This week, The Dairy Hut put a sign up that said something like the following: “No YouTube, No Twitter Here, Just 24 Soft Flavs.” The point was very well-made – people go to an ice-cream shop for the delicious ice cream, not for the slick advertising. Substance wins over style every time!
The same is true for us, of course. The content of what we teach and preach, is the most important thing. The love of the triune God for the entire world is what we proclaim and what we have to offer. However, we have also stepped up our presence on the internet and are now involved with Twitter and Facebook - in addition to our website. Our involvement with these web programs grows out of our concern for “inreach” and “outreach.”
The core of our web presence is of course, our website: http://www.stpeterdelphos.org, which is kept current and updated at least monthly. Members will especially be interested in our monthly calendar, devotions, and photos. Newcomers are also able to learn more about who we are and view service times, newsletter articles, and directions to our church.
One great new feature has been uploaded to the website: a Twitter news feed. From Twitter, I broadcast a short message called a “tweet” to the public once a day. I might broadcast an interesting news item, a prayer concern, an announcement, a point from Sunday’s sermon, a Bible verse or thought to ponder. For members, it is a great way to keep connected to the church 7 days a week. For visitors, it’s a valuable look into the life of the congregation. You can view the news feed on our website or on http://www.twitter.com/stpeterdelphos. If you sign up with Twitter, you can even opt to get the tweets sent directly to your email or cell phone. Imagine getting a tweet from me the day before we switch to our summer worship schedule. Now that would be priceless!
We have also started a social group for members and friends of St. Peter’s on Facebook. If you are involved with this networking community, search for “St. Peter Lutheran of Delphos, OH” to join. Currently we have 16 members in our group and the discussion topic is “Favorite Bible Verse or Story.”
Please pray that the Holy Spirit will bless the online presence of our church and reach those who seek and search for God. Pray that it would connect people more deeply into the life of faith, members and visitors alike. Pray that our presence both online and in “real life” would be a beacon of hope for others. May this venture inspire all of us to witness to God’s love by all possible means, that God would use us to save others (1 Cor. 9:22).
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Mother/Daughter Tea
Sunday, May 17th at 2 PM ~ RSVP by May 13th
Women….close your eyes and go back in time! Did you ever attend a Mother/Daughter Tea? Maybe, you were just a child, or the mother, or maybe even the grandmother! Maybe you were wearing hats and white gloves!!!! Now….open your eyes, go to your calendar and circle the date of Sunday, May 17! This is the date for the St. Peter Lutheran Church Mother/Daughter Tea. It will begin at 2pm. Gather up all the girls in the family from birth all the way up to 100+! If there are no girls in the family, go adopt one for the day! What a great way to create some new memories.
Kathy Gengler will be our speaker with the topic being tea cups and tea pots. She has an extensive collection in which she relates the pieces with Christian values. We’ll provide the dessert and tea. You can wear a fancy hat, dress up, or bring a favorite teacup if you’d like – but none of this is required.
RSVP by May 13th by calling the church or signing up in the red binder in back of the church.
Women….close your eyes and go back in time! Did you ever attend a Mother/Daughter Tea? Maybe, you were just a child, or the mother, or maybe even the grandmother! Maybe you were wearing hats and white gloves!!!! Now….open your eyes, go to your calendar and circle the date of Sunday, May 17! This is the date for the St. Peter Lutheran Church Mother/Daughter Tea. It will begin at 2pm. Gather up all the girls in the family from birth all the way up to 100+! If there are no girls in the family, go adopt one for the day! What a great way to create some new memories.
Kathy Gengler will be our speaker with the topic being tea cups and tea pots. She has an extensive collection in which she relates the pieces with Christian values. We’ll provide the dessert and tea. You can wear a fancy hat, dress up, or bring a favorite teacup if you’d like – but none of this is required.
RSVP by May 13th by calling the church or signing up in the red binder in back of the church.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
St. Peter's Response to Pandemic Flu
May 2, 2009
Dear Members and Friends of St. Peter,
In response to public concerns about the swine flu, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) issued a guide for congregations -- "Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns." The church also provided resources to help individuals and families safeguard against influenza.
Right now congregations are encouraged to use "common sense and intentional action with regard to preventing the spread of pathogens while continuing to gather around the means of grace." It is not necessary to cancel worship at this time. Nor at this time do we plan to eliminate the passing of the peace. Individuals are invited to pass the peace through a smile or a nod if that makes them more comfortable. Individuals may also wish to carry travel-size hand sanitizer bottles to worship to use after the passing of the peace. In addition, we will have hand sanitizer available in the back of the church for public use.
