First Lutheran ends Christmas season with burning of the greens | News, Sports, Jobs

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The Rev. Ian Reid of the First Lutheran Church at 19th and Plum streets, Parkersburg, lights the bonfire after the 2024 Epiphany service at the church. The 2025 service was canceled because of snow. This year’s Epiphany service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday with the bonfire to follow with the burning of the greens in the Community Garden lot adjacent to the church.

PARKERSBURG — The First Lutheran Church at 19th and Plum streets will close the Christmas season with the traditional Epiphany service at 7 p.m. Tuesday to be followed by the annual burning of the greens.

The Rev. Ian B. Reid, senior pastor of First Lutheran, will be assisted by Pastor Patrice Weirick, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of New Haven, W.Va.

Epiphany is the traditional service of celebration held on the 13th day after the birth of Christ.

It is the day the wise men, also known as the Magi, arrived in Bethlehem to worship the newborn child. They were the first foreigners to recognize Christ as their King and Messiah.

The custom at First Lutheran is to use the service written by the Lutheran Church in Tanzania. The celebration will again include African drum percussionists participating in the service.

The traditional burning of the greens will follow the service with the bonfire at the First Lutheran Community Garden adjacent to the church at 19th and Liberty streets.

All of the greens used to decorate the church for Christmas and trees contributed by church members and neighbors will be put on the bonfire closing for the season. The Parkersburg Fire Department is always invited to be on hand for the bonfire as it promises to again be the largest in the region.

Everyone is invited to join in the joyous and inspirational service of celebration and stay for the big bonfire. Ample parking is available and the Church is handicap accessible. The LOOP hearing assistance system is also available in the Sanctuary.

For more information, call the church at 304-428-6174.