Ash Wednesday Service: Feb. 26

February 6, 2016

Join us on Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at 7 PM, at the Chapel.

This Ash Wednesday worship gathering centers on the theme of Death to Life and honestly explores our mortality and absolute need for a Savior.

Designed as a multi-generational, interactive worship experience, Ash Wednesday will be an excellent way to introduce elementary-age (and older) kids and grandkids to the sights, sounds, and textures surrounding this all important day.

The structure of the worship gathering itself is purposefully designed to engage all the senses in an easy-to-understand, image-rich and family-focused environment.

Join us as we begin the adventure towards Easter Sunday, as we gather together as a community and consider the realities of being called from Death to Life.

From Death to Life: Lent Small Groups, 2020

March 8, 2014

Our theme for Lent 2020, and the focus of our small groups, is “From Death to Life.”

Do you ever think of life as a series of days simply to be lived (or maybe survived)? If you’re like many people, sometimes you check off days like they’re something to conquer or at least try to get through.

This year we are inviting you to go on a journey, not just a series of disconnected days, through the Season of Lent– a journey from death to life. Can Lent be a journey? It can if you will let it be.

Please mark your calendars for the week of March 1 when our small groups will begin a series of five sessions designed to lead us from death to life– a journey through Lent all the way to Resurrection Day.

We will have three small group days/times to choose from:

Sundays at 6 PM: The Chapel (our Carmichael worship location)

Mondays at 7 PM: The Epiclesis Chapter House (Old Fair Oaks Village)

Wednesdays at 7 PM: Covell’s home (Orangevale) (Email for info).

Devotional/Small Group Study Booklet:

Here is our devotional/small group booklet for Lent, 2020 (Year A). The .pdf document is a facsimile of a print-ready booklet. It is best viewed by printing and assembling it (standard size paper, front and back, landscape, in color). If you like, you may also pick up a hard copy on Sunday mornings.

Holy Week at Epiclesis

March 18, 2017

Holy Week at Epiclesis…

Our community of faith will commemorate the events of Holy Week with four special gatherings, each at the Carmichael Chapel. Won’t you join us?

Palm Sunday: April 5, 10:30 AM. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and the triumphal entry of our Lord into Jerusalem. It also signals that the biblical drama of the salvation of the world is now rapidly moving to a climax. Scripture tells us that as Christ drew near to the city gates, the people welcomed him with shouts of “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Others waved palm branches and spread their cloaks on the road before Him in an act of royal homage. Join us on Palm Sunday as we lift up our “Hosannas!” to the Lord.

Maundy Thursday: April 9, 7 PM. A service that our worshiping community eagerly looks forward to, we’ll gather for an evening of prayer, contemplation, and communion. The word “Maundy” derives from the Latin translation of the phrase “A new commandment I give you…” (Mandatum novum…), which Jesus shared with His disciples on the night of the Last Supper and before His passion. Part of our Maundy Thursday service will include some intentional time of quiet contemplation as we consider the cross.

Holy Saturday Vigil: April 11, 6 PM. Join us for this very moving Holy Saturday service at Epiclesis. The Easter Vigil has a long history in the Christian church, going all the way back to the very first centuries of worship– in fact, in some ways it was the most important service of the entire Christian year. Look for several wonderful elements in the service, including a baptismal renewal and a big surprise to end the service. The evening will last about one hour and include Scripture and prayer.

Easter Sunday: April 12, 10:30 AM. The Lenten season comes to a glorious close with the angelic announcement on Resurrection Morning, “He is not here. He is risen, just as He said!”. Easter Sunday is the high point of the entire Christian year, and has been since the beginning. Here’s something you may not know: In the early church, Easter Sunday was the day when new Christians were baptized into the faith, ending their long discipleship process. We’re continuing the Ancient-Future tradition at Epiclesis and, after the worship service, we’ll adjourn to the beautiful outdoor rose garden pool where we will baptize Jesus’ latest disciples.

