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Epiphany Lutheran Church
2370 West Main Street
Rock Hill, SC 29732
803.324.8877
epiphany@epiphany-rockhill.org
The Proclaimer
Epiphany's weekly newsletter to help keep you informed.
June 3, 2020
The Holy Trinity
1st Sunday after Pentecost

June 7, 2020
Click on the links below to read this Sunday's scriptures:

A Conversation With Your Pastor
“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20

Dear Epiphany church family, this has been a rough week in regard to making sense of the protest riots going on around our country and coping with the emotional toll that COVID-19 has brought upon us. We all need to hear this reminder from Jesus, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” God is not located somewhere far up in the clouds of heaven, but is here with us as we muddle through this bazaar moment in history.

God is with us among the passion of protesters marching the streets of our cities. God is behind the shields and helmets of police officers and national guard troops trying to keep order and provide security. God is with us amidst the response of rage to the brutal and unjust acts of racial violence that we have witnessed. God is with us as years of systemic racism is uncovered before our eyes. God is present within the despair of families who mourn over 100,000 deaths related the virus outbreak. God is at work through the determined healthcare workers who keep a focus on tending the countless sick. Jesus commissions his followers to go and make disciples, teaching them everything that he has commanded. And if we summarize everything that Jesus taught, we might describe Jesus’ teaching as a way of loving God and loving one’s neighbor, even to the extent of loving one’s enemy (Matthew 5:44). Jesus’ words and example give us hope and provide a way forward, giving some type of vision for us to work towards as we offer our lives together in ministry.

WHERE ARE WE IN PLANNING FOR OUR WORSHIP? The Transition Team is compiling the surveys that many of you completed. We will share the results with you soon! We are securing a sound system to possibly host an outdoor worship service as early as June 14. This Sunday, we will join with other churches in the SC Synod and the ELCA, in participating in a posted online message and worship service being provided by the ELCA of our national bishop, The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Eaton. The link to this worship service will be posted on our website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel for your viewing.

Let us hold on to one another, even when we can’t do so physically. May our Epiphany church family be a light of hope to all who struggle through this unusual time. May we remember and experience how Jesus is present with us, even and most especially, when we are challenged by our circumstances.

I’ll see you in ON-LINE worship! God’s peace,
Pastor Ken
Transition Team Making Preparations for Possibility of Returning to Gathered Worship
Council appointed a Transition Team as a task force to develop a plan in considering how and when to gather during the ongoing virus pandemic. A survey was sent out last week (May 26-June 2) for members to complete. The results will be shared soon!
Transition Team Members are: Regina Cerny, Bill Issel, and Page Putman, Christia Humburg, Mike Plonk, Arlene Vecellio, Deb Zaken, and Pastor Ken
The first recommendation is to: “Allow for at least 14 days of declining cases before gathering in groups or moving to the next phase of opening spaces.” See South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control SC DHEC for more info.
The links to review the guidelines shared with us from the SC Synod and CDC are: SC Synod Recommendations and CDC Guidelines for Faith Groups .
One of the possible alternatives before gathering in our building space is to offer an outdoor worship service. A planning team is being organized (see article below) to consider this as a safe alternative. Please feel free to contact Deb Zaken (540-532-5277 or damerch@msn.com) or other members of the Transitions Task Group i f you have questions or concerns. Let us work together “to make careful decisions “ that will keep our church family safe.

