1
EPIPHANY STAR
JANUARY 2017
Epiphany Lutheran Church
16248 Carolyn St.
San Leandro, CA 94578
(510) 278-5133
2
A Message from Pastor Adisa
Dear sisters, brothers and friends in Christ, Happy New Year 2017!
We greet one another with that phrase every New Year. I began to wonder why and how this tradition started. The history behind this phrase began in 46 B.C.E. when the Roman emperor Julius Cesar first established January 1 as New Year’s Day. Janus was the Roman god of doors and gates, and had two faces, one looking forward and one back. Caesar felt that the month named after this god (January) would be the appropriate "door” to the year. That year was a violent one in Galilee. Caesar celebrated that first January 1 New Year by ordering the violent routing of revolutionary Jewish forces in the Galilee. Eyewitnesses say blood flowed in the streets. There is much more to this story, and if you desire to delve into the story, there is plenty of information online.
I enjoy singing, and one of my many favorite songs is the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” I hum along when it plays on the radio, and when I wish to sing it by myself, I am challenged to recall all the verses.
This song brings to mind the tradition throughout the history of the church to celebrate the twelve days of Christmas, beginning with Christmas Day on December 25
th and ending on the day of Epiphany, which is traditionally celebrated on January 6
th.
On that day, the Christmas season flows into the season of Epiphany and the church focuses on making known to the whole world the newborn Christ as “God in the flesh.”
As we continue our readings in the gospel of Matthew, we read about the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, the miracle of changing water into wine at the wedding of Cana and the Transfiguration of our Lord. A theme of “making Christ known to all nations” is found in the account of the Magi and continues through the Transfiguration of our Lord.
At Epiphany Lutheran Church, the theme of making Christ known comes to us as members of the church. We are invited not only to realize the truth that Jesus dies and rose for the whole world, BUT, to act on it by witnessing to all people including those across the street, in our family, in the same aisle in the grocery store, and in the office next door, We can take the theme of making Christ known by focusing on Jesus’ way of witnessing.
You see, Jesus did things simply, and we can take some lessons from him. *He used active listening and used the questions of the other person as a way of
understanding that person and probed that person’s heart; * He had a concern for the whole person – body and soul. He forgave the sick
and healed the sinners; *He was always “on location.” He went to where the people were- the bank, the
park and the local neighborhood. He did not wait for them to come to church. * Jesus used everyday objects and language that was easy to understand; *Jesus was passionate and decisive.
3
Cont. from page 2.
We can use some of the above traditions as a way in which we can apply the
theme of Epiphany to our lives here at Epiphany Lutheran Church. I pray each of you will have a blessed Epiphany season. Thinking ‘out of the box’,
we could celebrate with “Epiphany parties,” or, enjoy using chalk to do the “Magi-chalk blessing” on the sidewalk after worship, and invite persons who walk by the church to participate in that event with us. Throughout this mini celebration, it is my prayer that we also “become all things to all people” (1 Corinthians 9:22) as we make Jesus known to our church and family members, our friends, neighbors, and our co-workers.
May we join the shepherds on that first Christmas to glorify and praise God for all the things we have heard and seen (Luke 2:20).
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Adisa
4
Christ Mass Eve Worship Service Dec. 24, 2016 Christ Mass Eve Worship
Service was a beautiful and meaningful experience. The
music and atmosphere touched the very soul. Candles were lit, wreaths were hung, and Christ’s
light and love shimmered through the Word delivered by
Pastor Adisa, Grace, and Karen. There was an abundance of
people worshipping at Epiphany on Christ Mass Eve and after service many stayed
for fellowship and to enjoy Ambrocio Espinoza’s delicious
and famous pozole. The celebration of Christ’s birth was
a deeply spiritual and joyful one!
5
“Let the Garden Live On”
Epiphany Lutheran Church started our community garden last spring by planting seeds in
starter boxes. We were able to grow cucumbers and spinach, chard and cherry tomatoes. We
also started plants of mint, thyme, and basil. The harvested crops were used in preparing foods
for our youth group’s Wednesday evening meals.
