WEEK 15
Why Does Epiphany Matter So Much?
Epiphany is more than just a funny word that sounds fun to say when you’ve had an idea. For Christians, this word means so much more!
First Time? Check out this video before moving forward.
00:00 – 01:37: Intro To Neighbor Collective
01:38 – 03:23: Ways To Participate
03:24 – 05:17: Important Notes About The Sessions
Things You’ll Need Before We Get Started This Week:
Bible & Journal
Candle & Match
Bread & Wine/Juice
Video Session
(You will need to have the Vimeo app if you wish to cast it)
SESSION GUIDE
Keep scrolling to follow the session guide.
The video will stick to the top.
(You will need to have the Vimeo app if you wish to cast it)
1. INTRODUCTION
Want to contribute? Email [email protected]
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 2: Live Hangout On Zoom at 8 PM ET
February 22: Live Ash Wednesday Sessions (7 AM & 8 PM ET)
March 2: Live Hangout On Zoom at 8 PM ET
Make sure to engage in the private FB Group: Click Here to access.
2. SH’MA
Contributor: Joshua Kennard
Pittsburgh, PA
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (Hebrew)
Sh’ma Yis’rael adonai eloheinu adonai echad. Baruch shem k’vod malchuto, l’olam va’ed. V’ahavta et adonai elohecha, b’chol l’vavcha, u’vchol nephshecha, u’vchol ma’odecha.
English: Hear/Listen Israel, The LORD* (YHWH) our God the LORD (YHWH) is one. Blessed be the name of His glorious Kingdom forever and ever. And love the LORD (YHWH) your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your strength.
*When LORD is spelled with all caps it means that in Hebrew it is referencing the name of God which is YHWH. We believe from sufficient scholarly research the best way to pronounce the name is Yahweh. Many Jews and some Christians have refrained from using the name at all so as to not misuse the name (Exodus 20:7). If you don’t feel comfortable pronouncing the name YHWH, we say Adonai (Lord) to replace it in Hebrew. Many also call YHWH “HaShem” which means “The Name.”
3. EXAMEN 
Contributor: Lauren Boothby
Charlotte, NC
About this practice: The examen was started by St. Ignatius who was a Spanish Priest who lived in the 16th century and who founded the Jesuit order. According to Ignatian Spirituality, “St. Ignatius thought that the Examen was a gift that came directly from God, and that God wanted it to be shared as widely as possible. One of the few rules of prayer that Ignatius made for the Jesuit order was the requirement that Jesuits practice the Examen twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day. It’s a habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day.”
Take a few moments to get comfortable and become attentive to God’s presence.
● Pay attention to some of the emotions you’ve felt throughout the last 24 hours.
● Reflect on things you’re grateful for today.
● How has God been working in your life these last 24 hours?
● Take a moment to think about the rest of this day or tomorrow. Is there something you need to give to God to handle? Or is there an area when you’ll need to be more reliant upon the Holy Spirit for guidance?
4. CANDLE LIGHTING 
John 1:9-10 & 14: “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Candle Blessing – ALL: “Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, who sanctified us in his commandments, and commanded us to be a light to the nations, and who gave to us Jesus our Messiah, Light of the World.”
5. LORD’S PRAYER 
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the Kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory forever.
Amen!”
The Lord’s prayer can be found in Matthew 6:9-13 except for the final line. You can learn more about that final line in this article here.
6. WORSHIP SONG 
Contributor: Isaiah LaDuke
Pittsburgh, PA
Song: Holy Encounter
VERSE
Where others quit and stop
I will press beyond
For there is more to find
Than a surface-level God
And I will find the LORD
I’m confident He’ll open up the doors
And as His Spirit rushes in
I won’t hold back a single thing
CHORUS
‘Cause I don’t wanna be a bystander
To holy encounter
I lay my life here on the floor
Bridge
So burn burn away the lies
Burn burn with holy eyes
Burn burn inside my life
Til all I see now is your beauty
7. BIBLE READING 
Take this time to read Isaiah 42:5-9 and Matthew 2:1-12 on your own. Write down any words, phrases, or notes you find. tobe important or speak out to you.
Isaiah 42:5-6
This is what the God YHWH says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
8. HOMILY
Take this time to read Isaiah 42:5-9 and Matthew 2:1-12 on your own. Write down any words, phrases, or notes you find. tobe important or speak out to you.
