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The days of intentional rest and refreshment appear to be behind us. Amusement parks have cut back the hours when they are open. The summer camping season at Nawakwa and Kirchenwald is over. We have even begin to wonder when the 2016 calendars will be available.

We have entered September. It is the traditional time when we return from our respective travels and come back together. We return to worship, to participate in Christian education, to serve in the various ministries of this congregation in a more consistent manner.

Throughout the pages of this newsletter you will find a place to serve, to learn, to fit in. You are part of a community which attempts to set its sights high on proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.  And there is a place for you in accomplishing that mission. So read on! Come back here every week to worship. And go out into the world every day to serve. And invite, invite, invite. Invite someone who you know who would benefit from the words of forgiveness, the real presence of Christ, and the inspiration to serve. Your effort to invite is an expression of the invitation of Christ himself.

“Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”  Matthew 10:40

 

The new weekday morning Bible Study at Holy Spirit

Wednesday, September 16 – 9:30 a.m.

Our first meeting will include morning devotions and a conversation of topics the group may like to pursue in the coming months.

Come and join in!

 

Quilts, School Kits, and Health Kits …

will be put together on Sunday, September 13 in Fellowship Hall following morning worship!  Please plan to attend because we need your help and enthusiasm on the assembly lines to “get-r-done”!  We’ll also be knotting a quilt, no sewing skills are required!  If you can tie a knot, we need you!

God’s Work, Our Hands is the theme for this synod-wide event, so wear your t-shirt and be on hand to show your support.  Coffee, tea, punch, and lite snacks will be served.  The Social Ministry and Christian Ed. Committee members will be on hand to guide the fun!  Thanks to all our members for your support in donating the items needed for this important task!

 

Calling all Singers

The first choir rehearsal for the season will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday, September 9, 2015.  We are always looking for new persons to join the choir, so if you like to sing come on out and join us on Sept. 9^th.

 

As I compose this note to you, the last accumulation of snow is departing the parking lot at Holy Spirit. Oh you can still see a few reminders of winter, especially the “March Surprise” storm of a few weeks ago. It won’t be long, perhaps even before this newsletter arrives in your mail, that the snow of this winter will have died.

Died? Yes. For some time it occupied a place in our lives. It limited our travel and connection with others. It kept other living things from prospering. But now that the snow has passed away, new growth is permitted and a new season will take root.

And the seasons go on.  We will soon be smelling flowers, planting gardens, and cutting grass. However in a few months they too will be dying. The seasons go on.

Unlike the flowers, the gardens, the grass, and even the snow, the love of God in Jesus Christ does not die. It never dies. The women returned from an empty tomb early on the first day of the week to announce that the promise of God has been fulfilled. Christ is risen they preached!

No matter the season of our lives, the love of God in Christ is present. Whatever the stress, whatever the issue, whatever the strife you may feel during the course of the year, this gospel truth of everlasting love of Jesus Christ never goes away.  As we gather for worship and service, let us remember this wonderful gift of God.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

CLIFTON D. ESHBACH

Pastor