The Epiphany
Sung Eucharist for the Epiphany
Today at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service
Other services
Festal Evensong for the Epiphany
Today at 6.00 pm · Watch the service · View the order of service
Said Eucharist
This Wednesday 8 January at 10.00 am
Sung Eucharist for the Baptism of Christ
Next Sunday 12 January at 10.00 am · Watch the service · View the order of service
Chalking the Door
Chalking the Door is a very old Epiphany tradition for asking God to bless our churches and homes and all who live, work, or visit there throughout the coming year, marking them with chalk symbols as a sign that we are inviting God’s presence into the places, relationships, and situations that we call home. In Exodus, the Israelites marked their doors with blood so that the Lord would pass over their homes; but in this short liturgy we mark our doors with chalk as a sign that we have invited God’s presence and blessing into our homes. In Deuteronomy 6:9 God tells the people of Israel: “These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house… You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Chalking the door is a tangible way to honour God in our lives.
The door is marked with the following symbols (updating the last two digits for each new year):
20 + C + M + B + 25
The first and last numbers comprise the four digits of the current year (2025). The letters “C,” “M,” and “B” come from the three traditional names for the Wise Men in Matthew 2: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also suggest the phrase: “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” (“May Christ bless this house”). A cross is placed between each set of numbers and letters. For more information, see wkrk.uk/ctd.
At the end of our service this morning, we will chalk the lintel of the church door. Blessed chalk will be available for you to take away so that, if you would like to, you can chalk the door of your own house too. You might want to use the following prayers as you do so.
Peace be to this house, and to all who enter here. Amen.
God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only-begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our concern for others may reflect your love. May all who come to our home this year rejoice to find Christ living among us; and may we seek and serve, in everyone we meet, that same Jesus who is your incarnate Word, now and forever. Amen.
All may take turns chalking the door: 20 + C + M + B + 25 as the following words are said:
The three Wise Men, Caspar [C] , Melchior [M], and Balthazar [B] followed the star to Bethlehem and the child Jesus two thousand [20], and twenty-five [25] years ago. May Christ bless our home [+ +] and remain with us throughout this year [+ +]. Amen.
This Tuesday 7 January at 4.00 pm
St Mary's Church Whitkirk Community Centre
We are launching a junior choir, initially for children in Years 4, 5 and 6, which will meet for the first time on Tuesday 7 January. It will run as an after-school club, meeting in the Community Centre on Tuesdays at 4.00 pm. After five sessions (January 7, 14, 21, and 28, and February 4) the choir will have the opportunity to sing in church during our regular Sunday service on 9 February. The sessions are free of charge and tea and coffee will be provided for parents and carers. If you have or know a child who might be interested, please do invite them to come along – we’d love to see them!
Saturday 18 January at 10.00 am
St Gregory the Great, Swarcliffe
You are cordially invited to a Quiet Day run by Churches Together in East Leeds and led by Ann Hemsworth.
The sessions will be based on _At Sea with God _by Margaret Silf. Please bring a packed lunch; hot drinks provided. If you’re interested in attending please help us get an idea of numbers by signing up using the sheet at the back of the church, or online at wkrk.uk/ctqd.
Sunday 26 January at 2.00 pm
St Mary's Church, Whitkirk
Young people and the adults who look after them are invited to a Treasure Hunt and Pizza Party on Sunday 26 January between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm (come at any time, stay as long as you like). Complete the treasure hunt while exploring the church building and then come to the Community Centre for pizza. All free, and all welcome!
Continue reading “Parish notices: 5 January 2025”