04. Epiphany Season & Time After

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VERSION: 2 April 2002

EPIPHANY SEASON AND TIME AFTER

CONTENTS

GENERAL

      This document

      What is Epiphany?

LITURGY

      Sentence

      Introduction to confession of sins

      Lord, have mercy

      Hymn of adoration

      Gospel acclamation

      Gospel procession

      Prayer of the church

      Seasonal preface

      Eucharistic prayer

      Communion invitation

      Prayer after communion

      Epiphany responses

      Season blessing

HYMNS AND SONGS

      Sources

      Lord, have mercy

      Hymn of adoration

      Offertory

      Holy, holy, holy

      Lamb of God

      Post-communion song

      New hymn translations

      New hymn

      'All Together' songs

      'Together in Song' hymns/songs

      Taize songs

      Iona Community songs

      Canticles

MUSIC

VISUAL ARTS

      General

      Colours and flowers

      Symbols

DRAMA

CHILDREN

EPIPHANY SEASON AND TIME AFTER

GENERAL

THIS DOCUMENT

Please see the general worship guidelines and ideas given in the document 'General notes and resources' in this folder. This Epiphany document supplements that document, containing additional suggestions for the season of Epiphany as a whole and the time after. Material specific to each Sunday and festival day is given in the documents for those days.

WHAT IS EPIPHANY?

The day of the Epiphany of our Lord is always 6 January, although in practice the festival may be celebrated on the Sunday before (or occasionally after). The word 'epiphany' means 'manifestation' or 'showing plainly'. Epiphany is an extension of Christmas. Now Christ, who came to earth, is shown as Saviour to the whole world - to us and to all people, as originally to the wise men from the East. The First Sunday after Epiphany celebrates the baptism of Jesus, when he was shown as God's beloved Son. The following Sundays continue something of the Epiphany message, although they do not constitute an Epiphany season, but rather belong to the 'non-festival' time after Epiphany. The last Sunday after Epiphany is always Transfiguration, when Jesus is shown in glory before his time of suffering.

The number of Sundays after Epiphany varies according to the date of Easter and hence of Ash Wednesday (which is the Wednesday after Transfiguration).

LITURGY

SENTENCE

A Sentence may be said or sung entirely by the minister, or it may be said or sung as a responsive verse. See the document 'General notes and resources' (under 'Sentence') in this folder for suggested general Sentences and for some suggested places in the service for using a Sentence.

Here is a suggested seasonal Sentence. Other Sentences are suggested in the notes for each Sunday or festival.

Arise, shine; for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

[Nations shall come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.]

(Isa 60:1,3 NRSV)

INTRODUCTION TO CONFESSION OF SINS

Various forms of confession and absolution are included in the Appendix material of the disk (or coil bound print-out) of Approved Worship Services. The following introduction to confession is suitable for use during the week of Epiphany and the following Sundays. Note that it is often beneficial to leave a time of silence between the call to confession and the prayer of confession. If there is a silence, the minister can lead with the words of confession after it.

The regular invitation to confession may be preceded by these words:

Friends in Christ:

Jesus says: I have come as light into the world,

so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.

Then continue with the regular invitation and prayer of confession.

OR

Friends in Christ:

Our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world

and revealed himself as the Saviour of all people.

So let us confess our sins to God our Father and ask him to forgive us

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Then continue with the regular prayer of confession.

LORD, HAVE MERCY

For guidelines and variations of the 'Lord, have mercy', see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Liturgy', 'Lord, have mercy', in this folder.

See also the documents for the day of the Epiphany, the First Sunday after Epiphany, and Transfiguration for suggested variations.

Here is an Epiphany season introduction to the 'Lord, have mercy'.

Let us call on Jesus our Lord, as the light for the world, and ask him to help us.

[silence]

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

(or one of the other regular forms of the 'Lord, have mercy' may be used after the silence.)

The following variation of the 'Lord, have mercy' may be used.

Jesus Christ,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, praised by choirs of angels,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, proclaimed by the shepherds,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, persecuted by the powerful,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, recognised by the wise men,

have mercy on us.

For further suggestions about the 'Lord, have mercy', see below under 'Hymns and songs', 'Lord, have mercy'.

