December 8, 2019, 7:30 – 8:30 PM
It is an honor and privilege to carry on this annual Christmas-season tradition, originally brought to Epworth by Bill and Sarah Stauber. This service was first presented to our congregation and community friends on the second Sunday in December 1970. Our service is not a sacrament, but rather one of fellowship, song singing, and a gathering of all who celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. This celebration service was established by the Moravian Church in 1727. The first Lovefeast was held on the evening of the arrival of the first Moravian colonists at Bethabara, NC November 17, 1753.
Epworth’s adaptation of the many forms of the Moravian service is strictly unique to Epworth. Our Lovefeast buns are from the original Old Salem Bakery’s recipe and now prepared at Dewey’s Bakery in Winston-Salem, NC. Our ironstone coffee mugs are the same type as used today in Old Salem Village, in Winston-Salem.
The handmade beeswax candles were first made in the Moravian settlement in Bethania, NC. Our candles come from this area. Faithful volunteers from our congregation and friends of Epworth gather on the Wednesday morning before Lovefeast Sunday to engage in the fellowship of candle wrapping and trimming the candles in white to symbolize the purity of the Christ Child. Prior to the Lovefeast service beginning, there is a single lighted candle placed on the altar. All candles used later in our service receive their light from this single candle, an original Epworth idea.
Each member of the congregation receives buns, coffee, and hand-wrapped candles served by faithful women and men, many of whom have served for more than 20 years, with joy and celebration while the congregation sings carols of Christmas.
As we reflect on the past fifty years, we are reminded of the many children who were excited to sing Morning Star, O Cheering Sight, and all who experience the Lovefeast fellowship and the breath-taking glow of lighted candles that fill our sanctuary. A truly inspirational time — this service engages all our senses!
– We HEAR the beautiful music and familiar words of scripture…
– We SMELL the warm, rich coffee and beeswax candles…
– We TASTE the sweet Moravian buns…
– We TOUCH the coffee mugs, the buns, the candles…
– We SEE the joy and excitement of family, children, and friends gathering…
Beyond the engagement of all our senses lies a mysterious communion of our spirits as hear the “Message of the Candle” and raise our candles high to hope and honor the coming of the Christ Child. Year after year, it is exciting to see families and friends return to share in this service. We often hear, “it just isn’t Christmas until we attend the Lovefeast at Epworth.”
Please come and invite a friend to join us on December 8 and experience this wonderful Epworth tradition.
Harry & Kathy Dutton