Epiclesis

Ancient-Future Faith Community

Live/Virtual Worship Gatherings and Meetings

Staying Connected in Trying Times…

The virtual gathering you’re looking for is not here on this page. Rather, this is the page that provides all the details and links for connecting.

There are two parts to this page: The upper part with all the details about how to connect, and the lower part (scroll down a bit) for a listing of all the upcoming meetings with their codes:

We are using three means of virtual gatherings during the Coronavirus pandemic: Zoom, Facebook Live, and a Teleconference tool (audio only). Zoom meetings/gatherings will be simulcast (we hope– it’s been very tentative) on the Epiclesis Facebook page.

To find more information about connecting, please see our Contact Us page.

    • To join a Zoom meeting (video and audio), click on the invitation link and follow the instructions emailed to you. You do not need a Zoom account, but you will be asked if you want to set up one and can if you like. Use your desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone for this. If you are joining from a computer (for the first time,  you’ll download a small application file. If you are joining with a smartphone, you’ll be prompted to download the Zoom app. With Zoom there are options of being seen and/or heard.
    • To see the Facebook Live stream (video and audio), simply go to the Epiclesis Facebook page. Use your desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone for this option. With Facebook Live you can comment/post emojis, but will not be seen or heard.
    • On the occasions we use the Teleconference tool (audio only), dial (760) 548-9981 (some charges may apply depending on your provider). Use your phone/smartphone for this option. With this tool, you have the option of being heard. Tip: You can use *6 to mute (or unmute) your individual line. It’s helpful to stay muted until you wish to speak.

Upcoming Gatherings:

  • Join us for worship on Palm Sunday morning, April 5, at 10:30 AM (Pacific Time). “See” you then! And the Lord be with you….

Here is your liturgy/worship guide for this service.

Don’t forget to get communion items to celebrate Table. And we’re also suggesting that you put some palms/branches on your front door (and maybe in your worship space, too) for the day.

Note: We’ll use the Zoom meeting tool and the service will also be simulcast to Facebook Live.

Join the Zoom Meeting link (for Sunday, April 5, at 10:30 AM): https://zoom.us/j/978371066

Meeting ID for Sunday, April 5 (if you need it): 978 371 066

Or you have the option to join by telephone:

(213) 338-8477 or (669) 219-2599 or (669) 900-6833 or (253) 215-8782. The Meeting ID: 978 371 066

To join us on Facebook, simply navigate to the Epiclesis Facebook Page.

  • Join us on Wednesday nights at 7 PM (Pacific Time) for a Prayer Meeting as we intercede for the world.

Join the Zoom Meeting link (for Wed., April 8, at 7 PM): https://zoom.us/j/774664534

Meeting ID for Wed., April 8 (if you need it): 774 664 534

Or you have the option to join by telephone:

(213) 338-8477 or (669) 219-2599 or (669) 900-6833 or (253) 215-8782. The Meeting ID: 774 664 534

  • Join us on Thursday morning for a refreshing time of Celtic Prayer and Communion. The time is 9 AM (Pacific Time).

You’ll need two things:

1. The Liturgy.

2. The supplemental Scripture references and meditation.

Note: We’ll use the Zoom meeting tool and it we will simulcast to Facebook Live.

Join the Zoom Meeting link for Thursday morning, April 9, at 9 AM): https://zoom.us/j/772130237

Meeting ID for Thursday (if you need it): 772 130 237

Or you have the option to join by telephone:

(213) 338-8477 or (669) 219-2599 or (669) 900-6833 or (253) 215-8782. The Meeting ID: 772 130 237

An Important Update from Epiclesis

On Thursday night (4/2), the Epiclesis Elders gathered in a video conference. As we promised a couple of weeks ago, we wanted to meet again and reassess plans based on changing circumstances and the latest news.

Out of an abundance of caution for our own saints, and in an act of loving our neighbors as ourselves, we believe it is right and reasonable to suspend all gatherings through the end of April.

We have once again identified four focus areas for your attention and encourage you to read and consider them carefully and prayerfully.
 
