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Midweek Blast of Epiphany Light
November 4, 2015
"Likes" are Useless
For years churches have done something called "Pledge Cards." This is a card that you fill out with your basic information and then, how much you pledge to support the church financially. Over the years churches have used a variety of methods to hopefully make this Sunday as successful as possible. Churches send out emails and letters, they make videos, and they have individuals share their stories. They do their best to inspire their church the day of with strong music, readings and preaching.  As important and valuable as these practices are, when the church talks about giving, the ones who hear the message the most are the ones who are already generous.  The rest either tune it out or think there is no way this message is for them.  How do we change that trend?
 
The best way to get someone's attention is to sit directly across from them, talk face-to-face, and tell them what you are passionate about.  A bumper sticker probably isn't going to get someone to vote for your same candidate, (especially if they usually vote for the other party). Just because you like and/or share something on social media, it's highly unlikely that thousands of people are going to be inspired because you tapped a screen.  We inspire others and we spark change in their lives when we connect one-on-one and invite them to be a part of something that matters to us.  Your energy is contagious.  
 
Does this mean we aren't going to do pledge cards on Sunday? NO WAY!  But we need those who are generous and who are excited to support something that makes a difference to go to those who aren't (yet) and help them get on board. They need to hear your story about how you got to where you are. They need to see the excitement in your eyes and the energy in your voice. Whether we are talking about giving, volunteering, serving, etc., we will discover our greatest success when those who are excited allow their excitement to be contagious and caught by others.  If you don't believe me, Jesus started with 12...

See you in church,
 
Chris 

Wednesdays at the Well tonight
Wednesdays at the Well icon
Community meal at 6 serves beef stew 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 is a special healing service led by the Epiphany Lay Deacons.
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 evening worship tonight. 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.
 
Annual Appeal concludes this Sunday, November 8!
Bring your pledge cards to church.
Thank you to our appeal leaders Greg and Debbie Richardson for leading us these past few weeks and to our members who have shared their faith stories. You should have received your pledge cards now. Please bring them to church to offer up our gifts during worship this Sunday. If you cannot be here this week, you may email your pledge cards to 
 
Haiti Immersion Trip, January 2016
Information sessions available this week! 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 at 7:30 p.m. in November and December leading up to Christmas Eve. 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 starting a MOPS & MOMSnext group
 
MOPS & MOMSnext International will soon be available to Epiphany members. MOPS & MOMSnext brings the key fundamentals of spiritual hope, personal growth, and mothering support to both working mothers and stay-at-home mothers. Epiphany MOPS welcomes all mothers with children birth through Kindergarten, and Epiphany MOMSnext welcomes all mothers with children elementary through teen years.

MOPS & MOMSnext interest meetings will be held Sunday, November 15th after the 11 a.m. worship service and Wednesday, November 18th after Wednesdays at the Well service.

For more information, contact julie.ilgen@gmail.com
 
Small Groups
Would you like to be part of a small group?
Small groups at Epiphany are an integral part of faith growth and community. We have many small groups of varied ages that meet once a month to discuss God's word through a study guide, as well as provide support for members. Epiphany believes small groups are extremely effective in building community and personal faith growth in our church.

If you are not already in a small group and would like to become part of this ministry, contact pastorchris@epiphanysuwanee.org
 
Epiphany Lutheran Church
1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Suwanee, GA  30024
770-831-1966