"that all might thrive and serve ..."

Midweek Blast of Epiphany Light

August 3, 2016

Back to School

Yesterday morning I saw a couple school buses driving through our neighborhood. Signs that summer has come to a close and school is about to begin. But as the kids complain and the parents rejoice, we need school to return, not just because moms and dads are losing our minds, but because life can't always be summer. We need that time to relax, travel, have fun, and unwind, but if life were always like that, would we appreciate summer as much?

We need seasons in our lives. More than just the 4 seasons that divide the 12 months of our calendar, we need time to work and we need time to rest. There are times when we smile and laugh, and there are times that are filled with sorrow and tears. This is life. The church calendar is filled with seasons as well. There are seasons of joy, like Christmas and Easter, and there are seasons that reflect the difficulties of life too; Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Just as life isn't always summer, we need reminders that God is present in the celebrations and the struggles.

This is a foreign concept for some. Some believe that when things don't go their way and their life is filled with pain that either God has abandoned them or that they are being punished. Not only is this inaccurate, the stories that fill the pages of the Bible remind us that God has always been present during times of celebration and times of loss. God is present in all of our seasons. Although those challenging seasons aren't as fun (I don't think there are many contemporary praise songs for Good Friday - I have yet to hear a jazzed up version of "Were you there when they crucified my Lord"?), we need those services to remind us that God hasn't abandoned us but rather is sitting beside us.

So as summer comes to a close and buses begin to fill our neighborhoods and streets, reflect on the season that you are in, and just as those buses aren't empty, remember that you aren't alone in your season, whatever season that is. God is there too.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Chris

pastorchris@epiphanysuwanee.org

Wednesdays at the Well tonight
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. We are continuing our discussion of 2nd Peter** through August 17. Come, be refreshed at the Well!

Sunday School Launch Carnival
August 14, 1-4 pm It's time for Sunday School to begin! As the new school year kicks in, our teachers are preparing for another great year of Spark! Sunday School, CIA, and Real Time. The carnival is just a few weeks away. If you could provide a dessert, sign up on the sheet in the lobby this week and mark your calendars! Formation Team is looking for a few more teachers, as well!

Lifeline Health Screening next Monday!

August 8, 2016

Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings is offering a preventive health event at Epiphany. 5 screenings will be offered for $139, ($10 discount goes to Epiphany). All 5 screenings (carotid artery/plaque, heart rhythm, abdominal aerotic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease, and osteoporosis risk assessment) take 60-90 minutes to complete. Register online at http://www.lifelinescreening.com/

MOPS starts up again soon!
August 21 from 4-7 Are you a mother of a child pre-school through elementary? Please join us once a month at Epiphany for fellowship, faith, sharing, and support! Our first meeting is August 21, and our theme is "We are Starry Eyed." Visit our MOMS link at http://www.epiphanysuwanee.org/disciples

Gift Registry for our new intern

Anders Nilsen

In anticipation of our intern Anders beginning his two years with us August 21, a college registry has been created at Target. Items will be shipped to church or you can pick them up at the store and bring them to church. If you want to help out but don't have time to shop, monetary donations are helpful as well! Let's make Anders feel welcome and comfortable for the time that he is with Epiphany! Join us for a welcome reception for Anders, Sunday, August 21 following the 8:30 service.

http://www.target.com/ Click on Registry tab, first name: Epiphany, last name: Church.