Expectations & Epiphanies
A Blessed Christmastide to all. It’s still Christmas – we’re coming up to the second Sunday of the Season – but it doesn’t feel that way in the ‘real world’. Who and what we proclaim butt against deadlines, commercial forecasts, and New Year resolutions.
But it’s still Christmas – and we are transferring a holiday – Epiphany – to this Sunday so that we are able to close the season together – in word and song, in a meal from Jesus, and some together time as we undecorate the building.
Expectation & Epiphany: those two words are on my mind this week – and the distance between them. We expect to be surprised. We expect life to unfold in a particular order. We expect faith to be logical. And somewhere between our expectations and the epiphanies (awareness or awakening) we experience things that jolt us. The season of Christmas prepares us for these things, these epiphanies, because the story of Jesus in our lives is just beginning. The visit of the Magi broadens our awareness of the God’s love for all people – and we continue the journey with them.
Arise! Your light has come!
Congregational Meeting Notice: A special congregational meeting is being convened on Sunday January 11 at 9:15 to discuss the following topics:
1. Elections of Audit and Nominating Committees
(omitted from our December meeting)
2. Replacement & repair of building boilers
(which is required for expenditures greater than 1% of operation budget)
We Welcome.
Faith Formation:
Christian Education for those 3 yrs to 7th grade returns this week. Our theme this month is “Called to be a Neighbor”. We will focus on how friends/neighbors help in need. All families are invited to participate in Outreach Sunday on January 25 – as we craft Good Neighbor bags. FF begins at 9:15 in the education wing.
Adult Brown Bag Bible Study @ Noon is taking a December break. We’ll start up on January 7 with a study of the Gospel of John. Please let PTina know if you are interested in joining us to study this Gospel so that we have adequate learner books for you!
New Members Class: Are you interested in becoming a member of Shepherd of the Hills? Are you interested in the basics of Christianity and Lutheranism? We will meet on Saturday January 24, January 31 and February 7 from 10-12. You will also be able to meet with folks from our church council and learn how your hands and feet help to make our mission of Welcome, Equip, and Sent Out come alive. Please contactPastor Tina so we have materials for you.
We Equip.
2015 Offering envelopes: For those of you who continue to give using envelopes, the 2015 boxes of envelopes will be available beginning this Sunday, December 21, in the narthex. Please begin using these January 4, 2015.
If you would prefer, you may also give via Simply Giving online giving from your checking or savings account. The following link will lead you to a secure page where you are able to set up your own account.
Year End Contributions: If you are planning on giving a year end contribution, it must be in the church office by Wednesday December 31 (today) to be included on your 2014 Giving Statement. You may do this through envelope or online giving.
Fellowship Hour: We are in need of folks to host our time of coffee and sharing on Sundays after the 10:15 worship service. This involves setup and cleanup. Direction and help provided as needed. Sign up on white shutters.
Undecorating the Church: you are invited to stay for a meal and then help to organize and put away our Christmas decorations on Sunday January 4, 2015. A hot entree will be provided – we ask that you share a dessert or salad.
We send.
Trinity Faith Kitchen Prep: There is a Trinity Faith Kitchen day coming up the first weekend in January. We could use hands to prep on Friday January 2 @ 7 PM and to serve in Dover on Saturday January 3 from 9 AM to about 1 PM. Please contact Pastor Tinaif you are able to help with this Saturday