THE PASTOR S PRESS Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred name. Come, Christians, follow where our captain trod, our king victorious, Christ, the Son of God. Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred name. All newborn servants of the Crucified bear on their brows the seal of him who died. Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred name. ~ELW 660 September 14 th is Holy Cross Day. While we primarily think about the cross on Good Friday, the festival this month provides the church an opportunity to lift up the victory of the cross with a spirit of celebration that might be less suitable on Good Friday. When I was a crucifer in my home church growing up, I always loved when we got to sing Lift High the Cross as the sending hymn. There was something special about carrying a heavy cross through the sanctuary and out the back doors to this tune. It made the procession feel even more significant. Processions are holy parades that follow the cross, but they are also a metaphor for larger theological truths: we step from one thing to another, from secular to sacred, from outside to the inside of God s very love. This is all led by Jesus crucified and risen. Processions are not silly formalities to be done only on festival days or special occasions. We are, in reality, always stepping from one thing further into God s love. Processions led by a processional cross embody this truth in a way that requires not words but rather movement. While we may not have a large, heavy processional cross leading us around every day, the hymn reminds us that the cross does always go before us. The cross is marked on our foreheads at baptism, leading us on our daily journeys in God s love. Blessings, Pastor Deanna
ANNOUNCEMENTS Flu Shot Clinic Rite Aid will be bringing a flu shot clinic to our parish on Thursday, September 25 th, from 11am-2pm at St. Peter. They accept all major health insurance plans and will process it for you. Spread the word to family and friends, so that our community may continue to be healthy! Catechism The catechism program for those preparing for confirmation will begin this fall. If you or your child is interested in preparing to affirm your faith and your baptismal promises, please let Pastor Deanna know. The program will include catechism classes, worship attendance, and service opportunities as we grow in faith together. The Virginia Synod ACTS class for adults wishing to further their knowledge of the Bible for the work of ministry will be starting a new class this fall. The participant will consider what Lutherans mean when they say the Bible is the word of God, and will look specifically at how the Bible can serve as an authoritative guide for knowing right from wrong. The course will consist of two Saturday classes (October 4 th and November 8 th, 9am-4pm, at Grace Lutheran Church in Waynesboro), and five small group sessions (to be determined by the group and led locally). Please consider joining our parish in this wonderful education opportunity, and talk with Pastor Deanna about registration.
ST. MATTHEW EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH SERVING THIS MONTH Mike Cook/Joyce Hamrick...Organist Dave & Clara Barden...Reader Dave & Clara Barden......Ushers Rita Strosnider......Altar Guild........ SEPTEMBER S BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES 1 Frank, Sr. & Barbara Conner 3 Ronald Sager 7 Warren Richard, Rev. & Peggy Baseler 9 Mark & Pamela Kutsko 10 Larry Barbe 14 Dawn Keene 15 Jay Dysart 17 Bob & Dawn Keene 19 Charles Dyke 28 Braya Anne Dysart 29 Bryna Dysart
SEPTEMBER 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 7 PM St. Peter Council 3 10 AM BIBLE STUDY SS 4 5 6 7 10 AM Congregation Meeting SS Communion SM 8 9 7 PM St. Matthew Council 10 10 AM Bible Study SS 7 PM Council Meeting SS 7 PM St. Stephen Council 11 12 13 14 15 16 11:30 AM Katie s Ladies Luncheon SS 17 10 AM Bible Study SS 18 19 20 21 2 PM WELCA Harvest Dinner Planning SS 22 23 11:30 AM Fellowship Meal at St. Matthew 24 10 AM Quilting SS 11 AM 2 PM Flu shot Clinic at St. Peter 25 26 27 Communion SM 28 29 30 SS= St. Stephen SP=St. Peter SM=St. Matthew SUNDAY SCHEDULES St. Peter: 9:45am Sunday School 11am Worship St. Matthew: St. Stephen: 10am Sunday School 9am Worship 11am Worship (Children s SS during church)
