Evangelical Lutheran Worship - Coming to Our Pews This Month

It's been nearly six years since we first heard about the Renewing Worship Project, and the fact that the LBW would some day be replaced. That day is quickly approaching. On Ash Wednesday, February 21, we will begin using the new worship resource Evangelical Lutheran Worship. After the service on Febuary 18, we'll remove the old copies of the LBW and WOV from the sanctuary, and replace them with new copies of ELW. (I think it's going to take most people a while to get used to talking about the "ELW" rather than the "LBW"--I'll bet that before long, many people in most congregations will be just calling it "the red book.")

During Lent, we will use at the Sunday 10:30 AM service a setting of the Communion service from the ELW that was adapted from a setting in the The Service Book and Hymnal. The Service Book and Hymnal was the red hymnal that was replaced by the LBW in 1978. People who were in congregations that used that hymal will remember the melodies of this setting, and others will be able to learn them quickly.

During the Easter season, we will at the Sunday 10:30 AM service be using a setting from ELW that uses the same music as Setting II from the old LBW.

Meanwhile, we are continuing our fund drive to pay for our copies of ELW. Of the 450 copies that we have purchased, funds have been donated for 200 of them. That leaves us with 250 to go. Please consider helping us pay for these copies. Donations can be made in honor or memory of loved ones, pastors, teachers, choir directors, or anybody else who has been a part of your faith journey.

Revealing Christ

The Sunday Church School classes from preschool through High School are creating two large banners containing symbols and text depicting different names for Jesus. These banners will be dedicated and used in worship on Transfiguration Sunday, February 18, as we celebrate ways God has revealed himself to his people.

Ash Wednesday; Mid-Week Lenten Services

We will have two services on Ash Wednesday, at noon and at 6:45 PM. The services will be traditional, including the imposition of ashes, and will use the liturgy appearing in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.

Following Ash Wednesday, noon and 6:45 PM services will be held each Wednesday during Lent. These services are informal, and will feature a sermon series on five readings from the ancient Easter Vigil. These are five of the most prominent stories that announced hope and salavation to the people of Israel.

Lunch will follow each noon worship service, and dinner will precede each 6:45 PM worship service.

A Message From Our Pastor

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

Our worship theme this weekend is embodied in our Gospel lesson, which is Luke's version of Jesus' call of Peter, James, and John to discipleship. They leave behind what amounts to a fortune on the beach (remember, they were fisherman) to take up following an itinerant rabbi who just happened to be the Son of God.

After worship this Sunday, we will hold our ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING in the fellowship hall. Lunch will convene at 11:45 a.m. (I promise, I'll be short-winded!), followed by our business meeting. Lunch is covered-dish, with fried chicken, drinks, and place-settings provided. Activities for children will be led by Rachel Spry after lunch as the meeting is convened.

FYI . . . until the various strains of the flu and upper respiratory infections die out, we are suspending the use of the common cup in our communion celebration in worship.

On Ash Wednesday, February 21, we will worship at noon and 6:45 p.m. in the main sanctuary. Lunch (12:45 p.m.) and dinner (6:00 p.m.) will be served in the fellowship hall. This will mark the beginning of our use of Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the new red hymnal/worship book.

Let's meet in worship this weekend to praise God for all our blessings.

Yours, in Christ,

Gary

A Message From Our Pastor

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

The first Sunday snow of the winter last weekend proved to be a challenge for some, and a breeze for others. Nine of us braved the elements for 8:15 a.m. worship, as we gathered in the chancel for a “spoken” service. But by 10:30 a.m., nearly 100 of us were “rollicking” for God with the members of the Sonshine and Joyful Noise Children’s Choirs! Special thanks to the children, their parents, and the choir directors Elizabeth Beal and Celeste Hoerner for refusing to allow a little snow to keep us from worshiping God!!

This weekend, snow or no snow, our lessons remind us that God’s love calls and gathers us together in the Lord’s mission. During the 10:30 a.m. worship, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Baptism for two new disciples of Christ.

And, as of Saturday, January 27 the 2006 Annual Report Booklets are available to be picked up in the narthex (one per household, please). I invite you to read through the reports in preparation for our annual congregation meeting . . . which is Sunday, February 4, 11:45 a.m. (the Annual Congregation Meeting, that is). Mark your calendars, plan which food dish you plan to bring to share (fried chicken, drinks and place settings provided), and keep our community of faith in your prayers as we strive to discern God’s will for our congregation this year and in the years to come. On that day, we will also join forces with others throughout the United States, as we participate in the Annual Souper Bowl – please bring at least one can of hearty soup to the annual meeting to combat hunger. Our donations will be given to the New Hope Food Pantry.

