Ministry Opportunity Guide Introduction

Dear Friend in Christ, 

The vision of our ministry here at Epiphany is to “connect the world to Jesus one disciple at a time.” Our prayer is that this Ministry Opportunity Guide assists you in getting more profoundly and passionately connected to God’s purpose for you at this moment. 

• You might be a visitor to our congregation. We hope this information can give you a quick overview of what discipleship looks like here at Epiphany, and what the future could hold for you. 

• You might be a brand new disciple. We pray that this guide can help you discern which ministry might be the most meaningful “next step” for you at Epiphany. 

• You might be a long time disciple. Perhaps you are prayerfully discerning a new direction in your walk with Christ. We pray that time with this information might stimulate some intriguing fresh possibilities. 

• You might be a ministry leader. With what other Epiphany teams and ministries might you partner? Who is working at something potentially complementary to your goals? We trust this resource will provide helpful links for your planning. 

Browsing through these pages excites me. So many disciples enacting so many forms of Christ’s love, ministry, and kingdom. Here we see what St. Paul described in Romans 12: “Just as each of our bodies has several parts and each part has a separate function, so all of us, in unison with Christ, form one body, and as parts of it we belong to each other.” Our gifts, our passions, our ministries are different—but together, we form the body of Christ. Together, we’re at work, connecting to Jesus! 

So may this Ministry Opportunity Guide be a blessing to you! May the Holy Spirit guide you in your discernment of how and with whom to get connected to what Jesus might have you do. 

Pastor Sara Cutter

Missions, Service & Community Outreach

Showing How We Love Jesus by Serving Others:

Double Your Pantry Donation with Meijer’s Simply Give Program

Program runs through September 20
Epiphany is once again the recipient of the Simply Give program at the Meijer on Springboro Pike. Pick up a Simply Give card at the Far Hills Welcome Center or at Meijer. Please note: in order for our Pantry to benefit, it must be the Springboro Pike store since every Meijer sponsors a different pantry. Have the card scanned when you check out. Cards must be bought in $10 increments and Meijer will match the donation. No matter how much you donate, you only need one card as it can be scanned multiple times.
If you do not shop at that Meijer but want to help our Pantry, simply make a donation to the Pantry in any amount and mark Pantry/Meijer on your check. This money will be pooled and Gerry Sandberg will purchase a card. The last program netted our pantry $3500. With the increased need in our community, this is an invaluable program for our pantry. If you have any questions, please contact Gerry (434-2717, sandbera@juno.com , gsandberg@epiphanydayton.org ).

Global Missions Task Force
Tuesday, September 6, 7 PM (FH Library)
The Task Force serves as the coordinating group for Epiphany-based mission teams in furthering relationship with partner congregations on 3 continents: Europe (Mecklenburg, Germany), Africa (East of Lake Victoria, Tanzania), and Asia (India, the Russian Far East, and Kazakhstan). All members of the congregation are welcome. For more information, contact Bob Hein @ phein1@woh.rr.com  or Terry Rapoch @ terry.rapoch@daytaohio.com

Two Planning Teams Forming: Church-Wide Service Day and Oktoberfest

We are beginning to plan for our annual church-wide community service day in September as well as our Oktoberfest celebration. We need your help. Please volunteer to serve on the planning teams. Contact Melonie Johns (service day – melonie.johns@teradata.com) or Terry Rapoch (Oktoberfest – terry.rapoch@daytaohio.com ).

Boston Stocker Fundraiser

To help raise money for mission trips, the youth are taking orders throughout the summer for a variety of Boston Stoker coffees. Order forms are available at the coffee stations at both campuses. For more information, contact April Barrett (abarrett@epiphanydayton.org) or Andy Addy (aaddy@epiphanydayton.org ). Orders will be delivered the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays and can be picked up at the Youth Table in the Far Hills Gathering Space.

Pantry Needs

For the summer, we’re focusing on one item each week. This week’s item – shampoo. Used household items and summer clothing (especially shorts) of all sizes are always appreciated, as are financial contributions via the Offering (memo note Pantry). For more info, contact Jan Panning at (937) 433-2885.

Fall/Winter Clothing Drive

During the month of August, our Pantry is holding a drive for fall and winter clothing. Items needed include clean, gently used clothing that kids can wear to school: long and short sleeved shirts, jeans, khaki-type pants, dresses and leggings, gym shoes, sweatshirts and sweaters, jackets and coats. For more info, contact Jan Panning (433.2885).
Also, the back-to-school drive will continue for another couple of weeks, so if you haven’t donated school supplies, now’s your opportunity. Thank you! 

Vineyards Ministry
2nd Tuesday of each month resuming September 13, 6:30 PM
at MCL Cafeteria, Far Hills & David Rd.
This ministry includes disciples from Epiphany, Mt. Enon, and other churches who meet for dinner and Christian fellowship in an effort to help bridge the communications gap that exists in our society stemming from generations of race-related issues. For details, contact Jim Evans jevans1@notes.udayton.edu or 937-886-2494.

Helping Hands Care Kit Drop-Off
Helping Hands of Dayton puts together Care Kits for families of children who are admitted to ICU. Look for the yellow collection bins near the Far Hills Welcome Center. Items needed include travel-sized toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, tissues, pens, paper, and lotion. For more information, contact Emily Schluter (emschluter@woh.rr.com ).

2 Planning Teams Forming: Church-Wide Service Day and Oktoberfest
We are beginning to plan for our annual church-wide community service day in September as well as our Oktoberfest celebration. We need your help. Please volunteer to serve on the planning teams. Contact Melonie Johns (service day – melonie.johns@teradata.com) or Terry Rapoch (Oktoberfest – terry.rapoch@daytaohio.com ).

Celebration Center Set-Up Help Needed

We are looking for several volunteers or a small group to set up and put away the chairs in the FH Celebration Center prior to/after the weekly contemporary worship services. We need the volunteers in place by September 11, when the contemporary service moves back indoors. For more info or to volunteer, please contact Andy Addy (aaddy@epiphanydayton.org ).

Communion Preparation Team

We would like to add a few more people to the team that sets/cleans up communion for the traditional services at Far Hills. If you like to work behind the scenes, this may be your opportunity to serve. Call Sandy Houpt (885-7093) for further details or to volunteer.

Austin Campus Volunteer Sign-Up Procedure

It’s now easier than ever to sign-up for the many duties required to ensure the wonderful worship services every Sunday morning at the beautiful Austin Campus. Go to www.epiphanylutheran.keepandshare.com and click on “Epiphany Lutheran Calendar.” Click the under the date you want to volunteer, then click OK. You are now ready to type your name beside one or more of the several duties listed there. Click “SAVE and CLOSE” when you are finished. Need more info? Contact Jane Lane (jlane@epiphanydayton.org ).

Blood Drive – Donors, Helpers, & Cookies Needed

Saturday, October 8th, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m, Far Hills Campus (FH Celebration Center)
If you are 16 or over, weigh over 110 pounds, and are generally in good health, please consider donating blood. The pint of blood you donate can save up to 3 lives in the Dayton area. Schedule your appointment at www.donortime.com or just drop in. For more information, contact Laura Rapoch (l_rapoch@yahoo.com ).
– Vascular screenings are also offered.
– Cookies may be dropped off in the FH Kitchen, marked for the Blood Drive.