From the Pastor: Epiphany! Epipha-WHAT?
On January 6th at 7:00 p.m., we are having a service for the Feast of the Epiphany. Why, you ask, would we want to have church on a Friday night in January, just a few days after Christmas and the New Year? We need to know what this particular holy day is all about.
A few years ago, some of my Confirmation students asked me why we didn’t have the wise men in our children’s Christmas program. Mary and Joseph were there. The shepherds were there. Even the angels. But no wise men.
Not to make a big deal out of it, I explained – to their surprise – that the wise men weren’t really present at the birth of Jesus. Matthew’s Gospel suggests that they didn’t actually visit the Lord Jesus in Bethlehem until he was around two years old.
We don’t know very much about these wise men. For instance, we don’t know their names, exactly where they came from, nor how many of them there were. The Bible doesn’t say. But the thing we do know is that they were non-Jews, Gentiles, who came from a far country to worship the newborn King. They demonstrate that God makes Himself known to all nations, all races, all ethnic groups.
What’s In It for Me
Last Updated on Sunday, 13 February 2011 14:57
What’s In It for Me?
Why It’s Still a Good Idea to Go to Church.
Nine reasons people give for not going to church and why it’s still a good idea.
- I’m spiritual, not religious.
- I’ve gotten out of the habit.
- The church just wants my money.
- I don’t like the pastor (or some other individual or group in the
- I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.
- I’m too busy and Sundays are my only time to rest.
- Church is boring.
- Church people are judgmental and hypocritical.
- I just don’t need God in my life.
Click here for a handy printable booklet version.
Introduction
You’ve got lots of stuff going on in your life. There is more to do than you have the time to do it in. Fitting in time for church is not easy. Maybe you were dragged to church as a kid and resented it so now as an adult, you are exercising your freedom by sleeping in on Sunday mornings. Maybe you have had a bad experience involving Christianity. Or maybe you just don’t see the point.
Whether or not you go to church is a personal decision. Everybody has his or her reasons. This booklet does not address every possible reason a person might have for not attending church. It is merely intended to be an overview of some of the more common reasons people give for staying away from church. The author has attempted to give an honest and realistic response.
If you haven’t been to church much recently, take a look at the reasons listed in this booklet to see if yours is covered. Read through some of the others too because the responses might give you something worth thinking over. Hopefully, after skimming over these pages, you will see going to church in a new way and feel encouraged to give it another go.
How You Can Help
The need is incredibly great -- the Haitian and Chilean earthquakes being the main focus at this time. Please consider helping in any way you can. As followers of the Lord Jesus we are encouraged to "bear one another's burdens." Thus the world will "know we are Christians by our love."1
LWR.org gets you to Lutheran World Relief which is noted for spending less than 10% of its income on overhead -- meaning that over 90% gets to the the crisis or disaster where the givers want to help. You can contribute on-line or by mailing your gift to Lutheran World Relief, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21298-9832 USA
Care.org is the other agency assuring that over 90% of their income goes to the places of need designated by the givers. You can contribute on-line or by mailing your gift to CARE USA, 151 Ellis Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
LCMSWorld Relief & Human Care, an agency of our Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod, also directs almost 90% of its income to the designated relief services. Reach them through LCMS.org, and click on World Relief & Human Care or send your gift to LCMS World Relief & Human Care, 1333 South Kirkwood, St. Louis MO 63122.
Our mission/ Our location
Last Updated on Saturday, 06 February 2010 21:29
Redeemer Mission:
Proclaiming to our community in word and deed the empowering love of God as demonstrated in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
