EPIPHANY 2021
A PUBLICATION OF ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
LUTHERAN LIFE
LUTHERAN LIFE Bringing Gifts to the Light of the World: Frankincense, Gold, Myrrh, and Music! “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn… they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord” (Isaiah 60:3, 6). “There, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts…” (Matthew 2:9-11)
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ollowing Isaiah, the Gospel According to Matthew sees “the nations,” people of far off lands, in “wise men from the East,” following the light of a star to the Light of the World, “the child with Mary his mother,” in Bethlehem. There they are “overwhelmed with joy” and, “opening their treasure chests,” they offer him gifts. This Epiphany season, we have an opportunity to celebrate the Light of Christ, made manifest around the world, by receiving and honoring gifts from around the world. As I write this, I have just received our denomination’s new hymnal, All Creation Sings. I am excited about it for many reasons, not least of which is I have a song in it, “To You All Hearts Are Open” (ACS 1012). But, more important by far, it is a faithful collection of gifts from all over the world, each inspired by the Light of Christ. As the weeks after Epiphany unfold, from Baptism of Our Lord Sunday (January 10) to Transfiguration Sunday (February 14), scripture each day focuses on who Jesus is and who we are as disciples following him. What better time to learn wisdom from songs faithfully gathered from all nations, as well as from ethnicities and cultures that make up our nation! It is my hope and prayer that, like the wise men, we will open this treasure chest, choose gifts that will enrich our praise and understanding of who Jesus is, and offer them in worship. We will do our best to do this in ways that respect the sources, sharing how the songs came to be and who wrote them when information is available, faithfully mixing the new with the familiar, in a way that broadens and deepens our experience and expression of God’s Light. I encourage you, as part of God’s Light, if you know songs in this collection (or beyond) that fit these goals, please send them to me at john@sjlcknox.org. Not all ideas will be implemented at once, but the more good ideas we have, the better our choices will be able to be. Articles, videos, and a list of songs are at augsburgfortress.org/allcreationsings. Also, as part of the same movement, I encourage you to consider prayerfully and share ideas that arise, how we might faithfully bring our gifts to God’s world.
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piphany … from the Greek word epiphaneia, meaning “manifestation or appearance”
The rhythm of the liturgical calendar leads us to the conclusion of the Christmas season and into the Day of Epiphany, January 6, and the season of Epiphany which runs through Transfiguration Sunday, February 14. From there, it is headlong into the Lenten journey. On the Day of Epiphany, folks who observe the days associated with Western Christianity find themselves commemorating the wise men who journeyed to see Jesus. Throughout the season of Epiphany, we celebrate the gift of Jesus for all the world, both Jews and Gentiles. A multi-cultural emphasis easily fits in the season. The color of the Day of Epiphany is white, the color of celebration, newness, and hope. The color of the Season of Epiphany is green, marking Ordinary Time. Symbols include a five-pointed star representing the five wounds of Jesus on the Cross; the Nativity Star, also known as the Star of Bethlehem, representing the Magi visiting Jesus; and an eight-pointed star representing baptism and regeneration At the heart of this season is the idea of hospitality, the idea of receiving and being received. Responding to initiating love, the world received God on a silent night, a holy night. In turn, God incarnate received people from foreign lands, gifts in hand. God incarnate welcomed into his community, with people both comforted and confused by his presence. God incarnate baptized in the Jordan by John, his uneasy cousin. Henri Nouwen writes in Reaching Out, “really honest receptivity means inviting the stranger into our world on his or her terms, not ours . . . . Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy.” Receptive hospitality will look different over the next several months as we anticipate vaccines and explore the ways we have experienced transformation throughout the challenging days of this pandemic. Receptive hospitality will also look different as we redefine “safety” and find ways to reconnect with one another. Receptive hospitality will lead the way as we celebrate goals accomplished from Vision 2020 and articulate God’s dreams for our new Vision statement. All along the way, Grace will point the way, helping us see one another—each one of us—as God’s Beloved.
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dult Faith Formation will resume on Sunday, January 17 via Zoom at 10:10 a.m. We’ll offer two options at that time to choose from.
