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Midweek Blast of Epiphany Light

February 10, 2016
Does God Like Me When I'm Sad?
"There's something on your forehead."  If you go to church tonight and stop at the grocery store on the way home, this is something someone might say to you.  Hopefully your first reaction isn't to touch your forehead, because all of a sudden that ash will migrate from your forehead to your hand to your clothes, to your nose, to your eyes, etc.  Why Ash Wednesday?  Why do we put this stuff on ourselves?  What is this all about?
 
There are some churches out there that, no matter what Sunday you go, you will leave feeling happy and upbeat, and there isn't anything wrong with that.  I love services that close with an upbeat, high-tempo song that leave me feeling full of energy and ready to tackle the world, but I also know that there are times when we aren't happy and full of pep, and the last thing we want to hear is a song that makes you want to clap your hands or a church goer who has had too much highly-caffeinated-church-coffee. Where is God when I feel like that?  Does God still love me when I'm sad, depressed, and in a foul mood?
 
The downside of a church that only talks about the good is when things are bad we might wonder if there is something wrong with us or if God has walked away from us.  Enter Ash Wednesday.  Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a time that is intentionally on the downer side.  This is a season that leads to Good Friday, a day that was anything but good.  We need this season because life isn't always happy and up.  Loved ones die, jobs are lost, relationships fall apart, and Ash Wednesday and Lent remind us that God is with us in those sad moments too.  
 
But Ash Wednesday is also full of life.  When we hear the words "remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," we are reminded of our connection to God.  We are reminded that we came from something that was created by God and even in death we are still connected to that creation; we are still connected to God.  A reminder of death isn't exactly something you want to put on a sticker and add to your bumper, but death comes for everyone. And since death is my fate too, being reminded that God will be there when I die is good news. 
 
So when you are asked about that smudge on your forehead, may it be a reminder that God is with you when life doesn't feel like a glass half-full.  May it remind you that on your best day, as well as your worst, God is there and not even death can take that away.  This is Good News!  Amen!
 
See you tonight,
 
Chris 
Today is Ash Wednesday
What is Ash Wednesday?
Tonight marks the beginning of the season of Lent, the 40 days before Easter, a season dedicated to reflection, prayer, and sometimes fasting in preparation for Easter. Tonight the church is set up in a circle with reflection stations to visit. The service will last about an hour, and you will receive an imposition of ashes in the shape of a cross on your forehead, a symbol of penance and mortality.
 
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 is a soup and sandwich potluck. 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.  
What does True Love look like?
True Love Sunday, February 14
Valentine's Day is this 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 Rainbow Village, HTF, and Gwinnett Co-Op, who will share between the 8:30 and 11:00 services how Epiphany's giving has been an example of God's love. Don't miss it!
MOPS meeting
Sunday, February 21, 4-7 p.m.
"Eyes to see...LOVE" will be the theme for our monthy meeting of the MOPS chapter at Epiphany. Pastor Chris Hermansen will be our guest speaker and will be talking about love and marriage. All mothers of pre-schoolers are welcome, and bring a friend! http://www.epiphanysuwanee.org/disciples
 
Green Tips
Think: REDUCE
Replace disposables with resuables: storage containers, cloth towels and napkins, water bottles, etc.

Epiphany tip: Bring your own cup to Wednesdays at the Well dinner and coffee cup on Sunday to reduce plastic and styrofoam waste.
 
Epiphany Lutheran Church
1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Suwanee, GA  30024
770-831-1966