This week, we hear from Ezekiel about an experience a prophet has about prophesying to bring dry bones to life. It seems fantastical and hard to imagine. What does it look like to find life among things that seem lifeless and dry? Listen as Intern Pastor Jennie explores how to find life among death and hard times.
This week we celebrated the day of Pentecost when the whole church was together, gifted with the Holy Spirit, and suddenly able to hear each other even though they spoke different languages. Listen as Pastor Kate explores the way the spirit is at work in and around us, uniting us during the divisive times we find ourselves experiencing today.
Pastor Kate reflects on how some days are just bad days. Still, despite what life throws at us, God is with us, and is always waiting for us with open arms.
The prophet Habakkuk offers a lament to God, giving voice to the frustration and agony the people of Judah are feeling. Pastor Kate offers her own laments about the state of the world while considering where God is in all our pain. http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=411120984
Friday, September 30
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Come sit around the fire at Pastor Kate’s house (the 1st Street parsonage), roast marshmallows, make s’mores, and talk about God. The conversation will be casual and Pastor Kate will have some questions to get the conversation started and keep it going. Bring your own beverages and a comfy chair to sit in.
Angel Trees are here! You’ve probably noticed that the Fellowship Hall is decorated with four very special trees. Instead of the traditional ornaments, the Angel Trees are adorned with tags that detail a special need for the following organizations:
Good News Prison Ministry – Soft cover new or gently used Bibles and soft cover faith-based books and new greeting cards and stationery for inmates
Offender Aid Restoration (OAR) – Metro cards, gift cards for grocery stores, Target, and fast food coupons plus clothing and other needed items to help support adults transitioning back into the community from incarceration (and a big THANK YOU for all the gifts for children whose parents are incarcerated that you contributed in November!).
Arlington Foster Care – (focusing on teens age 13 and up who make up over half of the kids in foster care) gel soaps and body lotions (Bath and Body Works), colognes/fragrances (with appropriate message), baseball sports caps (preferably plain), t-shirts or polo shirts (solid colors), ear buds, nail polish, make-up, hair accessories for teen girls and hoodies for both boys and girls (solid color or appropriate message). Also appreciated are gift cards in $25 or $50 increments from these suggested stores: Generic Visa/AMEX, Target, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Walmart, Forever 21, H&M, Old Navy, and Amazon. Deadline: Friday, December 11
Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network (A-SPAN) – backpacks (new preferred or clean, gently used); adult new socks; adult new underwear; hand warmers (“hot hands”); and blankets (new preferred or clean, gently used). All of these thinks would be for the newly opened, indoor Homeless Services Center. (another big THANK YOU for the donations of items for the homeless population you contributed in November).
Choose one or more tags, purchase the item(s) and place them unwrapped under the matching tree. We’ll gather up the donations and deliver them to the correct organization. This year we are collecting items right up to Christmas for three out of four organizations, which are Good News Prison Ministry, Offender Aid Restoration (OAR) and Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network (A-SPAN). The items are useful throughout the year as these organizations serve our community. Please note, for Arlington Foster Care we have a December 11 hard date as their annual party is December 12, thus we will gather their donations through December 11th to meet their deadline for their annual party.
You may also make monetary gifts using the Special Mission Offering envelopes in the pews or the online giving portal. Designate Angel Trees and we will use the donations to purchase any unclaimed gifts. Thank you for your generosity!
Sunday, September 13 is the ELCA’s “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. This year, Faith will be using our hands to help refugees and immigrants in our community. Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area works in partnership with the U.S. State Department to welcome and resettle refugees from around the world, including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and West Africa. These refugees have had to flee their homeland, leaving all their belongings behind.
Faith will be supporting LSS by assembling welcome kits for newly arrived refugees on Sunday, September 13. These kits will go directly to refugees in our area. Right up through the day of the service project, we will be collecting new or “gently loved” items for the welcome kits. A box labeled “LSS” is in the Fellowship Hall, or you can deliver items to the church office.
Want to do even more? Volunteer at an immigration legal clinic on Tuesday, September 15.Learn more!
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We’re taking the kids to the SonRise National Park, located right here in the Faith Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall! As kids explore SonRise National Park, they’ll learn the most important survival skill of all: they can always depend on Jesus and His promises of true peace, true riches, true power, true love and true hope. At SonRise National Park, kids will learn to trust Jesus as their all-powerful guide and Savior!
VBS is for kids ages 3 1/2 (and potty-trained) – 10.
Parents, why wait until next week to learn the music? You can listen to the songs right here!
Location Change: Due to the weather, we will not go to Adelphi – the retreat will now be held at Faith Lutheran Church, in the Fellowship Hall.
Led by Rachel Bass-Guennewig, certified yoga instructor and ordained Lutheran pastor
The women’s retreat is full! You can still sign up to be on a waiting list using the link below.
Rachel will share her understanding of yoga as a spiritual practice that enriches our Christian faith and life, and together we’ll enjoy good food, company, and movement. Come prepared to stretch, rest, learn and laugh. Everyone from beginners to yogis are welcome. Suggested donation: $20
March 14—15, 2015
Mar-Lu-Ridge Retreat Center, Jefferson, MD
Retreat Leaders: Pastor Brian Erickson and Pastor Steve Holm
Our guest presenter, Pastor Steve Holm, is a wonderful story-teller. He will share three stories during the retreat, and then we will have a chance after each to reflect on what meaning these stories have for our own lives. The stories revolve around a family reunion, and will lead us each to look at the question: “Where am I going in my life right now?” In the process we will look at experiences of anticipation, hope, love, guilt, grace, forgiveness, and acceptance.
Registration Information:
$65 per person or $100 per couple. Registration includes transportation from Faith Lutheran Church (in the van), program, four meals and lodging. Register HERE.