Epiphany full logo    "that all might thrive and serve ..."

Midweek Blast of Epiphany Light

June 8, 2016

What are you fighting for?
From bumper stickers to social media, there are a handful among us, who are extremely passionate about politics and their favorite candidate.  There are some who talk of fighting to the end, and others who believe it is time to stop fighting so that the next battle can begin.  Is this passion something to be praised, or is it misguided?  I am not saying one way or the other, but it does call for a pause to look and ask, what we are fighting for?  
 
Can we find something to fight for that brings us together instead of divides us?  The majority of the things we are passionate about lead to division instead of unity. Politics, sports teams, alma maters, etc - we carry these causes with intense passion, but they seldom lead to unity or the advancement of the whole.  They seldom make us better people.  When your team won the championship, how did it impact you?  But there are those things worth fighting for, worth dying for. Most of us would prefer to debate our candidate or team instead of pick up that cross.
 
The abuse of women (think Stanford,) is something worth fighting for.  Images of drowned, refugee children: something worth fighting for.  Individuals dying of malnutrition and dehydration: something worth fighting for. Oppression, genocide, exploitation, peace - all things worth fighting for; but, we seldom put those on our bumpers or wear them on our polos.  If we follow the example of Jesus, what did he die for?  Was it worth it? Would you do the same thing?
 
I implore you to take stock of where you put your energy; is it worth fighting for?  Are you immersed in things that unite us and propel us into the future to advance us as a species?  Are you willing to fight for the things that really do matter?  When you leave this place, will the earth be better because you were here?  Redirect your God-given passion toward something that matters, and in that moment, find life.
 
Fight the good fight, the fight that matters.
 
Pastor Chris 
 

Wednesdays at the Well tonight
Wednesdays at the Well icon
Wednesdays at the Well is our midweek service. Come worship with us at 7 p.m.!
Community meals at 6 p.m. and Imagine children's choir will resume on August 17th.

Pastor Chris will begin a study of the Book of Psalms in June. 

Come, be refreshed at the Well!

Campers head to Lutherock
This Sunday, June 12
Several of Epiphany's youth will depart Sunday for a week at Lutherock for summer camp. Please keep them in your prayers for a fun, safe, faith-filled week of camp!
 
Rainbow Village Summer Lunches
We need 12 more $20 Publix gift cards by Sunday!
To help with Rainbow Village's summer programming, Epiphany will be providing one week's worth of sack lunches for their children attending day camp in June. That's 250 sack lunches!  Please bring your gift cards to church June 12th!
 
Our new playground is here!
Epiphany broke ground June 1 on a brand-new outdoor playground! This fantastic play area will be fenced in in the near future. 

Stay tuned for more information on how you can be a part of this by sponsoring a swing, slide, bridge, fort, and more! 
 
Register NOW for VBS! Invite friends!
"Surf Shack" Catch the Wave of God's Amazing Love
Volunteers still needed! Visit the table in the lobby and sign up soon! Our vacation bible school will be held June 27-July 1 from 9-12. All children ages 3 through 5th grade are invited. Register here:http://2016.cokesburyvbs.com/epiphanysuwanee

 
Father's Day Car Wash for Haiti Summer Camp
Car Wash art Father's Day, June 19th
Get Dad's car washed (and yours!) Sunday, June 19th. Our youth traveling to Haiti this summer will be washing cars at church before and after services. Freewill donations will support their trip!
 
The Experience Touring Choir
Coming to Epiphany June 24, 7 p.m.
Pastor Chris's former church, Christ Lutheran in Charlotte, NC, is bringing 62 high school students to our church to complete their summer tour. The Experience program, At Your Command, focuses on the 10 Commandments and their meaning for our life today. It is their mission to tell the story of Christ to the world through contemporary song, drama, dance, visual arts and much more!

Come and enjoy a family friendly night of laughter, music, and worship. This performance is free and open to the public. 

Invite your friends and neighbors!
 
We need your plastic bottles!
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