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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.

November 27, 2019

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The Word of God from the Scriptures for the The First Sunday in Advent December 1, 2019

Click on the links below to read this Sunday's scriptures:

First Reading - Isaiah 2:1-5

Second Reading - Romans 13:11-14

Gospel - Matthew 24:36-44

Be blessed and renewed!

Sunday Worship at Epiphany First Sunday: Sunday School 9-9:45am / Worship 10:00am Remaining Sundays: Worship 8:00am & 10:30am / Sunday School 9:15am

A Weekly Conversation with the Pastor

The gifts of God for the people of God.  Thanks be to God! These words should sound familiar. They are the words of our communion invitation in worship. They have also been our stewardship theme for Commitment Sunday. As our families gather to recognize the Thanksgiving holiday, these words are a great reminder to us of how God has blessed us with an abundance of gifts. In holy communion, the pastor lifts up the elements of bread and wine that are the gifts of Jesus presence with us. We are also blessed with the love and friendship of people whom God has placed in our lives. There is so much for which we can be thankful. On this Thanksgiving holiday, may we express our gratitude to God for the life and blessings we are given.  This Sunday we begin the season of Advent. On this First Sunday of Advent we hear the call of scripture to “keep awake” and “be ready,” for we know not the day and hour of the Son of Man’s coming. How do we do this? We put on the armor of light and clothe ourselves with our faith in Jesus Christ.  Advent daily devotionals are available in the Gathering Area and at the round table in the back of our worship space for you to use through the four weeks of Advent. We will also gather on Wednesday evenings beginning Dec. 4 for a meal at 6:00pm and a prayer service at 6:45pm. We will use the Holden Evening Prayer Service with a brief meditation. The service lasts approximately 25 minutes. I hope that you are able gather with us for this time of fellowship and Advent prayer and reflection. And finally, this Sunday we will gather for ONE WORSHIP SERVICE at 10:00am. We will not have our usual first Sunday of the month covered-dish, but instead we will hold a reception in the Gathering Area after worship to welcome new members, Jerry and Sharon Eichler, to our church family,  See you in church! Pastor Ken

Worship Schedule December 1 9:00am Sunday School 10:00am Worship 11:15am New Member Reception December 8 8:00am and 10:30am Worship 9:15am Sunday School December 15 8:00am and 10:30am Worship 9:15am Sunday School

December Worship Servers

Pre-service preparations: Marilyn Magers, Bill Issel Transportation Team: Volunteers Offering Tellers: Robert Richardson (1,8,15)

8:00am Lay Reader: Angela Sugameli Ushers: Judy & Rick Krenzer Acolyte: Volunteer Communion Asst: Trinity Meyer (4th Sunday)

10:00am/10:30am Lay Reader: Volunteer Ushers: Volunteers Acolyte: Volunteer Communion Asst: Lillian Brooks (2nd Sunday) Altar Guild: Volunteer Coffee Clean-up: Angie Gregory (1,8,15)

Worship Servers needed! Sign up in the Welcome Center or contact Joy Robinson at jorobgunn@comporium.net or 803.366.7660.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR ALTAR GUILD Anyone interested in helping with this service to the Lord, may call Regina Cerny at 803-327-5889 or Joy Robinson at 803-366-7660.

Epiphany's Music Ministry Join us each Wednesday at 6:00pm for Hand Chimes Practice and Parish Choir Practice at 7:00pm. We are rehearsing Advent and Christmas music.

Sunday School Christmas Program Rehearsals for the Children/Youth Sunday School Christmas Program will be held in the Sanctuary during the Sunday School hour. Rehearsal dates are: December 1 and 8. The program will be on Sunday, December 15 at 9:15am during the Sunday School hour . Early and late service attendees are encouraged to join us for this special gift from our Epiphany children.

Chrismon Tree hanging of ornaments THIS Saturday, November 30 at 9:00am in the Sanctuary. Come and help with this joyful event!

FOLLOW UP TO COMMITMENT SUNDAY (November 3) - If you were not here on Sunday, November 3, you are invited to place a completed pledge card in a sealed envelope and tack it to the large cross on the front of the sanctuary. In addition, you are asked to complete a God-given Abilities Put into Service (GAPS) form and place it in the basket at the base of the cross. Pledge cards, envelopes, and GAPS forms are available in the Gathering Area.

