LLjan08

St. Luke's Episcopal Church
224 Northwest D Street
Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
(541) 476-2493

In a few days we celebrate the Epiphany. Let me offer some background followed by a personal application.

The word Epiphany refers to a revelation, an unveiling. In this case, it is the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ. In Western churches this day emphasizes that revelation to the gentile, or non-Jewish, peoples, who are represented by the wise men, the magi, from the East. These gentile scholars, probably Persians, come to give honor to the new born king. Later tradition, calls them kings, picking up references to gift bearing kings in the Old Testament. (Psalms 68:30, 32; 72:10; Isaiah 49:7; 60:3, 10.) Epiphany in the Eastern churches celebrates Jesus’ manifestation as Son of God at his baptism by John at the Jordan River. This aspect of Epiphany is observed by us on the Sunday after Epiphany. In the following Sundays we look at other unveilings of Jesus’ identity and ministry.

A familiar hymn summarizes these manifestations as they were observed each Epiphany season in the one year round of readings used by Western Christianity from the fourth century:

…manifested by the star to the gentiles from afar
Manifest at Jordan’s stream, prophet, priest and king supreme
… and at Cana wedding guest, in thy Godhead manifest…
Manifest in making whole palsied limbs and fainting soul (Hymn 135)

Forty years ago most liturgical churches adopted a three-year Sunday lectionary of which Year A, the one we are in now, most closely follows the traditional one year pattern, with its preference for readings from Matthew’s Gospel. We only have four Sundays after Epiphany this year. Their Gospel readings feature our Lord’s manifestation at his baptism, to His first disciples, in the beginning of the Galilean ministry of preaching and healing, and finally in the Transfiguration on February 3.

But what has that to do with us? We need to find Christ manifest to us, in our own time, in our own lives.

For many, myself included, Jesus first became manifest to me in the images, stories and songs of Christmas. I remember going caroling, as a fifth grader in Naples, Italy, to both American and an Italian military hospital. I wore my Cub Scout uniform. We even learned to sing a verse of “O come all ye faithful” (Adeste fideles) in Latin for the Italians. I remember gathering food for the poor as a boy. Jesus, reaching out to the poor and the sick, personal prayer and the Bible all became intertwined. Each led to the others. I am privileged by my calling and your support to find them still constantly intertwined.

My prayer for you is that you will take any one of those as a starting point, and allow Jesus to become more and more manifest, more and more unveiled in your life. Begin with the Bible, or with prayer, or with works of mercy; or simply by drawing close to Jesus as you understand Him. Be watchful as you do so. In the words of Phillips Brooks, you may find that “the dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.” (Hymn 79)

To all clergy, lay ministers, acolytes, ushers, coffee hour hosts for that they have done throughout the past year.

To all who took gift tags from the FAITH House Wreath and helped brighten Christmas for those at this facility. An awesome pile of gifts grew under the wreath.

To all the Altar Guild members who serve St. Luke’s throughout the year and especially for the wonderful decorating of the church for the Christmas season.

To Frances Widdison & Emily Sanchez, the authors of the Christmas pageant as well as all the children who participated in the pageant. A special “Thank you” goes to Dr. Tim Roberts for being such a wonderful donkey.

To all the wonderful musicians for making our Christmas services brighter:
Flute                                        : Dr. Jennifer Roberts & Alex Frum
Trumpet                                   : Mike Anzalone
Harp                                        : Sheilah McCrackin
Strings                                      : Dr. Edla Stephenson, Tom Francisco, Fr. Randel Livingood,
                                                Emily Sanchez, Olivia Huber, Alison Huber and Duncan Fuller

To the Carolers who helped make Christmas a special time of the year for our Shut-ins and those who are at the Rogue Valley Correctional Facility.