Future plans will include creating more planter boxes and having more youth assist in
planting and upkeep of the garden. We sincerely hope that we will be able to expand this spring
by planting more varieties of greens including: kale, chards, eggplant, and squash. We also hope
to plant herbs to be used in our cooking classes.
Please keep the community garden thriving by contributing seeds and suggestions to
committee members Kelly Greene and Cheryl Bauch.
Cheryl Bauch, ELC Member
Creativity in Our Community
“Do you Still
Believe in Sunsets?”
A Poem By John C.
Your sun has risen deep
Inside of me…
Strangely, it seems I fear
this new found light;
I never had to seek
totality…I was promised
morning, and lost in night.
Half my day is missing:
now night is gone.
Your Star within me always burns...Unseen,
With a new distance, can you know I long to know the love that you have always been?
I stand with cautious grace. The Lord has felt this newborn sun reach past the evening stars;
Deep within I feel my resistance melt,
While other eyes see just a humble bard.
I have been told that true sons never set;
This leaves us time for all forgotten debts.
Davis, Ca. 12/1973
6
EPIPHANY STAR A Message From The President
Dear members and friends of Epiphany,
I'm sitting here in the frozen vastness of Minnesota thinking of Epiphany and our future. We believe we are among God’s chosen people – called to make disciples and do God’s work. Through this calling we find lives of meaning and purpose. As part of the body of Christ, we discover there are many ways we do this work. We understand ourselves to have first received from God, and then respond to God. The practice of responding freely is based on recognizing God’s grace and our freedom to participate in God’s generosity to others. We share a living daring confidence in God’s grace. We believe our faith comes through the good news of Jesus Christ and gives us the freedom and the courage to wonder, discover and boldly participate in what God is up to in the world. We embrace the development of people who are faithful, wise and courageous. Understanding the perspectives of abundance, grace, gratitude and generosity, we express our support for God’s work through the sharing of the time, talents and resources entrusted to us. The current issue for Epiphany is how do we respond to this calling when we often find ourselves stretched beyond the breaking point because so few respond to God's call. The annual meeting is next month and we are asking all the members who care about Epiphany's future to come to that meeting. We need to tackle this issue together in God's Grace and Love. Help decide Epiphany’s response to God's call. It is God's work we are about, but it’s our hands that need to do the work. Peace, Cathy Sproull, Council President
IN THIS ISSUE:
Resource of the
month: Lenten
Devotional and
Study
Lent 2017
Partnership of
the month
#Advent
Adventure
Monthly
network
webinar
By the numbers:
The Campaign
for the ELCA
FROM DAN’S DESK: CHRISTMAS COMES
This year, a great poet departed this earth, Ann Weems. She was a
woman who brought meaning to the phrase to “speak truth in love.”
“Kneeling in Bethlehem” is one of my favorite books of her
verses. Here is an excerpt from her poem “Christmas Comes”:
Christmas comes every time we see God in other persons.
… determinedly, inevitably. ...
Even now it comes in the face of hatred and warring –
no atrocity too terrible to stop it,
no Herod strong enough,
no hurt deep enough,
no curse shocking enough,
no disaster shattering enough.
From May 1521 to March 1522, Martin Luther lived at Wartburg Castle, in exile hiding under an
assumed name in the early days of the Reformation. In addition to beginning his translation of
the New Testament, Luther wrote a set of sermon reflections for preaching, a Church Postil.
In it Luther wrote the following reflection on the shepherd’s vision of the infant Christ:
“His poverty teaches how we should find him in our neighbors, the lowliest and the most
needy; and his swaddling clothes are the holy Scriptures; that in actual life we should incline
to the needy; and in our studies and contemplative life only to the Scriptures; in order that
Christ alone may become the man of both lives and that he may everywhere stand before
us,” (Advent Postil, 1522).
This has been a difficult year. During this season when we remember the holy family’s journey
to be registered in the census, we also remember there are more people on the move today
than at any time since after World War II. The presence of war, drought and famine
only complicate and exacerbate the circumstances. And yet, together in the ELCA, there has
been a spirit of joyous determination that even so, God is present and we humble shepherds
seek to see where the Word still comes to earth. Merry Christmas and prayers for a
peace-filled and joyous new year.
