Epiphany of Christ Lutheran

Apache Junction, Arizona

The Holiday Sale will be one day only

on November 21.

Please sign up to help with the sale or to bring baked goods! The ushers have the sign-up sheets!

Thanks to everyone who has been bringing items for the Holiday Sale! There is still time to clean out those closets!

No clothes or shoes - those can be brought to the church labeled for either

Genesis Project or NAUM.

Bring them ANYTIME between now and November 15.

You may leave them in the Narthex or check with Don Gimpel to bring larger items that will go directly to the shed.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE label the items or bags "HOLIDAY SALE."

We don't know what to do with random items left in the Narthex with no indication of why they were left: for the church, for the sale, for another member of the congregation? Thanks.

Questions: ask Nancy or Bob Mohawk

Join us for Sunday Worship at 9:30 AM AZ Time

In person or via online streaming

on You Tube and Facebook.

If you watch on Facebook, please leave a comment so we know you are there! Thanks!

Worship Bulletin Link

Have you looked at our website lately? epiphanyofchristlutheran.org

A link for the weekly newsletter is now on the Home page of this website.

News from the Grand Canyon Synod Link

Happening in November

November 9 – Council Meeting 1 PM

November 10 – Bible Study 10 AM

November 12 – TBD 1 PM

November 17 – Bible Study 10 AM

November 18 – Book Club 11 AM

November 24 – Bible Study 10 AM

November 26 – THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

(Genesis will serve lunch)

November 29 – First Sunday of Advent

You are always welcome to come to any event!

And, bring a friend!

Wonderful Fellowship Opportunity:

There is a group of people who gather at EOC most weekdays at 11:30 AM for FREE lunch

from the Genesis Project. They meet in the fellowship space in the sanctuary.

If you would like to join them, tell Don Gimpel and he will make sure a meal is ready for you...

and your friends, too!

Our Electronic Sign

Brilliant Sign company was here this week and finished connecting the sign to the computer in the church office. We will be able to update the sign easily now - just in time for the holidays!

God's Work. Our Hands. November

Project HELP

Project HELP is a community-based program committed to providing

short-term assistance to families and students enrolled in the Apache Junction Unified School District.

Project HELP is 100% supported by donations: financial, food, new and gently used clothing, and household goods.

Please label any items brought to the church "For Project HELP."

You may also make a donation to Epiphany of Christ via Zelle or check.

Be sure to note "For Project HELP"

and we will deliver a check to them

at the end of the month.

Thank you for your Generosity!

In honor of Thanksgiving:

The flyer above shows what our donations might buy. We will send one check, asking them to use it for whatever they need most to help people.

Congregation Vitality Survey

will happen in January, 2027

We will hand out the survey instructions on

January 10.

You will have 2 weeks to complete the survey.

Everyone who attends EOC will be asked to complete a form either online or on paper.

There are 40 questions.

There is no "right" answer. You will select the multiple choice answer to each question that you believe best describes EOC now.

Definition of a Plan: A plan is an organized proposal or strategy designed to achieve a specific goal. It typically involves a series of steps or decisions made in advance to guide actions toward accomplishing an objective.

Definition of Disciple: A Christian disciple is a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. This term refers to someone who learns from Jesus, imitates His character, and actively participates in His mission. Discipleship involves a commitment to grow spiritually, obey God's teachings, and share the faith with others.

One of the important survey questions is:

Is our congregation Enthusiastic?

Which answer do you think best describes EOC?

The general consensus in our congregation is that we are burned-out and have little energy left.
We have a core of deeply invested members but are struggling to raise up new volunteers/leaders.
We have many people eager to serve the continuously expanding ministry of our congregation.

Which number will you choose on the survey?

On Sunday, January 31, Pr David Pavesic, DEM of the Grand Canyon Synod will join us for worship and will meet with us after the service to go over the results of the survey. At that time, he may have more questions for you.

For those who have not yet returned as winter visitors by January, you will be able to answer the survey questions online.

EOC is a vital congregation, and we want to thrive and grow in the future.

Join us for Bible Study!

Tuesdays at 10 AM

in Friendship Hall.

The quote above is Martin Luther describing his opinion of the Book of Romans

in the New Testament.

We read and discussed Romans Chapters 12-13 last Tuesday.

We are having some great discussions about living into our faith.

In Chapter 12, Paul described what our new life in Christ should look like, and defined the marks of the True Christian: Let love be genuine - hate what is evil. Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, persevere in prayer. Bless those who persecute you. Live in harmony with one another. Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

Chapter 13 gave rise to good conversation because Paul says governing officials receive their authority from God. We weren't sure this is always true, especially when government officials do not make the benefit of their constituents their primary goal.

Paul ends chapter 13 by encouraging us to Love one Another and reminds us we know the end is near... yet do not know when it will come.

Come! Study with us!

Stay for lunch, compliments of

The Genesis Project at 11:30 am.

Thanks to Bob and Greg for removing the bulletin boards in the Narthex. It already looks so much better!

10 paint chips have been taped to the wall. They are numbered. If you have a preference, tell Pr Patsy or Tracie which you like best.

They look lighter on the wall. And we will need to look at them at different times of day - morning when the light is less and afternoon when the light is more.

Moving the furniture around to see what might be best in the future. Please feel free to offer suggestions.

The Guest Book has been moved so it is easier for people to see when they enter the Narthex for the first time. Again, this is just one possibility.

10 people came to our first Pub Theology gathering on Nov 4!

We went around the table answering the question, "what brought you to a Lutheran church?"

We had a wide variety of answers, and learned that a couple of people are "cradle Lutherans!"

Let's plan to do it again!