2007 Christmas Basket Committee
Don & Martha Stuart               Bob Graham
Judy & Mike Anzalone                        Tom & Joanna Gullock
Joe Hungate                             Robin & Dick Griffiths
Sally Smith & Bob Pugh          Mimi Johnston & John Kirschner
Dick & Michelle Kyle              Joan & Dan Collins

Christmas Flowers

The poinsettias decorating the church were given to the Glory of God and in memory of loved ones by members of St. Luke’s:

Sally Smith & Robert Pugh in honor of our children & grandchildren
Tom & Minnie Francisco in honor of family
Helen Vanard for loved ones
Robin & Dick Griffiths for loved ones who have gone before
Amanda, David & Daniel Sloan in honor & memory of Robert & Virginia Evans & Ann Gallamore
Fr. Randel & Nancy Livingood in memory of Max & Theresa Livingood, Ricky Strong, Randy Strong, Ken Feriante, Jr, Christine Cooper
Carmella & Bill Menke in memory of our parents & siblings
Don & Gloria Edmon in memory of Shirley Edmon
Dan & Joan Collins
Dennis & Margaret James in memory of Ralph James
Susan & Les Hall in memory of Virginia Stewart
Randy & Aimee Seals in memory of John William Seals and Lexie Thornton
Deacon Joani Bristol for family and friends
Fr. Jim & Pamela Boston in memory of loved ones
Frank & Sheilah McCrackin in thanksgiving for family

ANNUAL MEETING
            The Parish Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2008. Once a year we gather as a parish family to thank people who have blesses our mutual life and ministry. We also look back as well as ahead at all the projects and programs that we have and review our finances. The meeting also is to carry out the necessary business of our parish in a setting that allows for questions and discussion.
            The meeting is held in the Parish Hall right after the 10:30am service. If you worship at 8:30am, please plan to return about 11:45am. Child care will be extended through the meeting. Be sure to mark it on your calendar.

If during the past year we have missed any child’s birthday, we apologize. However, we do need to update our birthday list. So, please call the office with the child’s name and birth date. Thank you.

WHAT’S ON THE CALENDAR FOR JANUARY:
January 15       : Martin Luther King Jr. service @12:00 at Newman United Methodist Church
January 17       : Vestry Meeting
January 27       : Annual Meeting @ 12:00 in Parish Hall

STEPHEN MINISTRY
During the month of January, the Stephen Ministry training class will be considering the subjects of assertiveness, maintaining boundaries in care giving and telephone care: the next best thing to being there. Those who are participating in this training ate excited about what they are learning and about the ministries they are anticipating. Please continue to pray for the trainees and leaders.

ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY SERVICE
Noon, Tuesday, January 15, at Newman United Methodist Church
For about twenty years St. Luke’s has joined with several other downtown churches to offer this service. We celebrate the life and witness of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We also remind ourselves, and our community, that the fight against prejudice and oppression, and the need to work for justice and healing in our community, nation and world still continue. The work is not done. We gather to say that we, and God, “shall overcome,” and that “we shall live in peace” and “freedom”, “some day”. Please join us.

HEALING MINISTRY
Our healing prayer team offers prayers for individuals and families each Sunday in the baptistery at the conclusion of both the 8:30 and 10:30 church services. Many have already found this prayer resource a blessing. Just approach them and ask.
If you are interested in joining the Prayer team, contact Lynn Hughes at 476-4671 or the Church office.

MUSIC NOTES

Choir
No choir practice on January 9th. Choir rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 5:30pm. We hope to be able to do some a cappella pieces, as well as things incorporating other instruments, such as handbells, drums, strings, the praise band, flutes, guitars, etc. Please come and join us.

Bell Choir
The Handbell Choir rehearses at 4:30pm on Wednesdays and will resume on January 16th. New members are welcome. We hope to get bigger and better. Children are encouraged to join us. If you would like to learn more as well as have a lot of fun, call Edla at 761-6490

Praise and Worship Musicians
If you are interested in participating, please contact Pat Mahoney at 660-4513 for practice times.

Children Choir
Our Children’s Choir has been learning together after the 10:30 service, and will continue to do so on most Sundays. New singers are welcome.

The Bible
Deacon Joani’s Wednesday morning Bible study is meeting at 10:00am in the Guild Room. Joani and the group are working their way through the Bible. The class will be studying the prophets beginning this month. All are welcome.

Genesis
The group meets at 7:00pm at the home of Dan & Joan Collins at 531 Crestview Loop. New comers are welcome. Call Dan and Joan Collins at 476-6169 if you have any questions or need directions to their home.

MEN’S MONDAY MORNING BREAKFAST
The Men’s breakfast meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month and occasionally on a 5th Monday. Breakfast is at the Gold Miner Cafe on the corner of 7th and “M” streets at 8:15. If you have any questions, you can call the office at 476-2493

FISH
If you are able to fill a shopping bag with non-perishable food please put it in the wooden box near the front doors of the Parish Hall. The local FISH program which is open to serve our community will be glad of your donation. Please contact Margaret James at 476-8126 for more information on how you can help this wonderful program that’s so beneficial to our community.

