The Epiphany Star June 2012 Newsletter of Epiphany Lutheran Church Fort Wayne, Indiana Dear Epiphany Lutheran Church, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Amen For everything there is a season, and time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 NRSV). For many of us, the summer months are a time when we get to spend more time outdoors enjoying the beauty of God s creation. It is a time to travel and renew friendships and family. It is a time to have a slower pace and enjoy life as we think it is meant to be done. It is a time to thaw out from the cold winds of winter. It is a time to be alive. The text from Ecclesiastes also reminds me of the need to give thanks to God for the many blessings we take for granted each and every day. When was the last time you thanked God for the life you have been given? When was the last time you gave thanks to God for your home? I would like to publicly thank everyone for making my 20 th Anniversary of being an ordained pastor extra special. I know it shocked me to be speechless and to shed some tears of great joy. There have only been a few times in my life when I have not been able to say anything and Sunday (May 20 th ) was one of those times. I am thankful for the beautiful plaques with my favorite Bible verses, the letters, and the awesome stole that Pastor Liz made with all of the signatures. God has blessed us in many and various ways. I received several cards talking about how my ministry has touched them in some very special ways the feeling is mutual that your ministry has touched me in some very special ways for which I thank God for each and every day. I do have one request. I would ask that each of you continue to lift up the mutual mission and ministry of Epiphany Lutheran Church. This is God s House and we have been blessed to be together for so many years. Together with God we are able to do some awesome things, separate we are very limited. I would like to thank the members of the church council and the Fellowship committee for putting the celebration together. I would also like to thank the 1
the members of the church council who will be stepping down as of July 1 st from their current positions: Ron Michael (President), Renee Meunier (Vice-President), Deb Crawford (Secretary), Alicia Davis (Director of Nurture), Anne Lohman (Stewardship Director), and Doug Ahr (Director of Property). I am thankful for our new church council members who start officially July 1 st : Renee Meunier (President), Mike Rumfield (Vice-President), Richard Lee (Treasurer), Sandi Swanson (Secretary), Jane Dawkins (Outreach Director), Anne Lohman (Director of Nurture), Jodi McKenna (Director of Congregational Life), Steve Auman (Director of Fellowship), and Ron Michael (Director of Property). Lift them up in your prayers as they lead our congregation with the guidance of the Holy Spirit this coming year. Together we can truly be the blessing that God intends for us to be. Enjoy your time- it s a gift from God! 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, education and fellowship. Fundraising Dinner Night for Epiphany Lutheran Church Youth Group Tuesday, June 12 th, 2012 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Granite City Food & Brewery is donating a portion of the proceeds from the night to help with the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Flyers are available in the office. Call 485-5122 and Jodi will be happy to mail or e-mail you a flyer today! You can bring the flyer with you when you order. Thank you for helping our Youth grow in their faith this summer! 2
Pastor s office..pastor@epiphanyfw.com Jodi s office.. jodi@epiphanyfw.com Pastor s home rlhart49@frontier.com WEB SITE: Epiphany Lutheran Church www.epiphanyfw.com Please feel free to stop in or call for any of your Pastoral needs. Our office hours are as follows: Pastor: Sunday - Thursday 8:00am-2:30 pm and some Saturdays as well as Mondays and Wednesday evenings. Jodi: Mondays 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:15 am - 3:00 pm. * Due to unusual circumstances, these hours may be subject to change. Stock for Sale! The Senior High School Youth continue to sell stock for their trip to the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA which will be July 17 th - July 23 rd. Each share of stock will entitle the bearer to a dinner with pictures and a token of our appreciation of sponsoring our trip. The cost of each share of stock is $25. Please see Pastor Richard Hartman, Cathy Rumfield, Susan McKenna, Krista Rumfield, Sean Rumfield, or Jared Meunier for your share today! 3
MISSION MOMENT JUNE 2012 Thanks to everyone who donated to the collection for LAIM. Your gifts will make a difference for who are served by this important ministry. During June we are asking you to take time to visit your neighborhood garage sales to help us in our commitment to the Lutheran World Relief collections. Items needed include; T-shirts and gowns or sleepers without feet, sized from newborn to size. 2; receiving blankets, hand towels and bath towels. Baby socks, old blankets (may be stained or have small holes), and old mattress pads. Doing some spring cleaning? When you clean out your medicine cabinet or linen closet, remember we need nail clippers, combs and next- to- new sheets. Also, watch for bargains on bar soap, toothbrushes and school supplies. If everyone does just a little, we can meet our goals for quilts, hygiene kits, layettes and school kits. When you find these items remember to pray twice - one prayer of thanksgiving that you have the resources to serve IN mission, rather than being served BY missions, and one prayer of blessing for those who will receive these gifts. Written by Jane Dawkins Congratulations Krista! Epiphany wishes you the best of luck in your future endeavors! Krista Rumfield graduates from R. Nelson Snider High School on Saturday June 16 th, 2012. She will be graduating with a GPA of 4.426 on a 4.333 scale! Krista is ranked 11 th in her entire senior class! Krista has been involved in Student Government as well as she is a member of the National Honor Society. She was the manager of her Volleyball Team and on the Academic Team as well. Krista has received several honors: Academic Letter, Student Government Letter, and Varsity Sport Letter. She plans to attend Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She has not yet decided on a major but we re sure she ll keep us posted! Congratulations Krista on all your accomplishments! 4
