Food for the Flock: Pentecost Sunday
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The Message
Transitions are difficult. Times such as these bring brief endings for one’s life. Moments in which a person grieves what will be missed moving forward. The end of an old normal giving way to something new can easily cause an uncertainty to rise within oneself.
The challenge of a transition in not limited to an ending in one’s life however. These markers in one’s life bring about new beginnings in one’s life too. Future possibilities in which a person can easily be overwhelmed seem to abound. Anticipation one second can give way to excitement the next second. Quite literally, the unknown captures our attention.
Our family faces two of these transitions next week. Nathanael will finish his final day of elementary school and Rebekah will finish her last day of middle school next Thursday. Our whole family will leave an old normal behind and will prepare to have a child in elementary school, middle school and high school at the same time. Saying goodbye and preparing to juggle all three different schedules leaves me tongue-tied to say the least.
Based on the message from Olentangy Orange Middle School (pictured above) that came into our email’s on Wednesday of this past week, I am not alone for being at a loss for words. Looking closely at the picture makes it clear, the school is not quite sure what to say about the transition either.
Okay! Okay! Okay! All jokes aside, transitions often leave us tongue-tied and at a loss for words. So something needs to bring us together as one as we transition into new days. For our family, it was a different browser understanding the gobbly-gook. Our i-phone browsers brought up the following message to clear things up.
Both pictures capture the moment of Day of Pentecost. On the one hand, nothing made sense anymore for the early believers. On the other hand, the early believers needed something to unify them. Their transition is captured in these words.
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.”
Acts 2:1-4 NRSV
Still grieving and unsure of what lied ahead in their future, the early people of faith gathered in the intimacy of one place sorting out the next days. Anticipating the possibilities, they were struggling stepping forward in faith. When all of the sudden, the Holy Spirit arrived and cleared up the confusion. They and those gathered could hear each of them speaking in the native language of each. They could hear the good news in their native tongue. The Holy Spirit brought them together as one as they transitioned into this new day as believers in the crucified and risen one.
What Good News for them on that day and for us in these days! Transitioning from a time apart due to the global Covid-19 pandemic back into gatherings as we hone our approach to address the pandemic will require communication and conversation, but the Holy Spirit will always go with us as we share the good news of Jesus Christ together.
Experience the next step in the transition with us. At 8AM and 9:30AM, worship with us inside. Live streaming and Zoom Worship will take place at 9:30AM. At 11:11AM, bring your lawn chair and worship with us in the outdoor chapel. As we take this next step together, the Holy Spirit is with us.
Shepherding the Shepherds,
Pastor Craig
In this series, we hear about the early birth of the church as followers of Jesus travel around to proclaim the Good News. We are taught that we are saved by faith, and are all one in the Body of Christ. As we prepare to travel again and return to more and more parts of our daily lives, we too share the Good News far and wide, in many new ways.
Enjoy this new recording of the favorite Willie Nelson song "On the Road Again" by the acapella group "Home Free": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh2xTJDCZCc
Worship with us in person or online!
IN-PERSON
COVID Safety Protocols Update: In accordance with recent CDC guidance, we are making the following changes effective this Sunday, May 23:
Masks will be optional for those who are fully vaccinated. Masks are still recommended for those who are not, including children under the age of 12.
We will no longer require you to sign in for contact tracing purposes.
We will offer a variety of seating arrangements, keeping families three feet apart.
The nursery will be available for up to six children under age 5, and masks will not be required. The nursery attendant has been fully vaccinated.
We will continue to have offering plates available at the entrances for you to place your offering, or you can continue using electronic giving via Tithely.
We will continue to sanitize the sanctuary, nursery and restrooms between services.
We will continue to run the HEPA filters to help with proper air circulation.
11:11 service will be in The Chapel in the Woods on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month from 5/23 through August. 11:11 service will not be livestreamed on our YouTube channel on the days we hold the service in The Chapel in the Woods.
Click on the link to read more about our updated safety and in-person worship protocals http://www.allshepherds.org/welcome-back-information
We appreciate your patience as we navigate changing guidance. We will be making decisions about communion in the next few weeks. We will continue our YouTube livestream worship, Zoom worship and our 11:11 outdoor worship service for those who would like other options. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Pastor Craig, Pastor Wendy or Heather Koon.
ONLINE
Join us live on our YouTube channel at 9:30 or 11:11, or catch the replay anytime. Help spread the Gospel and share the Good News by liking, subscribing to, and sharing our YouTube channel.
Download the worship bulletin for the 9:30 am service.
ZOOM WORSHIP
Worshipping online but want a little more connectedness to other church members? Join our AWE-some Zoom Worship Group on Sunday mornings! Our Zoom Worship room is open every Sunday at 9:15 AM. This allows time for us to greet one another before worship and then reconnect to discuss the pastor’s sermon after worship. Occasionally the pastor will even stop by and discuss the message with us. You can leave when the service is over or stay for the discussion and social time. Try it out! We’d love to have you join us.
