Jesus Set His Face: Lent Small Groups Underway

February 20, 2019

During the season of Lent, and beginning the week of March 10, our small groups launched a 5-week study series we’re calling Jesus Set His Face: In View of Eternity and Mortality. It’s not too late to jump in!

At the center of who Jesus is, and at the very heart of the person and work of Jesus, we have the miracle of the incarnation. God and man come together, fully, completely, miraculously. Divine-human. Spirit-truth. Transcendent-immanent. Teacher-healer. One who lived his life, at once, in view of eternity and in view of mortality.

Each week of Lent, we’re exploring the biblical and theological implications of eternity and mortality, and we’ll do so by using many voices from both the lectionary readings and Sunday teachings. These tools will help us describe then define who we are and what we do in the right now: For who we are and what we do is critically important when it comes to God’s purposes for the world and the Kingdom now. But there’s more: Who we are and what we do now also has critically important implications beyond our lifetime.

One more important note: The series includes the lectionary readings for Lent, so we’ll also have an opportunity for discuss further the things Pastor Chris teaches in the Sunday worship service. If you’d like you can get a head start on meditating on these topics just click here for a handy website that lists all the lectionary passages.

We have four small group days/times to choose from:

Two Sunday Options at 6 PM: The Chapel (our Carmichael worship location); Deanne & Rick Asche’s house with a delicious dinner (Lincoln) (Email for info).

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

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

About the Logo for this Study: The design we’re using for the logo for this series is by artist Lance Brown, the “speed painter.” Colorblind Christian Lance Brown (right) portrays a powerful message through every Christian speed painting he does during his live performance art. Each stunning piece of artwork takes less than 6 minutes to complete. Some are even painted upside down, revealing the true masterpiece when turned over at the end. Learn more about this remarkable artist and his ministry by clicking here.

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 14, 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 18, 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 20, 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 1, 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.

Finding Jesus in the Tabernacle… 2019 Fall Retreat!

January 31, 2019

You simply cannot miss this opportunity!

Mark your calendars for October 11-12 (and Sunday the 13th) as very special guest Ben Westlund leads us in a fascinating, in-depth, and life-changing tour of Moses’ wilderness Tabernacle.

Recent Epiclesis travelers to the Holy Land were captivated by their amazing guide at the Timna Park Tabernacle replica. Ben Westlund was his name (left), and we have invited him to come all the way to Sacramento to spend two days unpacking the many ways that the Old Testament Tabernacle points to the person and work of Jesus.

Said Pastor Chris, “We were astonished at the depth of knowledge and the passion of this outstanding young man– all of us. I can only say that it’s a huge blessing that Ben is coming here, and I can’t wait for folks to meet him!”

Be sure to see the biographical sketch, plus pictures, of Ben just down below…

Some Details For You:

The retreat location will be the Fair Oaks Community Clubhouse (in Old Fair Oaks, directly across from the Epiclesis Chapter House). See handy maps below.

The cost (including lunch on Saturday) is $40 per person.

You MUST reserve your spot with a paid reservation of $40; space is limited and we are expecting heavy interest in this rare opportunity.

You Can Reserve Your Spot Three Ways:

1) Online with a Credit Card via our secure payment portal. Very Important Note: Please add $2 for each reservation to cover electronic processing fees. Mark “Fall Retreat” (and the name[s] you’re registering) in the notes field. Click here to go to our secure online payment portal.

2) By Mailing a Check: Payable to “Epiclesis” and marked “Fall Retreat” in the notes (please also list the name[s] you’re registering). Mail to 11230 Gold Express Drive, #310-214; Gold River, CA; 95670-4484.

3) In Person by Check on Sunday mornings at Epiclesis. NOTE: Please write a separate check for your registration(s) [e.g. separate from tithes or offerings], make a note that it is for the fall retreat, and also list the name[s] you’re registering.

Mini-retreat schedule/overview: Friday night, 6:30-9 PM; Saturday, 9-5. (Note: This is not an overnight retreat). Ben will also teach in the Sunday morning service at Epiclesis (10:30 AM). For Friday night, consider coming to the Village early, finding a bite to eat (there are several wonderful spots), and getting a good parking space.

