Welcoming ALL of God’s children..
Pentecost +19 – Welcome ALL of God’s Children
The texts for this week are – well – difficult. This week is another instance where the Gospel is not easy to hear but in the end, frees us from things that keep us from living freely in community. The legal trap set for Jesus as well as the prohibition of children coming to be blessed are symptoms of a greater problem – the brokenness and hardheartedness of people.
So how does that free us? Jesus reminds us that in God’s kingdom, we live freely in God’s grace and mercy and that all are welcome, and that no one is left behind without a safety net – no matter what.
Join us at 8 AM or 10:15 AM on Sunday for worship. Visit our website or Facebookpage for information and announcements.
Thanks – to Alex Kloian from Sparta CERT, who shared with us how we can respond to local emergencies and to provide a safe place for those who are temporarily displaced.
Adult Forum: This week we begin a discussion regarding human sexuality and gender with a discussion about what all those words mean. Patty Tomaszewski will join us to help us come to common understandings about what these terms mean today. Join us at 9 AM in the Parish Hall.
Blessing of the Animals: In honor of St. Francis, on Sunday October 4, 2015 at 12 PM in the sanctuary, we are inviting you to bring your leashed, caged, or otherwise in control pet for a service of worship that will include a blessing on your pet. No animal is too small or too big. We will start at noon with worship. Come one, come all.
School Kits for LWR: We started an outreach project last Sunday to benefit students living in refugee camps served by the Lutheran World Federation. Each family will be given a nylon backpack and a set of instruction on what to put in it. There are still bags to be filled! If you have one, please return these to SOTH by October 11.
Time & Talents: What is this? Time and talents are one part of our on-going stewardship to the SOTH community. There are varied gifts as there are various needs – and I am sure that you will find something that you can contribute to the community. We ask you to prayerfully read and consider your commitment.
What are we specifically asking for? We are hopeful that you will participate in planning/completing one activity per year. And we are not holding you to that commitment for the rest of your life.
This year, we have printed the book of descriptions and the commitment sheet in purple. You can pick them up at church. The booklet and form are also oincluded here electronically for you to read and complete. Please return them to the church office by October 11
Time and Talent Booklet
Time and Talent Form
August Financial Information: Click on the link for the latest financial information of the church through August 2015. We are at a critical turning point in our year and need your help & prayers.