with Christ’s passion. We will see how we have shattered all the commandments and are deserving of punishment. However, will we also see how Jesus took the suffering we deserved upon himself. Seeing both, may the Spirit empower us to pray, “Lord, have mercy!” and confidently believe that in Christ, we have God’s mercy in inexhaustible abundance.
Join us for our upcoming midweek Lenten series: Lord, Have Mercy. Special Midweek Devotions are scheduled at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. each Wednesday evening during Lent.
Lenten Service Dates & Themes:
March 5 - Ash Wednesday (Holy Communion)
March 12 - Lord, Have Mercy…For Our Incessant Idolatry
March 19 - Lord, Have Mercy…For Demonstrating Irreverence and Despising Your Rest
March 26 - Lord, Have Mercy…For Treating Others Like Trash, not Treasure
April 2 - Lord, Have Mercy…For Failing to Live with Integrity
April 9 - Lord, Have Mercy…For Abusing Your Commandments
Online & Radio:
3:30 p.m. service: Livestream on YouTube (link at www.emanuelnl.org/gather)
7:00 p.m. service: Broadcast on WJMQ 92.3 FM
Join us for our Lenten suppers, available in the Fellowship Hall, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday.
Have you heard the exciting news?
Emanuel now has its very own app – Realm Connect!
Why an App?
We know many of you already love our website, but wouldn't it be great to have all that information more conveniently at your fingertips? With the Realm Connect app, you can access everything you love about Emanuel Lutheran on your mobile device, computer, or tablet.
What Can You Do with Realm Connect?
Stay In the Know: Get the latest church news, announcements, and upcoming events delivered straight to your device.
Sign Up to Volunteer: Easily see volunteer opportunities and sign up for those that fit your interests and schedule.
Access Resources: Coming this spring, those members who have logged in will have access to an online church directory, making it easier to connect with fellow congregants.
Online Giving: Establish or monitor your church offerings.
Realm Connect: Your Digital Hub for Emanuel!
We're excited to see you connect with our community and stay engaged with the church in a whole new way!
Getting Started is Easy!
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
-Matthew 28:19-20 EHV
