Worshipers attending Epiphany service at First Lutheran Church, 19th and Plum streets, watch a bonfire at a previous burning of the greens in the Community Garden adjacent to the church. This year’s event will be held after the Epiphany service at 7 p.m. Monday. (File Photo)

PARKERSBURG — First Lutheran Church at 19th and Plum streets will close this year’s Christmas season with the traditional service of celebration of Epiphany at 7 p.m. Monday, according to the Rev. Ian B. Reid, senior pastor.

Assisting with the service will be Pastor Thomas Darr, Christ Lutheran Church, Vienna.

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

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

As is the custom at First Lutheran, the unique service written by the Lutheran Church in Tanzania will be used for this annual Epiphany celebration. African drum percussionists will participate in the service as well.

The traditional burning of the greens will follow the service with the big bonfire in the First Lutheran Community Garden lot adjacent to the Church.

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

Everyone is invited to join in this 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.