Nancy Friedrich will begin a Bible Study series on Ephesians that will run up to the beginning of Lent (Ash Wednesday is February 17 this year). Chuck Maland will offer two or three Sunday movie discussions. As we did in the fall with the movie JUST MERCY, we’ll ask participants to stream the movie ahead of time, and we’ll then focus on discussing the film and its connections to or spiritual and moral lives. To look ahead, we expect Dick Krogmann to lead a discussion of the Gospel of John during the Lenten season, and we are exploring several options to follow the Movie Discussion Sundays. We encourage anyone to attend our Zoom meetings. If you need help connecting, let us know. And if you’re interested in becoming involved with the Faith Formation team, contact either Nancy Friedrich or Chuck Maland.
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et’s Talk Children’s Ministry and Youth Ministry!
In the past twenty-five years, St. John’s has experienced numerous expression of Children’s and Youth Ministry leadership; from volunteer leadership of parents and young adults to paid staff member, from part-time to full-time, from event-based model to leadership development model. Most recently, we were blessed to serve alongside Lauren Kimzey who led the Children Ministry as a gifted volunteer and Isaac Taylor who led as paid Youth Ministry Associate prior to his year in Australia and transition to pastoral education at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. Additionally, we negotiated the interim transition where some hopes and dreams for Faith Formation rose as a priority, and the Personnel Team was charged with developing a position description and initiating search for the appropriate person to step into a new position on the St. John’s ministry team. AND THEN CAME COVID! As we look forward to times together and investing in our Children’s and Youth Ministry, Pastor Amy would love to hear from children and youth, as well as their parents. She has reserved three Sunday afternoon slots for Zoom conversations: January 10 at 1:30 PM January 24 at 1:30 PM January 31 at 1:30 PM
Children’s Ministry Conversation Youth Ministry Conversation Children’s and Youth Ministry Conversation (This is an additional session for those who might have missed the previously scheduled conversations. If no one shows because everyone has had the opportunity to share, no problem!)
If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Amy at 865.805.9805 or amy@sjlcknox.org.
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ere are the details of our Tuesday ZOOM bible study. Beginning Tuesday January 12th we will be looking at the book The Divine Dance by Fr. Richard Rohr. We’ll continue the study through Tuesday, March 2nd.
Overview: The Trinity is supposed to be the central, foundational doctrine of our entire Christian belief system, yet we're often told that we shouldn't attempt to understand it because it is a 'mystery'. Should we presume to try to breach this mystery? If we could, how would it transform our relationship with God and renew our lives? The word Trinity is not found in the New Testament-it wasn't until the third century that early Christian father Tertullian coined it-but the idea of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit was present in Jesus' life and teachings and from the very beginning of the Christian experience. In the pages of this book, internationally recognized teacher Richard Rohr circles around this most paradoxical idea as he explores the nature of God-circling around being an apt metaphor for this mystery we're trying to apprehend. Early Christians who came to be known as the 'Desert Mothers and Fathers' applied the Greek verb “perichoresis” to the mystery of the Trinity. The best translation of this oddsounding word is dancing. Our word choreography comes from the same root. Although these early Christians gave us some highly conceptualized thinking on the life of the Trinity, the best they could say, again and again, was, “Whatever is going on in God is a flow-it's like a dance. But God is not a dancer-He is the dance itself.” That idea might sound novel, but it is about as traditional as you can get. God is the dance itself, and He invites you to be a part of that dance. Are you ready to join in? Please join the group for this important faith formation opportunity via Zoom. Meeting details will come via the weekly e-news and congregational e-mails. Questions? Please contact Toni in the church office at 865.523.3330.
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e continue to find different ways to connect and experience community together here at St. John’s. Here is a snapshot of the ways we are providing ministry opportunities and creating connection for ALL AGES!
NoonDay Prayer Weekly prayer at 12noon will be broadcast via FACEBOOK LIVE every Wednesday. Access by going to the St. John's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sjlcknox
NoonTime Bible Study Tuesday 12Noon Bible Study continues via ZOOM. The virtual meeting is easily accessed by logging on to Zoom.com, then entering a Zoom Meeting ID number which we share on the home page of our website at https://www.sjlcknox.org and our Facebook page.
