September

Ministry of the Month

 

Samaritas Gift Cards

For Christmas

As we have done for a number of years now, we’re asking the congregation to provide gift cards for the refugee children being fostered through Samaritas.

Why now, instead of during the month of December?  For the simple reason that in December there will be multiple support opportunities for you, and, hopefully, by  making this ask of you now, it will be a bit less stressful on your pocketbooks!

So, while you’re shopping at your local Meijer’s, Target, or Walmart, would you please pick up a $25 gift card for these young people so that they can receive a Christmas toy or two that they may not normally be able to get?

  October 12  at 5:00 – 8:00  pm

Bratwurst and Knockwurst

Roasted Chicken

Sauerkraut

German Potato Salad

German Chocolate Cake

Beverages (including beer)

Music

Adults:  $15.00

Children 6 and over $6.00

Children 5 and under – free

Tickets will be available after worship services later in September.

Two terminally ill men shared a hospital room.  Over time, they became friends. Everyday they spoke for hours about their lives. They talked about their families, children, vacations, high times and low, their favorite times and service in the military.

One man's illness frced him to lie on his back all the time.  His name was George.  The other man, named Sam, whose bed was near the window, was allowed to sit up each day to take his medication.  Everyday, when he took his medication, he looked out the window and described what he saw to his roommate.

Hi described a grand park, full of trees and pathways.  People walking here and there and around thearge pond at the center of the park.  Great oak trees rose from the landscape and towered over the other trees and shrubbery.  Just beyond the pond the foothills of the mountains etched across the horizon.

"Wonderful!" said George, as he imagined the awe-inspiring view.

One morning, when the nurse came in to give Sam his medicine, she found him lying lifeless in his bed.  He had died in the night.

George asked the nurse if she would move his bed next to the window.  Though his heart was heavy, George wanted to catch a glimpse of the park that Sam had described to him every day.  To his utter shock the window faced a brick wall.  He asked the nurse why he would describe it as the beautiful park?  "I don't know, Goerge," said the nurse with emotion filling her throat.  "Sam was blind."

This story is about beauty, because when we strip life down to the core, we are left with the things that matter most. It gives is inspration, power, and hope.  Be Sam to everyone in your life.  Evision beauty and joy every day - even if it seems you are looking at a brick wall.

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Pastor Folge

See all of you in church-nit's a beautiful thing.