Epiphany has had a long standing Christmas tradition of supporting those in need within the community through the Tree of Love and Caring.  The Tree will be up in Epiphany Center next Sunday with its star and bell ornaments.  Please help to brighten a child's or adult's life this Christmas by participating in this worthwhile gift giving project!

AN ADVENT LOOK AT (AND LISTEN TO!) HANDEL’S MESSIAH… George Frideric Handel’s oratorio Messiah (with libretto by Charles Jennens) has long been a source of inspiration for Christians at Christmas and Easter.  This best-known of Handel’s compositions is a presentation of the life of Christ and is chock full of theological insights.  With Pastor Feltman, we’ll listen to some of the Christmas portions of this magnum opus and discuss them from a theological point of view.  As always, Pastor Feltman is likely to find some theological challenges and raise a little controversy!  Chapel, Sundays, December 6 & 13, 9:15 a.m. 

Saturday and Sunday, November 14th and 15th and Saturday and Sunday, November 21st and 22nd… Stock up on coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate bars, nuts, and cranberries. Perfect for holiday hostess gifts or your own personal use. Look for us in the Epiphany Center.

New Members Inquiry Class... Today!
Sunday, November 15… at noon, “Epiphany as an Organization and Ministry Center.” We’ll meet in the conversation area just outside the sanctuary. Come and join us!

to all who are hospitalized or in some way shut-in. However, we (Pastor Denny, Pastor Ron, Pastor Brandt, and your Stephen Ministers) cannot provide pastoral care if we are not made aware of the need. If you know of someone who is hospitalized or needs a visit, PLEASE contact the church office.

“The measure of achievement is not winning awards. It’s doing something that you appreciate, something you believe is worthwhile. I think of my strawberry soufflé. I did that at least twenty eight times before I finally conquered it.” ...Julia Child
*If you or someone you know is in need of a listening ear and a caring heart in these troubled times, please contact one of the pastors or Del Grosser. A Stephen Minister is honored to listen.

IT WILL BE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd!!!!  It seems many families will be out of town on Sunday, November 29th so we are changing the LYO Rake and Run to NEXT Sunday, November 22nd.  We’ll meet at the church at 10:00 a.m., so LYOers and Confirmands, please plan on joining us for this service project. After we rake, we’ll come back to the church for some food and hang out time until 2:00 p.m.  It’ll be a great time and you’ll be serving others.  College kids-we’re thinking you’ll be coming into town by this weekend, so please join us for this outing.  Don’t forget to bring a Rake!  CONGREGATION:  WE NEED HOUSES TO RAKE ...Please let us know if you need any assistance with your leaves or yardwork.  Sign Up on the LYO Board in the Epiphany Center, e-mail Kareen at Kripperda@comcast.net or call her.

Our annual fundraiser has begun! Lori Trimble will feature her Premier Jewelry line while selling to the congregation with her table displays on Sunday, November 15, 2009. 40% of her sales that day will go to the LYO. This is very nice jewelry in all price ranges. Additionally, if LYO members are interested, they may sell these jewelry items for their own, individual accounts, an 40% of sales will go back into their LYO accounts!

Accountants or financial wizards!  After many years of service, Pete Thielbar has retired from heading up the Epiphany Finance Committee.  We thank Pete for his service.  We are in need of a couple of folks who either could join the committee to help in counting offering once a month, in addition to seeking a new leader.  Please call Amy Martich email her at amartich@yahoo.com if you are interested.  Thank you!

The Cover Girls are concluding their 19th year of the quilting ministry. Plan to be with us as we fill the shelves again, cutting fabric for future quilts, and just enjoying the fellowship and camaraderie that is shared with this dedicated group of Epiphany ladies. We will be gathering on Thursday, November 9th starting around 9:00 a.m. For further information regarding the Epiphany quilting ministry, contact Joan Schroeder.

THANKSGIVING WORSHIP SERVICES

Wednesday, November 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.

Here at Epiphany!

Your Epiphany Church office is in need of help. We need computer people and non-computer people. Please talk to Dale Brecht, Pat Haidle, Irmgard Olson or Keni for more information. Any day of the week that you can help would be greatly appreciated. We’re flexible.

Sponsored by
The Elmhurst Rotary Club
and the
Diplomat West Banquet Hall
681 W. North Ave., Elmhurst
(Rt. 83 and North Ave., Route 64)
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2009
12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.
Complimentary Dinner
For more information contact:
William Korbel - 630-368-8852 or Bill Sakash - 630-833-3940
Entertainment Provided

The Dupage Senior Citizens Council needs volunteers to pack, deliver, and serve fresh meals to local seniors in Dupage county. Call 630-620-0804 or visit ww.dupageseniorcouncil.org for more information.

the Elmhurst Pastor’s Group invites you this year to experience - “A Community Thanksgiving” at St. Procopius Abbey, Lisle, IL on Monday, November, 23, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Arrive early for seating.

Looking for a way to “give back” during this season of Thanksgiving? Consider participating as the Bethel New Life Community of Elders hosts its Annual Seniors Thanksgiving Luncheon on Friday, November 20, 2009 from noon - 2:00 p.m. at Amber Hall, 1140 N. Lamon, Chicago, IL. Food donations and volunteers are needed. Frozen turkeys by November 12th and cakes and pies by November 19th. Volunteers needed to assist in setting up for the luncheon and serving during the luncheon. For additional information or arrange for food donation drop off and/or to volunteer, contact Wanda at w-lewis@bethelnewlife.org.

Here is the link to the Synod's info on being ready for disasters.  This is an excerpt directly from the Synod. "It's never too late for you, your family, your neighbors and friends, to become better prepared for disaster. Becoming prepared is an easy three step process -- 1) Be Informed, 2) Make a Plan, and 3) Get a Kit. And all of the necessary information is available at www.ldr.org/ready. Visit today and get prepared!"

If you would like to learn more about what is going on in our environment here are a few films that have recently come on the market and may be of interest to you. “Food Inc.” - you will find out about the food we buy at our local supermarkets and serve to our families, and “Flow”, a film about the growing privatization of the world’s dwindling fresh water supply with an unflinching focus on politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of a domineering world water cartel. Both of these films are available at the Elmhurst Public Library. Look ahead for another film soon to be available, “Fresh”, a film that revels in the joy of growing good food sustainably. Good films for family discussions relating to caring for God’s creation! If you are interested in helping Epiphany going greener, please call Martha Clark.

The Lydias will be meeting the 4th Thursday in September instead of the usual 3rd Thursday. So, Lydia’s Circle will meet Thursday, September 24, 2009 in Fellowship Hall from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. We will be putting layettes together.

Total $41,800! Since the formation of the Epiphany Endowment Fund, distributions to social agencies have now reached $41,800.   Among the recipients are:  LSSI Villa Park Counseling, PADS, Adult Christian Care Center, York Pantry, Walk-in Ministry, Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Worldwide Heifer Project. Total assets of the fund are $260,276.49 and "Lasting Legacy Gifts" received thus far in 2009 total $2,446.   Although interest rates have been extremely low, in recent years the fund has been able to generate about $10,000 in interest annually to support social agencies.  The Endowment Fund greatly appreciates the contributions of congregational members, contributions that enable the committee to continue to support needy organizations and people.   Because only interest is expended--and not the principal--the gifts of members are truly "lasting legacy gifts' as they will remain in the fund, adding to the principal each time a gift is made. Thank you for your wonderful support.   The Endowment Committee