HELP WANTED
Call Fr. Jim to learn more:         Kitchen manager
                                                  Acolyte Vestment manager
                                                  FISH Food Pantry volunteers (an ecumenical activity)
                                                  Archivist/Historian
                                                  Typist (For a project, 5 to 8 hours)
                                                  Prayer Chain members

            Anyone can exercise. Quadriplegics can exercise. It’s called passive exercise but it is imperative for quadriplegics. New born babies exercise; you can see them in their cribs moving their limbs and head. Everyone in between should exercise and there is no reason why not even if you are 6 hours old or 96 years or even a 106 years old.
            Whether you are young and vigorous or old and creaky, you can and should exercise. The trick is finding the right exercise for you. If you are healthy and under sixty, you can start out slow and build up till you find a level of exercise with which you are comfortable. There are two kinds of exercise, aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise helps the heart and lungs to function efficiently. Anaerobic exercise helps build stronger bones and muscles. Different body types, age, health status will determine which type of exercise is best for you.
            Children exercise naturally and with a little parental example and assistance can turn into a lifetime habit. Encourage children to do what they like and what they enjoy and games and activities they can carry into adulthood. Team sports for children not only provide exercise but teach children cooperation and tolerance.
            As people age their level of exercise drops especially if they develop a chronic illness. However, people who use walkers or canes or wheelchairs need exercise and they can exercise effectively. Sittercize is a series of exercises that can be done sitting down or standing up. There is a program on Public Television that comes on at 11:00am during the week or you can join the Parish Nurse to learn how to do Sittercize on your own. There will be a four week class starting Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 11:30am in the Parish Hall. There will be handouts so that participants can workout at home and develop an exercise plan to fit their needs. So if you have issues with mobility or balance, this is the exercise program for you. I hope you will join us.

DEREK SEALS
Please keep Derek in your prayers. Derek’s grandmother, Joanna Gullock, send updates by e-mail, so if you are on the church’s e-mail list, we will be sending out these to you. A web site is available for everyone to check on his progress. You can go to: www.caringbridge.org and click on visit and then type in derekseals and enjoy the site. Amy will be updating the site. If you would like to help the Seals family, an account has been set up at U S Bank in Derek’s name.

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
Daughters of the King meet on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7:00pm. All women of the church are welcome. Please check the calendar in the Log or call the church office at 476-2493.

FROM THE ALTAR GUILD
Thank you to all of you who have signed up for flowers and Sanctuary candles for 2007. The new 2008 flower calendar is up on the door to the Parish Hall. If you would like to give flowers for an anniversary, birthday, thanksgiving, or other remembrances, please sign on the date you would like to give flowers. The cost for is $35.00 and for candles is $5.00. Please call the office at 476-2493 so that it may be noted in the Sunday Bulletin. We have openings on the flower chart for January 13th, February 3rd, March 30th and April 1st, 13th, 20th and 25th.If you have any questions about flowers or the candles, please call Flo Graham at 479-1493.

TRACTS IN OUR NATHEX
On Marriage This very brief tract is a rhapsody on the parallels between the love between a couple and the love God has for us. They are part of a homily preached at a wedding, and are a powerful reading.

Loneliness Starting out with the sad fact that all of us may have experienced loneliness at some time, the writer goes on to point out that relationship is essential to a balanced human life. Yet all of life is also a series of detachments, and in the end there is only One from whom we cannot be separate or separated. An interesting insight from this was the need we have to be with people, and to be (at times) solitary.

Building a Balanced Life All who have heard of “What Color is Your Parachute” will recognize the author of this tract: Episcopal priest Richard N. Bolles. Expect concrete, straightforward advice on balancing your time among all the competing demands of the activities in your life. A bonus is the advice on how to balance the kinds of activities that engage us: how to re-create thrivingly.

Stop in the Narthex as you enter or leave the Church and look at the multitude of short publications available on the Tract Rack. You’ll see leaflets about church history, personal spirituality, and practical aspects of living the Christian faith. Some will answer questions about the Episcopal Church, some will address Christian marriage and parenting, and others are suitable for giving to someone in the hospital or may be going through difficult times. Also the January 2008 edition of Forward Day By Day is available. Help yourself. Suggested prices are marked on each and you may leave your contribution in the labeled basket.