HYMN OF ADORATION

The 'Glory to God in the highest' is most suitable for use as the hymn of adoration during Epiphany, as we continue to celebrate the birth of Christ. For metrical paraphrases, see the document ‘General notes and resources’ in this folder, under ‘Hymns and songs’ ‘Hymn of adoration’.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

For the festival of Epiphany, the Baptism of Jesus, and the festival of the Transfiguration, the acclamation may be modified as follows, as suggested for the Christmas season.

Glory to you, O Lord, Light of the world.

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ, Light of the world.

GOSPEL PROCESSION

The gospel procession may be used every Sunday, but it is particularly suitable on festival days such as Epiphany. For suggestions on how to do a gospel procession, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Gospel procession', in this folder.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

For general guidelines and ideas, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Liturgy', 'Prayer of the church', in this folder.

It is generally preferable to use a well-known response such as 'Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer' to the intercessions, so that congregations can respond readily without having to look at the printed order of service or bulletin, which can be disrupting. However, variations are provided in the prayer outlines in the Sunday and festival documents for those who wish to use them.

Reference could be made in the prayer to symbolism of the weather or geography etc of the local region, eg

Let the light of Christ illumine and warm our hearts as the summer sun warms our bodies.

SEASONAL PREFACE

Traditionally, the seasonal preface for Epiphany was used only for the festival (or Sunday) of Epiphany and the Baptism of Jesus, then up until and including 13 January. However, it seems the current practice is to continue to use the Epiphany preface for the Sundays after Epiphany and for Transfiguration. Alternatively, for the Sundays from the Second Sunday after Epiphany to the Sunday before Transfiguration, the preface without a seasonal preface may be used, as in the Service with Communion (LHS p6).

The seasonal preface given in the documents for each Sunday and festival is a modernised text recommended for use by the Department of Liturgics with all forms of the liturgy (originally released with the Approved Worship Services disk, in the Service - Alternative Form and the Sing the Feast settings). However, at this stage, these modernised prefaces have not been set to music for singing by the presiding minister.

The modernised text for Epiphany is:

It is indeed right and good,

Lord God, holy Father,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks to you,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You have sent your only Son

to appear among us as a human being,

and through him

you have fully revealed

the light of your presence to us.

And so, with angels and archangels,

and with all the company of heaven,

we adore and praise your glorious name:

Until music is made available for these modernised texts, those who sing the prefaces may either attempt to adapt the relevant chant to the new words, or use the original texts on pages 20 to 23 of the music edition of the Supplement to the Lutheran Hymnal (for the Service with Communion) or pages 101 to 103 (for the Service - Alternative Form). For convenience, these texts for the sung form of the seasonal prefaces for Epiphany are given here:

For the Service with Communion:

It is truly fitting and right,

and for our lasting good,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks to you,

O Lord, holy Father,

almighty and eternal God,

through Jesus Christ our Lord;

and so now we praise you,

that you have sent to us your only-begotten Son,

and that in him, being found in human form,

you have revealed the fullness of your glory.

Therefore with angels and archangels,

and with all the company of heaven,

we adore and magnify your glorious name,

evermore praising you and saying:

OR, for the Service - Alternative Form

It is indeed right and salutary,

that we should at all times and in all places

offer thanks and praise to you,

O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord.

Sharing our life,

he lived among us to reveal your glory and love,

that our darkness should give way

to his own brilliant light.

And so, with the church on earth

and the hosts of heaven,

we praise your name

and join their unending hymn:

OR, if the Liturgy in Modern Form (Worship Today) is used:

For you have sent your Son,

a human born like us,

that in him we may see

your glory and your light.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

The eucharistic (thanksgiving) prayer in the Service - Alternative Form and Sing the Feast may be adapted during Epiphany and the following Sundays as follows.

All praise and thanks be to you, eternal God, holy Father,

together with your only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,

and the Holy Spirit, who unites your people in love.

We thank you for creating all things.

We thank you for calling and rescuing your chosen people.

Above all we thank and praise you

for keeping your promise to the people of old

and sending your Son Jesus Christ as a human being,

to be a light for all nations.

And so we remember his life, death and resurrection

for our salvation as he comes to us in this holy meal.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Note: On the First Sunday after Epiphany (the Baptism of our Lord) and at Transfiguration, the word 'beloved' may be added before the words 'Son Jesus Christ' to read:

. . . sending your beloved Son Jesus Christ . . .

