University Lutheran Church
and Student Center

925 West Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, FL 32304-8019
(850) 224-6059 - Pastor@UniversityLutheranChurch.org
www.UniversityLutheranChurch.org

From the Pastor

Hello from University Lutheran….

Things are still pretty quiet around here, even though I can hear a slight rustling of the FSU community as students get ready for their trip back and preparations get in gear to receive them.  Residence halls open Friday, but we really don’t expect to see most folks until the weekend.  It is during this quiet time that we get another chance to talk about the Christmas Season, which concludes this weekend with the Festival of EPIPHANY
(Jan. 6).  Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Wise Men who bring gifts for the Child Jesus and has always been one of my favorite early New Testament events.  In Latin America, it is called the Three Kings Celebration and is marked by a carnival atmosphere that goes on for days.  It is believed that, historically, the Wise Men did not show up until Jesus was about two years old.  And, although we associate the number of visitors with the three gifts, there is no mention of their numbers in Scripture.  More than likely, a whole caravan followed that star!

The Wise Men have always made a special point for those of us still celebrating the Incarnation.  The prophecies clearly state that ALL nations shall acknowledge this God of ours who chooses to show up in human form, and these Eastern visitors are a testimony to that fact:  strangers from other nations and traditions make the trek to Bethlehem with their gifts to praise God for the UNIVERSAL Incarnation Miracle.  Christ is indeed the gift for all nations!  Instead of resolving and then revising New Year’s Resolutions, maybe we can focus on the gifts that WE can bring to the Savior…gifts that involve some new commitments, attitude changes and lifestyle adjustments.

IF you are in town or will be back from break, please join us as we begin the New Year with the Season of Epiphany.  The First Sunday of Epiphany celebrates the Baptism of Jesus.  Please join us as we get a chance to talk about and renew our OWN Baptism this Sunday at 11:00 AM.

I’m off to take down the tree and all the Christmas Decorations…and raise the Epiphany banner for Sunday.  Take Care.

Pastor D

I trust all of you had a wonderful Christmas and I wish all of you a very good and healthy New Year.

Unfortunately, some of our families need our prayers for health reasons.

We continue to pray for speedy recovery of broken bones for Cheryl and Scott, and comfort for Donnie and Lura as they care for Cheryl and Scott.   Deb Buenrostro and her family need our prayers, as her father is in the process of recovering from extensive surgery.  Deb will visit him next week.  Also Wayne Smith has been extremely ill.  He has been in the hospital for five days and is battling a very serious infection.  Please keep him and Paula, who has been with him in your prayers.  At this point, Paula has requested no visitors.  I will keep you posted, as I learn more information about the Smiths.

Next Thursday, January 11, is the second Thursday - that means ULC serves the evening meal at Hope Community.  This month is the Church Council's turn.  Please let me know if you want to volunteer to serve, Thursday, January 11, at 5:00 pm at the HOPE Community.

All 2006 Annual Giving Statements are available at the entrance table. Please pick your up by January 21. All remaining statements on January 21 will be mailed.

Please review your statements and report any errors to the Treasurer as soon as possible. Jim Freeman (jim@freemans.info).
UUU