The following thoughts are shared by two members of the mission of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Collierville, TN. Collierville is just east of Memphis, TN. The congregation is allowed worship and meeting space in the chapel and academic building of St. George’s Episcopal School.
Marti
Laslavic has been a member of Epiphany from the time a small gathering began
monthly worship in the home of Pastor-Mission Developer Lynda Ernst.
In the early
days of Epiphany, few of us knew each other. Some were linked by common
employment while others were linked by common former churches. Many were
strangers. But the bonds formed
early because Epiphany offered newcomers a sense of home. No matter your
origins or the newness (or strangeness) of your new surroundings (barbeque
pizza, really?) joining in worship on Sunday morning lessens the loss of home
and smoothes the edges of the unfamiliar. Whether we met in the
mission pastor’s home or the Collierville Funeral Home, Epiphany offered the
comfort of the Lutheran liturgy. “For this holy house and for all who
offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord ” joins you to the
common worship experience and to the love of God.
Becoming a part
of a mission congregation is a different experience than becoming a member of
an established church. There is no slipping into a pew, joining in
worship, and slipping out the door. The smallness forces one to be
congenial and brings the people together as a group of worshippers.
We in the
mission congregation continued to share each others joys, fears, and
disappointments... and through
all our growth pains, our stepping forth in faith, and the evolution of our
church, we continue to be comforted by the familiarity of the worship
experience. Never dull or dry - never rote or insincere, we weekly join
together confessing our sins, asking for mercy, and singing our song of
praise. We praise God for bringing us together in a special place called
Epiphany.
Thoughts
from Diane Kruse. Diane and her husband Wendell joined Epiphany within the last
year.
"But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.” – Luke 8:15.
Several years ago, my family was searching for “good
soil” in a house of worship. Because we were experiencing a rough patch in our
faith journey, we were looking for a place where the church listened to the
word with a good heart as well as a desire to love and serve others.
We found an ELCA mission church just east of our home. We visited the chapel where the church worshipped. [For us] hearing the Gospel helps us to see that God should be at the center of our lives. We also remember that Jesus told his disciples to love one another. We love God and we love each other.
In addition to hearing the Gospel, the minister there
gave a dynamic sermon showing her faith and conviction. And as I listened to the
pastor’s words, I was reminded of Christ’s suffering. I realized in comparison,
my problems were very miniscule. After the sermon, we participated in
Communion, sharing home baked bread brought by one of the church members. Upon
leaving the church, we were greeted warmly by the members. The love we felt
sure gave us a feeling of warmth and hospitality! We were invited to visit
afterward at coffee fellowship.
The above account took place a year and a half ago and
we joined Epiphany about a year ago. Since then, the Epiphany Men’s group has
planted a garden on land is being purchased through the help of the ELCA. The
vegetables grown are to be shared with the town food bank. Now that is some
good soil for growing in more ways than one!
We now feel at home at Epiphany Lutheran Church!
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