Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 1101 Sunset Drive; P. O. Box 116 Guntersville, AL 35976 256-582-4897 www.EpiphanyGuntersville.org
December 2013
Editor: Rusty Ogden
Epiphany wishes all a
Merry Christmas
and a
Joyous New Year
Please plan on celebrating Christ’s birth
with your church family.
Christmas services are as follows:
Advent IV
Sunday, December 22
Holy Eucharist, 8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
Christmas Pageant 10:30 a.m.
Christmas Eve
Tuesday, December 24
Christmas Family Service 5:30 p.m.
Festival of Carols 10:30 p.m.
Festival Choral Eucharist 11 p.m.
The Nativity of Our Lord Wednesday, December 25 9:30 a.m.
First Sunday of Christmas
Sunday, December 29
Morning Prayer 8:00 a.m.
A Festival of Nine Lessons
and Carols 10:30 a.m.
Second Sunday of Christmas
Sunday, January 5
No 8 a.m. service
Holy Eucharist with
Confirmation and Reception
Visitation: The Rt. Rev. Kee Sloan,
Bishop of Alabama
Epiphany Star
Advent - Come, Lord Jesus
It is late November. We observed the
signs of Christmas months ago in the
discount pharmacy, tucked down the aisle
with the school supplies and Halloween
candy. Even now, we hear Christmas car-
ols in the malls and TV commercials have
a holiday twist. Meanwhile in the church
we begin a whole new season before we
reach the manger. Some call Advent a
season under stress, a season of confusion,
a season of the already and the not yet, a
season of beginning our new church year,
alongside readings of the end time and last
things. And yet it is here, in this “end
time”, that we get a glimpse of the work-
ing out of God’s purposes, the goal of cre-
ation. It is only by focusing on God’s ulti-
mate holy intention that we can truly un-
derstand the birth, life, death, and resur-
rection of Jesus.
But it is not easy to talk about themes of
judgment, watchfulness and the end of the
world amidst a secular season of festivity
and parties and Christmas concerts. And
yet, it is imperative that we defend the
church against the commercial boom of
Christmas that begins in the fall and ends
as early as Christmas Eve with “after
Christmas sales.” And so I hope you will
partake of the beauty of Advent, the songs,
the prayers, the hopeful longing that leads
us to the incarnation. May he guide us into
the way of peace, give light to those who
sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
and kindle in us the fire of his love.
God faithful and true, make us eager with
expectation,
as we look for the fulfillment of your
promise in Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Nancy+
Epiphany Star Page 2
The City of Guntersville will hold its annual
Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 14th at
5:00 p.m. The theme is “Catch the Christmas
Spirit!” We will need four adults to walk the
parade route alongside our float and pass out
candy. We will also need two older youth or adults
to carry our banner. We invite all of our Epiphany
family and friends to walk with us behind the
banner.
Thanks to Mr. Ed Hayes for the use of his
warehouse, and to Mr. Chris Jackson for the use of
his truck and trailer.
Dinner will be provided for meetings on the
following days:
Sunday, December 1st, 1:00 p.m.
in Sanderson Hall
Wednesday, December 3rd, 5:45 p.m.
in Sanderson Hall
Sunday, December 8th, 5:00 p.m.
at Mr. Hayes’ warehouse
Thursday, December 12th, 5:00 p.m.
in Mr. Hayes’ warehouse
Friday, December 13th, 5:00 p.m.
in Mr. Hayes’ warehouse
Saturday, December 14th, 1:00 p.m. in Sanderson
Hall for lunch, and at 3:30 p.m. we will line up on
Scott Street. At 5:00 p.m. the Christmas Parade
begins. After the parade, we will return to
Epiphany for coffee, hot chocolate and cookies.
Everyone interested, please contact:
Michelle Bradshaw text message: 256-689-1487
or e-mail: [email protected]
We are excited to present the Epiphany Christ-
mas Pageant for its 35th year! This Epiphany
tradition was started in 1978 by the late Bet
McQueen. We have created a bulletin board by
Sanderson Hall highlighting the history of the
pageant. Included on the board is a tribute to
Mrs. McQueen as well as "Where are They
Now?" updates of some past pageant partici-
pants. The pageant will be presented during the
10:30 service on December 22. Practices will
be at noon on Sunday, December 15 and
10:00am on Saturday, December 21.
