Engaged by Grace Weekly September 23 – 30, 2018
For a printable PDF version of this week’s newsletter, please click Engaged Weekly 092318
Fall Pentecost Resources
Not to Be Served, But To Serve is the theme for our fall Pentecost season. Even if you can’t make it to the Thursday night suppers at church, resources are available for you to use with your family or friends throughout the season. Weekly recipe cards are available at the Information Center or available for download here: FFST Fall Pentecost Content 9-23(1)
2018 Fall WELCA Bible Study
The WELCA Bible study begins Tuesday, September 25 at 10 am in the church library. “Repentance” is the theme of the fall Bible study. “Turning to God Time after Time” begins the series. Plan to join us in the church library for an interesting hour of study and discussion. All are welcome.
Stewardship Corner – September 23, 2018
Several times in his letters, the Apostle Paul talks about the Body of Christ and the gifts that God has given his stewards who are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). As we serve together with fellow members of the body, let us give thanks to the giver of the gifts, as well as the gifts. God gives and the believers employ them for God’s glory and the building of the Kingdom. For more information on stewardship, please contact Max Buban.
Engaged by Grace Weekly September 16 – 23, 2018
For a printable PDF version of this week’s newsletter, please click Engaged Weekly 091618
Welcome to Rev. Joern Moeller
Rev. Joern Moeller is the Head of Ecumenical Relations for the Lutheran Church of the North in Germany. He and Pastor Steve will join a delegation from each of our synods plus several others from across Germany for a consultation at the headquarters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Chicago this week. Pastor Moeller will be available for greeting and conversation in the conference room between worship services.
Sunday Adult Forum Topics in September
In addition to the Sunday Scripture Discussion group that meets weekly in the church library for dialog on the Bible passages for worship that week, the Sunday Adult Forum also meets during the Sunday School hour between services in the Conference Room. All are welcome to join the conversation on these topics in September:
September 16
German Church Encounter
Rev. Joern Moeller, Head of Ecumenical Relations in the Lutheran Church of the North in Germany, will be available for dialog on opportunities and challenges the church faces globally together and in our different parts of the world.
September 23
East Wall Art Presentation
Artist Scott Parsons and members of the Ecclesiastical Arts Team will share background and answer questions about the thematic development, design process and fabrication of our new East Wall Artwork. This discussion will take place in the sanctuary.
September 30
First English Partnership Update
Our new First English Partnership leader Curt Passafume will offer an update and, at the request of First English, invite input on the mission renewal, facility feasibility study and community outreach opportunities being explored by our east-side church friends.
See you at Sunday School!
Greet old friends and new as our full Sunday School program gets underway on Sundays at 9:30 am. Beginning with a large group opening led by the high school students in Grace Hall, children will then go to their respective age-related classrooms for the remainder of the hour. See you Sunday, September 16 and invite a friend!
Got Vases?
If you’ve recently purchased altar flowers for weekly worship, thank you for helping beautify our sanctuary. If you’ve taken the flowers home in a vase that you don’t need anymore, please return it to the sacristy or a member of the Altar Ministry team. Holy Trinity provides these vases to the florist for each week’s flower arrangement and lately we’ve been running low. Thanks in advance for your help!
Sunday Adult Forum News
Sunday, September 16 at 9:30 am, Holy Trinity will welcome a Lutheran bishop from Germany who will be available for dialogue between the worship services to talk about ministry opportunities in Germany and the common faith we share. Please join us in Grace Hall for this unique opportunity.
And later this fall, Holy Trinity member Elizabeth Sammons will discuss The Lyra and the Cross, a historical novel conjecturing from the Orthodox tradition that the Apostle Paul and Stephen had a close relationship prior to Stephen’s martyrdom. On Sunday, October 21, Elizabeth will share the scriptural and historical basis for some of her research, and on Sunday, December 9, she will talk about the book itself. This novel is available from our church library, Amazon, or by asking Elizabeth for a copy. Elizabeth will also have a book signing at The Book Loft in German Village at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 25. In part, the book jacket reads:
“Three friends, two cultures and one faith. Thus begins the life-changing journey to Jerusalem for Saul of Tarsus, his best friend, Stephanos and Stephanos’ little sister, Irini. Young Saul finds the meaning of his life when he meets Rabboni Gamaliel, a great teacher of the law. But that same day shatters the world of Stephanos and Irini with the sudden death of their father.
“This novel looks deeply into two distinct world views, the Hellenic and the Jewish. Along the way, stories of slaves becoming freedmen, people seeking their roots and souls questioning their beliefs intersect with the start of a new faith later called Christianity.”
About this blog
Welcome to my running online dialog on matters of our life together in faith community at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church—where the grace of Christ Jesus our Lord engages each of us and, in turn, sends us out to engage others with that grace as well. I look forward to learning and growing together.
- Pastor Steve Wachtman
