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Midweek Blast of Epiphany Light
January 27, 2016
This Thing Called Love
Last month Gina and I had the unfortunate need to go shopping on December 24.  I expected the crowds, the chaos, and the long lines, but what I didn't expect was to see Valentine's stuff. Gifts, decorations, and candy hearts.  Really?!?!  But my tree is still up and I haven't even opened a single present yet!  Love is a weird thing. We will talk about how much we love our kids or our family, but we will also say we love chocolate or a good cup of coffee.  So what is true love?
 
Maybe the problem is the English language.  Some cultures and languages have multiple words to express love, each with a specific time and place.  In the Bible (that wasn't originally written in English) we read about loving God above all things and loving our neighbors as ourselves, that there is no greater love than for one to lay down their life for their friends, and of faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love.  I think we are talking about more than just chocolate and espresso here.  So how do we reclaim true love?
 
This year Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday, but February 14, 2016 also happens during the church season of Lent.  Just 4 days before you declare your love for your soul mate, you might get an ash cross on your forehead and be reminded that someday you will die.  I am hoping that this year we will take a closer look at what it means to really love someone and really think about how we show others that we love them.  I am done listening to jewelry commercials on the radio.  I don't think I need to give Gina a diamond anything for her to know how much I care for her.  I don't think a box of chocolates or a card filled with pink and red hearts is what true love is all about.  Maybe true love is those times when we put others before ourselves.  Maybe true love is generosity.  Maybe true love is a warm meal and a place to stay.

This year, on February 14, we are going to reclaim true love at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Suwanee, GA.  We are going to invite other groups that we work with, who are living out true love, to come and talk to us, challenge us, and invite us to reveal to others what true love looks like.  True love is walking with someone who lives in third world poverty and letting them know that people do care.  True love is picking up some extra groceries at the store so you can give them to someone who is struggling right now.  True love is providing a place to stay and a community where someone who has just been battered has a place to go.  If you are in the area, I invite you to be a part of this event and to tell others, in spite of diamonds and boxes of chocolate, what true love looks like.  If you aren't in the area, share this message with your community.  Challenge what everyone else is doing, be different, and do something that actually leads to change and a better world.  I once heard that "they will know that we are Christians by our love." I believe this to be true. Now, let's do it.  This is what true love looks like.

See you in church,
 
Chris 
Wednesdays at the Well tonight
Wednesdays at the Well icon
Wednesdays at the Well is our midweek service which begins with a community meal at 6. Tonight's meal serves sausage and chicken jambalaya. Suggested freewill offering is $6 for adults and $3 for children. 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.  
Annual Meeting February 7th!
We need your voice and presence!
We will be voting on changes to the Bylaws and Constitution, as well as discussing plans 2016 in greater detail. You will receive a copy of our Annual Report and hear about how our faith partners are living out their missions through our gifts and generosity. Be there at 9:45 a.m.!
 
Be a part of our Lenten Devotional
We need more writers!
Believe it or not, Lent is almost here! Ash Wednesday is February 10th! Epiphany members are asked to help write a devotional to be used for study during Lent. These short, daily devotionals should be 250 words or less and include a prayer. Sign up on the Blue slip on Sunday or email communications@epiphanysuwanee.org to receive your scripture. Devotions must be returned to church by February 5th.  No writing experience required! Just share your thoughts!
 
What does True Love look like?
True Love Sunday, February 14
Valentine's Day this year is on a Sunday! Epiphany would like to share what true love really looks like, and it isn't diamonds, cards, flowers, or chocolate. It's about living generously and giving to others. Be here and invite your friends to this very special morning with guest speakers from our faith partners, who will share how service and giving have been gifts of true love. How much more can you love?
 
Green Tips
Think: REDUCE
Reduce purchases: Ask yourself, do I truly NEED this? Wait a week or a month to buy items to determine if the item is truly something you need!
 
Save the Date for VBS!
June 27-July 1st
Now is the time we start planning our summer vacations. We don't want your children to miss out on another fantastic Vacation Bible School at Epiphany, so save June 27-July 1st for VBS! Sign-ups will begin in March.
 
HTF Golf Tournament in 2016
tee shot Save the date for Thursday, September 29th, 2016
The annual HTF Golf Tournament has been a successful fundraiser for our summer camps in Haiti. We will once again hold this event this year in September at Olde Atlanta Golf Club in Suwanee, GA. Mark your calendars and plan to be a big part of this fun and mission-filled day!
 
Epiphany Lutheran Church
1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Suwanee, GA  30024
770-831-1966