EPIPHANY STAR Epiphany Lutheran Church Office Hours Mon-Thurs, 10am-3pm February 2016 Newsletter In this issue: Articles 1-5 Birthdays Anniversaries 6 Good News 7 Our Art 8 Church Calendar 9 The Pastor s Corner Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, The month of February in the United States is known for Valentine's Day, the day when lovers exchange special cards, flowers, sweets and other expressions of love for the other. This February also inaugurates the season of Lent. Worship Schedule Lectionary Schedule 10 11 (continued on next page) 1
EPIPHANY STAR We begin the season of Lent with the observance of Ash Wednesday, also known as Day of Ashes, with a worship service February 10, 2016 at 7:00 pm here at Epiphany Lutheran Church. Ashes are placed upon the forehead of the worshipper to remind us of our mortality and sinfulness with the following words "You are dust and to dust you shall return," (Genesis 3:19). Ash Wednesday has been practiced by Christians for more than ten centuries, and is a six week season of preparation for Easter. In the earliest centuries, Christians who had been stuck in persistent sin had ashes sprinkled on their bodies as a sign of repentance, even as Job repented "in dust and ashes" Job 42:6. Around the tenth century, all believers began to signify their need for repentance by having ashes placed on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. Even this sign of sinfulness hinted at the good news yet to come through its shape. There is no biblical commandment that requires us to observe Ash Wednesday. The theological core of Ash Wednesday is however, shaped by a biblical theology of creation, sin, mortality, death, grace, and salvation. It also enacts biblical injunctions to weep with those who weep and to confess your sins to one another. The value of an Ash Wednesday worship service is the chance for all of us to openly acknowledge our frailty and sinfulness. In a world that often expects us to be perfect, Ash Wednesday gives us an opportunity to freely confess our imperfections. We can let down our pretenses and be truly honest with each other about who we are. We all bear the mark of sin, from the youngest babies to the oldest seniors. We all stand guilty before a holy God. We all are mortal and will someday experience bodily death. Perhaps our own fears concerning our own death match our cultural squeamishness about death. We do not want to think about our own mortality. We do many things to pretend that it is not approaching: We dye our graying hair; we cover our age spots with make up; we get cosmetic surgery to preserve the image of youth. It is most rare that we seriously think about our own death. It is unusual for someone to make plans 2
for his or her own memorial service, or, even to leave notes for the family. These are things we would rather put on the back of a very large burner. For the past fifteen years on Ash Wednesday, I put ashes on the heads of adults, teenagers, girls and boys. With these words "You are dust," I remind them of their mortality. What gives us such freedom to think about death? I believe what allows us to stare death in the face is the assurance of life, real life, eternal life. When we know our lives are safe in the hands of God, and that this physical life is just the beginning of eternity, then we are free to be honest about what lies ahead for us. We can face death without fear or pretending, because we know the One who defeated death. I will never forget my last visit with a dear member of my former congregation. Her frame was small when she was healthy, but old age and disease had ravaged her body. I would not be surprised if she weighed ninety pounds on the day of my last visit. There was no question that she was going to die soon, and there was no point for me to pretend as if that were not true. So I asked her straightaway: It is obvious that you do not have too much time left in this body. How are you feeling about dying? Pastor Adisa, she said with a weak but confident voice, I have lived a good, long life. I have been blessed far beyond what I could have hoped. You are right, my body is giving out. I do not have much longer to live. But I want you to know that I am ready. I am not afraid. I am eager to see my Lord. I hope I get there