Epiphany full logo    "that all might thrive and serve ..."

Midweek Blast of Epiphany Light
September 2, 2015
It's Not About the Glitter, Jeans, and Hair Product
What does church mean to you?  What do you look for in a church?  For some they want a worship service that blows the roof off of the building, others are looking for classes and youth programs that connect with their needs and life stages.  Others are looking for "truth" and an assurance that their ticket is punched for an express ticket to heaven.  Some just want good free coffee and a doughnut.  
 
Last week a member of the church that I serve posted a picture of what I hope church can be.  Three families, all of whom have kids, and I am not sure how well they know each other, met at a fast food restaurant.  The kids played, they ate, and they just talked.  It sounds simple, right? People just hanging out?  But try and plan an outing with another busy family.  Can you squeeze something in before Thanksgiving? 
 
We live in a very busy and disconnected world.  We are surrounded by people, yet many of us don't have much of a connection with anyone else.  We can send a message to someone across the world via these mini computers we carry in our pockets, but we feel very much alone.  We sit in cars that move 5 mph surrounded by other people who are also moving 5 mph, but the distance between each person seems overwhelming.  This is something the church can fix if we let it.  
 
From the beginning faith was shared with others.  It wasn't good for Adam to be alone.  Enter Eve.  Noah didn't spend half a year in a big boat all by himself.  Jesus invited 12 others to join him.  At its infancy the church looked more like a meal than a big rock concert production.  Those early believers met in homes, sat around a table, and shared a meal.  Community, relationships, shared experiences.  We, the church, can address this disconnect if we let it.  People are looking for communities to be a part of.  They are looking for relationships and they want to be a part of something that is bigger than their kid's activities.  That is the church. 
 
So here's the plan: if you are a part of something that looks like this, invite someone else to be a part of it too.  If you are looking for something like this, don't wait for it to come to you.  Stop by a church and check it out.  (They might even have a website or social media page too.)  We all are busy.  We need to let that excuse go.  And what if our hectic schedules are contributing to our loneliness?  
 
What are you looking for in a church?  If it's a community, I hope you find it.  I hope you can find it here.  

See you in church,
 
Chris 

Wednesdays at the Well tonight
Wednesdays at the Well icon
Community meal at 6 serves pork BBQ and sides. Suggested freewill offering is $6/adult, $3/child; cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.
Imagine Children's Choir at 6:25 welcomes all kids pre-K through 5th grade.
Worship at 7 is a 30-minute service of prayers, songs, scripture and Holy Communion. Tonight Pastor Chris shares messages from Old Testament prophets.
Help furnish the new infant nursery
Epiphany opened a new infant nursery earlier this month to care for children who are not yet walking. We still need a few items - glide rockers, wall cabinets, etc. - to better equip the space for infants.  
Please check out the Amazon Wish List to donate an item for the nursery.  
HTF Golf Classic on October 8
HTF camp Now registering golfers, signing up sponsors
Epiphany is partnering with the Haitian Timoun Foundation (HTF) to again sponsor the tournament at Olde Atlanta Golf Club, Suwanee. The "best ball scramble" tournament is set for Thursday, October 8, 10 am shotgun start. The event will help fund HTF camps in Haiti next summer.
Download the flyer or visit the HTF Golf Classic website to learn more about the tournament and HTF summer camps, which have grown to touch the lives of hundreds and hundreds of children in Haiti. This year alone, some 1,300 children were served by HTF camps in Jacmel, Fermathe and the Central Plateau.
Contact htfgolfclassic@epiphanysuwanee.org to offer your help with the tournament or to donate door prizes or goody bag items. 
Epiphany Lutheran Church
1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Suwanee, GA  30024
770-831-1966