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Hasbrouck Heights First Annual
Ecumenical Epiphany Procession
by Karen Fels
An evening Ecumenical procession celebrating
the Millennium Epiphany was held from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., on January 6, 2000.
The procession started at Corpus Christi and proceeded to The First Reform Church, then to
The First Methodist Church, then onto the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and ended at St.
John the Divine.
At each church there was a tableau to recount the Journey of the Magi, and included brief
reciting of liturgy, and a short refrain from "We Three Kings of Orient
Are".
The service concluded at St. John's, with the lighting of the Christmas Tree, followed by
refreshments (cookies, warm apple cider and hot chocolate) in the Parish Hall.
The Ecumenical Service was organized by Fr. Joe Picard, in cooperation with other
congregations.
Corpus Christi Church
"The Gathering"
First Reformed Church
"The Calling of the First Magi"
First Methodist Church
"The Calling of the Second Magi"
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
"The Calling of the Third Magi"
St. John's The Divine Episcopal Church
"The Visitation of the Magi"
St. John's The Divine Episcopal Church
"The Lighting of the Tree"
Epiphany? Strange word -- What does it mean?
Taken from the Alpha Omega
The origins of the word come from the Greek language: epiphaneia, meaning
"appearance" or "manifestation". Since the 4th century it the season
of Epiphany, and has been celebrated beginning on January 6th of every
year.This The Epiphany, and the weeks which follow embody the season, the length of which
changes each year because of the dating of Easter, and 40 days Lent observances which
precede Holy Week.
Two traditions have grown from the root meaning of "Epiphany". The first is the
Appearance of the Magi recorded in scripture to the Holy child. These three Magi represent
the breadth of the known world, from places far away they journeyed, following a star, to
observe the wonder of God's gift to the world. And, having been warned to return home by a
different route, they departed to take the news of Christ's birth to their homes. This
manifestation to the world is the symbol of our inheritance of knowing who Jesus is beyond
the Jewish traditions.
As Christian's we regard the Magi's visit as a symbol that Christ was born not for one
group of people only, but that he was the "light of the world"(JOHN 8:12).
Consequently, the celebration of Epiphany is sometimes also called the "Festival of
Lights". Thus in our celebration this year, we will officially light the new
tree"On the corner" and crown her with the star.A representation of the one that
led our procession from church to church. The tree will then be lit throughout the Season,
giving light to all who pass by.
[Links to HH Churches]
