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Midweek Blast of Epiphany Light

April 20, 2016

A Snitch, a Fink, and a Rat
Last Tuesday a car drove into the parking lot, parked in front of the dumpster, and after awhile the driver got out of the car and placed something behind the dumpster. You would think this was unusual, but apparently this same individual had been doing this for the past week or so. Once she got out of her car, I walked out of the building to check and see what was going on.  I flagged her down as she was driving towards me and asked her what was going on.  After some banter back and forth, she said she had left some beer, margaritas, and other drinks there because she had to go to a meeting and she didn't want anyone to see the drinks in her car.  (What?!?!)  I responded, "Are you drunk right now?"  She was nice, pretty direct, and didn't seem to be intoxicated, but as she drove away something didn't feel quite right.
 
I called the local police station, and after retelling the story the dispatcher said, in between laughs, she would send an officer by and we could figure out what to do together.  A few minutes later a police car pulled into the parking lot and after telling the officer the story, and still not quite sure what to do, the car that had parked in front of our dumpster returned, but once she saw a police car in the parking lot she pulled a quick veer out of the parking lot and the police officer took off after her.  As the officer sped away, I felt like a snitch, a fink, and a rat.  I felt like a preschool kid tattling on another kid on the playground.  After a while the officer returned, told us she had caught up with the driver, gave her a good talking to, and that we had done the right thing.  I wish doing the right thing wasn't so difficult sometimes.
 
As brothers and sisters in faith, sometimes, as un-fun as it is, we have to call each other on our BS from time to time.  If we are doing something that isn't healthy for ourselves or others, or if we witness such action, we must, in love, do what we can to help the other get back on track.  This is seldom fun.  There can be hurt feelings, a sense of betrayal, and maybe a lost relationship, but if we don't, that person might drive intoxicated and take the life of someone else when their car runs a red light and plows into another vehicle.  
 
Hurt feelings or not, isn't that risk worth it?  What if parents were more concerned with being their child's friend instead of their parent?  (Sarcasm totally intended.) What if that kid at the frat party didn't say, "Guys, maybe we've had enough." What if...
 
This was a constant part of Jesus' ministry, continually calling others into account for their actions and how they should live.  Whether it was the disciples, the religious leaders, or his hometown, Jesus was more concerned about helping people live better lives than being their friends.  And if we call ourselves Christians, we are called to follow that example.  Not to judge or condemn but to help, in love.  And to be open to others helping us.
 
I wish that lady would have returned for her drinks when the cop wasn't there and I could've had a brief chat with her and maybe help her figure out that this situation was just a little off and, together, we could help her get on a better path.  Would I have had the guts to do that?  Love doesn't always mean gifts, smiles, and parties. Sometimes love looks like saying the thing that no one else wants to say but everyone knows it needs to be said.  So be that snitch, rat, and fink.   It just might save another's life.
 
Thank you for being my sisters and brothers, in Christ,
 
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, Imagine children's choir at 6:25, and worship at 7. 
Tonight's meal is is a taco bar, nachos, black beans, and an ice cream bar. Suggested freewill offering is $6/adult and $3/child. Cash, checks and credits cards are accepted.

Come, be refreshed at the Well! 


Epiphany's New TerraCycle Recycling Program
Decrease our environmental footprint
and raise money for our church! TerraCycle is a program that recycles "hard to recycle" items for free and earns points and money for non-profit organizations. Epiphany has 3 new bins, located by the doors downstairs, where you can deposit #6 rigid plastic cups (Solo), natural care products (toothpaste, deodorant, toothbrushes), and plastic triggers, pumps and caps, and flexible product packaging. Pictures on the bins identify what is accepted. Check it out!
 
CIA and Real Time Retreat
This weekend at Lutheridge!
Pray for our youth, leaders, and guides as they head up to Lutheridge for a spring retreat. This retreat's focus is faith practices that we can live out in the community together through time, work, justice, and friendships. 
 
Rainbow Village Annual Golf Classic
tee shot Monday, May 2 at TPC Sugarloaf, Duluth, GA, 12:00-7:00 p.m.
Join Rainbow Village for a day of fun, fellowship, and laughter at the 25th Anniversary Annual Golf Classic.
Organize a team and sign up by visiting the link: http://rainbowvillage.org/events/2016golf/
 
Vacation Bible School 2016
"Surf Shack" Catch the Wave of God's Amazing Love
It's time to register for VBS! Our vacation bible school will be held June 27-July 1 from 9-12. Register here or sign up to volunteer:
http://2016.cokesburyvbs.com/epiphanysuwanee
 
Green Tips
Save your plastic bottles for VBS!
Please save your clean, empty plastic juice bottles (Naked, Bolthouse) with lids, 16 oz. Pepsi product plastic bottles with lids, or ICE plastic bottles with lids. Place in bags and mark VBS. Thank you! 

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