There is a sheet on the bulletin board for you to
sign up your children or grandchildren. Please
see Meredith Jackson or Michelle Bradshaw for
more information.
CHRISTMAS TREE
DECORATINGPARTY
FOR CEDAR LODGE
Cedar Lodge Treatment Center is very excited to
have us host a tree decorating party for the
residents. Anyone in the parish is welcome to
attend but will need to sign a confidentiality
paper. We will meet at the church, December
5th, ready to leave at 3:30pm for the party at
4:00pm. We need homemade goodies, cookies,
cupcakes, etc., for our party during the decorat-
ing. We also need ornaments and voices/
musicians. If anyone in the parish has questions,
please contact Lee Hoggle at 256-558-3571 or
Susan Armstrong at 256-302-3801.
The residents decorate the tree and we all sing
Christmas carols. This is a simple, but wonderful
experience. You will be glad you participated. If
you would like to contribute but cannot attend,
please leave your food or ornaments in the
church office on Wednesday or Thursday and
label Cedar Lodge.
Epiphany Star Page 3
The Outreach Committee would like to thank all those who
responded to our call for the ingathering.
Your generosity supplied The Salvation Army, Home Place and
Ogden House with food and supplies that are desperately needed.
Thank you again
Bob Davis and the Outreach Committee
ROOM IN THE INN starts Friday, December 6th. We welcome
our homeless "Neighbors" at 6:00pm in Sanderson Hall for a warm
Fellowship Meal.
Cots with fresh linens and blankets will have been setup starting at
4:30, and of course Sheila Myrick will have started cooking the
meal even earlier! This year we are happy to offer the opportunity
for showers in Woodall Commons.
Lots of effort goes into hosting RITI at Epiphany and I really ap-
preciate all who have attended to two planning meetings held re-
cently. If you are interested in helping with this ministry please
contact:
Jan Maxwell, 256-582-4228 or
Peace & Blessings,
Jan Maxwell
ROOM IN THE INN AT EPIPHANY
EPIPHANY'S AUCTION SCORES A TOUCHDOWN!!
The auction team would like to extend a very special thank you to
all that helped - donating items, working and attending the event,
bringing food, setting up chairs, kitchen help, clean up, etc. - to
ensure that our auction was a success! We raised over $23,000.
Without you we could not have done it!
As stewards of these proceeds, we pray that God will guide
Epiphany within our community to share the blessed gift of love
and caring.
Hallelujah, God's blessings surround Epiphany!
Joe and Linda Katz
Christmas Poinsettias
The Altar Guild is taking dedications
for red Poinsettias. We will need 50 to
decorate the church for Christmas.
Each poinsettia plant is $15.00.
Dedication forms are on the counter in the
church office. These dedications, which ap-
pear in the Christmas bulletins, are a beauti-
ful way to honor those people who are special
in our lives and to
celebrate the birth of a baby born so long ago
in a stable and under a starry sky.
We appreciate your payment when you sign
up or no later than December 26th, so it can
be processed for year-end.
If you have any questions please see Marsha
Babb or call her at 256 571-2300
2014 Flower and
Candle Dedications The sign up sheets for flower and
candle dedications are posted on the
bulletin board across from the
office.
Rodney’s Flower Shop bills each
individual for the Sunday flowers.
The candles are $10.00 per dedication and are
payable to the church (please note on your check
that it is for candles and for what date).
These dedications, which appear in each
Sunday’s bulletins, are a thoughtful and beauti-
ful gesture to celebrate, honor, and remember
someone who has touched our lives. Think of
the delight and pleasure you feel when someone
does something nice for you for no particular
reason or season! Give that feeling to your
spouse, sibling, parent, or pew-partner.
Epiphany Star Epiphany Star Page 4
Peach Salsa Dip By Melissa Brazelton-Reeves
1 1/4 cups frozen sliced peaches, thawed
and diced
(1/2 of a 16 oz. bag)
1 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 green onion, thinly sliced
3 Tbsp. mild salsa
1 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
Mix together in a medium bowl. Makes
about 3 cups.
