Sunday, June 24, 2007

Thank You to the Kettering Community Chorus

Thank you to the Kettering Community Chorus and their director Marvin Heilman for sharing their talents with us in worship this morning. Their gift of music was inspiring.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

A Message From Our Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

This Sunday in worship, The Kettering Community Chorus will bring us the message in music. The chorus is all volunteer, and is under the direction of Marvin Hileman. The chorus was last with us in worship in 1999, and it will be a joy to have them with us again this Sunday.

Sunday, we will also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

The AC is still working in the sanctuary – praise God!

Thought for the week:

Playing the guitar is like telling the truth – you never have to worry about repeating the same lie if you told the truth. You don't have to pretend, or cover up. If someone asks you again, you don't have to think about it or worry about it . . . because there it is. It's you. - B. B. King

May the Spirit help you to be the person you were created you to be – nothing more . . . or less!

In Christ,

Gary


Monday, June 18, 2007

Kettering Community Chorus Joins Us Next Sunday, June 24

Next Sunday, June 24, the message for the day will be provided by the Kettering Community Chorus, under the direction of Marvin Hileman. The Kettering Community Chorus is in its 18th season. The Chorus sings sacred and secular music in nursing homes, churches, and for community events. They last joined us in 1999. It will be a joy to have them help us lead worship next Sunday.

An Opportunity to Serve

In his sermon yesterday, Pastor Gary spoke about the Gospel reading for the day, Luke 7:36-8:3. In this reading, a Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner, and a "woman in the city, who was a sinner" also showed up. The sermon was about how unexpected things come unto our lives when we invite Jesus into our lives, and how many of these unexpected things include the blessing of being entrusted to serve others, as the woman served Jesus.

An opportunity to serve others that was lifted up to us yesterday is "A Rainbow of Caring." This is a program of the Church World Service to provide blankets and tools to people who have been dispossessed. For example, a contribution of $5.00 provides a sturdy blanket to warm the night or provide shade during the day. On display in our chancel is a sample of the blankets provided and some tools. You can find out more about this at www.churchworldservice.org and www.buildavillage.org.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Thank You . . .

. . . to Laurie and Elyse Fenstermacher for singing The Gift of Love by Hal Hopson during the offering this morning.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Healing Prayers This Sunday

This Sunday, June 17, is the third Sunday of the month. On the third Sunday of each month, we offer special prayers for healing during the 9:45 a.m. service. Healing means to make "whole" in body, mind and spirit. During communion, everyone who wishes to do so is invited to receive the laying on of hands by our pastor, a blessing, and anointing with oil.

"The Gift of Love"

The Gospel lesson this weekend (Luke 7:36-8:3) is about an encounter between Jesus, a Pharisee who asks Jesus to eat with him, and "a woman in the city, who was a sinner." The woman washes Jesus' feet and annoints them with ointment. The Pharisee criticizes Jesus for associating with the woman. Jesus, however, forgives the woman's sins, and speaks to the Pharisee about the great love that she has shown toward Jesus.

In showing love to others, we show our love of Jesus as he would have us do. Hal Hopson's song The Gift of Love asks for inspiration to act toward others in love: "Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship, and are freed."

The Gift of Love will be sung this Sunday during the offering by Laurie and Elyse Fenstermacher. Laurie is a member of the Chancel Choir. Laurie's daughter, Elyse, sang with the Chancel Choir while she was in high school. Elyse currently attends St. Olaf College in Northfield Minnesota, where she is a member of the renowned St. Olaf Choir. We look forward to hearing Laurie and Elyse sing.

The lyrics of The Gift of Love are by Hal Hopson (1933- ), who set them to a traditional melody. Mr. Hopson is prolific American composer of church music who has (among other things) arranged many classic pieces for small ensembles.