Join Pastor Chris for Movie Time at the Chapter House…

December 17, 2019

Come on over to the Chapter House for snacks and a movie (tentatively scheduled for April 25 at 4 PM).

We’ll watch a favorite of Pastor Chris, “A Man Called Ove,” and also eat junk (or healthy stuff if you bring it). (Actually, bring some things to nosh on, healthy or junky).

One comfort note: The chairs at the Chapter House may not be comfy enough for you. Think about bringing a seat cushion, or maybe a bean bag chair.

About the film:

A Swedish comedy-drama film released in Sweden in 2015, “A Man Called Ove” is based on author Fredrik Backman’s 2012 book by the same name. It was nominated for six Swiss awards (it won two) and for two Oscars at the 89th Academy Awards.

Ove is an ill-tempered, isolated retiree who spends his days enforcing homeowners association rules and visiting his wife’s grave. He’s finally given up on life just as an unlikely friendship develops with his boisterous new neighbors.

Some helpful details:

The movie is rated PG-13 and runs 1 hour 56 minutes. The movie is in Swedish and has English subtitles.

Parent’s guide and/or concerns: Rated PG-13 for moderate thematic content (related to death in general), some brief, potentially disturbing images, and language, mainly the use of two moderate curse words a few times (in the subtitles and not spoken out loud). The film features several quasi-comedic failed suicide attempts that may be disturbing to some viewers.

A link or two for you…

Here’s the International Movie Database link for the movie.

And here’s the Wikipedia link.

Christianity: The Essentials

December 19, 2019

What are the essentials? Do Christians even know them? And do they honestly matter all that much?

We’re gearing up for an Easter Season launch of a Compass Class series titled “Christianity: The Essentials.” The 6-session study focuses on several essential tenets of the faith. We’ll look through the lens of Scripture first, then the Creeds (primarily the Nicene), and finally the hard-won words of the Church Fathers without whom we wouldn’t have the orthodox theological framework on which we rely.

Start date: We’re planning to begin first week after Easter, Sunday, April 19. There will be 6 total sessions. The classes will go from 9-10:10 AM, each Sunday (and we’ll gather at 8:45 for coffee and light treats).

Sources and working outline for Christianity: The Essentials:

We’ll be looking carefully at Holy Scripture for this study, of course, so participants will want to have a good study Bible ready to go. A detailed booklet will also accompany each week’s session. In addition, we’ll be drawing from these wonderful resources (purchase is not necessary but might be helpful):

Christopher Hall. Learning Theology with the Church Fathers. Downer’s Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2002.

Gerald McDermott. The Great Theologians: A Brief Guide. Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2010.

The Nicene Creed. Wiki article showing several English versions available by clicking here.

Series Outline:

Christianity: The Essentials

Learning from Scripture, the Creed, and the Fathers

1. Prelude to the Series. Scripture above all; common Creed; wisdom from the Fathers. What is heresy? Is theology really necessary?

2. Christ the Son, Begotten of the Father, Not Created. Why the word “Father” for God? What does Scripture say? What does the creed say?

3. Christ Divine and Human. What does Scripture say? Three test questions about Jesus. What does the Creed say? Learning from Cyril.

4. The Trinity. Is the Trinity in the Bible? What does Scripture say, and are there conflicts about the equality of the Godhead? What does the creed say? What about the Fathers: Gregory of Nazianzus and Augustine.

5. Sin, Grace, and the Human Condition. The question of the means and the purpose of human salvation. What’s sin? What is it that Jesus did on and by the cross? What does Scripture say? Learning from Irenaeus. Will and choice.

6. The Resurrection of the Body and the Life Everlasting. The question of the resurrection. What does Scripture say? What did the Apostolic Fathers say and do?

Image above, left: “Saint Thomas Aquinas,” Bernardino Mei. c. 1660. Oil on canvas. From the Chigi-Saracini Collection, Sienna, Italy.