(To use fresh peaches, just add a 1/4 cup
more than frozen)
Life expectancy in the U.S. rose
from 75.2 in 1990 to 78.2 in 2010.
Those three extra years sound great,
but the average American spends an
increasing number of years in poor
health. What’s more, compared to 34
other developed countries, we dropped
from #20 to #27 in life expectancy,
because we haven’t kept pace with the
reductions in most major causes of
premature death seen in many of these
other countries. This news was high-
lighted in The State of U. S. Health
1990-2010,” recently in the Journal of
the American Medical Association.
A POOR REPORT CARD
Our Canadian readers may wonder
where they stand. While they have
dropped from #5 to #12 in the life
expectancy rankings during the past
two decades, Canadians still live 2.4
years longer than American, on aver-
age. This is true even though per-
capita health-care spending in the
U.S. is nearly double that in Canada
and far higher than any other country,
and we lead the world in medical
research.
Why is the U.S. trailing its eco-
nomic peers in so many matter of
health? The researchers suggest that
poor diet and physical inactivity are
major factors. The U.S. ranks 27 out
of 35 in body weight and in disease
burden that can be attributed to dietary
factors.
National health statistics, however,
hide big differences that correlate with
geography, race, education, economic
status, and access to health care. For
instance, within the U.S., life expectancy
is 6 to 7 years shorter in Mississippi and
Alabama than in Hawaii and Minnesota.
Socioeconomic status plays a particular-
ly large role in the health of Americans.
For instance, the gap in life expectancy
between high and low wage earners is
about 5 years and has widened in recent
decades
Spinach Balls By Lee Jones
2 pkgs. Frozen spinach, thawed and
drained
6 large eggs
1 stick butter, softened
2 cups Pepperidge Farm bread crumbs
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 small onion, grated
1 to 2 Tbsp. olive oil
8 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
Mix all ingredients. Roll into 1 inch
balls. Bake at 350 degrees for 20
minutes. (May freeze on baking sheet
and transfer to plastic bags. Don’t thaw
before cooking.)
Epiphany Star Page 5
The Epiphany family extends its most heartfelt
sympathy, love, prayers and support to Jim and
Wendy Phelps and family in the loss, November
14, 2013 of Jim’s mother, Gertrude Eiler of Be-
thal Park, PA
The Epiphany family extends its most heartfelt
sympathy, love, prayers and support to Mike and
Judy Murdock and family in the loss, November
23, 2013 of Mike’s mother, Helen Estelle
Murdock , of Boaz.
Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord
And let light perpetual shine upon them.
The Rt. Reverend Kee
Sloan, Bishop of Alabama,
will visit Epiphany on Janu-
ary 5 to celebrate “The
Epiphany”, our name day,
and to confirm and receive
new members to Epiphany.
THERE WILL BE NO
8:00AM SERVICE. A pot
luck lunch will follow the
10:30am service.
Bishop Kee Sloan
to Visit Epiphany
Change of phone number
Scott and Velma Atkins
256-486-3872
Many thanks to those who came to my
rescue at church and then brought food
by the house on Sunday, November 10.
We are so very blessed to have our
Epiphany family
Ray Werden
Congratulations to
Amanda and Clayton
Gosselin on the birth,
November 19, 2013 of
Nicholas Anthony
Gosselin.
Congratulations also to
proud grandparents, Rick
and Velvet Cooley.
I would like to thank Pastor Nancy, the vestry and the staff of Epiphany for their understanding and coop-
eration in allowing me to work different and unusual hours during the five weeks of Chuck’s hospitaliza-
tion in Huntsville. Volunteers, Velma Atkins, Paula Dabney, Jerry Ann Holt, Linda Katz and Ann Thomas.
also covered for many of my duties.
The Mission Team built the most beautiful wheel chair ramp for Chuck’s homecoming in the, I hope, near
future. A huge thank you to Grant and Susan Armstrong, Lamar and Kelly Auman and Tom Downes.
Chuck and I are truly blessed to be members of Epiphany.