soon. Talk about staring death in the face! What gave her such unusual bluntness and boldness when it came to her own imminent death? Her faith in God. Her confidence that her life was really just beginning. Her assurance that her soul was safe in the hands of a gracious, loving God. And so it is for us as Christians on Ash Wednesday. We can face death. We can admit our own mortality. We can talk openly about the limits of this life. Why? Because we know that through Christ we have entered into life eternal, the fullness of life that will not end when our bodies give out. The emotional result of Ash Wednesday observance is not depression or gloom, but gratitude and a new energy for living. When we recognize that life does not go on forever, then we find new passion to delight in the gifts of each and every day, and to take NONE of them for granted. Your servant in Christ, Pastor Adisa 3
EPIPHANY STAR Outgoing President s Report 2015 When I was elected as Council President at last year s Annual Meeting, who knew what a roller coaster ride it was going to be! This wasn t my first time serving this congregation as president, but it certainly was the most challenging. Before our newly elected council could meet, two members resigned and our Interim Pastor, Sandra Dager, announced her time with Epiphany was coming to an end. It was quite a shock, but we thanked her for her work and ministry with us and wished her well as she continued God s work with other congregations. It took a while for the Synod to find us our next interim, but luckily we had Pastor Andreas Pielhoop in the meantime. He is the one who recommended a fellow pastor to fill in for him one Sunday, and that is how we came to meet Pastor Adisa Armand-Miller. The day before she came to lead worship with us that first time, I received an email for the Bishop s office that they had a candidate for our next interim Pastor Adisa! I took that as a sign from God that he was watching out for our small and mighty congregation and knew just where He wanted to lead us in this next phase of our interim ministry. As you can read in Pastor Adisa s report, she has worked tirelessly to get to know Epiphany and what she can do to support and lead us. I look forward to continuing on that journey as we discover our vision for Epiphany and welcome our new president,. Many thanks for all your help and prayers this last year. Sincerely, Kadi Babb Your Church Staff Interim Pastor Adisa Armand-Miller adisa59@hotmail.com 510-278-5411 Facility Manager Dennis Zwicker wickedz@sbcglobal.net 510-909-9185 Bookkeeper Laura Mott laura.d.mott@gmail.com 925-451-6697 Office Administrator Rory Babb EastBayEpiphany@gmail.com 510-278-5133 4
Welcome To the new Epiphany Council Members! At the Annual congregational meeting on Sunday January 24, we elected two new members to the council Kelly Greenne and Julia Moore. Also a new President was elected. A very big Thank You to those three for offering their time and talents to serve Epiphany and the community as we share God s word. I would also like to extend thanks to Andrew Babb, Dennis Zwicker, Rory Babb, and Pat Johnson, who have finished their terms on the Council. Their insight and many gifts will be missed this year. I am glad they will continue to lead this congregation in other ways. Yours in Christ, Kadi Babb WENDESDAY NIGHT CHURCH SCHOOL February 3rd was the last meeting of the kid's Wednesday Night Church School until after Easter. During Lent we will be having regular Wednesday evening Soup Suppers at 6:00pm followed by Lenten services at 6:30 using our traditional Holden Evening Prayer. The first Wednesday after Easter (March 30th) the WNCS will start back up, kicked off with the regular Free Spaghetti Dinner. We are looking forward to seeing you all here for these Lenten Soup Supper Services and of course on Easter for the Easter Breakfast, the Easter Service and the Easter Egg Hunt. For other WNCS questions please contact. 5
February Birthdays 01 Kadi Babb 07 Willie Wiest 12 Cheryl Bauch 15 Jeff Bouchard 15 Devin Meheen 25 Litzy Zumaya 27 Andrew Babb February Anniversaries February 24, 1951 February 31, 1992 Duane and Shirley Cole Bev Mackey and Mark Gibson If we have left out you or you loved ones, or gotten a date wrong please give us a call at the office, leave a voice mail or send us an email any time. 6
