The Proclaimer

Our weekly newsletter to help to keep you informed.

Epiphany Lutheran Church

2370 West Main Street

Rock Hill, SC 29732

803.324.8877

epiphany@epiphany-rockhill.org

February 7, 2024

This Sunday's Scripture Readings

Transfiguration of Our Lord

February 11, 2024

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

GOD'S PRESENCE SHINES FORTH

The mighty one, God the Lord, has spoken; calling the earth

from the rising of the sun to its setting. Psalm 50 verse 1

This is a festival psalm that was used with one of the three festivals that were commanded of the people to observe each year. Heads of families would make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to bring their offerings to the Temple. The second verse describes how God’s presence is acknowledged as the people gather, “Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty, God shines forth in glory.” God’s presence is described as a light shining forth with God’s glory. We recognize and celebrate the presence of God in our midst when we gather in worship and believe that God promises to be with us as a light “shines forth in glory.”  

THIS IS THE BIG WEEK OF THE ANNUAL CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL at Epiphany. This Saturday, hundreds and dare I say thousands, will come through our doors at the church to experience the celebration of chocolate. And within this celebration is the message of the mission of our church: to Welcome ALL, Accept ALL, and Love ALL. We invite people to experience God's grace, the freedom of the gospel, and what it means to live our lives in service. This is WHY we have the Chocolate Festival. It was started as a way “to reach out to the community in a new and fun way to tell people about our church.” 

(click HERE to read what our website says about The History and Purpose of the Chocolate Festival).

Next Wednesday, Feb. 14, is the beginning of Lent, and we will have our Ash Wednesday worship services at 12pm (spoken) and 7pm (traditional). On subsequent Wednesdays, Feb. 21, 28, March 6, 13, and 20, we will have a 6:00pm Soup Meal and 6:45pm Prayer Service.

This Sunday we will have two worship services at 8:00am and 10:30am. The NOISY OFFERING will be collected at the 10:30am service during the Children's Message.

See you at the Chocolate Festival and at church or on-line Sunday!

Pastor Ken

Pictures from Feb. 4 Baptism: Dylan Del Greco's family gathered for his baptism; his baptismal sponsors, Justin and Abbey Eichler; Dylan pouring water in the font and posing with Pastor Ken at the baptismal font.

THREE DAYS UNTIL THE CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL!!!

THERE IS LOTS OF EXCITEMENT BUILDING TOWARDS THIS YEAR'S CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10!!!

EVERYONE'S HELP IS NEEDED. COME JOIN IN THE FUN!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SPONSOR GIFT BASKETS

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES FROM PREVIOUS FESTIVALS:

Chocolate friends forever

Rallying 'round the fountain!

Slicing onions for chocolate chili

A special cookie cake

Marshmallows and fruit skewers for the chocolate fountain

The whole family is helping out!

Chocolate Festival

Saturday, February 10

11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Calling all bakers!! 

We need your help in preparing anything you wish that contains chocolate for our fabulous Bake Sale at the Chocolate Festival. 

Items need to be brought to the church by Thursday, February 8 at 7:00 pm (anytime 9am-7pm). If you would like to bring your items earlier, there will be room in the church refrigerator and freezer. Please include the name of your item and indicate if there are nuts in the recipe (for allergy reasons). There is no need to slice your baked goods. We will take care of packaging, labeling, and pricing. Place your name on your containers so that we can be sure they are returned to their owners.

If you have any questions, please see Shirley Meyer or text (803) 487-7344. Thank you in advance!!! Thanks, Shirley Meyer

CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL PLANNING MEETINGS

FEB. 8 (TOMORROW) 6:30pm is the fill planning meeting. FEB. 8 AND 9 are set up days.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS. PLEASE ARRIVE AT THE CHURCH BETWEEN 8-9 AM ON SATURDAY MORNING!!!!!!!

The OLDER THAN DIRT group will NOT meet this week due to the Chocolate Festival. Members are invited to come help set for the Festival.

Monies will be collected (coins and dollars) by our children during the Children's Message Time.

Funds collected will be given to ELCA World Hunger.

Last month on January 14 we collected $118!

(Jan.-Dec. 2023 $719.31 was collected!!!)

Thanks be to God!

BIBLE STUDY NOT MEETING FEB. 14 - WILL CONTINUE FEB. 21 - A five week Bible Study is meeting on Wednesdays 10am-11am, but will not meet on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, and continue on Wednesday, Feb. 21. The session is being led by Delbert Eggert, utilizing a couple resources, Breaking the Code, by Bruce Metzger, and a study by Lutheran Pastor, David Armstrong.

Worship Videos on Epiphany's Facebook Page - Sunday 10:30am and anytime afterwards

Worship Videos on Epiphany's Website (uploaded livestream; available by 12:00pm)

Epiphany Lutheran Church Rock Hill YouTube channel - Sunday 10:30am and afterwards

IN MEMORY OF FRAN RANEY - We give thanks for the life of Fran Haney, who died January 13, at the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice Home in Rock Hill. Fran became a member of Epiphany in 1998, when she transferred her membership from Fort Lauderdale, FL. She was born and baptized in Mooresville, NC. She is survived by a son and daughter. She lived with her son, Rob, at 4691 Summerlin Place (off of Tirzah Road), Rock Hill. She was active for a number of years helping with meals on Wednesday PM and with the Hunger Outreach Program.

Shawn Price (fighting cancer) /Phyllis Lewis

Drew Wolynies (ongoing health issues / Marilyn Magers)

Amelia List (ongoing health issues) / Pastor Ken

Pamela and Bobby Hall (continuing spiritual support) /M. Magers

Weltha Martin (Hospice care ) /Pastor Ken

James Bennett (Parkinson's disease) Pastor Ken

Anne Blackwell (prayers for ongoing issues) /Leslie Cooper

Ella Campbell ongoing health issues/friend of Marilyn Magers

Jimmie Stewart (cancer) /J. Krenzer

Carl and Jean Blaylock /friends of J. Krenzer

Joseph Border (Lynn Arnson's dad) /J. Krenzer

Ken Douthitt (ongoing health issues/healing) /M. Magers

Rebeka Carlin and her husband Joshua) /niece of Karen Whitley

Jeffery Sligh (cancer treatment/ friend of the Magers) /M. Magers

Shirley Robinson (mother of Joy Robinson/ cancer screening) / M. Magers

Martha Zook (ongoing health issues) /J. Marriott

Kathy Glancy (Ray Kilburg's daughter) /A. Kilburg

Irene Lewis (in hospital ) /P. Lewis

Margaret Matteson (cancer diagnosis/ daughter of Ellen Morrison) P. Ken

Libby Welter (complications from diabetes/ mother of Robin Brooks) P. Ken

Joy and Shirley Robinson (storm damage to house/displaced) /P. Ken

Keyara Bellamy (recovering leg injuries / granddaughter of Anne Kilburg) P. Ken

Mona Belk (Karen Hall's cousin)

Pauline Zazula (Julie List's mother/under Hospice care) /Pastor Ken

Julie List ( recovering from surgery) /Pastor Ken

Sherry and daughter Kaitlyn (car accident/surgery/ cousins of James Brooks)

Family of Fran Raney (death of Fran 1/13/2024) Pastor Ken

Updated 2/7/2024

Important Reminder: Please call the church office to update your prayer request. If you don't update your prayer request after two months, they probably will be removed. You can always add them back. (J. Waldrop)