Epiphany: The definition of epiphany is “a moment of sudden and great revelation or realization.”
Antiochus IV (Epiphanes): Learn more about Antiochus IV (Epiphanes)
The Number 12: 12 is considered a perfect number. It symbolizes God’s power and authority – usually in the context of government.
Who Were The Magi? The Magi were most likely Persian priests who practiced an ancient Babylonian method for astrology – In other words they were astrology-practicing gentiles.
Epiphany is an announcement that the King of the Jews is also the King of the World!
Learn more about the astronomical events of Jesus’ birth here.
Epiphany celebrates the revelation to gentiles that God had become incarnate – he was living as fully God and fully human, and was dwelling among them (Immanuel).
John 1:14
“The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.”
“Epiphany reminds us that through Jesus, our God would know what it was like to be in need. He would understand what it’s like to be hungry. He knew what it was like to experience sadness, grief, pain, and death …even death on a cross. Our God became one of us so that we could forever be reconciled in our relationship to Him – even astrology-practicing pagan gentiles.”
So how does this cause us to love God and love our neighbors better?
Hebrews 4:14-16
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Secondly, it causes us to love our neighbors by remembering who God welcomes into the Kingdom.
Philippians 2:3-11
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death —
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
9. COMMUNION 
You will need the elements at this point if you’re wanting to participate. Please know you do not have to participate if you would rather not. Click here to learn more about communion.
Why do we take communion every week? Because it’s a reminder of what Jesus accomplished for us both on the Cross and in the Resurrection: Forgiveness of sins, reconciliation to our Creator, and new life in the resurrection.
We do not take communion lightly. We do believe that Jesus actually meets us here in this sharing of the bread and cup. Please make sure to take time and answer the questions below before participating.
How have you loved Jesus and your neighbors well this week? How do you need to love Jesus and your neighbors better this week? Take some time to examine yourself before we take communion.
Blessing The Bread
Jesus, our Messiah, was afflicted and He was pierced for our transgressions. On the night that He was betrayed, Jesus took the bread of affliction and broke it and said, “This is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Let’s bless the bread:
ALL: “Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth, and who gave to us Jesus our Messiah The Bread of Life.”
Let’s eat the bread remembering what Jesus has accomplished for us.
Blessing The Bread
Jesus, our Messiah, was afflicted and He was pierced for our transgressions. On the night that He was betrayed, Jesus took the bread of affliction and broke it and said, “This is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Let’s bless the bread:
ALL: “Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth, and who gave to us Jesus our Messiah The Bread of Life.”
Let’s eat the bread remembering what Jesus has accomplished for us.
Blessing The Cup
Then Jesus takes the third cup of the Passover, the cup of Redemption, and He said, “This cup of the New Covenant which is done in my blood, do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
ALL: “Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, creator of the fruit of the vine, who gave to us Jesus our Messiah, and who gave His life to establish the new covenant.”
Let’s drink this cup remembering the new covenant of hope and joy that we get to experience today because of Jesus.
Blessing The Cup
Then Jesus takes the third cup of the Passover, the cup of Redemption, and He said, “This cup of the New Covenant which is done in my blood, do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
ALL: “Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, creator of the fruit of the vine, who gave to us Jesus our Messiah, the one who established the new covenant.”
Let’s drink this cup remembering the new covenant of hope and joy that we get to experience today because of Jesus.
10. BLESSING
Blessing (Numbers 6:22-27 + Justin’s Addition):
“May the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD turn His face toward you and shine upon you and give you grace and peace as you go throughout your week. And may you always remember, no matter how dark it gets, Jesus will always be there when you need him. No matter what. Jesus will always dwell by your side.”
Be Blessed This Week!
Want To Get Involved?
Thank you so much for being a part this week! If you’d like to help us out, here’s what was need:
1. We’re in need of people who love worshipping and can record worship music. Or have their own music already recorded that they would be willing to let us use in these sessions.
2. We’d love for you to lead some of the sections (For example, you would film yourself using your phone blessing and lighting the candle, or saying the Lord’s prayer. And we’re open to other spiritual practices that help you grow with Jesus).
3. If you know how to edit videos, use WordPress sites, and/or love social media and would like to help out, please reach out!
You can email us at [email protected] or use the form on the website here.