December 2

at 3 pm at Maggie's.

100 N Plaza Drive, AJ

Why Pub Theology?

It's a good way to engage with the community. Wearing our GWOH t-shirts is a nice way to invite questions about our church.

Pub Theology is a modern-day expression of Martin Luther's famous "Table Talks." Luther valued these informal gatherings as a means to share his thoughts and engage in lively discussions with a wide variety of people.

Table Talk

Informal Setting: Luther often held discussions during meals, allowing for a relaxed atmosphere where ideas could flow freely.
Diverse Topics: The conversations covered theology, ethics, and personal anecdotes, providing a holistic view of his beliefs and character.

Please plan to buy a cup of coffee or a drink as "thank you" for Maggie's welcoming us into their space.

A few people stayed to have dinner there, too.

GROUND RULES FOR PUB THEOLOGY

DISCUSSION USUALLY CENTERS ON HOW WE ARE CHRIST TO THE WORLD. ALL TOPICS ARE OPEN, WHILE SHOWING RESPECT FOR ALL PEOPLE.

1. Listen first.

2. Respect each person.

3. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

4. Pub Theology doesn't advocate any single

perspective.

You may invite friends to come, too!

I hope you will try it! It is a favorite fellowship activity in many churches

Remembering Gregg Fino

Gregg was our congregation treasurer before he became ill.

Gregory Edmond Fino, 67, passed away after a heroic battle against cancer on October 30, 2026,

in Gilbert, AZ.

Born on March 29, 1959 in York, PA, he was the middle son of Carl and Jayne Fino. Gregg grew up in Old Bridge, NJ and Williamsport, PA, where he graduated from Loyalsock Township High School and the Williamsport Area Community College (now Penn College).

He spent a number of years working as a sales rep for Myers Tire Supply in Southern California before transitioning to a rewarding career as a Medicare Advisor.

Gregg was a talented drummer who performed regularly, and notably as part of a Kiss tribute band, during his teens and early 20s.

He also loved animals, and throughout his life gave forever homes to many lucky dogs and cats.

He was a passionate amateur meteorologist, and was considered by friends and family to be one of the most lovable goofballs on the planet.

Gregg was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Nanette, a native of Santa Ana, CA, brothers Mark and Jeff (and wife Diane), and several adoring nieces and nephews.

Pastor Patsy has a 1/2 time call -

approximately 20 hours per week.

Office hours are on Tuesdays: 11 am until approx 1 pm.

Other times available by appointment.

Contact information for Pastor Patsy is on the last page of every Sunday bulletin.

PLEASE put my phone and email in your phone!

Please add your name to all texts and emails!

While my time is limited, I will visit those who are in the hospital for life-threatening emergencies,

or those receiving end-of-life care.

As a precaution, you may find the entrance doors to the Narthex locked after 9:30 am each Sunday.

Our ushers watch the doors and, if you arrive late, they will quickly come to let you in.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Please pray for the safety of everyone in worship.

Prayer Requests

Praying for those in need is important. However, the pastor is not the only person who can pray for others. We are all called to love and pray.

We always pray for those in need, especially people struggling with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

We pray for those who are poor or houseless, those who are homebound or in care facilities, those who are caregivers, those who are hungry, those imprisoned or disappeared, and for our government leaders to do as Jesus did: love everyone.

We pray for our sister churches in the ELCA, and especially the Grand Canyon Synod, as many are discerning their future as attendance and financial support dwindles.

We pray that all eligible voters

are able to safely exercise their right to vote.

We pray for those who are ill or having surgery.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

Please add your name-specific prayer requests to the Private EOC group on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1020597067046157

If you are already following the EOC Facebook page, you should have received an invitation to join the private EOC group. If you didn't, please email Pr Patsy.

If you have prayer requests for the prayer chain, please contact Nancy Mohawk. She will be happy to post them in our private FB prayer group if you or someone you know is unable to do it by themselves.

During the prayers in worship from now on, rather than reading names, you will be given time to lift up to God the names of people you know and love who need prayers.

This gives you a unique opportunity to pray for the people you love most.

You can now give online to Epiphany of Christ with Zelle! Most major banks offer this option.

This is how the church is listed in Zelle:

Epiphany of Christ Lutheran 602-623-8929.

Instructions: Log on to your bank app. Find Zelle on the app.

Go to "Recipients" and click "Add."

Type "Epiphany of Christ Lutheran" and click the box for "Business."

Click "Continue" and follow instructions.

Once you have added Epiphany of Christ as a Recipient, go back to Zelle and Epiphany of Christ will be listed as one of your recipients.

Send a small gift first as a test. In the Comment section, you may designate "General Fund," a special fund (like Genesis, Food Bank, Lutheran Disaster Response, etc), or a memorial.

If not designated, your gift will be added to the general fund.

You should get an email confirming you added a recipient and sent a gift with Zelle.

Thank YOU for your continued support.

e-News on October 29:

92% of the email newsletters were opened.

The link to the newsletter is posted each week on our Facebook page. And it is on the home page of our website. So, if you prefer not to receive the emails, you may still keep up with what's happening at Epiphany of Christ by going to one of those pages.

91 Sent

82 Opened

9 Unopened

If you have NEWS you would like shared in this weekly

e-newsletter, please send the info to the church office

or to Pastor Patsy.

If you know someone who is a member or friend of Epiphany of Christ and not receiving this weekly email, please forward it to them. If they would like to have it delivered directly to their email box, they may send their email address to the church office: eoclaj@gmail.com

Please refer to previous e-News emails if you need information that was included prior to today.

Epiphany of Christ Lutheran Church is a member of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (ELCA)