Report of the Interim Pastor – October 2019
Covering October 2019 for the Council meeting on November 13, 2019
Opening Prayer
Loving God: be with us and guide us during this time of transition and discernment. Fill our leaders with your wisdom. Keep us mindful of the work you would have us do. Lead us and guide us, O God, to be about the work of establishing your reign here on earth as the search for a new pastor continues. Bless all who have taken on extra responsibilities and fill them with a sense of your love and presence. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thank You
Thank you for your faithful service on the church council, for your leadership and for your care of one another and the whole congregation, and for your support of my ministry with you. Special thanks to those who made the Octoberfest a successful and memorable event.
Worship Attendance / Statistics / Official Acts
Sundays in October: 6th – 44, 13th – 38, 20th – 30, 27th – 48
Pastoral Calls / Visits: 5
Meetings / Events: 10
Transfer out: Johannes Grad, Hilary Nordwell and Melanie Grad to Saint Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Bellevue, Washington
Bible Study
Our Bible study of the Book of Romans has ended. We’ll resume on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 with a study of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians.
Transition Team / Call Committee
Our final congregation-wide event was held Sunday, November 10. The Transition Team will meet on Monday, November 18 to complete the first draft of our Ministry Site Profile (MSP).
Thanksgiving Eve
Our Thanksgiving Eve worship will be held on Wednesday, November 27 at 7:00 pm.
Advent
Advent, the first liturgical season of the church year, begins on December 1 with the First Sunday in Advent. Each Wednesday during Advent (December 4,11 and 18) we will gather with members of Grace Lutheran Church in our Meeting Room at 6:00 pm for Holden Evening Prayer. In addition, Advent Devotional Booklets (The Bright Star of Bethlehem) is available for everyone to use at home.
Video Surveillance System Update
Bay Alarm has given us a bid of $6000.00 to install four wired cameras. In addition, we would pay $75.00 per month for support in monitoring them. Other wireless systems are available in the range of $200.00 to $400.00 but mounting them and replacing batteries is a logistics issue. Do you have other ideas or suggestions?
Funding Request
The Rev. Cary Bass-Deschenes, pastor the Lutheran Church of the Cross, Berkeley and former intern at Christ Church, has written us to consider a donation to support their weekly feeding program. Is there an interest in doing that? Should I open it up to the congregation in the electronic newsletter?
What’s Ahead?
November 17 – marking the end of Pastor Steve’s time with us and the beginning of the Interim Ministry
November 18 – Transition Team
November 24 – Oliver Bauke’s baptismal remembrance
November 27 – Thanksgiving Eve worship (7:00 pm)
December 4, 11, 18 – Holden Evening Prayer, 6:00 pm
December 6 – Friday Night Group / Decorating for Christmas
December 15 – Annual Meeting
December 24 – Christmas Eve Worship, 6:15 pm
December 25 Christmas Day Worship, 10:00 am
Respectfully submitted,
Lyle J Beckman