Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Our worship theme this weekend, grounded in our lessons, deals with our response to God's call to obedience and servanthood. We have the opportunity to reflect on our own responses to God's call as we hear in the Gospel lesson the account of Jesus calling his first disciples to follow him. This is big stuff, and demands that we dream big!
It's here! The "Hearts for the Lord's Will" All-Congregation Birthday Celebration will be held this Sunday, January 23 11:45 a.m. in the fellowship hall. If you have forgotten to make your reservations, not to worry. The Evangelism Team says come on - just bring a covered dish to share (something other desserts, please – from the reservations, it looks like we'll have plenty of sweets!). Not only does this promise to be an exciting event, it also promises to do a great job of "setting the table" for our Annual Meeting, held the following week! We hope you will be with us. Nursery care and activities for children will be provided.
Looking Ahead:
- Annual Meeting - Sunday, February 3, 11:45 a.m. Catered lunch, followed by meeting to act on the proposed budget, celebrate last year's ministries, and act on a Local Benevolence proposal
- Ash Wednesday observance - February 6, 6:00 p.m. dinner; 7:00 p.m. worship (sanctuary). This will be a traditional service using the liturgy for Ash Wednesday from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, including the imposition of ashes.
The volunteers who work at the New Hope Food Pantry have expressed their gratitude to the members of LCOS for their generous support. The food and money you send does make a difference, and is greatly appreciated. Last month, they provided assistance for over 300 people, and they couldn't have done it without us. You've probably read that food pantries and food banks around the country are experiencing shortages of food. While the shelves at the New Hope Food Pantry aren't empty, they are very low. Particular needs right now are for canned fruit and fruit juices (keep in mind that people on blood pressure medication can't eat grapefruit); rice; and high-protein foods such as canned salmon and tuna, beans, prepared dinners, stews, "chunky" soups, etc. The collection point for donations is the kitchen in the parrish house.
Parting thought: the late Episcopal theologian Henri Nouwen once wrote, community is first of all a quality of the heart. It grows from spiritual knowledge that we are alive not for ourselves but for one another. Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more important than our own (see Philippians 2:4). The question, therefore, is not, "How can we make community?" but "How can we develop and nurture giving hearts?"
As we prepare to gather for worship and fellowship in our community of faith this weekend, may we come with giving hearts. See you in worship!
In Christ's peace,
Gary
Our worship theme this weekend, grounded in our lessons, deals with our response to God's call to obedience and servanthood. We have the opportunity to reflect on our own responses to God's call as we hear in the Gospel lesson the account of Jesus calling his first disciples to follow him. This is big stuff, and demands that we dream big!
It's here! The "Hearts for the Lord's Will" All-Congregation Birthday Celebration will be held this Sunday, January 23 11:45 a.m. in the fellowship hall. If you have forgotten to make your reservations, not to worry. The Evangelism Team says come on - just bring a covered dish to share (something other desserts, please – from the reservations, it looks like we'll have plenty of sweets!). Not only does this promise to be an exciting event, it also promises to do a great job of "setting the table" for our Annual Meeting, held the following week! We hope you will be with us. Nursery care and activities for children will be provided.
Looking Ahead:
- Annual Meeting - Sunday, February 3, 11:45 a.m. Catered lunch, followed by meeting to act on the proposed budget, celebrate last year's ministries, and act on a Local Benevolence proposal
- Ash Wednesday observance - February 6, 6:00 p.m. dinner; 7:00 p.m. worship (sanctuary). This will be a traditional service using the liturgy for Ash Wednesday from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, including the imposition of ashes.
The volunteers who work at the New Hope Food Pantry have expressed their gratitude to the members of LCOS for their generous support. The food and money you send does make a difference, and is greatly appreciated. Last month, they provided assistance for over 300 people, and they couldn't have done it without us. You've probably read that food pantries and food banks around the country are experiencing shortages of food. While the shelves at the New Hope Food Pantry aren't empty, they are very low. Particular needs right now are for canned fruit and fruit juices (keep in mind that people on blood pressure medication can't eat grapefruit); rice; and high-protein foods such as canned salmon and tuna, beans, prepared dinners, stews, "chunky" soups, etc. The collection point for donations is the kitchen in the parrish house.
Parting thought: the late Episcopal theologian Henri Nouwen once wrote, community is first of all a quality of the heart. It grows from spiritual knowledge that we are alive not for ourselves but for one another. Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more important than our own (see Philippians 2:4). The question, therefore, is not, "How can we make community?" but "How can we develop and nurture giving hearts?"
As we prepare to gather for worship and fellowship in our community of faith this weekend, may we come with giving hearts. See you in worship!
In Christ's peace,
Gary
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