The thanksgiving prayer in the Modern Liturgy (originally from Worship Today) may be modified as follows during Epiphany and the following Sundays.

Gracious Father,

we therefore remember the sacrifice of our Lord in celebration,

as we receive his body and blood

with this bread and wine.

We rejoice to receive all that he has done for us.

We thank you that he came to the world as a human being,

to be a light for all nations.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit,

so that we who receive the body and blood of Christ

may live as true members of the body of your Son.

Amen.

COMMUNION INVITATION

The following invitation may be used for Epiphany and 1 Epiphany. It could also be used for the other Sundays after Epiphany; or either of the two general invitations given below could be used. The congregation may respond with the words 'Thanks be to God' after the verse, before the invitation, 'Come . . .'

Epiphany

Jesus says:

'The bread that God gives

is he who comes down from heaven

and gives life to the world.'

(Thanks be to God.)

Come, everything is ready.

General

Jesus says:

'I am the bread of life.

Whoever comes to me will never be hungry,

and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'

(Thanks be to God.)

Come, everything is ready.

OR

Jesus says:

'My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.

Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood

remain in me, and I in them.'

(Thanks be to God.

Come, everything is ready.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

The following prayer may be used as a post-communion prayer in the season of Epiphany. Other suggestions for post-communion prayers are given in the notes for the individual Sundays and festivals.

Heavenly Father,

in the beginning you created light

and at the right time

you sent your Son

to be the true light of the world.

Through the gift of his body and blood,

shine in our hearts and lives,

so that we may share

in the inheritance of all the saints in the light.

For he lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

EPIPHANY RESPONSES

These responses may be used before 'In the name' or after the first or second reading.

Arise, shine, for your light has come

and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

The glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

Nations will come to your light

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

The glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

[Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The glory of the Lord has risen upon you.]

The following may be used after one of the readings, as an offertory, after communion in place of the post-communion song, or just before the blessing.

Simeon takes the Lord of glory in his arms.

Now let your servant go in peace, for I have seen my Saviour.

The heavenly God appears in mortal flesh.

Now let your servant go in peace, for I have seen my Saviour.

He who speaks through prophets offers himself for us.

Now let your servant go in peace, for I have seen my Saviour.

He who lives in heaven appears on earth in his temple.

Now let your servant go in peace, for I have seen my Saviour.

He is God to be feared, yet his mercy knows no limits.

Now let your servant go in peace, for I have seen my Saviour.

The following responses, from the Iona Community, may be used as a sending out commission before or after the blessing.

The cross: We shall take it.

The bread: We shall break it.

The pain: We shall bear it.

The joy: We shall share it.

The gospel: We shall live it.

The love: We shall give it.

The light: We shall cherish it.

The darkness: God shall perish it.

SEASONAL BLESSING

An Epiphany seasonal blessing may be given for the festival and the Sunday after it, as well as for Transfiguration. The following may be used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.

(May) God the Father

show you the light of his glory

in the face of his Son,

so that you may be a light to the world. . . (the blessing follows)

HYMNS AND SONGS

SOURCES

The following are the main sources for suggested hymns and songs:

Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement (LHS)

The 'All Together' songbooks (AT)

Together in Song: Australian Hymn Book II (TIS)

Revised texts: Modernised 'Lutheran Hymnal' hymns (see the 'Modernised Lutheran Hymnal hymns' folder). These modernised hymns are usually indicated with an asterisk (*) and the words 'Modernised version available'.

Some new hymns/songs.

Permission is given for the new songs/hymns and new versions to be reproduced by congregations for non-commercial worship purposes (with acknowledgment).

LORD, HAVE MERCY

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Hymns and songs', 'Lord, have mercy', in this folder for metrical paraphrases of the 'Lord, have mercy'.

Here is a metrical 'Lord, have mercy' by David Schubert, with the first line adapted for Epiphany. It is to the metre 8.6.8.6, so there are plenty of available tunes. Note that there is also a 'Lamb of God' (in the document 'General notes and resources') to the same metre, so consider singing the 'Lord, have mercy' here to the same tune, to help give a unity to the liturgy if hymnic parts are used. The pastor/cantor/choir could sing lines 1 and 3, or they could be sung by only men or only women, alternating verse by verse, and then the whole congregation could sing lines 2 and 4 in each verse as a repeated response.

