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Midweek Blast of Epiphany Light
December 2, 2015
Surprised
On Monday I received a call that I expected, but just not so soon. My wife, Gina, called and said her dad, Ray, had died. Ray had suffered through the crippling effects of Parkinson's Disease for over 20 years, and although we watched this disease rob him of his life, we never thought he would die so soon or so suddenly. "He could live like this for 10 years," his neurologist would say, and I guess that is what we were expecting. Someday we will look back and say that his passing was a blessing, but the emotion brought on by the suddenness of his death will take a while to grasp.  
 
This past Sunday the church celebrated the beginning of the church year and the beginning of a new church season, the season of Advent. Advent is the four weeks before the celebration of Christmas. It is an intentional time when we are supposed to wait and watch for Jesus to come into our world. This waiting and watching is twofold, both for the celebration of the birth of Jesus that happened nearly 2000 years ago and for the day when we believe that Jesus will return. Over the next few weeks churches will use readings that urge the people (us) to be alert and on guard so that we aren't surprised. How is that working for you? How alert are you? Are your eyes peeled?  
 
As ready as we think we might be, there will always be times when we are surprised, times when things didn't go as planned. This is where grace comes in.  Ready or not, God is there.  Ready or not, death is there. It's not as if God abandons us if we miss it or if we make a mistake.  Now this doesn't mean we stop observing Advent or we stop reflecting on our own mortality or on how fragile life can be in general.  We certainly do those things because it keeps us fresh, focused, and appreciative of the gift of life, but for those times when we are surprised, God isn't looking to catch us napping or expose us when we slip up. Those are beautiful moments because it is in these moments that our faith is strengthened because in the surprise, God is there.
 
Ray died much earlier than we thought he would, and although this surprise leads to tears, it doesn't lead to doubt or a loss of faith. This loss reminds us that God shows up in the surprise and in the tears and that God is always there. God is there for us just like he was there for Ray. 
 
Rest in peace, my friend. You will be missed, but we know that you are with God and that God is with us.
 
See you in church,
 
Chris 

Wednesdays at the Well tonight, December 2
Wednesdays at the Well icon
Tonight is an Advent soup and sandwich potluck at 6:00 p.m. Please bring a pot of soup or a tray of sandwiches. 
Imagine Children's Choir at 6:25 welcomes all kids pre-K through 5th grade.
Worship at 7.  Holden Evening Prayer
Rediscovering Advent
Advent began 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!

If you have donated a poinsettia, you may take it home with you after the 11 p.m. Christmas Eve service.

Bring your family and friends!
 
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, 12-3:30 p.m. 
Bring your signed activity consent forms! They can be downloaded from the website at: http://www.epiphanysuwanee.org/middle_school
Real Time Rainbow Village Street Festival!
Sunday, December 6, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Real Time kids will host a booth at the annual lighting of the village and street fair. All are welcome! You don't have to be in Real Time. Bring your signed activity consent form downloaded from our website at: http://www.epiphanysuwanee.org/highschool
Epiphany Lutheran Church
1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Suwanee, GA  30024
770-831-1966