Pastor’s Plannings
We are not yet to November (as I write this on October 30th, after the Covenant Council meeting) and I want to share with you plans for special events and worship services for the rest of the year – both months!
November 18 – The Women of the ELCA will lead a Thankoffering Service at Ascension and St. Mark. Following their service, Ascension will have a Thanksgiving Brunch and Pie Auction.
Mid-Week Advent Services – The Covenant Council made a small adjustment to the schedule.
Services will be on Wednesdays in December, with the host church providing a meal at 6:00 p.m., and hosting a worship service at 7:00 p.m. The adjusted schedule is: December 5 at St. Mark, December 12 at Ascension, and December 19 at Redeemer.
December 2 – We will have a bit of a scheduling shake up for this one Sunday.
Ascension will have their worship service at 10:00 a.m. in conjunction with Del City Christian, and will celebrate the beginning of Advent with a Hanging of the Greens service. I will be working with the pastor of Del City Christian to plan this service. Redeemer will give up its time slot and not have a service on that Sunday. Members from Redeemer will have the option of attending services at either Ascension or St. Mark.
December 24 – Based on the responses to surveys, the Covenant Churches will have two Christmas Eve services:
7:00 pm at Ascension – a traditional Christmas Eve service with Christmas carols commencing in a candle light rendition of “Silent Night.” I wonder if it may be possible to put together an ensemble choir from the Covenant Churches to perform a number for this service.
11:30 pm at St. Mark – Our late night Christ Mass will have a more somber and reflective feel than its earlier compatriot, but will also end with a candle light rendition of “Silent Night.”
December 30 – I am planning on taking some vacation time beginning on Christmas Day through New Year’s Day, including the Sunday in there. I am working on having a pastor to fill in shortly.
January 6 – Per our Covenant Agreement, the three churches will rotate worship times on the first Sunday of the new year. St. Mark will hold worship services at 8:30 a.m.; Ascension will move to 10:00 a.m.; and Redeemer will have services at 11:30 a.m.
All of these services and events need a lot of planning and work to make them possible. If you are willing to help, or if you have any questions, please check with your church office or church council.
God bless you and your work,
Pastor Brian