O Lord, our Light, we pray to you,

in mercy hear us, Lord.

Look down in pity on our needs,

have mercy on us, Lord.

O Lord, our Light, we pray to you,

in mercy hear us, Christ.

Defend and help and comfort us,

have mercy on us, Christ.

O Lord, our Light, we pray to you,

in mercy hear us, Lord.

Be with your people, give us peace,

have mercy on us, Lord.

HYMN OF ADORATION

For metrical paraphrases of 'Glory to God in the highest', see the document 'General notes and resources' in this folder, under 'Hymns and songs', 'Hymn of adoration'.

OFFERTORY

The following hymn verses are particularly appropriate for use during the week of Epiphany and the following weeks instead of the usual offertory psalm verses.

LHS 39, verses 1, 4 (mod.)

O Christ, our Lord eternal,

the Father's only Son,

in God's word it is written

that you and he are one.

You are the radiant morning star,

brighter than any other;

your glory shines afar.

You have created all things,

O Lord, divine in might,

you reign in earth and heaven

by your own power and right.

So rule our hearts and minds that we

are wholly yours, our Saviour,

now and eternally.

LHS 40, TIS 314, verses 1, 3, 4 (mod.)

As with gladness men of old,

did the guiding star behold;

as with joy they hailed its light,

leading onward, beaming bright:

so, most gracious Lord, may we

evermore your glory see.

As they offered gifts most rare

at your cradle rough and bare:

so may we with holy joy,

pure, and free from sin's alloy,

all our costliest treasures bring,

Christ, to you, our heavenly King.

Holy Jesus, every day,

keep us in the narrow way;

and, when earthly things are past,

bring our ransomed souls at last

where we need no star to guide,

where no clouds your glory hide.

LHS 45, verse 3 (mod.)

Jesus, all-inviting Saviour,

Gentiles now their offerings bring,

in your temple seek your favour,

Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.

May we, body, soul and spirit,

live in thanks throughout our days,

then the heavenly joy inherit,

where we sing our endless praise.

See also the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Hymns and songs', 'Offering hymn', in this folder.

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

Consider using the following paraphrase of the 'Holy, holy, holy' sung to the tune of LH 221 (TIS 450), particularly if this hymn, a well-known mission hymn, is sung earlier in the service; one of the traditional emphases of Epiphany and the Sundays after Epiphany is missions.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord,

great and ever-present God.

Earth joins heaven as we sing:

Praise to our triumphant king.

In this place let us proclaim

Christ who comes in God's own name;

join with angels as we sing:

Glory to our holy king.

For other alternatives, see the document 'General notes and resources' in this folder (under 'Hymns and songs', 'Holy, holy, holy).

POST-COMMUNION SONG

Some of the hymn verses listed under 'Offertory' above may also be used in the place of the post-communion canticle (ie in place of the Song of Simeon or 'Thank the Lord'), especially the following (for modernised texts, see the offertories above).

LHS 39, verses 1, 4

LHS 40 (TIS 314), verses 1, 4

NEW HYMN TRANSLATIONS

Star over Bethlehem By Alfred Hans Zoller, 1963. Translated by L Grope, sung to any of the following tunes: Old 124th LH 282, TIS 79; Ellers LH 514; Trisagion LHS 865)

Star over Bethlehem, point us the way,

show us where Jesus lies in manger hay.

By your bright guiding light us to him bring;

Star over Bethlehem, show us our King.

Star over Bethlehem, now you stand still

and God's great miracle to us reveal;

beyond all human thought, a wondrous sight,

Star over Bethlehem, this silent night!

Star over Bethlehem, you we extol,

for in this humble stall we've reached our goal.

Our thanks to you we say, God's gracious guide,

Star over Bethlehem, here we'll abide.

Star over Bethlehem, when we return,

let your bright heavenly light yet for us burn.

The joy that fills our hearts we'll gladly share;

Star over Bethlehem, shine everywhere.

Phos hilaron An ancient evening hymn, especially suitable for Epiphany. Two versions are given here, both recast by David Sch¸tz. Two other versions may be found in Together in Song: AHB II, nos 191, 255.

Version I: Sung to any suitable 8 8 8 8 metre hymn or song tune.