June 3 rd : The Holy Trinity Isaiah 6:1-8 Romans 8:12-17 John 3:1-17 June 10 th : 2 nd Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 3:8-15 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35 Join us for Worship this month! Every Sunday at 8:00 am and 10:15 am Every Monday at 7:00 pm Sunday School classes for all ages begin again in September - May! Please join us in the fall! June 17 th : 3 rd Sunday after Pentecost Ezekiel 17:22-24 2 Corinthians 5:6-17 Mark 4:26-34 June 24 th : John the Baptist Malachi 3:1-4 Acts 13:13-26 Luke 1:57-80 The Women s Bible Study group will meet Thursday, June 7 th at 7:00 pm at Liz s place. If you have any questions, contact Liz Nickel who will be our leader at 445-0159 or e-mail her at jitney41@gmail.com. All are welcome and bring a friend! 5
Emergencies for Older Adults 16 th Annual Chicken Barbecue A fundraising event brought to you by Lutheran Life Villages Auxiliary at 6701 South Anthony Blvd., Fort Wayne on Friday, June 22 nd, 2012 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Presale tickets are available here at Epiphany or the Emporium Gift Shop at Lutheran Life Villages for $7.00 or at the door at $7.50. Drive thru is also available from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm for 1/2 chicken only for $5.00. For more information, call 447-1591 x 2116. Thomas A Kintanar, M.D. will be presenting facts, myths, and tips to save your life on Thursday, June 21 st at 4:00 pm at the Heritage Room at Lutheran Life Villages, 6723 South Anthony Blvd. Fort Wayne. Light refreshments will be offered immediately following the presentation. Please RSVP by Thursday, June 14 th to (260) 447-1591, ext. 2138. Epiphany Softball Schedule Thursday, May 31 st - 7:30 pm & 8:30 pm vs. CT Seminary Sunday, June 3 rd - 8:00 pm & 9:00 pm vs. Trinity English Thursday, June 7 th - 8:30 pm vs. HC Crusaders Sunday, June 17 th - 8:00 pm Vs. CT Seminary Thursday, June 21 st - 6:30 pm & 7:30 pm HC Crusaders Sunday, June 24 th - 7:00 pm Trinity English Thursday, June 28 th - 7:00 pm Lake Township 6
C o m f o r t Y e M y P e o p le O u r q u ilt in g g ro u p w ill b e m eet in g S u n d ay, J u n e 1 7 th at 9 :0 0 am. T h ere is s o m et h in g f o r ev ery o n e o f all ag es t o h elp. P leas e jo in u s an d h elp u s t o b e a b les s in g t o o t h ers! Angels Among Us! Did you know that we have Secret Angels here at Epiphany? We do! We have members of our congregation who often times do many things behind the scenes and we want to take this time to recognize just a few in this month s issue! These Angels don t necessarily want to be identified. However, here are some of the gifts they have received from Him they share with all of us here! Angels, you know who you are! Epiphany Lawn has been well manicured Epiphany Softball was organized and the season is underway Church Directory pictures are in the works Pastor s 20th Anniversary celebration planned Epiphany s Annual Meeting and luncheon was prepared 7
Lutheran Social Services of Indiana Statistics from 2011 Over 5000 individuals were served * 88% of clients served are at or below poverty level * 573 clients received more than 1 service * 75 volunteers were utilized, logging over 15,000 hours * Programs at Lutheran Social Services include: - Children s Village - Financial Literacy Curriculum - Annual Christmas Program - Cup of Kindness - ECHO - Adoption - Network for Safe Families - Counseling * LSSI is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation * 2115 financial literacy lessons were taught to over 800 households * 11 Lutheran congregations were trained in Financial Literacy curriculum * 94% of ECHO teen parent clients graduated from high school (GED) * 113 families reached employment and educational goals in the Network for Safe Families program * 1103 people received financial assistance, budgeting help and prayer * Over $233,000 was provided in direct financial assistance for rent, mortgage, and utilities * 6,321 loaves of Justice Bread were sold * 544 Bible lessons were taught to all ages (babies to preschoolers) at Children s Village * 5 infants were placed for adoption * 608 participants in Infant Adoption Training * 110 LSSI families were sponsored in the Christmas Families Program (gifts were provided for 421 individuals. 8
June Baptismal Birthdays: Jodi McKenna Sue Davis Hank Schroeder Melissa Hartman Sheryl Goodspeed Allan Longroy Elanore Seeman Rick Salyer Happy birthday to those who celebrate their second birthday during the month of June! Martin Luther said, When you wash your face remember your baptism. Take time to remember and celebrate with your family by using the special booklet Celebrating Your Baptismal Birthday (found in the narthex tract rack). Men s Bible Study! The Saturday morning Men s Bible Study entitled Courageous - A Living Bible Study will take place on Saturday, June 2 nd at 7:00 am. Whether you are married or not, whether you have children or not, this study has something that will impact you in your daily life and cause you to grow in your faith and as a leader. You won t be disappointed you joined us! 9
June 3 rd June 10 th June 17 th June 24 th LBW Setting 2 LBW Setting 2 WOV Setting 5 LBW Setting 2 Organist / Pianist Sara Davis Sara Davis Amanda Pickett Sara Davis Assisting Minister Melissa Hartman Alicia Davis Jim Davis Jane Dawkins Lector 8:00 am Sue Johnson Cheryl Ralston Jared Meunier Anne Lohman Lector 10:15 am Becky Begle Susan McKenna Vicki Khouli Karen Payne Acolyte Rozlynn Everhart Elizabeth Lohman Jordan Robinson Michael McKenna Communion Assistant 8:00 am Renee Meunier Jared Meunier Charlene Schroeder Hank Schroeder Communion Assistant 10:15 am Dave Dawkins Ron Michael Ron Roemer Becky Begle Altar Guild Jodi McKenna Need Need Need Greeter (s) Dave Black Don & Mary Jane Spohr Ron Roemer Becky Begle Capt. Dave Black Bob Lohman Don Spohr Jack Swanson 10