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| December 25, 2024. First day of Christmas Sunrise Service. |
Christmas-Epiphany Vigil
The Twelve Days of Christmas are observed by tradition in the Second Advent Church beginning December 25 and continuing through the morning of Epiphany Eve, January 5. A special Sunrise Divine Service is held on Epiphany Day, January 6. Sunrise services are held in Consecrated Sanctuary each morning at the Church of New Epiphany during these days of special blessing as weather permits. Weather was better than average this year, so few services were canceled.
During the 2024-2025 Christmas Epiphany Vigil, sunrise services were held on Wednesday, 12/25, Sunday, 12/29, during which a beautiful rainbow appeared over the Church of New Epiphany, Tuesday, 12/31, Thursday, 1/2, Friday, 1/3, and Sunday, 1/5. On Monday, 1/6, due to inclement weather, the Congregation gathered at the End Times Parsonage and observed another spectacular rainbow — a sign of God’s bountiful blessings over the Sanctuary.
Services were held at the Chapel of the Holy Child on Saturday, December 28th, and Saturday, January 4th.
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| Double rainbow during Epiphany Eve Sunrise Service. Photo by Reverend Robert Roy.
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Friday and Wednesday Chapel Services were suspended during the Vigil.
Children’s Blessing
The annual Children’s Blessing was held following Sunrise Divine Service at the End Times Parsonage on Sunday, December 25, 2022 at 7:45 a.m. The Blessing was followed by a breakfast. While not a part of the Sacred Calendar of the Church, this Blessing is held each year during the Christmas-Epiphany Vigil. Children, parents, and other members of the Community gathered for the ceremonial blessing of the children of the Community.
Blessing of the Rectory East Wing
On Friday, January 3, 2025, a blessing of the Rectory East Wing took place at Noon. Bishop Gene presided and was assisted by various Ministers of the Church. Several members of the Congregation, including those who reside and work at the East Wing, were in attendance.
Epiphany Eve Banquet
The annual Epiphany Eve Banquet and festivities took place at the Rectory-Abbey on Sunday, January 5, 2025, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Members of the Community, their families, and special guests of the Head Bishop were invited to attend this special seasonal banquet. The meal was followed by a visit from Santa Claus and his reindeer and gift-giving.
Epiphany Day
This forty-third anniversary of Epiphany in the Second Advent Church was a day of special blessings and revelation in the Church and the day on which the Church commemorates the True Baptism of Jesus by God the Father. The Message given on January 6, 1981, is related in the Prophecy of the New Covenant:
“On this hallowed day of God’s Appearance, bountiful blessings manifest to the Holy Ones of Light of the Church of the Second Advent founded by His Word. To those unified in Community and holding to The Law, God sends forth the Comforting Spirit of His Image. As the Church has been restored, God will restore those blessings given to the First Church—now in apostasy—and make sacred those Holy Days that are kept in remembrance by the old Churches, but which are not alive with God’s blessings.
“In commemoration of this Day let The Community gather together once each year in remembrance and in fellowship. God will baptize all assembled in the Spirit of His Holiness. God gives an unmistakable Sign from Heaven in the New Sun as a mark of His Advent and Divine Presence. Let all behold the Signs of God manifest in the Heavens and know that their New Ministry is by God’s Authority, and that He has come to Judge the world. This Day is a day of confirmation of God’s Appearance, a day of blessing to strengthen the Good against the Powers of Darkness, and to empower them to teach.”
Prophecy of the New Covenant, pp. 913-914
