The Epiphany Star February 2019 Newsletter of Epiphany Lutheran Church Fort Wayne, Indiana Dear Epiphany Lutheran Church, For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 NRSV). Over the past several months these words from the Book of Ecclesiastes have spoken to me. Why are these words important to our Spiritual well-being? How can they help us in times of great despair or joy? At the beginning of chapter 3, the author writes that there is a SEASON for everything under heaven. It is important for us to know this and to help everyone in their particular SEASON of life. When we were children the most important parts of our day were simply to grow up. Playing with our friends, school, eating, and worship were, at least in my life, important priorities. As we grew in years other parts of life began to take priority. Developing the gifts God had given you to become the person God intended you to be. Time started to become a very important part of lives. Watching the time at school. Watching the time for our favorite television program. Watching the time for when we were scheduled to be some place. Yet, we also learned how to procrastinate I will do that later. Do we really have all of the time in the world to do what we want? When we were younger, we might of thought this way, but as we advance in years the concept of time starts to take on a different meaning. Time with family and friends start to take a priority. We want to spend more time with them. I read a posting on Facebook that read, When we were younger, we snuck out from our room to go to parties. Today we sneak out of parties, so we can go home. When was the last time you really took a look at your life and labeled some priorities? The month of February is often thought of as a month of LOVE because of Valentine s Day. If that is case- we need to take a moment to spend time with those that mean so much to us. Take a moment and call them. Take a moment and visit them in person. Take moment to tell them that you love them. Do not let the sun set before you tell them how important they are to your life.
God takes a moment to say I Love You when you wake up and open your eyes to see the creation God has made. God takes a moment to say I Love You when we look at the sunrise or sunset with all of the colors in the sky. God takes a moment to say I Love You when someone reaches out to touch us and speak the words. God provides for us all of the time. Isn t time for us to give thanks and praise to God for everything? After all whose time is it anyway? In Christ, Pastor Richard Hartman We are Christians, called by God, committed to: Sharing the Gospel, Serving others as Christ taught us, and Creating disciples for witness. Epiphany Lutheran Church s Vision Statement: A Christian family of God committed to sharing the Gospel and serving others, through joyful worship, Please feel free to stop in or call for any of your Pastoral needs. Our office hours are as follows: Pastor: Sunday Thursday 8:00 am 2:30 pm Monday evenings, some Saturdays Dia: Wednesdays 9:00 am 4:00 pm Other evenings times as needed and available E-mail Us: Pastor s office... pastor@epiphanyfw.com Pastor s home... rlhart49@frontier.com Dia s office...dia@epiphanyfw.com WEB SITE: Epiphany Lutheran Church www.epiphanyfw.com 2
The Saturday morning Men s Bible Study We will meet on Saturday, February 9 th, at 7:00 am for breakfast and the Word. All are welcome. Comfort Ye My People Our quilting group will meet on Sunday, February 10 th, at 9:00 am. We are making great progress so far this year please join us this month and help us care for God s children throughout the world! Quarterly Congregational Breakfast Meeting Our next Quarterly Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 17 th, at 9:00 am. Breakfast will be provided. A few weeks before the breakfast, there will be a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board; please let us know if you plan to attend, so we know how much food to prepare. Don t miss out on this chance to be involved in the life of our church! All are welcome!
Start Cleaning Out Those Closets! We are planning a church rummage sale in May, so as you prepare for spring cleaning, bring your unwanted items to the church nursery. We ll sort them from there! Thanks! Worship Assistants Needed Dinner at 6 pm - Worship at 7 pm March 6 th - Ash Wednesday Fellowship Committee - Pulled Pork, and Chicken Salad March 13 th Council - Deli Sandwiches - Salad March 20 th Quilting Group - Baked Potato Bar March 27 th Youth - Spaghetti April 3 rd Choir - Taco Bar April 10 th Council - Deli Sandwiches - Salad Dia is looking for: Lectors, Assisting Ministers Acolytes Ushers Communion Assistants Altar Guild Members for upcoming services Ash Wednesday 3/6 Maundy Thursday 4/18 Good Friday 4/19 Please let her know if you can help. 4
Join us for Worship this month! Every Sunday at 8:00 & 10:15 am Every Monday at 2:00 &7:00 pm March 6 th Ash Wednesday at 7:00 pm Confirmation classes at 9:00 am on Sunday Please join us! Collecting old Ink Cartridges!!! Office Depot will give us $2 In reward to use towards paper purchases. Place in office! February 3 rd 4 th Sunday after Epiphany Jeremiah 1:4-10 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30 Items of clothing that are donated will now be going to Concordia Seminary or Abundant Life Church. They give out the items for free. The Rescue Mission and Charis House are no longer accepting clothing and directing donations to stores where they can be purchased at a low fee. If you do not want your items to go to the Seminary or Abundant please donate to your favorite charity February 10 th 5 th Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 6:1-13 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11 February 17 th 6th Sunday after Epiphany Jeremiah 17:5-10 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 Luke 6:17-26 February 24 th 7th Sunday after Epiphany Genesis:3-11, 15 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 Luke 6:27-38
