PASTOR HERR’S PERSPECTIVE
Grace and peace to you in the name of the Holy and Blessed Trinity. Amen.
“Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:38
October brings autumn, cooler weather, less daylight, apple harvest festival, corn mazes, Oktoberfest, Reformation, and Halloween. This month continues the harvest season and is a busy one for Adams County farms and orchards. As our congregation moves into this month of harvest, we give thanks for a vibrant harvest of September congregational activities.
This September the congregation came together again to launch a new contemporary worship service. A video designed to energize and reconnect the congregation was produced. The confirmation program relaunched with twelve confirmands engaged and involved. The New Beginnings service on September 25 was uplifting and inspiring with wonderful music from the Gettysburg College Choir and the Buzz Jones Jazz Quintet. Christ Lutheran was well represented at the God’s Work, Our Hands service projects and at the first Ruth’s Harvest pack out of the school year. Middle and high school youth are coming together on Friday mornings at 6:30 a.m. for breakfast, fun, God’s Word, and good fellowship.
*Thank you to the contemporary musicians and leadership team whose energy and work helped launch the contemporary worship service
*Thank you to all the volunteers who served dinner to the Gettysburg College Choir
*Thank you to all who helped with God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday
*Thank you to those who packed backpacks of food with Ruth’s Harvest
*Thank you to all worship leader volunteers
*Thank you to parent volunteers helping with confirmation and the Rise and Shine breakfasts
*Thank you to the property committee and volunteers who have been cleaning our facilities and maintaining our buildings
*Thanks you to all who participated in the Together Again video and to those who produced it
*Thank you for the gifts of time, talent, and treasure that are offered to support Christ Lutheran’s ministry
Thanks be to God of this harvest of ministries!
As October begins God’s Word reminds us of the need for those to labor amidst the Lord’s harvest. Here are opportunities to put your faith into action and share the good news of God’s love, grace, peace, and hope.
*Join us for apple gleaning on October 2 at the Adams County Nursery. All apples gleaned go to local food pantries.
*Help pack food for food insecure students at Franklin Elementary at Flohr’s Lutheran Church in McKnightstown on Thursday, October 27 at 3:00 p.m.
*Support our youth by attending worship on October 16 when the confirmands will lead worship.
*Help with the Rise and Shine Breakfasts…one additional adult is needed each week to help me prepare and serve breakfast
*Leaders are needed to organize this year’s Christmas pageant
*Volunteers are needed to help provide programming and Christian education for our preschool and elementary age students
*Leaders are needed to help organize and plan the Sunday morning Adult Forum
*Witness visitors are needed to visit neighborhoods in our community to invite people to Christ Lutheran Gettysburg
*Each week worship volunteers are needed – you can sign up in the narthex, on our website or by calling the church office
*Singers and bell ringers are needed – if you are feeling called to ring bells or sing in the choir contact Interim Choir Director Sophie Low
*Additional volunteers are needed to help with fellowship events
*Good Books Group – a new book club begins this month – see information in this newsletter
Indeed the Lord’s harvest is plentiful. Your commitment, support, and offerings of time, talent and financial resources are needed to foster and grow these many ministries and so much more.
Prayerfully consider where God is calling you to serve and participate in the ministry of Christ Lutheran Gettysburg. If you have any questions about the many ministries noted above please contact me. Have a blessed October and harvest season.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Stephen Herr