O joyful, holy, glorious light,

our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ,

now from the eternal Father come

and shine upon us in the night.

Now that the sun begins to set

and all grows dark as evening falls,

we gather once again for prayer

to praise you Father, Spirit, Son.

In every place and every time,

with all that shares your gift of life,

we rightly join in holy song

to praise your light, O Son of God.

Version II: Tr. John Brownlie, alt. by David Sch¸tz; tune: Herr ich habe misgehandelt, LHS 78).

Light serene of holy glory

from th' Immortal Father poured,

you are holy, blessed Jesus,

holy, blessed Christ the Lord.

Now we see the sun descending,

now we light the light of ev'ning.

Now, in hymns we praise the Father,

Son and Spirit, God of might.

Worthy, Lord, of endless praises!

You are Christ, the Lord of Life!

All the world gives thanks together

for your gift of life forever.

Hostis Herodes impie By C Sedulius, c. 450. The following translation is based on that done by Percy Dearmer. The suggested tune is Die ganze Welt (LH 532) or Erhalt uns, Herr (LH 197, TIS 436).

Why, tyrant Herod, should you fear

because the Christ has come so near?

He who can heavenly kingdoms grant,

your earthly realm could never want.

The wise men from the east are gone

to where the star has newly shone:

led on by light to Light they press,

and by their gifts their God confess.

The Lamb of God is manifest

again in Jordan's water blest,

and he who sin had never known

by washing has our sins undone.

Yet he who rules o'er ev'rything

can change the nature of the spring,

and gives at Cana this first sign:

the water reddens into wine.

Then glory, Lord, to you we pay

for your epiphany today;

all glory through eternity

to Father, Son and Spirit be.

NEW HYMN

The following hymn by Stephen Pietsch may be sung to the tune Kingsfold, LHS 306, TIS 585, AT 137.

O Jesus of the manger low,

I long to worship you,

as kings and shepherds bowed in awe,

so I would worship too.

Yes, heaven's royal Son has come

to share our common birth.

The Lord of all the universe

is hushed to sleep on earth.

O Jesus of the dusty road,

I long to walk with you.

Yes, Lord, wherever you may lead

obediently I go.

The King of heaven travels through

both field and city street,

no path too rough or stony for

the Saviour's holy feet.

O Jesus of the stormy lake,

I long to hear you say

those words 'Be still, fear not' that make

the winds and waves obey.

The one who set the sea its bounds,

who spread the oceans out,

now sternly rules creation from

a humble fishing boat.

O Jesus Christ of Calvary,

I long to watch with you.

The cross of wood you bear for me

now let me carry too.

The holy one is lifted high,

for all the world to jeer.

The giver of all life must die

a death of shame and fear.

O Jesus risen from the tomb!

I long to see your face;

to join with that great crowd of saints,

from every tribe and race.

Together then, before the throne,

your holy name we'll raise:

the Lamb of God is worthy to

receive all power and praise.

'ALL TOGETHER' SONGS

The following 'All Together' songs could be considered for use in Epiphany and after Epiphany.

'TOGETHER IN SONG' HYMNS/SONGS

Hymns and songs suggested for Epiphany are listed in the Church's Year index on page 1090 of the harmony edition of TIS. Many hymns/songs are also listed under the heading 'Mission/sending' on page1067.

TAIZE SONGS

Taize style prayer and meditation services are becoming a popular form of worship. However, this music is also quite suitable for use during normal Sunday worship, perhaps as a meditative response to a reading or as a song during communion. The following songs are particularly appropriate for Epiphany.

VOLUME 1

Laudate Dominum

Laudate omnes gentes

Nunc Dimittis

Adoramus te Domine II Gloria

VOLUME 2

Dona nobis pace, Domine (Ps 85)

Dona nobis pacem II (Ps 85)

Christe Domine Jesus (Ps 85)

Bless the Lord (Ps 103)

The Lord is my light

IONA COMMUNITY SONGS

Here is a list of some of the available volumes of Iona music and recordings, and those songs that are suitable for Epiphany. Note that the Iona Community is willing to allow a church or worship assembly to reproduce the words only of a song from these publications on a service sheet or overhead transparency that is to be used once only on a non-commercial basis, provided that the title of the song and the name of the copyright holder is clearly shown.