We also want you to know that our pastor and communion servers regularly sanitize their hands in the sacristy before distributing the elements of Holy Communion. When the council meets on May 10th we will discuss the ELCA document “Congregational Planning for Flu Pandemic.”
Whether this outbreak spreads widely or not, it is an occasion for individuals, families, and congregations to take basic steps of preparedness. Members are encouraged to take reasonable measures to ready themselves. See the below links for some planning checklists and resources.
From the office of our presiding Bishop Mark Hanson: “Especially in times of need we are reminded that Jesus Christ is God’s living bread come down from heaven for the life of the world. During this time of anxiety around a new form of influenza, the Sunday assembly of Christians around word and sacrament is a particularly important sign of resurrection hope in the midst of fear and trouble. We taste and see the Risen Christ’s presence in the community gathered around word and meal. In this eucharistic assembly we pray for the needs of a suffering world, and from this eucharistic assembly we are sent to care for all our neighbors who are sick, hurt, and hungry.”
Be well,
Rev. Katherine Olson
Links:
ELCA news release: http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4124
Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns: http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship.aspx
Pandemic Flu: Faithful Preparation for Pandemic: http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/Disaster-Response/Ongoing-Responses/Pandemic-Flu.aspx
Dear Members and Friends of St. Peter,
In response to public concerns about the swine flu, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) issued a guide for congregations -- "Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns." The church also provided resources to help individuals and families safeguard against influenza.
Right now congregations are encouraged to use "common sense and intentional action with regard to preventing the spread of pathogens while continuing to gather around the means of grace." It is not necessary to cancel worship at this time. Nor at this time do we plan to eliminate the passing of the peace. Individuals are invited to pass the peace through a smile or a nod if that makes them more comfortable. Individuals may also wish to carry travel-size hand sanitizer bottles to worship to use after the passing of the peace. In addition, we will have hand sanitizer available in the back of the church for public use.
We also want you to know that our pastor and communion servers regularly sanitize their hands in the sacristy before distributing the elements of Holy Communion. When the council meets on May 10th we will discuss the ELCA document “Congregational Planning for Flu Pandemic.”
Whether this outbreak spreads widely or not, it is an occasion for individuals, families, and congregations to take basic steps of preparedness. Members are encouraged to take reasonable measures to ready themselves. See the below links for some planning checklists and resources.
From the office of our presiding Bishop Mark Hanson: “Especially in times of need we are reminded that Jesus Christ is God’s living bread come down from heaven for the life of the world. During this time of anxiety around a new form of influenza, the Sunday assembly of Christians around word and sacrament is a particularly important sign of resurrection hope in the midst of fear and trouble. We taste and see the Risen Christ’s presence in the community gathered around word and meal. In this eucharistic assembly we pray for the needs of a suffering world, and from this eucharistic assembly we are sent to care for all our neighbors who are sick, hurt, and hungry.”
Be well,
Rev. Katherine Olson
Links:
ELCA news release: http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4124
Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns: http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship.aspx
Pandemic Flu: Faithful Preparation for Pandemic: http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/Disaster-Response/Ongoing-Responses/Pandemic-Flu.aspx
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Intended for Good
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Genesis 50:20
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” These words were spoken in the book of Genesis by Joseph to his brothers. Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery, but it was through being taken into slavery that Joseph was later able to save a nation from famine. “God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
When we think about the cross of Christ, this same statement holds true. Jesus was dealt a capital punishment; there was nothing unintentional about the pain and death he endured. But God intended it for good. Romans 4:25 says that Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. God used the events that occurred to accomplish the saving of many lives…including our own.
Our Good Friday service is held in the evening. As you walk in, the church is darkened. The candles on the altar and along the candelabras shine brightly. As the scriptures are read, the candles are extinguished one by one as the sanctuary slowly darkens. Eventually, all the candles have been snuffed out. Yet one light remains. The sanctuary lamp is the dim red light that shines above the lectern. This lamp represents the presence of God. Its light is always shining, even when no one is around to see it, even on the night we remember the death of God’s son. Christ died, but the light of God’s presence shines faithfully on, reminding us of the resurrection’s promise.
Although we did everything we could to extinguish the light of Christ, we were not victorious. Christ is victorious, even in the cross, even in a world still partially darkened by sin and death. We intended it for evil, but God intended it for good.
