Epiphany – A-ha!
It’s a play on the definition, you know. An Epiphany is an awareness, a knowing, an ‘a-ha!’ moment. We mark several A-ha! moments of Jesus’ life in the liturgical season known as Epiphany – times when we come to know the glory of God in Jesus. It’s also a season that is characterized with light.
This week – our first a-ha comes as magi – we think astrologers – visit the child Jesus with gifts for a king. The a-ha isn’t so much that the king is found in nondescript home with his parents – but that the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord – has come for ALL people – including strange men from the East.
A-ha! Thanks be to God!
Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself on your faith journey, know that you are most welcome here.
Joins us for worship on Sunday, January 3 at 8 & 10:15 AM. There will be Faith Formation for the youth beginning at 9:15 AM
Blessings,
Pastor Tina
Thanks!: To those who prayed and participated in our Thanksgiving Pantry Project. Pastor Tina has received thank you’s from two of the families that received our gifts. Keep those who are struggling to eat in your prayers and hands this coming year.
2016 Giving Envelopes – If you are a family that gives using envelopes, we encourage you to pick up your 2016 box at church. Please begin to use these January 3, 2015.
House Church Visits: Beginning January 9, a series of house church visits will begin. These two hour sessions will help us get to know our ‘neighbors’ as well as begin to vision for the church. Please watch your mail for your invitation & RSVP to your host.
On January 9, “Sparta North” will meet at the Mahons from 4-6. On January 10, “Newton” will meet at the Whipples. Contact PTina for more information.
Brown Bag Bible Study – is on hiatus until January 6! We’ll come back strong to get into the Gospel of Luke. We will discuss Luke 2 & 3.
Faith Formation Outreach: The outreach project for January and February will be to make baby kits for Lutheran World Relief. Keep checking for more information. Visit Baby Care Kits for more information about this project.
Remembering our Baptism: Sunday January 10 is the commemoration of Jesus’ Baptism and we stop to also remember our own baptisms. This day we are also inviting those who were baptized since January 2015 to return and receive their baptismal banners. Join us afterward to celebrate and eat cake!
Ecumenical Prayer Cycle: We join with Christians around the world praying for our brothers and sisters in joy and concern. For January 3-January 9, we pray for Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories . Learn more about these countries when you click on the link, which will direct you to the World Council of Churches website.