Organizing a Planning Team for Outdoor Worship
We need members to serve on our Outdoor Worship Team. Some of the details that we hope to delegate are: parking lot attendants; handing out bulletins and collecting offerings; managing a simple sound mixer board (setting up speakers on poles, running sound/electric wires, and testing sound); recording the service with a phonet and uploading it to our YouTube channel- working with Margaret Gillikin/James Brooks; set up/take down (table/altar with clothe; other); arrange signs to direct people; reminding people to keep social distance in parking and in setting up their chairs. These are some of the details that the planning team will need to oversee. You may know of others who can help or you may be interested in being responsible for one of these areas. PLEASE RESPOND TO CHURCH OFFICE OR PASTOR KEN TO LET US KNOW OF YOUR INTEREST AND WILLINGNESS TO SERVE. THANK YOU. We will be setting up up a Zoom planning meeting soon.
Appeal for Funds to Build Wheelchair Ramp
We are in the process of building a wheelchair ramp for one of our members, James Bennett. We recently were able to secure a wheelchair for him to be mobile around the house. With the ramp, he will be able to go outside his back porch.
WE ARE COLLECTING FUNDS TO HELP COVER THE COST. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE, MAKE YOUR CHECK OUT TO THE CHURCH AND DESIGNATE "Wheelchair Ramp." Thank you your help with this project!
Welcome to Epiphany's New Director of Music - Julia Bozarth has accepted the part-time position beginning June 1. She has been a Director of Music/Organist for more than 20 years. She has served in Lutheran, Episcopal, and Methodist churches in Texas, Indiana, and most recently in Gastonia, NC. She is married to her husband, Jeff, and has four grown children. We thank God for bringing her to Epiphany to help lead our music ministry!
ON-LINE WORSHIP SERVICES - This Sunday we join ELCA churches in hearing from our National Bishop - Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Eaton
WATCH ON YOUR LARGE TV SCREEN - If you have a Smart TV, a Fire Stick, or a Roku, you can open the YouTube app and search for Epiphany Church Rock Hill and find our channel (with the "Welcome All" logo) where the service is posted.
Click below for recorded Sunday Worship Service videos :
 Worship Videos on Epiphany's Facebook Page (Sunday 9am; and anytime after)
WORSHIP SERVICES ARE POSTED FOR 24 HOURS before they are edited and re-posted.
OPTIONS FOR OFFERINGS DURING STAY AT HOME RESTRICTIONS:
1) DIGITAL/ELECTRONIC GIVING - AN ELECTRONIC WITHDRAWAL FOR AN OFFERING CONTRIBUTION CAN BE MADE TO THE CHURCH (some are set on a monthly basis, others bi-weekly or weekly). It is a great way to ensure faithful giving!!! Click here to learn more about Digital Electronic Giving .
 2) MAIL OR DROP YOUR OFFERING BY THE CHURCH OFFICE- T he church office is open Tuesday-Thursday, 9am-2pm. If you do not feel comfortable going out of your house or risking exposure during the virus outbreak, a member has offered to meet you at a central place or possibly even stop by your home to pick up your offering at the door . Call the church office if this is something that you would prefer.
3) CONTRIBUTE VIA CELL PHONE / TEXT (803-618-4003) an amount with a "$"; you will receive a reply with directions). A QR code box can also be scanned by inputting credit card info on a secure site. Click here for details Cell Phone Giving
APRIL 2020 GIVING SUMMARY
Total Expenses 15,124 Total Offerings 12,054
Debt Funds Collected 3,279
Let us know if you have any questions.
YOUR GIFT SUPPORTS THE LORD'S WORK AT EPIPHANY and will enable our ministry to reach out to support many others who are struggling throughout this extraordinary time. THANK YOU! 
E C A T Ministry Available to Help You Stay Safe
  • Epiphany Crisis Assistance Ministry (ECAT) is the name of the ministry of support that offers assistance to errands such as shopping and going to the pharmacy. If you have a need for this help or know others who do, contact Christia Humburg (christia@fmhm.org or 803-370-1010) or the church office. Volunteers are also encouraged to call to offer their time and help.
OTHER WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:
  • Hallowed Hands Prayer Team and Prayer Requests - If you have a prayer request you can contact Julie Waldrop (360-903-0719) or call the church office.
  • Join the ON-LINE BIBLE STUDY with Pastor (see below for info). 
  • Daily Video Devotion from the SC Synod Office - Click this link for the SC Synod Facebook page that will provide a daily weekday video devotion each Tuesday at 10AM (available anytime afterwar)  https://www.facebook.com/scsynod
  • We will post a link to our Worship Service so that it is uploaded by Sunday 9:00am on Facebook, YouTube, and the Church Website. If you need tech assistance to figure out how to view these videos, you may contact James Brooks (803-325-4024) or Margaret Gillikin (803-673-3441).  A COPY OF SUNDAY'S BULLETIN WILL BE AVAILABLE to download and print from the church website, YouTube, and on the Facebook Page. 
  • Daily Devotion Emails - If you would like an inspirational daily devotion, I recommend Luther Seminary God Pause Lenten Devotion.                    
SC Synod Assembly
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Listen, God is Calling!
The SC Synod Assembly has been rescheduled from May 14-16 to July 25 at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Lexington, SC. Epiphany's Council will appoint one male and one female as voting members, along with Pastor Gillikin, to represent the congregation at the assembly. Others are welcome to attend as visitors. If you are interested in attending contact the church office or Pastor by June 1, so that registrations can be completed. Click here for more info:
Bible Study Roundtable Discussion with Pastor
We meet each Wednesdays at 4:30pm. We discuss the upcoming Sunday scriptures. An invitation is sent out by email on Tuesday mornings. Matthew 18:20 says, “And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.” It is an on-line way for people to interact with one another with a video picture of the face of each person and/or audio of their voice. You have to download the Zoom app for your cell phone/tab/computer. You will be able to hear all the participants and see those who are using video. A web camera is needed on your device. If you don't have a camera on your cell phone or computer, audio may be used.
"Hallowed Hands Ministry"