On behalf of your staff team at ELCA World Hunger,
DECEMBER 2016
Daniel Rift
Director, ELCA World Hunger
8
ELCA Malaria Campaign We did it! The ELCA Malaria Campaign reached its financial goal of raising $15 million. Thank you!
Working with our Lutheran companions and partners, malaria programming has taken place throughout
13 countries in Africa. By working together, we have brought about lasting change.
Although the fundraising campaign has concluded, our commitment to ending deaths from this
preventable, treatable disease has not. Support to our companions and partners to address malaria will
come through gifts to ELCA World Hunger, which has a long history of supporting health-related work.
Ways to Give The ELCA Malaria Campaign reached its financial
goal of raising $15 million. Thank you! As of Jan.
31, 2016, the fundraising campaign has officially
concluded. Although the fundraising campaign has
come to an end, our commitment to ending deaths
from this preventable, treatable disease has not.
Support to our companions and partners to address
malaria will continue through gifts to ELCA World
Hunger, which has a long history of supporting
health-related work.
Make an online donation
Online giving is simple and secure.
Mail your donation Make checks payable to the ELCA World
Hunger and write "health" in your check’s memo
line.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
ELCA Gift Processing Center
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
Give by phone
Call 800-638-3522
9
Up coming events:
Wednesday Night Church School will reconvene in January.
Youth Group:
Meets on the second and forth Sunday of the month. We leave at about
11:45 am and travel to St. James Lutheran on the 2nd Sunday and Messiah
Lutheran on the 4th Sunday. We are back at the church at about 3 pm. Lots
of fun and games, food, and God talk.
In the month of December, the youth were involved in community outreach.
They created and distributed care packages to the Bay Area homeless.
Western States Youth Gathering
June 28 - July 2, 2017
California Lutheran University is again hosting the Western States Youth Gathering.
Registration is open!
Information about the event itself can be found at:
www.WSYG.com and you can follow and add to our hashtag: #wsyg17.
WYLE: One Day Pre-Event Multicultural Youth Leadership Event
June 27 - 28, 2017
The theme for the Western State Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (WYLE) is also "Dream
Big!"
Cost: $100
Speakers: Rev. Yeheil Curry, Rev. Leila Ortiz
Workshops: Social Justice Issues (Police Brutality, Dream Act, Lack of Resources), Racism,
Breaking out of your Box, The Gospel According to Hip Hop
Register at WSYG site and click the WYLE as an Add-on!
10
January Birthdays 04 Elise Crocenzi
07 Sharon Ross
17 Stacy Meheen
27 Bev Santel
30 Peggy Garliepp
January Anniversaries
02 Susan McDonough
and Neil Carvajal (1999)
16 Shirley and Tom Doolittle (1948)
11
Church Calendar -- January 2017
Weekly Events
Worship Service Sundays at 10 am (sharp)
Fellowship Hour Sundays at 11 am (after service)
Quilting Group Wednesdays at 10 am
Wednesday Night Church School at 5:30 pm
Monthly Events
Birthday Celebration at Fellowship Sunday, Jan. 8th at 11 am
Council Meeting (open) Sunday, Jan. 15th after Fellowship
Special Events for January
Annual Congregational Meeting, Jan. 22, 2016
(Following Worship, Lunch Provided by Council)
**Any new topic for discussion and all reports must be submitted to the council
president, Cathy Sproull, and/or the parish administrator, Samantha Bucher, no later
than January 10, 2017.
NOTE: Articles to be inputted into the monthly Newsletter need to be received by the
Parish Office no later than the 3rd Tuesday of the month prior.
12
Epiphany Lutheran Church
16248 Carolyn Street
San Leandro, CA 94578
(510) 278-5133
EMAIL: [email protected]
Real People. Real Life. Real Faith.
Mailing Label
Stamp
Office Hours:
Mon-Wed. 10am-3pm
Thurs. 9am-2pm
Pastor Adisa’s Hours:
Tues.-Wed. 10am-3:30pm
And by Appointment
If you would like to receive our newsletter via email
instead of print, please let us know via phone or email.
Cathy Sproull, Pr. Adisa, Cheryl Bauch, Samantha Bucher (510) 278-5133
NEWSLETTER STAFF