Rusty Ogden, Secretary of Epiphany
PLEASE NOTE: IMPORTANT IRS NOTICE
2013 Charitable Contribution Deductions and December 31st Deadline.
Donors must deliver or mail (and postmark) checks on or by this date in order to claim a charitable con-
tribution for 2013. Checks that are placed in the church offering during the first worship service of 2014
will not qualify for a charitable contribution deduction for 2013 even if the check is postdated to 2013
or was actually written in 2013. However, checks that are written, mailed, and postmarked in 2013 will
be deducted in 2013 though they are not received by a church until 2014.
STEWARDSHIP
Have you made your pledge for 2014?
The Stewardship Committee would like to
thank the 91 Epiphany families who have
made a pledge for 2014. If you have not yet
made your pledge, please consider making a
financial commitment to advance God’s king-
dom through the ministry, mission and
outreach of the Church of the Epiphany in
2014.
On Sunday, November 24th, we placed our
commitments on the altar in Thanksgiving to
God for our blessings. It’s not too late! There
are several ways you can still pledge:
Complete your pledge card and place in the
alms basin, deliver to the church office, or
mail to the church
Call your pledge into our Treasurer, Shari Har-
rison, at 256-582-4897, or E-mail your pledge
Wonderful things are in store for Epiphany’s
ministries in 2014. We need everyone to make
a pledge toward these efforts. We look forward
to hearing from you.
Your gifts are appreciated!
2014 Pledged by Dollar Range
As of November 26, 2013
$2,999.99 or less 61
$3,000 - $4,999.99 13
$5,000 - $9,999.99 12
$10,000 - $19,999.99 5
Total Number of Pledges 91
Total Dollar Amount of Pledges $258,300.00
Average Pledge $ 2,838.46
Epiphany Star Page 6
I have been asked to write about volunteering in our Church, so ....
My Episcopal volunteer journey began with the words, “ God Is Love’, that is what the Episcopal Church
is about.” Aunt Betty Dorman told me many years ago. Personally, I wanted a God that loved, not one that
you had to fear would strike you down for any number of offenses I could easily commit. I was a member
of St. Stephens in Eutaw, Al. and Aunt Betty had brought me a copy of the Children’s Christmas Pageant
that Epiphany was doing. Shortly after I sold my home Rosemount and moved temporarily(?!) to Gun-
tersville to regroup. Aunt Betty immediately took me under her wings to introduce me to the volunteer
work she did...she was one of Father Joe’s ‘Angels’. Father Joe’s Angels, as one of their many gracious
volunteer services helped set up food for families after a funeral service. Aunt Betty pointed out I should
look for ways to help my church in a way that made me happy…
Bet McQueen was director of the Christmas Pageant for 25 years..and for a few years I helped her by as-
sisting the children with their costumes and before I knew it I was ‘Director of Costumes’, and Debbie
Moss became the Director. We retired last year after 18 years. I am looking forward to watching the pag-
eant under our Youth Leaders direction this year.
A group of ladies under Catherine Reed did an Easter ‘Do’ after service for many years...Bobbie Camper,
and several others helped her. The group slowly through death , relocating and other changes dissolved and
Catherine came to me and asked if I would take it over. Thus began the Easter Reception which has a base
core of loving volunteer church members (Bob and Connie Hembree, Linda and Joe Katz, Barb and Rush
Sedberry, Anita Duncan (the Punch Lady), Melissa Brazelton-Reeves, Diana Ratliff and Michael Kirkpat-
rick, Cassandra and Wally Kistler, Dawn Alves, Liz Riehl, Bill and Kathy Thompson, Terry and Jack
Camper, Rhonda and Pete Sparks, Lee Hoggle and Jim Ward, Barbara and King Nye, and Catherine and
Edwin Reed) This has become a most loved tradition that fills a need for young families, widows and just
those that want to commune together on this joyous celebratory day.
About 10 years ago, before the confirmation service I was passing through Sanderson Hall. Now on a nor-
mal year the tables would be decorated for the traditional Confirmation Pot Luck Sunday ..alas, the tables
were still naked. It seems the volunteer that had done the beautifully set tables with a wooden cross with
greenery on each table had passed away... The next year I made sure it was decorated for such an important
after service meal. I decorated for this for many years, last year was my last year to do this ..it was time to
let a newer parishioner take over this church volunteer activity. What I have learned is look around. Your
strengths and talents will be presented the opportunity to use in the service of our Father in Heaven who
has blessed us with his love. If you see a need, volunteer with thanksgiving, knowing that in your giving
‘paying it forward’, there comes the fruits of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, goodness, peace,
forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, Because God is Love.
