A Message From Our Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

We are coming down to the wire . . . there are three more Sundays left in this Church Year before we step through the threshold of a new year, in which we tell the faith stories of Scripture all over again, from a different perspective. And the mood of our lessons changes with the year's approaching end. For the past few months, our lessons have focused on the importance of following Jesus' lessons as we grow in our discipleship. Now, the lessons point to the end times, looking toward that time when Jesus will usher in the Kingdom of God in its fullness. And this week, our worship theme deals with being prepared, keeping our relationship with God fresh, alive, and "filled".

 

Tomorrow night (Wednesday, 11/5), we gather again in the chapel for our contemplative worship time Escape the Noise. This 30 minute time in the chapel is set aside for silent prayer and the renewal of our relationship with God. It begins at 6:45 p.m., and includes the reading of Scripture at the beginning, and a spoken prayer at the conclusion. You are welcome to come and go as your schedule permits.

 

Saturday, November 8, the annual German Fest Dinner will be held at Faith Lutheran Church as a fundraiser for one of our mission partners, Jeremiah's Letter. The meal will be served from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available from Ron Iverson and Jack Whitaker, and we also have a few available in the church office. Cost is $8 for adults ($9 at the door), and $4 for children.

 

Sunday, 11:45 a.m., the Youth will gather at the church for a lunch meeting, and parents are invited. This is a rebuilding and restructuring year for our Youth Ministry Program, and our Youth Ministries Director, Celeste Hoerner, is seeking input from youth and parents for this new year. We are ordering lunch from Milanos. Parents: help us out by making sure your youth can be with us after worship!

 

It's a nice day for an election. May God bless the poll workers with strength and wisdom! But as our nation moves through the next days, weeks, and months, regardless of who is elected, I ask you to pray for the healing of our nation, and for forgiveness for all those of any party affiliation who used half-truths and lies to spread fear in the American public just to get someone elected. May God silence the merchants of fear today! And may our nation learn to trust and follow God, who is the source of life, and hope, and peace - the one who continually tells us, "FEAR NOT!"

 

May the God of peace breathe hope and new life in you this week, and may we be led to gather together in worship this weekend to lift our voices in praise to the God who is in charge, and who makes all things new!

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary