New Around the Mission

Epiphany Celebration Anglican Church Makes History in Eustis, Florida

March 14, 2011

Thousands turn out year after year on the last weekend in February for GeorgeFest in Eustis, Florida, the second longest running event celebrate our country’s first president. As townspeople sampled food, watched parades, participated in pie eating contests and listened to live music, they also had the opportunity to hear the message of the Gospel.

Epiphany Celebration Anglican turned out early to set up two sound systems, digital drums, eight microphones and a bevy of equipment to transform the historical concrete clamshell theater into a sanctuary for worship. By 10:00AM, over 200 people settled on the grassy lawn, and anyone within 400 yards could hear the morning sermon and worship with the band.

“The point was to get out from behind stained glass walls and proclaim Jesus,” reports Epiphany Rector Woody Volland.

The sermon progressed appropriately from George Washington to Jesus in the context of faith and freedom based on John 8, emphasizing that “we will never know true freedom until we meet Jesus.” In the 100 plus year history of Georgefest, Epiphany Celebration Anglican is the first church to hold a worship service for the event, and the positive witness of their presence was affirmed when city officials invited the church to do the same thing on Easter.

Useful Links:
Epiphany Celebration
GeoragFest
Eustis Florida History

Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Faith in Action