Other music this Sunday:

  • Setting Four of the Service of Communion from Evangelical Lutheran Worship
  • Prelude: My Faith Looks Up to Thee, Dale Wood
  • Entrance Hymn: Praise My Soul, The King of Heaven, ELW 864
  • Hymn of the Day: Borning Cry, ELW 732
  • Hymns during Communion: Healer of Every Ill, ELW 612; O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts, ELW 658; My Faith Looks Up to Thee, ELW 759
  • Sending Hymn: Give to Our God Immortal Praise, ELW 848
  • Postlude: Give to Our God Immortal Praise, Michael Burkhardt

A Message From Our Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

This weekend's lessons lift up confession and forgiveness. As we gather in worship, we come into God's presence not because we earn it, but purely as an act of God's grace. The lessons introduce us to a pair of the world's great sinners – and we take our place among them, hungry to taste the wonderful love of God. How fitting then, that during worship on Sunday, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

This weekend in worship we will also learn about Rainbow of Caring, a program which supplies blankets and tools to people in need throughout the world. A contribution of $5.00 provides a sturdy blanket to warm the night or provide shade during the day. Our Women of the ELCA organization is hosting this project.

Next Sunday (June 24) we will be led in worship by THE KETTERING COMMUNITY CHORUS. They will present the message of the day through music. It will be a blessing to have the Chorus with us in worship!

Remember: this Sunday is Father's Day.

And, hey – we still have AC in the sanctuary!!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
How can someone ever trust in the existence of an unconditional divine love when most, if not all, of what he or she has experienced is the opposite of love – fear, hatred, violence, and abuse? They are not condemned to be victims! There remains within them, hidden as it may seem, the possibility to choose love. Many people who have suffered the most horrendous rejections and been subject to the most cruel torture have been able to choose love. By choosing love they became witnesses not only to human resiliency but also to the divine love that transcends all human loves. Those who choose, even on a small scale, to love in the midst of hatred and fear are the people who offer true hope to our world. – Henri Nouwen

May God's blessings surround you this week and bring you peace and joy!

In Christ,

Gary

Monday, June 11, 2007

Summer Punch Bowl

During the summer, we have a reception every Sunday after the 9:45 a.m. service. Thanks to Shirley Coen, Tricia Murphy, and the rest of the Christian Education Committee for bringing delicious cookies and brownies and for hosting yesterday's reception. We have the reception outside whenever we can. As you can see from this picture, yesterday was a beautiful day.

Friday, June 08, 2007

Music for the Second Sunday after Petecost, June 10

During the offering this Sunday, Dan Minnenan, bass, will sing Life as a Father, by John Prindle Scott (1877-1932). Prindle was an English composer best known for setting scriptural texts to music for solo singers. We thank Dan for singing this week.

Other music:

ELW Setting Four of the Communion Service
Prelude: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, Robert Hobby
Entrance Hymn: Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, ELW 886
Hymn of the Day: Lord, Speak to Us, That We May Speak, ELW 676
Hymns During Communion: Abide with Me, ELW 629; I Am the Bread of Life, ELW 485
Sending Hymn: I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me, ELW 860
Postlude: I've Just Come from the Fountain, Michael Hassell

The Color Green


If you've come to this site before, you'll notice that we've changed the color scheme to green.

Green is the liturgical color that is used by many denominations, including the ELCA, during the Sundays after Pentecost. The Gospel readings that are read during worship in this season emphasize the teachings and ministry of Christ. The color green is used to symbolize our growth in faith as we experience these readings in worship.

If you come to our services next weekend, you'll see that the paraments that hang on the altar, lecturn, and pulpit have been changed to green, as well as Pastor Gary's stole and chasuble. The next changes will occur in the fall when we celebrate Reformation (red), All Saint's Day (white), and the festival of Christ the King (white), then turn to blue for Advent.

For more information on the meaning and use of liturgical colors, click on this link to go to the ELCA's FAQs about worship: Liturgical Colors.

Thursday, June 07, 2007

This Year's Confirmands

I just received this picture that was taken of our confirmands on Pentecost, the day they were confirmed. Congratulations to Andrew David Dickerson, Emily Susan Kugel, Nicole Joann Martinez, Morgan Leigh Nandrasy, Alec John Snead, and their families. Thanks to Pastor Gary for helping to lead these youth on their faith journey.



