Especially Special.

Hi All,
Have you ever thought that you were especially special? In our post-modern world, many of us are taught that we are special, yet society treats us merely as a vast collection of statistics. We are grouped by our income (or lack thereof), our place of residence, our ethnic background, our purchasing power and a hundred or more differing groups that we can be classified under, each just as nameless and de-humanizing as the next. No wonder life can seem so pointless (and if you're feeling that way, there's euthanasia if it hurts too much)!

Thankfully, God does not feel this way. He wants to believe in you, but our sinful nature always gets in the way. How does a holy God solve this problem, and reconcile us to Him? The answer He chose is Jesus. By Christ's life and death, God reveals that we as individuals mean so much to Him that he will do His utmost to come to us.
God does everything in Christ to reconcile each one of us to Him. That makes you feel especially special indeed!

Click here to download: Especially Special.

Illawarra Lutheran Parish
28th January 2007
Epiphany 4

Prayer of the Day

Everloving God, we thank you that you sent your own Son to bring us life and that through him you gave us many gifts. Teach us to desire your greatest gift, the gift of love, so that we love others as you have loved us. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer Points.

• Give thanks for Turning Point Ministries and the wonderful work they do with young people.
• Give thanks for the History Makers Camp and the blessings the young people from our congregations received from the camp.
• Pray for courage to let the Holy Spirit direct our lives.
• Pray for vision to see possibilites and not obstacles.
• Pray for those in our parish who are ill or in hospital: Helga S., Wolfgang G., Fritz T., Spodra M., Harold M., Josepha K., Hardy & Wendy B., Christine F. and Horst M.
• Pray for Pastor Ren Tschirpig and the Tamworth/Gunnedah parish.
• Pray for the renewal and growth of small group ministries in our parish.
• Pray for the 5 young people starting Confirmation instruction: Caroline M., Luke M., Jordan W., Tiana E. and Matthew V.

Todays Readings.

Jeremiah 1:4-10
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30

Major and Minor festivals This Week.

Presentation of our Lord
2nd February
White

"In obedience to the Old Law, the Lord Jesus, the first-born, was presented in the Temple by his mother Mary and his foster father. This is another 'epiphany' celebration insofar as the Christ Child is revealed as the Messiah through the canticle and words of Simeon and the testimony of Anna the prophetess. Christ is the light of the nations, hence the blessing and procession of candles on this day. In the Middle Ages this feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or 'Candlemas', was of great importance.

Things to Do

Strawberry Cream Crepes
Pancakes are traditionally served on Candlemas and Shrove Tuesday, to celebrate renewal, family life, and hopes for good fortune and happiness in the future. It is customary in France to touch the handle of the frying pan, and make a wish while the pancake is turned, holding a coin in the hand.
INGREDIENTS
Basic Crepe Recipe
· 3/4 cup flour
· 1 teaspoon baking powder
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
· 2/3 cup milk
· 1/3 cup water
· 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
· 2 tablespoons oil
· 2 egg

Strawberry Filling
· 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
· 2 tablespoons sugar
· 1 14 ounce ca sweetened condensed milk
· 1/4 cup lemon juice
· 1/2 cup heavy cream — whipped
· 8 dessert crepes
· 8 whole strawberries to garnish

DIRECTIONS
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together in bowl. Beat eggs, milk, water and vanilla together. Add to remaining ingredients. Beat mixture lightly; ignore lumps. Heat oil until almost smokey in skillet. Pour small quantity of batter in and rotate pan so batter spreads evenly. Cook until light brown; turn and brown other side.

Sprinkle sliced strawberries with sugar; set aside. Beat milk with lemon juice until thick. Fold in strawberries and whipped cream. Divide among crepes; fold. Garnish with additional whipped cream and a strawberry centered on the cream.

Thought for the Week.

"All I ever ask for is an honest weeks' pay for an honest days' work."
Lisa Olson

Photo credit: 'Fallen Leaf' by Lisa Langell, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.