Latest News

During the month of June the Social Ministry Team is sponsoring a special “give” for the ladies of The Gatehouse!
You are invited to participate by donating personal care items.  Suggested items are shampoo, conditioner, shower caps, nail files, nail polish, toothpaste, toothbrushes, chap stick, brushes and combs, or any item you think a lady would need for personal self care.  There is a white basket to place your donations in and a poster with information about this special “give” located in the breezeway.  Thank you for participating in this event.

We have been talking about generosity for the past several months so I felt the need to define exactly what this means. I checked Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary and found the following: “Generosity – liberality in spirit or act especially liberality in giving”; and “Generous – liberal in giving; marked by abundance or ample proportions.”

To relate these definitions to how we speak of stewardship, I went to another source, a manual for a stewardship program written by the Rev. Kurt R. Nordby that our committee has been using for the past several years.
Rev. Nordby states, “Generosity is not about the amount one gives, but what lies behind the gift, the love and grace of God. Our generosity comes from God’s own generosity. It is a celebration of God’s abundance which is gift wrapped in the love of Christ.

For Christians, generosity is initiated by God’s generosity. God’s grace is always the first note in the composition of life. Our giving and generosity is always in response to what God had done and is doing in our lives. Generosity is a heart brimming with joy and thanksgiving for what has been given along with the delight of sharing what we have first received.”

Thank you for your generous gifts of time, talent and treasure. Your continued support ensures that our ministry here at Holy Spirit will continue.
Suzann Schwenk
Stewardship Chairperson

Wasn’t April an unusual month, at least when it came to the weather?  Cold days. Warm days. Rainy days. Even a touch of snow late in the month. We seemed to have experienced all four seasons in one 30 day period of time.

Fortunately we were told ahead of time to prepare for whatever the weather might be. Having help to prepare for the future is always a good thing. Anyone who has ever said that they can do it all without any help from someone else, is either a fool or uninformed.

During the Easter season we have been learning the ways that Jesus helps us become informed and helpful to the world.  Without the presence of Jesus there is little we can do. His example of love, and sharing it freely with people from diverse backgrounds, helps us consider how we are to freely use the gifts that God has given us. Suzann Schwenk’s article on page 15 is an excellent essay on how we can be part of God’s great cloud of witnesses of grace.

On May 23rd, the Day of Pentecost, two young ladies of the congregation will affirm their baptism with the Rite of Confirmation. Julia Brixius and Samantha Dandridge have been an important part of the Holy Spirit family since birth.  Over the past three years they have received help as they learned about Jesus, the Bible and our Lutheran faith tradition. We celebrate that they are now ready to use what they have learned as faithful daughters of God.

I hope you can celebrate with them on that day.  And celebrate the wonderful spirit of Christ that manifests itself in the Holy Spirit family.

The Day of Pentecost is the day when we at Holy Spirit gives thanks for the gift of the…Holy Spirit. We pray that the Spirit of God keeps us working faithfully in the vineyard of faith.

Clifton D. Eshbach,

Pastor

         When speaking of Stewardship, we often speak of gifts of time, talent and treasure.  Often people only think of the Stewardship “ask” as being done in the fall months during our annual campaign for pledges of offerings.  In reality, our “asks” can be found on a continuing basis when we speak about our gifts of time and talent.

Time for most of us is a precious commodity. Sharing some of that time to do the work of the church is most important.  Serving on a committee or Congregation Council, teaching Sunday School, being part of the prayer chain, participating in the choir or bell choir all require a center amount of time.  Your particular talents will help you choose where you can serve best. Each of these ministries help our congregation to carry out our mission “Sharing God’s love in Word and Deed.”

Being a visible presence in our neighborhood helps carry out this mission too.  Even people who don’t come through our doors on a Sunday morning know about Holy Spirit Lutheran Church through some of the activities and events that we sponsor.  Our drive-through Fasnacht sale each winter lets people know we are here.  Our annual yard sale invites the community to come shop, eat, socialize and get to know us. The four Pet Blessing events that were held reaches a new set of neighbors with a similar interest.  Vacation Bible School invites youth from our congregation and friends and neighbors to learn about Jesus. All these activities take much planning and organization.  We are blessed to have many volunteers willing to carry out these tasks. There is always room for more to assist.

Whatever way you choose to carry out your Stewardship, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Time, talent and treasure are equally important as we share Jesus’ love in word and deed.

Suzann Schwenk

Stewardship Chairperson

One year ago at this time we had just changed the  message sign from closed until March 26 to closed until April 15. We had to change that date a couple more times after that.

One year ago a small group of us were preparing  online worship for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day. In fact we recorded all three of these videos on the same evening.

It was worship.  It raised up the sacred events of Jesus’ death and resurrection. And I know from the viewership statistics these services were seen by many. The one video, for Easter Day, had over 500 views.

It was worship. But it was empty of the personal sights and expressions that only a worshipping community can provide. It will be different this year. We will be together, both in person and online. While the necessary safety precautions of masks and distancing must continue, our sacred time of Holy Week will be different than last year. Many of you are able to be present while some others must still continue to view from their homes. Everyone will give thanks to Jesus for his selfless act of grace, which we worship and celebrate during all of Holy Week. His example of care for the neighbor is an example we must keep in the front of our minds. It is through such care, that the message sign will once again read something like: We’re wide open. Don’t hesitate. You are welcome. Sit anywhere you like (or something like that).

Clifton D. Eshbach,

Pastor

     + + + + + +

I’m writing this article on a Monday afternoon, just a couple hours after receiving my first vaccination dose. It is exciting to hear from so many of you who have started or completed the vaccination regimen. I hope all of you can be scheduled soon. God has blessed us with skillful medical professionals who, along with our ability to use safe practices, begin the process to a healthier day. Thanks be to God!