The Epiphany Star February 2018 Newsletter of Epiphany Lutheran Church Fort Wayne, Indiana Dear Epiphany Lutheran Church, On February 14 (yes I know it is Valentine s Day) we begin the Season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. I think it is interesting that Valentine s Day/Ash Wednesday what a better way to combine the two heart factors in our lives. What do you think of when you hear the Season of Lent? It might be The Cross that Christ was crucified on or the need to focus more time on the repentance of our sins. It might bring thoughts of Mid-Week Lenten suppers and worship, or the darker tone of the music that we use in our worship services. The Season of Lent is six weeks long and leads us into the joyous celebration of Easter! Lent can be a high point in the church calendar. During the Season of Lent, I would encourage you to think about your relationship with our Savior Jesus the Christ. How much time do you spend on a daily basis in prayer with Jesus? How much time and effort do you spend helping others in your daily lives? The Season of Lent is a season (time) of fasting. Fasting is a discipline of restraint so that you can celebrate something greater later. Yet, even in that time of preparation and reflection one can experience some joy. We just need to remember to do it with some restraint. Originally the Season of Lent was an intense time of preparation (fasting and prayer) for the sacrament of Holy Baptism on Easter Sunday. What could be more joyful that time spent preparing for a life with Jesus? All of the preparations were to say to the candidate- something great is about to happen. Get ready! Something great is about to happen at Epiphany! Throughout the month of February there are numerous activities and events that are designed to help us in our time of preparation for something greater. On Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. will be the traditional Fat Tuesday/Pancake Festival with Pastor and Dave York. Then starting on Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. we will begin the Lenten journey with a simple supper at 6 p.m. and Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m., and then will continue with the same schedule every week for the six weeks of Lent. On Feb. 23 from 5-7p.m. we are having a community Fish Fry. Be sure to sign-up to help and invite your neighbors and co-workers. This is a fund-raiser for the youth going to the National Youth Gathering in Houston, TX in July. 1
I would encourage you to seek some time during the Season of Lent to reflect on the priorities in your life and find ways to make them important. I know for me one of my priorities is improving my relationships with God and family. One of the important lessons I have learned is that if you want to improve relationships you have to spend time in them. God bless you as you prepare to begin your Lenten journey. 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: E-mail Us: Pastor: Sunday Thursday 8:00 am 2:30 pm Monday and Wednesday evenings Some Saturdays Dia: Wednesdays 9:00 am 4:00 pm Other times as needed and available 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
The Saturday morning Men s Bible Study will continue their study out of the book Fruits of the Spirit. We will meet on Saturday, February 10 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 25 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 18 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! 3
Start Cleaning Out Those Closets! We are planning a church rummage sale in early 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 February 14 th - Ash Wednesday Fellowship Committee Pulled Pork February 21 st Council Deli Sandwiches - Salad February 28 th Quilting Group Baked Potato Bar Dia is looking for: Lectors, Assisting Ministers Acolytes Ushers Communion Assistants Altar Guild Members for upcoming services Ash Wednesday 2/14 Maundy Thursday 3/29 Good Friday 3/30 Please let her know if you can help. March 7 th Youth
Join us for Worship this month! Every Sunday at 8:00 & 10:15 am Every Monday at 2:00 &7:00 pm February 14 th Ash Wednesday at 7:00 pm Confirmation classes at 9:00 am on Sunday Please join us! February 4 th 5 th Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 40:21-31 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39 February 11 th Transfiguration of our Lord 2 Kings 2:1-12 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 February 14 th Ash Wednesday Joel 2:1-2,12-17 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Matthew 6:1-6,16-21 Check out the bulletin board in the narthex by the library for the lovely Thank You notes, letters and cards we received from those we have helped in the past few months. February 19 th 1 st Sunday of Lent Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 Matthew 5:38-48 February 18 th 2 nd Sunday of Lent Genesis 9:8-17 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 8:31-38 5
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 youth shared light! Juice and Wine were provided for Holy Communion each week Communion Bread was prepared and baked each month Taxi Service was provided to get members to and from worship Bulletin Boards were updated for upcoming missions Newsletters were mailed to homebound church members Please join us Tuesday, February 13 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 $134 in the month of January, bringing our total donations to over $8,700! 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!
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! Lillian was born in Arizona and moved to North Carolina as a baby. She has also lived in South Carolina and West Virginia before moving to Fort Wayne. She is married to her husband John and has a sister Susan in Kentucky, Brother Skip in Maryland and sister in law, Liza in South Carolina. She attended Converse College in South Carolina for her Bachelor Degree, Winthrop University in South Carolina for her MBA and WGU in Indiana for her masters in Curriculum & Instruction, plus Indiana Wesleyan University for Transition to Teaching. She is currently teaching at Concordia Lutheran High School! Lilly likes cross stitch and black work embroidery, Taichi and pilates. She has been helping the Quilter s by making tops for the quilts and knotting on Sundays. When you see Lilly welcome her as part of our Epiphany Family 7
Mission Moment for February 2018 Thanks so much to everyone who donated items to our Baby Shower for Jesus. Every gift to a needy little one in His honor is a gift to the Christ Child. Lent begins in February and we ll again be supporting the Associated Churches Fishes and Loaves collection. Items of canned fish such as tuna, salmon or mackerel as well as tuna helper, crackers and pasta are needed. We will continue to collect soup until the Super Bowl as well. Support your favorite team! Just hope it s not the Pats. Also in our Lenten journey we will collect funds for Heifer International. This organization (started in Indiana) provides families with animals and agricultural items like trees and seeds and provides education and support so these families and their communities can become self-sufficient. Our young people will be choosing what animals we will collect for. Look for giving suggestions in you mail boxes and Heifer banks to take home and fill.. Written by Jane Dawkins
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 Association For Institutional Ministries (L.A.I.M) The L.A.I.M. Delegates Meeting will occur in February and the Board continues to move the organization forward financially and spiritually. We will add three new Board members in February as the current Board membership transitions. I will continue to serve until 2020 and keep you informed of our activities. As I mentioned previously, we plan to change the name in 2018. Thanks to Epiphany s congregation for serving as a Member Congregation in 2018! Dues assessment will continue to be $2 for each confirmed member or $442 per year. Your dues contributions and those of 29 other Lutheran congregations support the chaplains who serve 30 area facilities in weekly worship service and provide devotional books for residents and facility employees. We hope to expand our ministry further in 2018 to serve additional residents and facilities and are grateful for your support! Peace! Sue 9
February 4 th February 1t th February 18 th February 25 th Now The Feast LBW II LBW II LBW II Organist/ Pianist Sara Sara Sara Amanda Pickett Assisting Minister Dia Herb Jane Dawkins Jim Mark Herb Lector 8:00 am Sue Sue Johnson Cheryl Ralston Anne Lohman Lector 10:15 am Barb Werling Mike Rumfield Alicia Shane Pickett Acolyte Robert Lohman Corey David Osheskie Nathaniel Pickett Communion Assistant 8:00 am Connie York David York Kurt Unrue N/A Communion Assistant 10:15 am Ron Roemer Mark Herb Dia Herb N/A Altar Guild Roemers Jane Dawkins Cathy Rumfield N/A Greeter(s) Ron & Becky Roemer Denny & Karen Payne Denny & Sally Mertz Jack & Sandy Swanson Capt. Becky Roemer Jim Dennis Payne