"Hallowed Hands" meetings are canceled until further notice. A reminder from Julie for all faithful prayer partners to refer to the the Proclaimer for updated prayer needs.
Please email Julie at w70julie@outlook.com with additions or deletions to this important ministry.
Shawn Price ( Phyllis Lewis)
Jacob Rast (father of Judy Krenzer)
Sandra & Freddie Stewart (Krenzers)
Joyce Gillette (health issues)
Cindy Mobley (J. Gillette)
Ella Kingston (13-month-old Cerebral Palsy/Deb Zaken)
Holly, Kristina & Annabeth Truitt (Sandra Hinson)
Shirley Robinson (Joy Robinson)
Ellen & Kenny Green
James Bennett
Charley Williams and husband (Pat Tucker)
Larry Sampson (Barbara Eggert)
Bill and Jenny Marsh
Marilyn Washington (Ann Kilburg)
Elizabeth Nilsson (sister of Ann Kilburg)
Janie Sigmon (cancer)
Nancy Namestha (illness and pain) /J. Gillette
Ginney Elmgreen (J.Gillette)
Nancy Smith (Christia Humburg's mother)
Emory McLaurin (cancer/D.Keener)
Epiphany Lutheran Church (praying for everyone during this Coronavirus crisis)
Pat and Desi Ware (Sharon Eichler)
Ella Mae Sampson (Marilyn Magers)
Lil Dowdy (sister of Myra Roulette) physical and spiritual healing
Evelyn Grado-Wolynies and her son Drew Wolynies (Marilyn Magers)
Steve Barthelmess (cancer)/Uncle of Joe Taylor)
Angel Creson (illness) J. Gillette
Brandi and Brian Bishop (Brian has cancer) R. Brooks
May Hiltebeitel (Buck's mom/in nursing home/not feeling well/covid 19 at facility)
Weltha and Charles Martin (Weltha fell and broke her wrist)
Page Putnam (injury to her leg)
Eva, Edward, and Eric (death of husband/father) friend of Dawn Coyne
Family of John Anjivino (died/friend of James Brooks)
                                          updated 6/3/2020         
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Epiphany Lutheran Church
2370 West Main Street
Rock Hill, SC 29732
OFFICE HOURS:
9am - 2pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

If you have a Proclaimer news item, please send it to the office by Tuesday evening of each week at admin@epiphany-rockhill.org or call Lisa at 803.324.8877. Thank you!