A Message from your Bishop's Warden
This past Sunday, January 28, a spiritual tidal wave engulfed our sanctuary during the formal installation of our heaven-sent Vicar, Reverend Jamelia Cooper Barnett. It was quite possibly the most moving Church service I have ever experienced. As my father frequently reminded me, “patience is a virtue often well rewarded” and Lord knows, we at Epiphany have been patiently waiting for this blessed event with the right participant. With Bishop John Taylor presiding and delivering a heartfelt homily, the emotions (joy and elation) I witnessed and experienced were a gift from God. Just prior to “The Peace”, Rev. Jamie knelt before the altar and said the following powerful prayer:
O Lord my God, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; yet you have called your servant to stand in your house, and to serve at your altar. To you and to your service I devote myself, body, soul, and spirit. Fill my memory with the record of your mighty works; enlighten my understanding with the light of your Holy Spirit; and may all the desires of my heart and will center in what you would have me do. Make me an instrument of your salvation for the people entrusted to my care, and grant that I may faithfully administer your holy Sacraments, and by my life and teaching set forth your true and living Word. Be always with me in carrying out the duties of my ministry. In prayer, quicken my devotion; in praises, heighten my love and gratitude; in preaching, give me readiness of thought and expression; and grant that, by the clearness and brightness of your holy Word, all the world may be drawn into your blessed kingdom. All this I ask for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
This was the end of her formal installation and at the Peace, COVID be damned, there were loving embraces all around.
I realize not all of us were able to experience this moving service and for that I am sorry. The entire service can be seen on YouTube by searching The Church of the Epiphany Oak Park in the YouTube search bar. The services from the 28th and 29th will pop up. It is my hope and prayer that all who were unable to attend will have the opportunity to experience it.
Also, on Sunday evening, January 15, our Music Director Jay Wilcox brought the Selah Gospel Choir to Epiphany as part of the 2023 Music Guild season. The sang, they rocked, and they filled our Sanctuary with an energy not seen in quite some time, or possibly ever. This multi-ethnic choir’s stunning rendition of the St. Francis prayer, quieted the previously hand clapping, chair rocking audience. The attendees did not want the performance to end and many stayed after in the Church to soak up some of the residual energy. Thank you Jay for bringing this talented to group to us.
Lastly, as Jamie’s installation service and reception were winding down, our wonderful Karen James exclaimed, “EPIPHANY is BACK!!” She is so right and with Jamie, Jay, and Karen at the helm, our ship is at full speed ahead, charting a new course for all to experience and enjoy.
With faith and hope,
Steve Stephens
Tags: Worship / Worship with Us / Music