Our Pastor's Weekly Ministry Update

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

We still have AIR CONDITIONING in the sanctuary while we wait for the new system to be installed!! Thanks to Ron Iverson and the members of the Property Committee, we are able to temporarily utilize the old AC system in the sanctuary that was disconnected in anticipation of the installation of the new system, but not yet dismantled. This is truly a blessing, as it will be mid-August before the new system is installed. As we say at camp, God is good – all the time!

Last Sunday, Sharon and Pat Griffy renewed their marriage vows during worship, and then treated all who could stay to a grand post-worship catered meal. Thank you, Sharon and Pat, for choosing to include our community of faith in your celebration!

This weekend, our lessons include two miracle stories in which God raises two people from the dead, which is what our Lord does for us each day by breathing forgiveness, hope and new life into us through the Holy Spirit. At the conclusion of both worship services (Sat., 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, 9:45 a.m.), the Health Ministry Team will offer free, confidential blood pressure screenings for all who wish to participate.

On Saturday, June 9, Christ Lutheran Church (one of our mission partners) is hosting a Community Block Party in Old North Dayton, from 1 – 3 p.m. Individual and family volunteers are invited to assist with set up, tear down and staffing the booths. Please prayerfully consider sharing an hour or more of your time between 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you are interested, or have questions, please contact the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church.

Thought for the week:

"I myself do nothing. The Holy Spirit accomplishes all through me." – William Blake

May God's blessings fill you with hope and joy this week so that you may live the life God has in store for you. See you in worship.

In Christ,

Gary

Monday, June 04, 2007

Chancel Choir Picnic

This year's Chancel Choir picnic will be this Friday, June 8th, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The following will be provided:

  • Hotdogs and brats
  • Iced tea and lemonade
  • A hot grill

Bring a dish to share. You can also bring other items to grill, if you want something fancier. If you haven't signed up on one of the sign-up sheets, please call Sonia to let her know you're coming and what you can bring. See you there!

A Big Ending to the Choir Season

Yesterday was the end of the choir season, and all of the choirs participated in the service. Thank you to all of the choir members and their directors:
  • Chancel Choir - Ginger Minneman, Director
  • Sonshine Choir - Elizabeth Beal, Director (thanks to her husband Joe for substituting for Elizabeth, who was unable to attend yesterday)
  • Joyful Noise Choir - Celeste Hoerner, Director
  • Bell Choir - Richard Freudenberger, Director

Thanks also go to Sonia Davila for accompanying the Sonshine Choir and to Phil Hanna for singing a solo with them.

As always, we appreciate the talents of our organist, Rachel Spry.

Our music team is lead by Ginger Minneman as Music Director. Ginger's talent, creativity, cheerfulness and enthusiasm make her a joy to work with, and inspire us to keep pushing ourselves to grow as church musicians.

The choirs will resume in September. In the meantime, we look forward to hearing soloists and small groups singing and playing through the summer.

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Saturday

Thanks to Terry Bruns for leading our service yesterday evening in Pastor Eichhorn's absence. Terry's sermon, based on the readings for Trinity Sunday, was about wisdom and hope. May the wisdom of the Holy Spirit lead you to walk in hope, trusting that you can take the next step toward doing what God wants you to accomplish.

Friday, June 01, 2007

Worship Committee Meeting

The Worship Committee will meet on Saturday, June 9, at 10:00 a.m.

Summer Worship Schedule Begins this Weekend

In the summer, we have one worship service each Sunday. It is at 9:45 a.m. In September, will return to having two services at 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Our Saturday service is at 5:30 p.m. year round. As noted below, this service is held outdoors in the Prayer Labyrinth, weather permitting.

Please join us for one of our services this weekend.

Choir Rehearsals on June 3

Choir rehearsal times for Sunday, June 3:
  • 8:55 a.m. - Bell Choir
  • 9:00 a.m. - Sonshine Choir
  • 9:00 a.m. - Joyful Noise Choir
  • 9:15 a.m. - Chancel Choir
  • 9:45 a.m. - service begins