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

Midweek Blast of Epiphany Light

September 7, 2016

Goals (?)
 
A while back I heard someone say that successful people routinely write down their goals.  I can't remember if they said you should write down these goals daily, weekly, monthly, etc., but the emphasis was on having goals.  Do you have any goals?  Maybe you recently saw the doctor and after you were told some less-than-comforting news, your goal is to drop 20 pounds.  Maybe you are a runner and your goal is to run your first 5k or marathon.  Maybe you have a goal of traveling to a foreign country or learning a second language.  Whatever your goals are, goals are immensely important in pushing us forward. 
 
What about faith?  Has your faith broken into that goal list yet?  Or maybe you have never thought about having goals that involve God.  
 
Are goals essential for faith?  Are goals essential for church?
 
I don't have any research to back this one up, but I am guessing many of us, if we are mainline Protestants, haven't thought of having goals when it comes to church.  Maybe we've had a New Year's resolution to read the Bible in a year, join a Bible study, or volunteer more, but I think those are quite different than running a marathon or learning a foreign language.  If you want to run 26.2 miles or speak a second language, these things don't happen overnight. And they don't happen with partial commitment.  For goals like these to be successful, they become part of us; we adjust our lives and our identities so that we can achieve them.  So what does a faith goal look like?  One word: disciple.
 
Disciple is a word that gets thrown around with little regard for what it means.  Churches have discipleship groups, or men's retreats aim to "raise up disciples," and certainly there are exceptions, but most of these events have an impact that lasts just a little longer than the study or retreat.  We go back to the way we were with little to show for that weekend in the mountains. 
 
So what does it look like to be a disciple?  Jesus spells this one out pretty clearly, and it's not easy.  A disciple sells everything and follows.  A disciple lets go of everything that might him/her them back.  A disciple takes on a completely new identity.  Anyone signing up?  If our faith goal is anything less than being a disciple, are we giving God anything more than lip service? 
 
Running a marathon doesn't happen overnight but begins with a single step.  Becoming a disciple starts with a single step.  Maybe many of us struggle because our worldly goals clash with our newfound faith goals.  If that is the case, which goal wins?  Jesus never says following him would be easy, but there is nothing in the world that can equal the fulfillment we find in that new identity.  
 
What are your goals?  Did God crack the top 5?
Wednesdays at the Well tonight
Wednesdays at the Well is our midweek service. 
Community meal at 6 p.m. serves pulled pork with buns and sides.  Imagine children's choir at 6:25, and worship begins at 7.

Suggested freewill offering for dinner is $6/adult, and $3/children. Cash, checks, and credit cards accepted.

Pastor Chris continues a study of the prophet Daniel.

Come, be refreshed at the Well!

New Adult Bible Study
Begins this Sunday!
In addition to our Animate adult Bible study class Sundays at 9:45, a second class will begin in September. This will be a "straight up" Bible study, led by Pastor Chris, our Intern, Anders Nilsen, member/Pastor Landa Larson, and member Tim Sanders. 
 
Church Work Day!
Saturday, October 1st
It's that time of year again! Fall cleanup, inside and out, is upon us! Plan to help us out for a few hours sprucing up Epiphany!
 
3rd Annual HTF Golf Classic: Register NOW!
tee shot Thursday, September 29
The annual HTF Golf Classic is the major fundraiser for summer camps in Haiti. It's also a terrific event! Join the team to help make this year's tournament a great success! It's now time to register yourself as a player, your foursome, sponsor a hole as an individual or as a corporation. Visit our website and register TODAY!
http://htfgolfclassic.weebly.com/
https://www.regonline.com/2016HTFGolfClassic 
 
College Care Packages
Believe it or not, it's time to start planning!
Epiphany has a wonderful tradition of providing care packages for our college students during fall finals week. We collect many supplies all college kids need/love, including candy, snacks, Starbucks gift cards, and personal notes of care. Start bringing your large shoeboxes to church! Also, sign your own college students up to receive these packages, delivered over the Thanksgiving holiday, plus one for a friend!
 
Epiphany's Fall Festival
October 30th, 4:30-7:30
Mark your calendars and start planning your costumes for our annual Fall Festival! Once again, we will have a cooking contest, costume contest, and Trunk or Treating for the kids! Stay tuned for more information. Sign up sheets for food coming soon!
 
Epiphany Lutheran Church
1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Suwanee, GA  30024
770-831-1966