Prayer: Almighty God, look with loving mercy on your children, for whom our Lord Jesus was willing to be betrayed, to be given over to the hands of sinners, and to suffer death on the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Action: Attending the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday worship services will help you reflect more deeply on Christ’s suffering and death, and celebrate his triumphant resurrection on Easter morning with even more gratitude!
Genesis 50:20
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” These words were spoken in the book of Genesis by Joseph to his brothers. Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery, but it was through being taken into slavery that Joseph was later able to save a nation from famine. “God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
When we think about the cross of Christ, this same statement holds true. Jesus was dealt a capital punishment; there was nothing unintentional about the pain and death he endured. But God intended it for good. Romans 4:25 says that Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. God used the events that occurred to accomplish the saving of many lives…including our own.
Our Good Friday service is held in the evening. As you walk in, the church is darkened. The candles on the altar and along the candelabras shine brightly. As the scriptures are read, the candles are extinguished one by one as the sanctuary slowly darkens. Eventually, all the candles have been snuffed out. Yet one light remains. The sanctuary lamp is the dim red light that shines above the lectern. This lamp represents the presence of God. Its light is always shining, even when no one is around to see it, even on the night we remember the death of God’s son. Christ died, but the light of God’s presence shines faithfully on, reminding us of the resurrection’s promise.
Although we did everything we could to extinguish the light of Christ, we were not victorious. Christ is victorious, even in the cross, even in a world still partially darkened by sin and death. We intended it for evil, but God intended it for good.
Prayer: Almighty God, look with loving mercy on your children, for whom our Lord Jesus was willing to be betrayed, to be given over to the hands of sinners, and to suffer death on the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Action: Attending the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday worship services will help you reflect more deeply on Christ’s suffering and death, and celebrate his triumphant resurrection on Easter morning with even more gratitude!
VBS 2009
Vacation Bible School 2009
"Love To Serve"
June 15-19
Our VBS is open to kids who have completed grades K-5. Vacation Bible School runs from Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM.
Cost is $25 per child, this includes snacks and lunch.
To register, call the church office at 419-695-2616.
We are also looking for adult volunteers. To help, please contact Pastor Katherine.
"Love To Serve"
June 15-19
Our VBS is open to kids who have completed grades K-5. Vacation Bible School runs from Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM.
Cost is $25 per child, this includes snacks and lunch.
To register, call the church office at 419-695-2616.
We are also looking for adult volunteers. To help, please contact Pastor Katherine.
New Member Sunday is May 10th
Our next new member Sunday is scheduled for May 10th. At this time we will welcome four new members – maybe more? New member classes will be scheduled after Easter. If you are interested in joining a class, please contact Pastor Katherine as soon as possible.
The Bible in 90 Days
Many Christians share one life-long goal: to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. However, most find this journey difficult and end up quitting too soon. Don’t you think this goal would be more manageable if you had support and accountability from others?
The Bible in 90 Days Challenge provides everything that's needed to help you read through God's revelation to his people for the ages. In less time than it takes to read 4 pages of the USA Today, you can read the entire Bible, from cover to cover, in 90 days. It's a big challenge with big rewards. Imagine the powerful transformation of your faith life as you read every page of God's Word. Accomplish it in 13 short weeks - with benefits that will multiply for the rest of your lives.
This program will be kicking off at St. Peter Lutheran in early June. Small group participants, working with the same Bible reading schedule, meet weekly to review an informational DVD and discuss what they have read.
Right now Pastor Katherine is deciding when to hold this class. Potential time slots include Sunday mornings after church, Sunday evenings, and Wednesday evenings before church. If you are looking forward to this course, sign your name in the red binder and indicate your time slot preferences.
For more information on this course, visit http://www.biblein90days.com.
The Bible in 90 Days Challenge provides everything that's needed to help you read through God's revelation to his people for the ages. In less time than it takes to read 4 pages of the USA Today, you can read the entire Bible, from cover to cover, in 90 days. It's a big challenge with big rewards. Imagine the powerful transformation of your faith life as you read every page of God's Word. Accomplish it in 13 short weeks - with benefits that will multiply for the rest of your lives.
This program will be kicking off at St. Peter Lutheran in early June. Small group participants, working with the same Bible reading schedule, meet weekly to review an informational DVD and discuss what they have read.
Right now Pastor Katherine is deciding when to hold this class. Potential time slots include Sunday mornings after church, Sunday evenings, and Wednesday evenings before church. If you are looking forward to this course, sign your name in the red binder and indicate your time slot preferences.
For more information on this course, visit http://www.biblein90days.com.
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