What Holy Spirit Means to Me

Each month a different writer will offer their unique perspective as to how they value congregation life here.

When I came to Holy Spirit Church for the first time, Pastor Jorgenson was here. I was looking for a church to call mine.  I was going to go from church to church until I found my “spiritual home”. I did not have any list of what I needed or wanted  in a church; but I knew where I was going before, off and on for 5 years, was NOT it.  I spoke to my friend Carol who I had known a long time about Holy Spirit before I came to visit because she was so happy with this church, Holy Spirit. The first Sunday I came, Pastor greeted everyone at the front door even though it was cold out. Carol introduced me and upon entering The Holy Spirit family greeted me with things like “welcome”, “it is good to have you here”, and “we hope you will come back again and again”. I was very impressed because in the 5 years at another church, there was only one couple who ever said that to me. So, I decided to come again.  The second Sunday, again Pastor greeted me at the front door and said ” good morning, Pat”. He remembered my name. Made me feel very special and welcome.  As I was in the Narthex, Patrick found out I was in banking and said oh, great, you are now on the finance committee. I was never asked to do one thing at the previous church.  But, to be fair I never felt like I wanted to volunteer either. I felt at home and already a member of this great family. Being Italian, our goal was always, with no exception, to make people feel welcome by your actions, words and of course food. The definition of the word family is all the descendants of a common ancestor.  Does that describe all people or what.

Pat Winters

 

From the Pastor

March 2016

I am writing this article just days after my return to worship leadership following my shoulder surgery. While mentally I was ready to return, my shoulder tells me to make sure I pace myself during the next few months of recovery. That pace is going vary.  Sometimes the pace will be slow. Other times the pace will feel fast.

This month of March is filled with changes of pace as we worship God. We begin with the pace of Lent. Then when we get to Passion/Palm Sunday, the pace of Holy Week increases and becomes more intense as we approach Good Friday.  We end this month with the great celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord, with an entire new pace and an entire new outlook on our future.

Our worship during this month requires our attendance so that God may be served, and we share as a community in the central story of what makes us Christian. As you mark the dates of our worship, be sure that you reach out and invite other people to join you in these most holy days of the year. Our service to Jesus in word and deed includes our faithful ability to reach out, invite, and participate in God’s world of love, mercy and grace. I look forward to joining with you in this unique mission of Christian service.

 

Clifton D. Eshbach,

Pastor

 

HOLY WEEK at Holy Spirit

Maundy Thursday –March 24th at 7:00 pm:   This is the day when Christians remember the Last Supper.  At the close of the service the altar and the sanctuary will be stripped in preparation for Good Friday

Good Friday-March 25th at 12:00 noon and 7:00 pm: This is the day when Christians around the world commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ

Easter Vigil – March 26th at 7:00 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Millersville: This service is sometimes referred to as the Paschal Vigil and is celebrated the evening before Easter Sunday.  It is considered to be the first service of Easter.

Easter Sunday – March 27th at 9:30 am:  This is the day that we as Christians celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

Holy Spirit’s Book Club

Tuesday, April 5
7:00 p.m.

Holy Spirit’s Book Club will be meeting on Tuesday, April 5, at 7 pm in the Spirit Center.  We will be reading and discussing, “The Nightingale”. The author is Kristin Hannah.  Do come and enjoy the discussion and fellowship!  If you have any questions please contact Sandra Kleckner or Linda Schmitt.