The Remembrance Tee will be up through Thanksgiving. Please pickup your photos and/or leaves on Sunday, December 1. You are also welcome to add names of people for whom you are grateful until that time.

Reception of New Members is planned for Sunday, December 1 following the 10:00am worship service. Please contact Pastor Ken if you are interested in being received into membership to Epiphany's church family.

Advent begins Sunday, December 1 We will gather each Wednesday night (Dec. 4, 11 & 18) for a 6:00pm meal and 6:45pm Prayer Service. We will be using the Holden Evening Prayer Service with brief meditation/mediation. Advent Devotionals are available in the Gathering Area.

Mark your calendars for our NEXT Chocolate Festival Meeting - Tuesday, December 3 at 6:30pm.

Place a poinsettia in the sanctuary for Christmas in honor or memory of a loved one. Order forms will be in the bulletin. Deadline to purchase a poinsettia is December 15.

ADVENT PRAYER VIGIL Bring Us Focus, O God Friday, December 13 10AM to 12 Midnight A 12-hour prayer vigil will be held at the church. Please sign up on the sheet in the Gathering Area. You may sign up for as many time periods as you wish. There are spaces for more than one person/family to pray during a given period.

This year Epiphany partnered with SC Military Guard, Veterans Affairs and the Rock Hill School District to provide Thanksgiving meals. This tradition has continued since 1995. A huge THANK YOU to our Epiphany family for providing over 30 meals to local families in our community.

* SAVE THE DATE * Epiphany Women's Annual Cookie & Ornament Exchange Sunday, December 8 from 3:00-5:00pm at the home of Katherine Glibbery Questions? call Katherine at 330.429.7452

COMMUNITY EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

HOP (Hunger Outreach Program) Christmas gift collection. Items may be placed in the collection box in the Gathering Area. Any questions, please contact Angela Sugameli at 803.389.8174.

"Hallowed Hands Ministry" I would like to extend an invitation to Epiphany members to join our prayer group. We meet every second Tuesday of the month at 11:00am for updates and support. We need more committed prayer partners. Updates are included every week in the Proclaimer and take-home sheets are available in the Gathering Area. Please join us, Julie Waldrop Please email Julie at w70julie@outlook.com with additions or deletions to this important ministry.

The family of Jayne Scarborough Pam Johnson Bill & Jenny Marsh Eileen McCormick (Joyce Gillette) The Franks Family (Joyce Gillette) Larry Wagner (Joyce Gillette) Jeremiah Johnson (Grandson of Lillian Johnson) Brad Stahl (Julie Waldrop) Norm Greiner   Shawn Price (Phyllis Lewis’ niece) Ann Holmes Sara, Ava & Joey Coiro (The Krenzer Family) Sandra & Freddie Stewart (Friends of the Krenzer Family) Family of Angel Creson Ella Kingston (13 mos. old with cerebral palsy) Shirley Robinson (Mother of Joy Robinson) Sandra Hinson Tom & Sharon Gillette (Joyce Gillette) Rick Lundeen (Nephew of Jean Wood) Lois Cooley Joyce Gillette Family of J.G. Smith (Family Member of Christia Humburg) Carol Borkowski (Sister of Shirley Meyer) Lillian Johnson Ellen Green Charley Williams (Doing better per Pat Tucker)  Jayne Scarborough Kenny Green (Husband of Ellen Green) James Bennett Holly, Kristina & Annabeth Truitt (Sandra Hinson's Family) Jacob Rast (Father of Judy Krenzer)  Larry Sampson (Family of Barbara Eggert)   (Updated 11/26/19)

Dear Epiphany Family, It has been a blessing and honor to get to know many of you. I’m grateful to this church for giving me an opportunity to serve as your office administrator. Working with Pastor Ken, LaVerne and the many volunteers has been a pleasure. After a period of consideration and prayer, I have decided to pursue a full-time position to further support my family. I will be leaving Epiphany at the end of November. I will always look back at my time at Epiphany fondly. It has been a rewarding experience to serve and work with you. I wish all the members at Epiphany the very best. In Christ, Michelle

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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!