Angels Among Us! We have members of our congregation who do many things behind the scenes, and we want to take the time to recognize just a few in this month s issue! Thank you, Angels! Christmas Decorations were put away for another year The Epiphany Program was planned, and anniversary celebrated! Juice and Wine were provided for Holy Communion each week Communion Bread was prepared and baked each month Bulletin Boards were updated for upcoming missions Newsletters were mailed to homebound church members & visitors Please join us Tuesday, March 5 th, 6:00 pm for Pastor s annual Fat Tuesday pancake supper! Shrove Tuesday is traditionally observed as the last day to enjoy a few indulgences before the penitential season of Lent begins. Join us for food, fun, and fellowship as we anticipate this season. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board by the office please let us know if you plan to come. We hope to see you there! Meals on Wheels Thank you for your continued support of this vital mission in our community. Our congregation donated a total of $47 in the month of January, bringing our total donations to over $9,200! Please let Dia in the office know if you would like to be added to the list to give $7 a month to this worthy cause. Thank you for sharing the gifts God has given to you! 6
Fishes and Loaves Collection During the upcoming season of Lent, we will once again be collecting fishes and loaves for the Associated Churches Food Bank. Food pantries often struggle to keep enough on the shelves during this time of year. Please donate cans of tuna, salmon, or other fish as well as boxes of Tuna Helper and crackers to our blue bin in the narthex. Thank you for your generosity! New ways to advertise events at Epiphany We have coordinated with the St. Joe Township Trustee Office At the corner of Maplecrest and St. Joe Road. They will advertise our events on their sign, tell the associations that meet in their hall and post on their facebook page. This is at no charge to Epiphany. Watch for the 1st events to be advertised: Twins Club Clothing Resale - March 2 nd Epiphany Fish Fry - March 8 th Check out the facebook page (St. Joseph Township, Allen County)
Mission Moment for February 2019 Thanks so much to everyone who donated items to our Baby Shower for Jesus to benefit little ones in our community. Christ assures us that every gift given to those in need in His name is a gift to Him. Souper Bowl Sunday is approaching quickly so it s time to support your favorite team with some soup! Playoff winning teams will be represented on our giving table. Just vote for your team with your cans. Throughout February we will continue to collect items to support Come2Go s ministry to the homeless in our city. Needed items include Men s socks, hand warmers, men s gloves, hats and scarves. Please place items in the tub marked Come2Go. Many thanks for your love and care for those in need. Written by Jane Dawkins 8
February Baptismal Birthdays Rachel Jancso Jessica Williams Erin Robinson Ron Jancso Chuck Lehman Happy birthday to those who celebrate their second birthday during the month of February! Martin Luther said, When you wash your face, remember your baptism. Take time to remember and celebrate this month! Lutheran Senior Care Ministry Update February 2019 Epiphany will host this year s LSCM Annual Meeting on February 7 th at 6 pm. We look forward to this opportunity to meet with delegates from area Lutheran congregations who support this ministry and some of our Chaplains who will share how their presence impacts lives of folks who otherwise would not be able to hear about God s love for them. We will also select additional Board members at that meeting. We currently have the support and prayers of 30 local Lutheran congregations (including Epiphany) and four additional area congregations have indicated they will be joining LSCM. Our Executive Director, Rev. Dan May, is meeting with all our Chaplains in January to establish their focus for 2019. God bless you for your support of this ministry to elders in our community, many of whom can t attend their own church and some who are receiving the Word of the Lord for the first time. Peace! Sue
February 3 rd February 10 th February 17 th February 24 th Janzow LBW II Now The Feast LBW II Organist/ Pianist Amanda Pickett Sara Sara Sara Assisting Minister Mark Herb Amber Logan Dia Herb Rebecca Hartman Lector 8:00 am Kim Robinson Sue Johnson Cheryl Ralston Kurt Unrue Lector 10:15 am Alicia Mike Rumfield Shane Pickett Cathy Rumfield Acolyte Lucy Erin Robinson Kristen Zoey Osheskie Communion Assistant 8:00 am Connie York Renee Meunier Charlene Schroeder N/A Communion Assistant 10:15 am Cathy Rumfield Mike Rumfield David Dawkins N/A Altar Guild Jane Cathy Amanda N/A Greeter(s) Denny & Karen Payne Denny & Sally Mertz Jack & Sandy Swanson NO Capt. Dennis Payne and Jim 10