LOOKING AHEAD . . . .

We still need volunteers to serve as Lenten Soup Chefs – help prepare one or more soup meals for our Wednesday mid-week Lenten services. Use the bulletin insert this weekend to sign up, or contact the church office.

“Go Red” Healthy Heart Women’s Valentines Tea – Saturday, February 10, 3:00 p.m. A representative from the American Heart Association will be the guest speaker. Door prizes will be awarded. This event is free, open to the public, and is sponsored by our Health Ministries Team. Please RSVP to Rachel Spry (ras@oursaviordayton.org) by February 6.

Valentines Brunch – Sunday, February 11, 11:30 a.m., in the church fellowship hall. Sponsored by the Youth Group, this event is a fundraiser to support this year’s Youth Mission Event. Plan to stop by for great food and fellowship!

Let’s gather together this weekend in worship to celebrate the wonders of our God!

In Christ,

Gary

Sunday School creating Transfiguration Banner

The students of the Sunday Church School are creating two large banners to be dedicated and used in worship on February, 18th, which is Transfiguration Sunday. These banners will contain symbols and texts revealing some of Jesus Christ's names.

A Message From Our Pastor

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

The worship theme this weekend celebrates God’ coming to us through everyday experiences (the wedding at Cana), and call us to share God’'s gifts with others as we meet them in our everyday schedules.

During the season of Epiphany, we are keeping up the lighted trees in the sanctuary as a reminder of the light of God that leads our lives to the Source of all life.

Special thanks to all the Saturday night worshipers (kids, youth, and adults) who stayed after our Epiphany worship last week, for they removed all the candles from the pews, all of the votives from the windows, and all the poinsettias from the chancel!!

Last Sunday, we celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, and we used the new Baptismal Bowl. This Sunday, again at the 10:30 service, we will dedicate the new Baptismal Bowl to the glory of God during the prayers.

REMINDERS: our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 4, 11:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Lunch will be served first: – fried chicken, drinks and place settings are provided; please bring a food dish to share. Activities are planned for children. The purpose of the meeting is to: receive 2006 ministry reports, act upon the 2007 budget proposal, and act upon the HVAC proposal.

LOOKING AHEAD: The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 21), which will kick-off our mid-week Lenten services and soup meals. We need Soup Chefs. If you are interested in helping to prepare one or more of the Wednesday soup meals during Lent, please let me know by responding to this email. Thank you.

As we continue our journey into the new year, let’s meet in worship to praise the One who leads us on our journey!

In Christ,Gary

Thanks for the Help

A large group of people stayed after the Ephiphany service this last Saturday to help take down the pew candles, move the plant stands up to the balcony storage room, and do other clean-up tasks. Thanks for the help! It would have taken the Worship Committee a long time to get all of these things done.

New Baptismal Font

The new baptismal font will first used this weekend. The font has been donated by our pastor, Gary Eichhorn, and his wife Debbie, and their children Megan and Stephen in memory of their dear friend David Clevenger.

A Message From Our Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I hope that you took some time for yourselves over the holidays to slow down and enjoy time with family, friends, and God.

There are ample opportunities for ministry this weekend, so I hope you can find time to be involved:

SATURDAY

Leadership Retreat (8:30 a.m. - noon) - for 2007 congregation council members and committee/ministry team chair people. Meet in the Chancel Chior Room.

Chrismon Decorations Taken Down (1:30 p.m.) - Any and all are invited to help remove the Chrismons from the chancel trees.

Ephiphany Day Worship (5:30 p.m.) - January 6 is celebrated as Ephiphany Day throughout Christianity, signifying the revelation of the Christ to the Gentile (non-Jewish) world. This special day is marked by the arrival of the Magi. Our Saturday worship will be a celebration of the Ephiphany, and will kick-off a season of "light" (marked by the star that guided the Magi to the Christ). The trees and lights will remain in the chancel throughout the season of Ephiphany.

SUNDAY

The "Baptism of Our Lord" is the worship theme for Sunday, as the first Sunday in Ephiphany season always celebrates Jesus' baptism. At the 10:30 service, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Baptism for one of the new members of our congregation.

HELP WANTED

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 21), and we are seeking people to help prepare simple soup meals for our Wednesday Lenten services. If you would like to help with one lunch and/or dinner, please let me know.

Let's begin 2007 in worship this weekend. Hope to see you there!

Yours in Christ,

Gary