Compline / Evening Prayer Thursday at 8:30pm. Pastor John Tirro leads us for a time of song and prayer on Thursday evenings beginning at 8:30pm. Join him on his Facebook page or the St John’s Facebook Page.
Sung Morning Prayer Weekly prayertime on Tuesday with music led by Pastor John at 11:35am broadcast live via our FACEBOOK page and Pastor John’s personal Facebook page every Tuesday.
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Sunday Worship Online Sunday at 9am. We provide a LIVE worship experience led by our Pastors at 9am on Sunday mornings on our YouTube Channel and our Facebook page. The service is archived & can be viewed at any time after the service. Log onto Youtube.com and search for St. John’s Lutheran Knoxville.
Sunday Faith Formation Sunday at 10:15am and 11am. Join us for Faith Formation via Zoom on Sunday mornings. There are two offerings, the first at 10:15am and the second at 11am. Join us for one, or both. The Meeting IDs are shared on our website and Facbook page.
I’m frequently updating the website and posting to our Facebook page, so I suggest you make regular checks to both places for updates or changes to scheduled events/ connections. As Communications Director of St. John’s, I’m happy to assist in getting you connected with any and all these options. Reach out via email at chris@sjlcknox.org or you can call or text me at 404-246-2795 and I’m happy to troubleshoot any problems or simply help you GET CONNECTED! Director of Communications and Technology
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e are planning a Virtual Ministry Fair for Sunday, January 10 at 10:15 AM.
Everyone is invited to this important ZOOM gathering in which we will take the first steps of our Visioning journey together. Important steps will including: > sharing news from current ministry teams > introducing new ministry teams > identifying ministry team needs > answering questions about participating on a ministry team > suggesting next steps to further develop our team ministry structure To get us started, Kyle Matthews, Minister of Pastoral Care at First Baptist in Greenville, South Carolina and song-writing buddy of Pastor John, will focus our attention on our call to discipleship and the various ways we might respond. He will challenge us to lean into our Visioning process by taking the first step of investing in ministry, in our unique location in the heart of the Mission District. After hearing from Kyle, we will hear twominute overviews of current ministry teams and then ask participants to proceed to a breakout room for each specific ministry team; there, folks will have time to engage in conversation and ask questions. You can prayerfully prepare by considering how your gifts and passions might support involvement in the following teams: Evangelism Faith Formation Finance Hospitality Personnel Property Safety and Security COVID-Response Social Ministry Stewardship Feeding the Homeless Diversity and Inclusion If you have any questions, please contact Toni in the church office at 523.3330 or toni@sjlcknox.org.
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n Romans 12, Paul speaks of spiritual gifts and the call to ministry in each Christian’s life:
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. Would you like an opportunity to discover more about the gifts you received at your baptism? The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provides an assessment that points you in the direction of your gifts and passions. You can check it out at the following link: www.elca.org/Our-Work/Congregations-and-Synods/Faith-Practices/Spiritual-Renewal/Assessment-Tools? This instrument will give you some sense of how you might participate in the Virtual Ministry Fair on Sunday, January 10. Check it out and then call Pastor Amy or Pastor John to discuss your results!
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he St. John’s Lutheran Knoxville Facebook page and Youtube channel streams our worship services live and archives them -- so you can re-visit a worship experience that moved you.. YOU’RE INVITED TO WORSHIP WITH US!
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he Southeastern Synod is one of 65 synods in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as depicted in our logo, through the four parts of the cross. We are on our way SYNOD LOGO together – pointing people to the cross - scattered across Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. As disciples of Jesus, we seek to equip, empower, and engage all to love and serve. The circle is not closed, but remains open. For we have been called to draw the circle so wide that no lines of exclusion exist; so that all may know God’s grace, love, and mercy. Download the new Southeastern Synod Logo at the following link: https://www.elca-ses.org/synod-logo Many thanks to Mr. Chris Clay, St. John's LC, Knoxville, TN, who was contracted to develop this logo.
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DOVE TREE x 40 Years!
