A Message from Our Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

This weekend, our worship theme is very timely, as the Gospel lesson is Christ's discussion with the Pharisees about paying taxes to Caesar and giving to God what belongs to God. In uncertain times such as what we are experiencing, it is vital for us to remember that while presidents come and go, while the stock market rises and falls, it is God who has remained constant and faithful throughout time, and it is God's Church that is called to proclaim God's voice of hope and sensibility when humanity starts grasping at straws for answers. So, remember to cling to God, not Wall Street, for hope and security. And, help one another hold on by gathering together in worship this weekend, for we are here, not for ourselves, but to help one another!

 

On another practical level, if you think these times are difficult, I encourage you to seek out a family member or church friend who lived through the Great Depression – they are models of "God will see us through this"!

 

This Sunday, 5:00 p.m., the confirmation cluster will gather at Wittenberg University to study the second table of the Law (commandments 4-10) – how God wants us to relate to one another in community.

 

Monday, 10/20, 7:00 p.m., the congregation council gathers for its monthly meeting, in the parish house meeting room (aka, the blue room or the Penn State Room).

 

Tuesday, 10/21, 6:00 p.m., the Lutheran Course will begin at St. Paul Lutheran Church (Wayne Ave.) with dinner. Activities for children and youth, and the class for adults will commence at 6:45 p.m., and will conclude at 7:45 p.m. This 7-session (3^rd Tuesday each month) class is designed to help us connect with our Lutheran roots, and to help us claim our identity as God's people (Lutheran Christians) called to a life of service to others. I hope you can be a part of this monthly event.

 

Wednesday, 10/22, 11:00 a.m., we will gather in our sanctuary for a memorial service for Alan Crandall, with light refreshments afterwards. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, 10/21, 6-8 p.m. at Schlientz and Moore Funeral Home (Centerville).

 

A special word of thanks and recognition – this past Wednesday, I attended the official "seating" service at Trinity Seminary, Columbus, for the newly created Haman-Pfahler Chair in Christian Communications. The Rev. Henry Langknecht, Ph.D., is the newly-installed professor. Our own Bob and Carolyn (Pfahler) Haman were the people whose generosity established this chair. The Body of Christ, the Church, has been greatly enhanced by the Hamans' generosity and faithfulness to the Gospel, and it was an honor to attend this event with Bob and Carolyn!

 

May the Holy Spirit breathe excitement and new life into you this day!

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

LCOS News From Our Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

Tonight, we offer a new mid-week worship time designed to provide time for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal. "Escape the Noise" is an opportunity to put aside the deafening noise of work, school, home expectations and obligations, and listen to the voice of God. Held in the chapel, this weekly time is offered from 6:45 – 7:15 p.m., and will begin with a reading from Scripture and conclude with a spoken prayer; everything in between is time for you to use in silence for renewal and prayer.

 

This weekend, the Holy Terrors head out to the Brookville KOA campground for a weekend of camping, hiking, fishing, mini-golf, and a chili dinner/hayride. Those camping can begin arriving at the campground Friday afternoon or join us on Saturday. The chili supper/hayride is open to the congregation, and begins at 5:00 p.m. Cost for non-campers is $5/person. I will lead worship on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the campground, and those not camping are welcome to come up for worship. Visiting pastors will lead worship at LCOS on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

 

Our worship theme for this weekend – at church and at the campground – is an invitation from God in a parable that is not part of a typical Sunday School curriculum, as it is anything but politically correct! There is plenty of good news in this story that Jesus tells, but for those who are seeking the easy way, seeking to be a follower of Jesus without participation in Christ's ministry, this story is unsettling at best and is a call to wake up.

 

The Lutheran Course

On Tuesday, October 21, we will launch a joint 7 session study with St. Paul Lutheran Church, on Wayne Ave. Held on the 3^rd Tuesday over the next 8 months (we won't meet in December), these fellowship/study opportunities will begin at 6:00 p.m. with dinner, followed by an hour study for adults and learning activities for children and youth at 6:45 p.m. The first meeting this month will be at St. Paul. I hope you will carve out some time each month for this study, which is designed to help us understand and embrace what it means to be a Lutheran Christian called to a life of service in Jesus Christ.

 

Make worship of Jesus Christ a priority this weekend. Join your sisters and brothers in the faith in worship!

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

Escape the Noise - New Midweek Worship Opportunity

On Wednesday, October 8, we will launch a new midweek contemplative
worship opportunity for those who wish to recharge their faith, taking
time away from all the "noise" we deal with every day for prayer and
reflection. Offered from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM in the chapel, this
worship time will feature the reading of scripture, silence for
reflection, prayer, and renewal, and a concluding prayer. The chapel
will be lit by candle light, and there will be votive candles for
participants to light. You may come and go as you wish, and may also
remain in the chapel afterward.

Sanctuary Banners

Thanks to our pastor, Gary Eichhorn, and his wife for designing,
creating, and installing the banners that have been hanging in the
sanctuary this fall. They certainly have helped create a festive
environment!