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Midweek Blast of Epiphany Light
November 11, 2015
God Doesn't Hate Starbucks
Don't we have anything better to talk about? Aren't there other issues that deserve our energy and attention? Is a red cup really a secular agenda hellbent on killing Christmas? If you aren't sure what this is all about, apparently some religious folks took offense at Starbucks' shift from coffee cups adorned with Christmas and holiday icons to an icon free, red cup. (I wonder if this were to happen during the Cold War if we would think Starbucks was a communist supporting corporation?) This is what we are fighting?  I don't think God has lost a wink of sleep over this one.  I don't think God hates Starbucks.   
In just over two weeks, hordes of people will interrupt a holiday to wait in line to buy junk, junk they don't need. They will wait in lines outside, before the sun comes up, in hopes of snatching up a new TV just because it's on sale.  I am guessing God finds this a little more frustrating than blank, red coffee cups. Consumerism is more of a threat to Christianity than images on coffee cups. This is just another way we have wasted our time and energy on something that really doesn't matter.  
 
If you think a coffee cup has the ability to remove God, then you believe in a different god than I do.  If you really think removing prayer from schools or the 10 Commandments from a state capitol or city hall removes God from any of those places, then you believe in a different god than I do.  God is everywhere, and instead of going on the defensive (that really leads nowhere) let's reveal to others where God already is. Let's do what we can to make a difference instead of looking for our next witch hunt.  
 
God isn't found on a coffee mug but in how we treat one another and care for others when they are struggling.  God isn't found in a new TV but in the choices that we make that lead to helping others instead of helping ourselves. God isn't silenced just because we say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." God is silenced when we see struggle all around us and choose to look the other direction. We have more important things to worry about and more important things to do. Are you in?
 
See you in church,
 
Chris 

Wednesdays at the Well tonight
Wednesdays at the Well icon
Community meal at 6 serves Italian sausage subs 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. Pastor Chris begins a new Advent series focusing on our preparation for the birth of Jesus. Rediscover Advent in your community, your home, and your heart.
Haiti Immersion Trip, January 2016
Information session tonight. Would love to have new,
first-time travelers on this trip!
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 November 11 during Wednesday at the Well dinner. Meet up with Erin Murphy during dinner. Preference will be given to first-time travelers to Haiti with HTF, but all are welcome. 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 mops@epiphanysuwanee.org
 
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