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his is our 40th year of hosting the Dove Tree. When we started out, in 1980, we were helping children that lived in the 4th & Gill neighborhood, long before gentrification. We actually delivered the gifts to the homes and apartments for the first few years, until the number of "doves" grew too large for us to handle. Over the years, we have supported Sarah Moore Greene Elementary, children in shelters and foster care, and then 12 years ago began assisting families at Christenberry Elementary. The generosity of St. John's members and friends is truly remarkable. This year we have had a father select 4 doves to help his young children learn the true blessing of giving. This father's name was on the Dove Tree during the early '80's. He remembers receiving Christmas gifts after his father abandoned the family, and now wants his children to understand the blessing of giving gifts to those that are in need. I so appreciate your helping make Christmas special for the young people. We had 42 on the "virtual potluck tree.� I was impressed with how well the virtual tree worked. There was not a glitch at all. Thank you to Nancy Maland for helping set it up. Thank you for helping make this holiday extra special for these families. This will be a different Christmas for all of us, and I pray that the Lord richly blesses you this season.
Homeless Memorial Service
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ike so many other activities, the Homeless Service was forced to become a virtual service. This is our 12th year, and we shared 58 names of neighbors who have passed away including Linda, whom you may remember from siting in the Welcome Center for the passed few years. She had achieved housing, and with an apartment, and support, she was able to stabilize her mental illness. In her final year, she was all about the long flowing skirts, lots of jewelry and head scarfs. We will miss Linda. Using the internet allowed many more people to see the service, and they can watch it over and over again.
Advent by Candlelight gifts for Christenberry Elementary Advent by Candlelight virtual experience was a huge success for gifts for Christenberry. We donated 16 pairs of shoes and $600. This outpouring of love is just so very heart warming. One sweet SJLC family asked each of their three children to make a contribution from their savings account towards helping children in need. Each child decided independently how much they would give. When all was totaled up, they donated $370.00!!! Christmas giving above and beyond!! St. John’s Katie Sisters, you are such a blessing. Your generosity will cover many needs.
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y heart is full! My oh my!
Our 1st Saturday Christmas Cookies and Porch Chat was a HUGE success. Thank you, thank you to the LARGE team of people who made the magic happen for folks who truly loved a special visit. This project began in October to serve our adult seniors and has evolved to serving people who would appreciate a special visit from a church friend and special conversation. The food is just way to structure the visit. The TRUE importance has been the contact that our St. John’s family has had with each other. Many people were involved with our December project: 16 households contributed over 70 dozen homemade cookies— That’s a lot!!! 23 adults plus 4 children delivered boxes of cookies on Saturday 3 people created the cookie boxes 59 people received boxes Take a look at all the 4 people organized the project
LOVE ….
As Pastor Amy says, “Holy Moly”! Many, many St. John’s folks were impacted by this project. The folks receiving the visit, cookies, and poinsettias felt loved and soaked in the wonderment of meaningful communication. Many of the drivers said they felt like they got more from the contacts than the recipients!!! The sun shone brightly making it a joyful day. Some groups sang Christmas carols (masked and socially distanced!). Others had lively chats. All made their recipients feel very, very special and extremely happy. Warm thanks to these Christmas Cookie makers: Mary Cole Thea & Owen Peterson Connie Burkhalter Linda Welch Alice Garrison Kaye Bultemeier Ron Rimer Mari Brooks Ruthie Kuhlman Nancy McGalliard These delivery people were the BEST: Mary & Ron Rimer Kaye Bultemeier Lynn Wilson Mari Brooks & Grandson Jessica & Lola Bocangel Amy Hamer, Hailie & Parker Deb Sousa & Grandchildren
Pastor Tirro Neil & Sue Fischer Chuck Maland Mary Eikenberry Alice Garrison Ruth Crowley
