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Midweek Blast of Epiphany Light
October 28, 2015
God vs. Death
Is God more powerful than death? Is this a weird question, or is this a legitimate concern that many of us struggle with?  

We have heard about heaven and we have been told of the pearly gates and the streets paved with gold (none of which I think are true).  More so we believe in the words of Jesus, that this life isn't all there is and that there is life after death.  But death seems so final.  That person who we knew, who we spent years with, who we loved, is gone, never to be seen or heard from again.  Is God more powerful than death?
 
We could run down the rabbit hole of the all powerful God. If God is all powerful, then why is there death to begin with?  Why doesn't God protect us from ever experiencing this type of sadness and loss?  We can ask questions like this, but the problem is there isn't a good answer, and we could spend forever theorizing about them and never getting anywhere.  Death is real.  Let's start with that. 
 
As people of faith we believe that God is more powerful than death because we believe and know that this life isn't all there is.  Even through eyes filled with tears and hearts that are broken, we know that our loved one is with the divine forever.  
 
On Sunday, at the church that I am a part of, we will celebrate something called All Saints' Sunday.  We will gather, many with heavy hearts, we will sing songs, we will light candles, and we will remember loved ones who are no longer here.  We will cry and we will be sad, but that doesn't mean that we don't believe in God or that our loved ones aren't with God.  We will cry because we are human, and through our tears we will be reminded of life everlasting, and we will know that God is with us in our tears and that God was with our loved ones when they breathed their last.  

This is how God is more powerful than death, that in those moments that seem so dark, we aren't alone.  God is there, with us, and that flicker of light shines in our darkness, reminding us of life and life that lasts forever.  God is more powerful than death because it is through death that we find our eternal home.
 
See you in church, and I will have Kleenex if you need them, because there is a good chance I will need them too.
 
Chris 

Wednesdays at the Well tonight
Wednesdays at the Well icon
Community meal at 6 serves ghoulish Halloween fare! 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.
Daylight Savings Time starts this weekend!
Remember to turn back your clocks on Saturday, October 31st, at 2 a.m. Enjoy an extra hour of sleep! We'll see you at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
 
November 4th Healing Service
hands folded in prayer Special Healing Service, Wednesday, November 4th, 7 p.m.
Epiphany's team of lay deacons will lead a special healing service during regular Wednesday evening worship. During this service, if you wish you may come forward and receive a laying of the hands blessing and individual, private prayer with one of our team of deacons. You may also light a prayer candle in memory of a loved one who has passed or to privately pray for a loved one in need of healing.
 
2015 Thanksgiving Food Drive still going on!
Support the North Gwinnett Food Co-op
We are getting close to meeting our goal of 105 Thanksgiving meals for the North Gwinnett Food Co-op, but we still need your help. Visit the table in the Narthex to add some food items and grocery gift cards to your grocery list this week! Many items are still needed. All items due by November 8th.
 
Haiti Immersion Trip, January 2016
Information sessions coming soon. Learn how you can immerse yourself in what we do in Haiti through HTF.
Epiphany will be part of a HTF (Haitian Timoun Foundation) group traveling to Haiti January 27-February 3, 2016. If you are interested in being a part of this life-changing immersion trip, please attend an informational meeting either Sunday, November 8 between services in the worship center or Wednesday, November 11 during Wednesday at the Well dinner.Preference will be given to first-time travelers to Haiti with HTF, but all are welcome. HTF Executive Director, Erin Murphy, will lead the sessions. For more information, email Erin at erinmurphy@htflive.org..

 
Wanted: Singers for Advent Choir
Do you have the gift of voice?
Epiphany would love to add your voice to our Advent/Christmas Eve choir. If you are interested in singing with us, rehearsals are held Thursday evenings in November at 7:30. Attendance to rehearsals is a requirement to sing on Sundays in December and/or for our Christmas Eve services. Contact steve.belfield@epiphanysuwanee.org.
 
Epiphany Lutheran Church
1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Suwanee, GA  30024
770-831-1966