EPIPHANY STAR The Good News Corner The Annual Meeting on January 24th went without a hitch. We have a new council, a new president, a new budget and we are raring to go! Despite our low membership numbers, our budget this year is looking much healthier than last year. Pledging is good and Facility Rentals and tenants are strong. A lot of work and clean up around the church is being done these days thanks to Dennis and Ambrocio. It s really starting to look nice around here. Let the office know if you see something else around the church we could be working on. The Lent and Easter worship seasons are lining up to be real special. If you would like to volunteer to help with any of the activities, contact the office, the pastor or one of your council members. The Epiphany Band is warming up to start playing more regularly. Let Rory or the office know if there is something special you would like to hear us play or if you have a musical talent you wish to offer. All are welcome. The band would love to accompany you if there is something special you would like to sing. We are excitedly looking forward to a couple of special baptisms coming up in the next month or so. More good news to follow in the months to come! 7
EPIPHANY STAR Our Faithfilled Artists Art By Our Own: Grace Carter 8
Church Calendar -- February 2016 Weekly Events Worship Service Fellowship Hour Quilting Group Wednesday Night Church School Sundays at 10am (sharp) Sundays at 11am (after service) Wednesdays at 10am (bring a lunch) Wednesdays at 5:30pm (dinner served) Monthly Events Birthday Sunday at Fellowship Council Meeting (open) Free Spaghetti Dinner Sunday, Feb. 14 at 11am (second Sunday) Sunday, Feb. 21 after Fellowship hour Not during Lent Special Events Ash Wednesday Service Lenten Soup Supper and Service Lenten Soup Supper and Service Lenten Soup Supper and Service Lenten Soup Supper and Service Lenten Soup Supper and Service Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 7:00 pm Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 6:00 pm Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 6:00 pm Wednesday, Mar. 02 at 6:00 pm Wednesday, Mar. 09 at 6:00 pm Wednesday, Mar. 16 at 6:00 pm Upcoming Events Conflict Management Workshop Easter Breakfast Easter Service Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, Mar. 5 at 10:00 am Sunday, Mar. 27 at 8:00 am Sunday, Mar. 27 at 10:00 am Sunday, Mar. 27 at 11:15 am 9
February 2016 Worship Schedule Service Date 7-Feb 10-Feb 14-Feb 21-Feb 28-Feb Calendar Transfiguration Ash Wed. Lent 1 Lent 2 Lent 3 Reader Kadi Babb --- Kathryn Nunes Kelly Greenne Cali Nunes Greeter Rory Babb --- Cheryl Bauch Kelly Greenne Mae Edmonds A.Guild --- Minister Pr. Adisa Pr. Adisa Pr. Adisa Pr. Adisa Pr. Adisa Musician Nick Perez --- Nick Perez Chris Hewitt Chris Hewitt Projection Kadi Babb --- Kadi Babb Kadi Babb Kadi Babb Flowers Rory Babb for Kadi --- --- --- --- Eternal Light --- --- --- --- --- Council --- 10
February 2016 Lectionary Calendar Service Date 7-Feb 10-Feb 14-Feb 21-Feb 28-Feb Church Calendar Transfiguration Sunday Ash Wed. Lent 1 Lent 2 Lent 3 1st Reading Exodus 34:29-35 Isaiah 58:1-12 Deut. 26:1-11 Genesis 15:1-18 Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm Psalm 99 Psalm 51 Psalm 91 Psalm 27 Psalm 63 2nd Reading 2 Corinthians 3:12 & 4:2 2 Corinthians 5:20 & 6:10 Romans 10:8-13 Philippians 3:17 & 4:1 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Gospel Luke 9:28-36 Matthew 6:1-21 Luke 4:1-13 Luke 13:31-35 Luke 13:1-9 Please hold in your prayers this month our brothers and sisters in Christ that they may know and feel the comfort of God s everlasting love. Lois Sandsmark Pat Johnson Opal Gibson John Clarfield Mary Kelone Bev Santel The Family of Kim Daudlin Kathryn Nunes grandmother 11
Epiphany Lutheran Church 16248 Carolyn Street San Leandro, CA 94578 (510) 278-5133 EMAIL: eastbayepiphany@gmail.com WEBSITE: eastbayepiphany.org Stamp Office Hours Mon-Thurs, 10am-3pm Mailing Label Real People. Real Life. Real Faith. If you would like to receive our newsletter via email instead of print, please let us know at the church office. 10am to 3pm (phone or email below) NEWSLETTER STAFF Rory Babb,, Pr. Adisa (510) 278-5133 eastbayepiphany@gmail.com 12