WELCA TRIENNIAL GATHERING Meeting under the theme of many generations, the Ninth Triennial Gathering of Women of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) brought 2,382 women of all ages to Charlotte, N.C., July 24-27 2014 to share their faith through worship, featured speakers, workshop sessions and more. Those attending from our area: Imogene Ryman & Gayle Ryman from St Stephen Peggy Baseler from Emanuel Thankoffering received at the first worship service was $38,700. Women attending the gathering contributed in-kind gifts including $14,785 in gift cards, 15,877 minutes in phone cards, 6,635 toilette items, 3,717 pairs of socks and underwear, 118 quilt kits, 116 quilts, and 1,508 prayer shawls to support local organizations striving to meet the needs of families experiencing poverty. The offering at the closing worship on Sunday, July 27, was $41,649. The executive board had designated that the offering collected at the closing worship would be shared among Katie s Fund (25%); Women of the ELCA Scholarships (25%); and the ELCA International Leaders initiative (50%), which is part of the ELCA s 25th Anniversary fundraising campaign, Always Being Made New. Gathering Highlights:: + The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, who had a thought provoking message interlaced with lots of humor. She said part of the reason why women now serve as ordained pastors in the ELCA is because of the work done by Women of the ELCA and predecessor church bodies. She expressed her gratitude for Women of the ELCA, who worked tirelessly for the ordination of women. I need to say thank you for the work that you and your sisters have done. + The Rev. Susan Sparks, a Baptist pastor, comedian and former attorney had everyone laughing a lot. She said that laughter can help repair and rebuild the breaches in life. She does comedy with a Jewish Rabbi and a Muslim. Humor is the most powerful gift that we have. She said that she believed humor is probably one of God s greatest gifts to us. She added that one of her core messages is the ability to laugh at oneself. If you can laugh at yourself, you can forgive yourself. And if you can forgive yourself, you can forgive others. + The Rev. Becca Stevens, an Episcopal priest who serves as chaplain at St. Augustine s chapel at Vanderbilt University, talked about her work as founder of Magdalene and Thistle Farms based in Nashville, Tenn. She spoke about her work with women recovering from violence, prostitution, addiction, & life on the streets,.some of whom go on to work in her businesses. The ELCA and The Episcopal Church are full communion partners. + There were workshops offered Friday & Saturday. Workshop topics ranged from forming a better understanding of mental illness to creating unique giving plans for congregations; from building an inclusive church for people of all sexual orientations to learning tools to helping children who are being bullied. + Servant opportunities offered women a chance to learn and put into practice collective stewardship and discipleship. Activities. +There was an artist in residence. During the first worship service she was drawing a picture upside down when it was turned up it was a picture of Christ. She also had a large banner that she had drawn by hand & numbered. During the time the door was open people painted the picture. It was used at the Sunday morning service where she used glow-in-the-dark paint & a full sized man showed up on the painting. It was fantastic!! +Jody Smiley from Blacksburg was elected Vice President of the National Organization. We enjoyed the gathering so much that we re saving our money for the next triennial to be held July 13-16 2017 in Minneapolis, Minn. Imogene, Gayle & Peggy
NORTH MOUNTAIN PARISH Thanksgiving for Soldiers Each congregation will be collecting items thru September 28 th for shipment overseas the 2 nd week of October. Items are to be packed in gallon zip-lock bags. You can pack your own bag with requested items or bring them to church for packing. Extensive list of needed items will be available in each church. Church contacts: Nancy Proctor SP Barbara Conner SM Sue C Wymer SS Please help us help those in harms way SS September Birthdays 4 Reese Taylor 18 Thelma Dellinger 23 Teddy Malone 25 Brittany Polk 30 Carla Wallen SS September Anniversaries 7 Jim & Peggy Baseler 13 Dale & Donna Polk 14 Granville & Thelma Dellinger 15 Charles & Patsy Himelright 29 Jerry & Connie Elbon October Newsletter Deadline October Newsletter deadline is September 19th. Please send all articles and information to Connie Baker at bakerconnie05@gmail.com. www.northmountainlutheranparish.com North Mountain Lutheran Parish