Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Happy New Year! What a way to begin another year – snow as far as the eye can see!!
This weekend, we celebrate the Festival of the Epiphany, one of the oldest festivals in Christianity (January 6). It is a celebration of God revealing ("epiphany" = to reveal) Jesus to the non-Jewish (Gentile) world through the visit of the magi. The season after the Epiphany is often called an "accordion" season, because the magi loved polka music. Not really – actually the length of the season expands or contracts from one year to the next depending upon when Easter occurs in the calendar. This year, it is a short season (5 weeks) because Easter is observed on March 23! The lessons associated with the season after the Epiphany all help the worshipper come to know who Jesus is – the Son of God.
On Saturday, January 5, the Worship Planning Team is hosting an Epiphany Prayer Vigil for Peace. Held in the chapel from 12 noon to 9:00 p.m., prayers will be offered by many throughout the day – prayers for peace in our lives, our homes, communities, nation, and throughout the world. From 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., Ginger Minneman and some musicians will be leading Taize music interspersed with prayers and readings in the chapel. You are invited to come by the chapel at any time from noon to 9 p.m., offer prayers, and light candles. A book of prayers will be available for your use, or you may create your own.
Weekend Activities
Friday There will be NO Spiritual Journey gathering
Saturday
Noon Start of Epiphany Prayer Vigil (chapel)
5:30 p.m. Worship (sanctuary)
7:30 p.m. Taize' Prayer Service (chapel)
Sunday
8:15 a.m. worship (sanctuary)
9:00 a.m. Children's Choirs rehearse
9:15/9:30 a.m. Sunday School classes
10:30 a.m. worship (sanctuary)
3:00 p.m. MUSICA! concert – this is the holiday concert that was postponed due to snow in December; it will be held in our sanctuary – tickets will be available at the door
3:15 p.m. Confirmation youth meet at St. Paul Lutheran
Church on Wayne Ave. for the bus trip to Columbus
FLOWER CALENDAR HAS 7 SPOTS
The following spots remain on the 2008 altar flower calendar:
2/3, 3/30, 4/20, 8/17, 8/24, 11/2, 12/28
If you would like to place flowers on the altar on one of these dates, please respond to this email or call Terri at the church office (293-1147). Cost of each vase is $30, and the florist will bill you directly.
LOOKING AHEAD
Sunday, January 27 - Birthday Party for all members
Sunday, February 3 - Annual Meeting to receive 2007 ministry reports and act on the 2008 proposed budget
Wednesday, February 6 - Ash Wednesday – the start of the season of Lent, with worship opportunities at noon and 6:45 p.m.
May the God who makes all things new, including this new year, breathe into you new passion for ministry this week. I hope to see you in worship this weekend!
In Christ's peace,
Gary
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