An important note about parking: Parking in Old Fair Oaks Village can be a challenge. We picked the retreat date, in part, because there were no other known scheduled Village events. However, parking everywhere, including at the Clubhouse, is on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly encourage you to come early and find a spot at the Clubhouse, or surrounding lots where appropriate (including across the street at the Fair Oaks Park and Rec building), at the Epiclesis Chapter House, or where allowed on nearby surface streets. We also strongly recommend that you carpool with friends.

Maps? Questions? Retreat Brochure?

Old Fair Oaks Village Map-Simple (showing the Chapter House and the Community Clubhouse).
Old Fair Oaks Village Map-Satellite (showing the Chapter House, Community Clubhouse, and primary streets).
Questions? Email us by clicking right here.
Want a copy of the Tabernacle Retreat brochure for printing? Click right here.

Be on the lookout for more information soon, but in the meantime mark your calendars and share this amazing opportunity with a friend!

About our retreat leader…

Ben Westlund (right) was born in 1992 in the city of Eilat, located on the Red Sea at the southernmost tip of Israel. His father, an American from Minnesota, moved to Israel at 23 to marry his mother, an Israeli of Finnish descent from Beersheba. Her grandfather had moved to British Palestine from Finland after being called by God to import, and later print, Bibles for Jews who were returning from around the world after a 2,000-year exile, resulting in the subsequent creation of the State of Israel.

He writes, “All 12 years of my education were spent in Israeli public schools, except for 5th and 6th grades which I spent in Minnesota. Two weeks after my final matriculation exam in 12th grade I found myself in the green Israeli Defense Forces uniform.

“My 3-year army service saw much disappointment, hardship, and spiritual warfare, but always accompanied with great blessing, learning, faith, and God’s grace. My army service finished with a bang as I spent my last two weeks as part of Israel’s 2014 invasion of the Gaza Strip.

“After my army service I traveled in the U.S. and other countries, spent 6 months with an Israeli Christian discipleship program, and worked both in Israel and the U.S.

“Now I am back in Israel, and for the past year and a half I have worked as a guide for the Tabernacle replica in Timna Park (see photo, left). Since working at the Tabernacle, I have made great strides in my understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures as I keep reading and studying their relevance to living a full and complete life in Christ.”

About the art used in our retreat logo: “Joy” is the title of the stunning profile depiction of Jesus. The artist is Yongsung Kim, a favorite of ours at Epiclesis (he’s the creator of the “Hand of God” found on the wall of our Chapter House). He writes, “I spent my youth in the beautiful countryside of Korea, which is rich with the emotion that I hope is captured in my paintings. I started painting in middle school and spent much of my time growing up drawing. After I became an adult, I began to worry about the path my life would lead, so I prayed. Through the inspiration I gained while painting, I decided I would live a life devoted to bringing glory to God. Even though I didn’t formally study painting, I felt I had been blessed with natural talent and aesthetic taste and I began a life as a Christian artist.”

Movie Night at the Chapter House

April 16, 2018

Circle the last Saturday of the month on your calendars for Movie Night at the Chapter House! Each month we’ll feature a great movie and have some wonderful discussion– and bring a treat or drinks, too, if you like. Jay Dudley will host the evening. We’ll get started at 5 PM and the event lasts about 2 hours.

For details, including each month’s featured film, please contact Jay. Already seen the movie? Even better! You’ll have lots to add to the discussion.

Want to see the movie title (or learn more about it) for a particular Saturday? Check out the Epiclesis calendar and click on the event.

Chapter House details.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

The Light of the World (Epiphany 2019, Year C)

January 5, 2016

Click right here for a copy of the devotional booklet for Epiphany, 2019 (Year C). Find Scripture for the Sundays in Epiphany, as well as a thought or two to help direct your preparation for worship, and a few thoughts about the season, too. We’re calling our Epiphany series “The Light of the World,” and will look through that lens as we closely examine the person and work of Jesus.

One helpful note: The .pdf document is a facsimile of a print-ready booklet. Once you open, or download it, you’ll need to scroll through the pages, or print and assemble it, in order to see the pages in proper order.

Making multiple copies? This publication is copyrighted by Pastor Chris Alford and you’re very welcome to use it for your church or small group. He requests that you ask for permission and that you properly attribute the work.