Dear Wittenberg Community, August is a time of preparation for many of us. Even for those of us who are far away from the practicalities of an academic year, August and September still feel like a new beginning in many ways. Maybe I’m in “back to school” mode as well because I thought this fall might be a good time to talk about some parts of our worship service. One way that we prepare for our worship services both seasonally and each week is with the Prayers of Intercession. These prayers...
about 2 years ago • 4 min read
Hey Congregation, don’t forget our Back to School Bash! You can help out by donating the items found on the flyer and/or volunteer to help before and on the August 3rd distribution day. Sign up on the clip board found on the display at church or call Linda Trier at 757-899-0503. Thank you! Our prayers and "good goodbye" are with Jane Faggart as she continues her journey of faith at Cross of Christ Lutheran in Concord. All our classes are FULL for 2024-2025. We are super excited. Since we...
over 2 years ago • 3 min read
Dear Wittenberg, It’s that time of the year when our bodies begin yearning for warmth and comfort, cozy clothes and hot meals. It’s also getting to be that time of the year that we get busier and busier. We may find it hard to slow down and appreciate the goodness all around us. So many of us have been taught that the celebrations of Thanksgiving and Christmas demand unrealistic perfection, a certain meal, a special outfit, a perfect home. I remember my own mother, run ragged from...
almost 3 years ago • 4 min read
Dear Wittenberg, It was my honor and delight to get to deliver Meals-on-Wheels this week as a part of Wittenberg’s service to that agency. (Thanks to Linda Trier, Nancy Trexler, and Sandra Phillips who also delivered this week, and to Joy Fisher for keeping us all coordinated all year long!) You may not know that I worked as the route coordinator for Meals-on-Wheels in Forsyth County for several years; this work is precious and was formative to my understanding of our call as people to reach...
about 3 years ago • 8 min read
Dear Wittenberg, Even though it’s about 90 degrees as I write this, I hear Autumn is around the corner! You’ll notice that we have a lot coming up at Wittenberg this fall! Information about those events can be found in this newsletter. During this season of new starts and new seasons we find ourselves asking, “How will we get new members?” Those are good questions, but we have to first ask, “Why do we want new members?” This question came up at our recent Executive Council meeting. While we...
about 3 years ago • 6 min read
Dear Wittenberg, In our scriptures this summer we are dwelling in the parables of Jesus. These stories are important to our faith because they help us identify with the teachings of Christ in deeply personal ways. We can see ourselves in the parables, they can be personal to us. The parables give us good questions, help us to learn what God is calling us to do or to be in our lives. Most importantly, the parable stories help us connect our lives to the living Word of God. Because we've been...
about 3 years ago • 6 min read
Dear Wittenberg! We have been busy this summer! Two projects which we’ve been talking about are supply drives for our community’s needs. As part of her Confirmation education, Blakley is doing a supply and food drive for our local Animal Shelter. Doing a service project as part of our Confirmation education is a wonderful way to empower young people to do the work of Jesus AND to experience their church as a supportive and encouraging community of faith, mercy, and love. This effort will be...
over 3 years ago • 5 min read
Dear Wittenberg Friends, Summer is upon us so it’s time for us to remind you that just because you are away from church, the church is still, well, the church! With several large projects in the rearview mirror and the possibility of other property concerns on the horizon. We are blessed that we can maintain our facilities so well. We are still working to recover from some large expenses such as the HVAC system in the sanctuary and the septic line at the parsonage. While we’ve been able to...
over 3 years ago • 8 min read
Dear Wittenberg Friends, Happy Eastertide! It was wonderful to observe and celebrate my first Holy Week with you. I was struck each day by the efforts and commitment of so many of you to bring together worship services that were beautiful, soulful, and faithful. As your new pastor I had much to learn and I was met with the patience and wisdom of many. Thank you. There are a few opportunities in the next few months to deepen our faith, fellowship, and practice at Wittenberg. I want to...
over 3 years ago • 7 min read