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Midweek Blast of Epiphany Light
November 25, 2015
If Everyone was Just More Like Me
"I don't know what we are going to do. I don't know what to do with those people. You know who I am talking about, the ones who don't think like me, vote like me, watch the same shows as me, like the same things as me, or cheer for the same teams as me.  I don't know if the issue is a lack of intelligence, if they have been brainwashed by the 24-hour news channel that they watch, or if they just haven't seen the light yet, but I do know this: if we don't get them fixed, I have no idea what the future holds.  It's not my fault.  I tried.  I warned you. I guess we just have to wait and see, but it's not looking good..."
 
What is really scary is how common this thought process is.  We are divided, and our relentless quest to change "the other" isn't making the situation any better.  We are so consumed with winning we aren't realizing that everyone is losing.  We need a new model.  We need a new approach.  We need to look beyond ourselves and find a way to connect rather than divide.  
 
Have you ever made a mistake?  Are there times when you don't have all the answers?  Are there things you would do differently if you had a second chance?
 
Here is what I am proposing: start here.  Instead of trying to win and make sure the-other-side knows how wrong they are, start with how you are trying to be better and the places in your life where you know you can improve.  A cool thing happens when we do this.  Walls come down, anxiety dissipates, and a common ground is discovered.  We need a new approach and we need a new model.  Maybe this can be it.  Making yourself vulnerable isn't fun, but it leads to unity because when you open up, you let others in and they feel comfortable talking about their insecurities too.  
 
Maybe we can stop barking and start sharing. It can't hurt, and the current approach isn't working for us.  Your homework: Do this on Thursday.

See you in church,
 
Chris 

Wednesdays at the Well tonight - Thanksgiving Eve
Wednesdays at the Well icon
Tonight is a special Thanksgiving dessert share. Please bring a pie or dessert. 
Imagine Children's Choir at 6:25 welcomes all kids pre-K through 5th grade.
Worship at 7.  A traditional Thanksgiving Eve service will be held.
Rediscovering Advent
Advent begins Sunday, November 29th.
Advent is the most forgotten season of the church year. It's the 4 short weeks before Christmas, where we anticipate the birth of Jesus. How do you prepare for the greatest gift the world has ever received? Rediscover Advent and its powerful gift for our lives. Join us on Wednesday evenings for Holden Evening Prayer worship. 
 
You are invited...

 
Christmas Services at Epiphany
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
We will celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Eve during 3 services: 5:00, 7:00, and 11:00 pm candlelight service. Join us again on Christmas Day at 10:00 am.
 
Christmas Caroling!
CIA and Real Time kids and siblings are invited
Our middle school and high school kids will visit assisted living facilities in our area and provide some Christmas cheer with caroling on December 13, 12-3 p.m. 
 
Find out first-hand what Epiphany is doing in Haiti through an Immersion Trip, January 2016
We 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, contact Erin Murphy, Executive Director of the Haitian Timouan Foundation, at erinmurphy@htflive.org. 
Epiphany Lutheran Church
1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Suwanee, GA  30024
770-831-1966