All of the details of the plans, plus those four focus areas, are down below.
 
As always, please let us know both how and where we can help you– to “prop you up on your leanin’ side,” as we say back home– and where we can assist you in helping others.
 
It thrills my heart to hear the many stories of how you are serving and ministering. We must rise up, stand, and be the church especially in times like this.
 
Our world has changed, but our mission to be the church has not changed. The power of our creator God has not changed. The abiding presence of the Holy Spirit has not changed. And the hope of Jesus has not changed, for “if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
 
Thanks be to God!

Pastor Chris

An Important Update for the Epiclesis Community…

We are suspending all Epiclesis in-person gatherings/groups (worship, small groups, etc.) through the end of April.
 
The elders will gather again at that time, and as warranted along the way, to reassess the situation and report back to you.
 
Beloved, we have four areas of focus for your attention:
 
  • Worship and Prayer:
We will continue to provide opportunities in the coming days for virtual gatherings (worship and small groups) and use our various online/digital tools and platforms to do so. Please go to this place on the front page of our website (find it also under “News”) for all the details on when and how to connect. You can also get the same details in our online calendar. Please remember that you can always access Epiclesis worship podcasts and videos online here on our website.
 
ChristCandleDuring the month of April, we are adding an evening of prayer to our weekly activities. Now that the Lent small groups have ended, we will use Wednesday nights at 7 PM for brief Scripture reading, and then devote the remainder of the gathering to intercede for our State, Nation, and World. We will begin that series on Wednesday, April 8.
 
  • Serving the Body and Our Surrounding Community:
Two things here:
 
First, if you need something, please let us know. Reach out to receive resources, encouragement, and support from your church family. The elders and I will continue to make phone calls and check in with you regularly. In addition, we urge you to reach out to one another as well– many of you are already doing that. Share concerns, needs, and especially health updates.
 
Second, we urge you to be on the lookout for ways our body can serve others in our neighborhoods, city, and region. Are you reaching out to serve others? Share that with us. Do you need resources or help in caring for others? Tell us. Do you have an idea for blessing or assisting someone? Let’s get busy.
 
  • Communication:
Please open emails from Epiclesis. We are using our email and texting tools and our Epiclesis Facebook page to communicate with you. Please also recall that our church directory app (available on smart devices and on the web) is a wonderful, up-to-the-minute tool for you to use.
 
Communication in the Body should not only come from our leadership, but perhaps the best kind of communication will be that between the members of the Body. Be encouraged, once again, to reach out daily and randomly to your fellow church folks.
 
  • God’s Tithes and Your Offerings:
We are not overly concerned about finances at the moment, even as we approach the beginning of an uncertain month ahead. Yet we want to encourage you to remain faithful in your biblical calling to bring God’s tithes and your offerings to the Lord, to support the work and mission of the church, and be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
 
The biblical act of regularly giving is an act of worship, and through the years we have beautifully tied that act to our public gatherings. Let’s be sure to continue that important, scriptural call to bring God’s tithes and our offerings even when we’re not together physically. Give as the Lord allows.
 
Find information about the three easy ways of giving, especially while we’re apart, here on our Giving Page.
 
Remember, too, that our call as God’s people is to offer our time and talents, as well as our treasure: Be on the lookout for ways you can give above and beyond God’s tithes and offerings with other expressions of love.
 
Bless you, beloved! It is a joy to be in this part of the Body of Christ with you! 
 
The Epiclesis Elders

From Death to Life: Lent Small Groups Continue Virtually

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 note: As of 3/23. There are two virtual small group meetings remaining. Wednesday night, March 25th, and Wednesday night April 1, both at 7 PM. Get all the details for connecting here on this page.

 

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

Update as of 3/19: For now, we anticipate that Holy Week services will be cancelled, but will keep you up to date with any changes, etc. Please check back here and/or our online calendar for the latest information. 

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…

Come on over to the Chapter House for snacks and a movie (tentatively scheduled for April 18 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.

 

 

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