Ruth Crowley Kaye Williams Susan Dowling Barbara Teague Laura Trout Pastor Amy & Joe Ley Susan Dowling Deb Haines Debbie & David Sweany Thea Peterson Lee Ley
Every good project needs people to help with the organization. Thankful praise to: > Mary Cole for helping with a multitude of phone calls to finalize our RSVP list and making cookies. > Thea Peterson for doing the rubric-cube task of recruiting and assigning the drivers and making cookies. > Ruth Crowley for creating the beautiful card, assembling the cookie boxes, making cookies, and purchasing the poinsettias. (Thank you, too, to Rachel Crowley Parker for helping us assemble cookie boxes! We needed the extra set of hands for this big job!!) I am blessed to have such FABULOUS St. John's people in my circle of friends who share my goal of taking loving care of each other---even in a pandemic. Have a blessed Christmas and I hope we can work together again in the new year on the next 1st Saturday Celebration and Porch Chat. Take care of yourself and others and be healthy!! Happy New Year! Cheers! Nancy Maland
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Congregational Meeting Sunday, January 31, 2021 10:15 AM Zoom … Meeting ID 873 3962 5092 and Password 1888 The St. John’s family will gather for an official congregational meeting. The agenda includes: • • • •
State of the Church address Financial Update Recognition of Church Council Seniors Election of four Church Council Members, a Tyson House Council Member, members of the Nominating Team, and Delegates to the Southeastern Synod Assembly
Please consider the following note from the 2019-2020 Nominating Team, including Nancy Friedrich, Thea Peterson, David Bocangel, Jackie Tucker, Dale Teague, and Laura Trout: After faithful conversations, some focused zoom meetings and lots of texts and phone calls, the nominating team is excited to present the list below of individuals for Church Council, Nominating Team, Southeastern Assembly, and Tyson House Council. All these individuals took time to prayerfully discern that this was a good use of their time and talents. We celebrate this faithful and outstanding group! 2021 Council Members Jordan Baker Amy Hamer Kris Hepler Laura Trout
Synod Assembly Representatives Angela & Brad Long
2021 Nominating Team Mary Cole Jim Friedrich Angie Hamstead Mary Rimer Sally Robinette Jeff Welch
Tyson House Representative Samantha Murphy
Thank you for making this gathering a priority for your family. If you have any questions, please contact Church Council President Scott Krogmann at scottkrogs@gmail.com or 407.616.9022.
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BIRTHDAYS 9 10 11 12 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Changsheng Lu Sally Robinette Jada Parman Amanda Adams David Bocangel Dayne Cook Alice Garrison Tom Godden Patrick McWilliams David Wayland Rick Metelka Samantha Murphy
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15 16 17 18 19
18 19
3 5 12 13 16 17
Gary Morgan Sonya McWilliams Jill Rosberg Brad Parman Laura Trout Erin Ramsey Parker Hamer Kelly Parman Henry Holt Adam Krogmann Bailey Morgan
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24 25 26 27 28
Will McCarthy Don Ray Emily Stapf Suzanne Brown Ian Daughety Mary Cole Kelly Hudson Ann Langendorfer Terry Burkhalter Elliott Schwahn Rachel Bast Charlsie Counts Steve Misenheimer Andrew Perkinson Russell Lay Kyle Metelka Ashley Hopkins Judy McCarter Danielle Sweany
20 21 22 23 25 28 29 30 31
Grace Doyle Enlow Frank Wilson Susan Dowling Max Giesecke Dick Krogmann Josh Ley Griffin Hamstead Patsy Reeves Russell Kuhlman Lily Hancock Jessica Sousa-Lewis Tom McGalliard Rita Schwartz David Martin
John Lawhon Haley Bernard Tony Harris Robin Leib Ruth Petersen Sandra Jessel Dan Bernard Amy Figg Ley Emelia Lewis Ashton Roberts Alexandra Bernard Peyton Hairston III Spencer Bernard Will Wittenberg Dan Lee
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ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 544 Broadway, NW Knoxville, TN 37917
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
CHURCH LEADERSHIP & STAFF Amy Figg Ley Senior Pastor amy@sjlcknox.org
John Tirro Pastor of Worship & Campus Ministry John@sjlcknox.org
Christopher Clay Director of Communications chris@sjlcknox.org
Deborah Dunne-Sousa Minister of Music sousa@esknoxville.org
Darrell Murrell Facility Staff facility@sjlcknox.org
Thea Peterson Kids Hope USA Director Thea@sjlcknox.org
Phone:: 865.523.3330
Toni Denton Administrative Assistant toni@sjlcknox.org Mary Elizabeth Peterson, Lisa Minton & Bailey Morgan Nursery Assistants
Fax: 865.524.7895 Email: INFO@sjlcknox.org Website: www.sjlcknox.org