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Thank You,
Jennifer “Jenn” Baker
Page 7 Epiphany Star
Page 8 Epiphany Star
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH
5—Bishop Sloan’s Visit and Confirmation 21 & 22—Diocesan Convention 4—Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
19—Parish Business Meeting 28 Vestry Retreat 5—Ash Wednesday
27—Seafood Bash at Crawmama’s 7—World Day of Prayer
CODE: BSA—Brotherhood of St. Andrew; CC—Children’s Church; CP—Centering Prayer; DC—Discernment Committee; DOK—Daughters of the
King; DG—Dream Group; HC—Holy Communion; HE—Holy Eucharist; RITI—Room in the Inn; SS—Sunday School; Birthdays
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Discretionary Fund HC 8 & 10:30am
SS 9:30am Mission Team 9:30am
CC 10:30am EYC 5pm Taizé 5pm
2 Book Study
10:30am EfM 6pm
3 Morning Prayer 9am Hospitality 6:30pm
4 CP 9:45am
Healing Service 11:30am
Worship 5:30pm Dinner 6pm Programs &
Choir 6:30pm
Anna Brown
5 Morning Prayer
9am DG 12pm
Cedar Lodge Christmas Party
4pm DC 6:30pm
Daniel Garrison Laurie Woodall
6 RITI 6pm
Benjamin Booth Betti Kennamer Shaun Packard
7
Teresa Hunter
8 HC 8 & 10:30am
SS 9:30am Outreach 9:30am
CC 10:30am EYC 5pm
9 Book Study
10:30am DOK 11:30am
Staff mtg 11:45am EfM 6pm
Tyrus Dorman Bitsy Packard
10 Morning Prayer 9am
Holly Andries Jim Friday
11 CP 9:45am
Healing Service 11:30am
Worship 5:30pm Parish Christmas
Party 6:00pm
Sara Hembree Tony Lee
Taegan Meredith
12 Morning Prayer
9am DG 12pm
DC 6:30pm
Carmen Hurff Nancy Jones Whitt Lacey
13
Alora Alexander
14 Brotherhood 8am Garden Workday
8am Christmas
Parade 5pm
Diane Livengood Jacob McAllister George Newman
LaRue Shuart
15 HC 8 & 10:30am
SS 9:30am CC 10:30am
Pageant Rehearsal 12pm
EYC 5pm Celtic Service 5pm
Ultreya 6:30pm
16 Book Study
10:30am EfM Christmas
Party 6pm
Haley Ryan
17 Morning Prayer 9am
Vestry mtg 7pm
Misty Clanton
18 CP 9:45am
Healing Service 11:30am
Worship 5:30pm Dinner 6pm Programs &
Choir 6:30pm
19 Morning Prayer
9am DG 12pm
DC 6:30pm
Patrick Gasvoda
20 RITI 6:00pm
21 Pageant
Rehearsal 10am
Lee Auman
22 HC 8 & 10:30am
SS 9:30am Outreach 9:30am
Christmas Pageant 10:30am EYC 5pm
Lynn Beasley Lee Hoggle
Royce Baucom
23 DOK 11:30am
Grace Martin
24 OFFICE CLOSED
Family Service 5:30pm
Festival of Carols 10:30pm
Midnight Choral Eucharist 11pm Carol Jean Exby
L. P. Jones
25 OFFICE CLOSED
Nativity of Our Lord 9:30am
26
Jack Camper Ed Hayes
27
John Rogers Nori Rungruang
Doris Webb
28 Brotherhood 8am
Doris Benson Carol Friday
JoAnn Overton Mark Thronton
29 Morning Prayer 8am
SS 9:30am CC 10:30am
Lessons & Carols 10:30am EYC 5pm
Jody Chorba
30
Tony Pate
31 Morning Prayer 9am
Micky Gaines Hayden Rungruang
JANUARY 1 OFFICE CLOSED
Vestry Person for December
Gloria Kilner
256-582-8620