Scripture Readings this week: Galatians 1:13-17; 2: 11-21; Luke 18: 9-14
AT HOME COMMUNION
Communion is an important part of our faith. Blessed Communion kits are available for pick-up at the church throughout the week. Pastor Craig or Pastor Wendy are also available to bring Communion to you if you would like to schedule this time with them. To schedule communion or arrange delivery of communion kits, please contact the office at aslcoffice@allshepherds.org or 740-548-0115.
SIGN-UP TO BE A WORSHIP ASSISTANT OR USHER
Please consider serving as a Worship Assistant or Usher, please go to Sign Up Genius to reserve the dates and times you are available to assist. Please feel free to contact Robert Horbatt, rhorbatt@gmail.com, if you have any questions. Thank you to all our members who have served in the past and during these difficult times.
If you are interested, please click on the sign-up genius links below.
LEARNING:
LEARNING STRATEGIC TEAM UPDATE:
Council has approved the hiring of 2 part-time children and youth ministry directors! The Learning Strategic Team will be meeting to discuss how to proceed forward. If you are interested in serving on the hiring team contact Debra Tracey.
VBS REGISTRATION - VBS is June 28 - July 1, For information on how to register for VBS visit http://www.allshepherds.org/vbs
CONFIRMATION - Confirmation will be on Sunday, June 13 at 11:11am (Chapel in the Woods) and 2:00pm. We will affirm the faith of 14 students. All are welcome to support these students and attend one of these services. Gift bags will be in the gathering space to collect cards and notes of encourangment and support beginning May 30.
CAMP LMC - Our week is July 6-9. Pastor Wendy will be attending with 8 of our youth. You can still register at https://lomocamps.campbrainregistration.com/ . Our church supplements the cost for all youth who want to attend, contact Pastor Wendy for more information.
UPCOMING ZOOM CLASSES AT ASLC
Everyone is welcome to participate, contact your leader for Zoom codes.
Bible, Brothers & Brew with Pastor Craig: Friday mornings at 8:00 am
SERVING
LSS FOOD PANTRY OUTREACH PROJECT - Beginning May 2nd, we will be collecting personal care items for the Lutheran Social Services Food Pantry in Delaware. LSS can purchase some, but not all of these items from the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, but because people using food stamps are not allowed to buy personal items, there is always a huge shortage of the following items. Tooth Paste, Tooth Brushes, Shampoo, Deodorant, Toilet Paper, Diapers, sizes 3,4,& 5 - (Not newborn or 1 year), and Liquid Laundry detergent, (Approximately 30 ounce containers). If you would like to help, please select any of the items listed and place them on the table in the Gathering space. Your support of this Outreach Project for Lutheran Social Services will be greatly appreciated!!!
LOMO CAMPS - is looking for camp counselors this summer. If you know of any young adults who might be interested in this opportunity please contact Pastor Wendy.
BUILDING BRIDGES - formerly known as the racial injustice group will be meeting again on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm on Zoom. The next meeting will be April 28 and will continue every other Wednesday.
GIVING
Your financial support is vital to strengthen and expand our congregation's ministries, you can mail offering checks to All Shepherds Lutheran Church, 6580 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035. You can also give electronically. To donate using a smartphone, search the Google Play Store of the Apple App Store for “ELCA Giving” and download the Tithe.ly app. To make a Tithe.ly contribution from our website, visit www.allshepherds.org/electronic-giving. You can designate the amount, select a specific operating fund and even set up a recurring donation so you don’t have to repeat it each week.
Thanks again for your courageous giving because of your courage and faithfulness our mission is being strengthened now!
SEMI-ANNUAL GIVING NEWSLETTER - https://mcusercontent.com/e7dbe824214c003298ddb766c/files/688df00b-7fa8-46ce-88d6-049b50d051ea/Shepherds_Purse_April_2021.pdf
DONATING SECURITIES
In order to donate securities to All Shepherds, please directly contact our Huntington Financial Advisor to request a Transfer Request Form.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OFFICE HOURS - Gina will be out of town beginning May 26 through June 4. If you need to get into the building during the week, please call the office before you come to make sure someone is here to let you in.
BLOOD DRIVES - All Shepherds is hosting a Blood Drive on Friday, May 28. To schedule your appointment call 1-800-REDCROSS or www.redcrossblood.org sponsor code: ASLC.
LIVING LUTHERAN MAGAZINE: Current and past issues are available. If you would like these recent issues sent to your home, please call or email the church office with your request. In the meantime, stay safe at home, and pray for the congregation and all affected by the virus.