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Epiphany and New Year Church Bulletins: January to Lent

October 22, 2026 · LanternLetter Co.

After Christmas Eve, most church offices are tired, and January bulletins often get thrown together. A little planning in December makes the weeks from New Year to Ash Wednesday much easier. This guide covers the services and Sundays in that stretch, what each bulletin usually needs, and a simple checklist. Dates below are for the 2026–27 church year. Always check them against your own denomination's calendar.

Key dates, Christmas 2026 to Lent 2027

• Christmas Day: Friday, December 25, 2026. Christmas is a season of twelve days, not a single day, so your bulletins can stay festive through early January.
• First Sunday after Christmas: December 27, 2026
• New Year's Day: Friday, January 1, 2027 (Mary, Mother of God in the Catholic calendar; Holy Name of Jesus in some Anglican and Lutheran calendars)
• Epiphany: traditionally January 6, which falls on a Wednesday in 2027. Catholic parishes in the United States, and many other churches, celebrate it on Sunday, January 3, 2027.
• Baptism of the Lord: Sunday, January 10, 2027
• Transfiguration Sunday (in churches that follow the Revised Common Lectionary): February 7, 2027, the last Sunday before Lent
• Ash Wednesday: February 10, 2027, so Lent planning has to start in January

What each bulletin usually needs

• The Sundays after Christmas: attendance is often lighter, and volunteers are away. A simpler bulletin that reuses your Christmas design is fine. Include a thank-you to everyone who served at Christmas, without listing names you might get wrong.
• New Year: a short insert with the year's main dates (Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Easter on March 28, 2027) helps families plan. Some churches add a covenant or renewal service; check whether yours does.
• Epiphany: the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12) and the theme of light for the nations. Stars, gold and deep blue suit this Sunday. If your church blesses chalk for the Epiphany house blessing, print the inscription (for 2027, 20 + C + M + B + 27) and a short explanation so newcomers can join in at home.
• Baptism of the Lord: a natural Sunday for a reaffirmation of baptism or for baptisms themselves. Give clear instructions for any coming forward, water, or responses.
• Sundays after Epiphany or in Ordinary Time: green is the usual color. These weeks are a good time to refresh your weekly bulletin layout before Lent arrives.
• Transfiguration: a bright, last “Alleluia” Sunday before Lent in many churches. Put Ash Wednesday service times prominently in this bulletin.

Design ideas

• Keep one design family from Advent through Epiphany, then change for Lent. A star motif works well as the bridge.
• Use white and gold for Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord, then green for the weeks that follow, if your tradition uses these colors.
• Treat January as a reset: shorten the announcements, and check that your contact details and service times are current for the new year. Our church bulletin ideas post has a list of things worth reviewing.
• If you redesign, keep text large and contrast high. See the large-print bulletin guide.

January planning checklist

1. Confirm whether your church observes Epiphany on January 6 or on Sunday, January 3.
2. Make a list of every Sunday from December 27 to February 7, plus any midweek services.
3. Decide which Christmas design pieces to reuse and when to switch to the green Ordinary Time look.
4. Prepare a New Year dates insert with Ash Wednesday (February 10) and Easter (March 28).
5. Write January announcements early, using the simple formula in our announcement wording guide.
6. Start the Lent bulletin and Holy Week schedule by mid-January (see the Lent bulletin guide).
7. Match your January newsletter and social posts to the same dates.

Get help with the season

Want to see your church's name on a design before deciding anything? Get a free Advent cover. Our done-for-you Advent Set carries your Advent design through to a matching Christmas Eve graphic ($29 early-bird until November 15, $39 from November 16; last orders December 15). To keep the same look going through Epiphany, Lent and the rest of the year, see our monthly plans, or browse one-time templates in the shop.

For the weeks just before this season, see Christmas church bulletin ideas and the Christmas Eve program guide.

More guides

• Lent Bulletin Guide: Ash Wednesday to Easter
• Church Bulletin Announcement Wording: Formula and Examples
• Church Bulletin Ideas: 25 Practical Ideas for Weekly Bulletins
• Advent Bulletin Guide: Themes, Readings and Design Ideas
• How to Write a Church Newsletter People Actually Read
• Church Social Media Graphics: A Simple Weekly Plan
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Program: A Planning and Layout Guide
• Christmas Church Bulletin Ideas: Covers, Content and Planning for December
• Large-Print and Accessible Church Bulletins: A Practical Guide
• Advent Wreath Readings for Your Bulletin: A Week-by-Week Guide