Epiphany of Christ Lutheran

+

Apache Junction, Arizona

The Holiday Sale will be one day only

on November 21.

Please bring your items by this Sunday, November 15.

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.

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

Please welcome our guest preacher this Sunday, Solveig Muus, assistant to the Bishop and Director of LAMA - Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona.

Happening in November

November 17 – Bible Study 10 AM

November 18 – Book Club 11 AM

November 21 - Holiday Sale 8 am-1pm

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!

Artist Michael Affolter donated this signed original whimsical painting to be raffled to benefit The Genesis Project. Tickets are $1, and you may purchase as many as you would like.

Bob and Nancy Mohawk have the tickets.

Tickets will be on sale on Sunday mornings and at the Holiday Sale.

Drawing will be after worship, Sunday, December 20.

The title of the painting: "Meowy Christmas"

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 Justice oriented?

Which answer do you think best describes EOC?

1. We generally avoid advocacy and justice work and prefer not to enter into controversial issues.
2. We do some advocacy and justice work to bring about change in one or two meaningful ways.
3. Advocacy and Justice are important and prominent parts of our work.

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 finished the final chapters of Romans last Tuesday.

We had a great discussion on "how are we judgemental?" We all are. It's part of our human nature to judge, even though we know that God is the only judge. Ultimately, we concluded that some behaviors must be judged (when crimes are committed) yet, we are still called by Jesus to love and pray for them, because they too are beloved children of God.

Next Tuesday, we will start studying the Book of Luke. The class suggested it fits in with the coming Advent/Christmas/Epiphany/Lent and Easter seasons.

Come! Study with us!

Stay for lunch, compliments of

The Genesis Project at 11:30 am.

Teaching moment: I was amused when I heard "no one likes the paint chips." I would caution all of us to not use superlatives when commenting on issues that naturally need an opinion. Speaking on behalf of Everyone... No one... etc. is not helpful, kind or respectful. Superlatives should only be used when truly every person of interest has been polled and their opinion recorded.

Be honest: "I don't like the paint selections" or 
"I talked to a few people and they also do not like the paint selections."

I did talk to a few people, and they all favored #7. At least one person said they prefer light grey. I kept number 7 and have added a new selection of paint chips.

PLEASE do not select a paint color based on the current carpet. The floor in the sanctuary by the choir loft needs to be repaired. It is hoped, by me, that when we do the repairs, that we will extend the flooring under the majority of the pews so that it all matches. I also hope that the carpet in the Narthex can be removed and replaced with the same flooring as the sanctuary.

Carpet is passe in the 21st century. Hard floors make more sense. They are easier to clean and do not hold on to allergens or stains like carpet does. Our carpet looks old, and it is stained, too.

The main reason for refreshing the Narthex is to appeal to people who have never been to EOC. The goal is for their first impression to be,

"Wow! This looks really nice!"

Your opinions are welcome and important. Make sure whatever you say is truly only your opinion. It is likely that whatever the finished Narthex looks like, someone in our congregation will not like it. Yet, many people will.

And we especially hope our visitors will feel a warm welcome as they enter our building.

Peace! Pr Patsy

New selection below. *7 from the first set of chips.

These will be posted on the wall on Sunday.

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.

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

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 for those who are ill or having surgery.

Pray for those who are mourning.

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 November 5:

89% 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

79 Opened

12 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)