John L Bell, Psalms of patience, protest and praise

Sung by Wild Goose Worship Group, available in songbook and cassette. Twenty-four songs from the Psalms, paraphrased and arranged by John Bell.

John L Bell & Graham Maule, Wild Goose Songs Vol. 1 Heaven Shall Not Wait

Sung by Wild Goose Worship Group, available as songbook and cassette. Sixty-two songs of creation, the incarnation and the life of Jesus.

Suggested for Epiphany

The carol of the nativity        page 48

Deo Gratias        page 58

The word of life        page 68

God on earth        page 71

Folly and love        page 72

Lord, where have we left you?        page 75

When to the temple        page 76

Names they called him        page 78

The son of Mary        page 82

Sing Hey for the carpenter        page 84

Hey my love        page 86

The Summons        page 116

Suggested for Transfiguration

Jesus is Lord        page 120

John L Bell & Graham Maule, Wild Goose Songs Vol. 2 Enemy of Apathy

Available as songbook. Contains sixty-two songs and chants for Lent, Eastertide and Pentecost.

Suggested for Epiphany

We need you, God        page 58

Torn in two        page 66

Go home by another way        page 88

CANTICLES

For guidelines on using canticles as well as different versions of the texts, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Canticles', in this folder. Particularly suitable for Epiphany are the following.

Isaiah 12:1-6 (Confitebor tibi)

Isaiah 60:1-5

This canticle is especially appropriate during the first few weeks of the Epiphany season. Here it is given from the New Revised Standard Version, pointed for singing to the chant of 'What can I offer to the Lord?', LHS page 29.

Arise, shine; for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord has rÔsen on you.

For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples;

but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear ˆver you.

Nations shall come to your light,

and kings to the brightness ˆf your dawn.

Lift up your eyes and look around;

they all gather together, they cˆme to you;

your sons shall come from far away,

and your daughters shall be carried on their n¸rses' arms.

Then you shall see and be radiant;

your heart shall thrÔll and rejoice,

because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,

the wealth of the nations shall cˆme to you.

MUSIC

For various music resources and guidelines, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Music', in this folder. See also in this folder the document 'Indexes to Music Packages'.

VISUAL ARTS

GENERAL

For general guidelines and ideas, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Visual arts', in this folder.

COLOURS AND FLOWERS

For Epiphany and the eight days following Epiphany (the octave), including the First Sunday after Epiphany (Baptism of our Lord), use white paraments and vestments. Gold is the most appropriate colour for fringes and designs on the white background. White flowers may be used, with touches of green and gold.

A floral arrangement of a star is one possibility for Epiphany, and a  simple white vertical arrangement for the Baptism of our Lord (with perhaps a dove included). A display for Epiphany could include gold, frankincense and myrrh, shown as special jars, eg painted gold and labelled.

From the ninth day after Epiphany until (but not including) the festival of the Transfiguration, use green. These Sundays are known in many churches as ordinary Sundays, and are strictly speaking not part of the Epiphany festival.

For the Sunday of the Transfiguration use white.

For Harvest Thanksgiving, use green or the colour of the season. For ideas for displays, see the 'Harvest Thanksgiving' documents (under 'Visual', 'Decorations') in the 'Minor festivals' folder.

SYMBOLS

Any of the following symbols may be used for decoration during Epiphany, eg on banners or in bulletins. Some of them are also suitable for Sundays after Epiphany (which traditionally have had a mission emphasis).

For Epiphany:

Five-pointed star

Three crowns of the magi

The fish (Jesus Christ, God's Son, Saviour)

Multiple cross (4 equal arms, each with a small cross on its end) (representing spread of gospel)

Ship of the church

Drag net (kingdom of heaven)

Candle (representing Christ, the light of the world)

Cross over orb, representing the triumph of the gospel over the whole world

For the First Sunday after Epiphany:

Symbols of baptism

For Harvest Thanksgiving:

Sheaf of wheat

Cornucopia (horn of plenty, with fruit etc)

DRAMA

For ideas involving drama and dramatisation, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Drama and movement', in this folder.

CHILDREN

For guidelines and general ideas on involving children, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Involving children', in this folder. The lighting or carrying of candles is an example of a dramatic rite which can speak to all people, including children.