From the Pastor's Desk
September 2022
To all the Saints at Vestal,
As Summer is drawing to a close, I’m sure some of you are quite ready for the steadiness and routine of Autumn, when programs start to resume and vacations or weekend trips become a little less prevalent. Though, I’m also sure that some of you view the coming of Fall as an added source of business, stress, and overall pressure. Certainly, I myself am inclined to prefer the longer hours of Sunshine that come in the Summer. Yet, as we enter into a new season, we are greeted with many things, both challenges and delights, knowing that we are kept ever safe in our Father’s presence. Whatever may come, He certainly will see us through it, He certainly will never leave us or forsake us.
This September, we are continuing our Bible Study series on Acts. While we will have a one week break, on September 11th, for our quarterly Voter’s Meeting, we are steadily making our way through the themes of Acts and the lessons of these earliest days of the Church. Please join the Bible based discussion group on Zoom each Wednesday at 9:30 am (Contact Don Sutherland for the link, or find it in our Weekly Blasts each Tuesday) to familiarize yourself with the text and discuss with faithful friends, and join us in person (in the Gathering Room) for Bible Study each Sunday after Divine Service to hear the larger and connecting threads of Acts and bring your thoughts and questions to Pastor.
Also, look forward to our Harvest Dinner, being held on Sunday, September 25th at 11:30 am, or just following Bible Study. A little birdie told me there might be appetizers and conversation for anyone who would like to stay and enjoy this meal together, but for whatever reason isn’t able to join us for Bible Study. For more information, to offer a portion of your harvest for the dinner, or to otherwise assist with this congregational meal together, please contact Nancy Warner or John and Peg Holton.
As we embrace the new season ahead of us, we here at Grace will also see the resumption of Confirmation classes, on September 22nd. While Confirmation has been scheduled, changes could be made if additional children were to join these classes. Any children of an appropriate age (11-14) who have yet to receive catechetical instruction are welcomed to join us. For more information, or to bring a young student to our attention, please contact the office.
On the topic of September schedules, I will be out of the office for the entire last week in September. Starting on September 26th, the Eastern District is holding its annual Fall Pastor’s Conference, of which my attendance is mandatory. Since I will be out of town anyway, I’ve determined to extend my time out of the office with a little vacation time. I will return to the office on Tuesday, October 4th. In the meantime, please welcome Pastor Carl Happ, who will lead our Divine Service, preside over the sacrament, and offer faithful Bible study time following the service (graciously continuing our series in Acts).
Perhaps I’m waxing a bit philosophical, but the seasonal changes tends to do that to me. As we prepare for schedule changes, and look forward to the pretty Autumnal colors, we remember with Solomon that there is a time, a season, for everything under heaven. “A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…” Whatever may come our way, wonderful things or crises, we can and indeed must come to them with joy and peace in our hearts, knowing not only that God works all things together for the good of those who love him, and that He still watches over us actively to this day, but that He has given us the kingdom. In the resurrection, surely, things will be as they ought. Let us then anticipate that day with peace and joy and faithful living.
God’s blessings on your Month,
Pastor Jake Bellinghausen
To all the Saints at Vestal,
As Summer is drawing to a close, I’m sure some of you are quite ready for the steadiness and routine of Autumn, when programs start to resume and vacations or weekend trips become a little less prevalent. Though, I’m also sure that some of you view the coming of Fall as an added source of business, stress, and overall pressure. Certainly, I myself am inclined to prefer the longer hours of Sunshine that come in the Summer. Yet, as we enter into a new season, we are greeted with many things, both challenges and delights, knowing that we are kept ever safe in our Father’s presence. Whatever may come, He certainly will see us through it, He certainly will never leave us or forsake us.
This September, we are continuing our Bible Study series on Acts. While we will have a one week break, on September 11th, for our quarterly Voter’s Meeting, we are steadily making our way through the themes of Acts and the lessons of these earliest days of the Church. Please join the Bible based discussion group on Zoom each Wednesday at 9:30 am (Contact Don Sutherland for the link, or find it in our Weekly Blasts each Tuesday) to familiarize yourself with the text and discuss with faithful friends, and join us in person (in the Gathering Room) for Bible Study each Sunday after Divine Service to hear the larger and connecting threads of Acts and bring your thoughts and questions to Pastor.
Also, look forward to our Harvest Dinner, being held on Sunday, September 25th at 11:30 am, or just following Bible Study. A little birdie told me there might be appetizers and conversation for anyone who would like to stay and enjoy this meal together, but for whatever reason isn’t able to join us for Bible Study. For more information, to offer a portion of your harvest for the dinner, or to otherwise assist with this congregational meal together, please contact Nancy Warner or John and Peg Holton.
As we embrace the new season ahead of us, we here at Grace will also see the resumption of Confirmation classes, on September 22nd. While Confirmation has been scheduled, changes could be made if additional children were to join these classes. Any children of an appropriate age (11-14) who have yet to receive catechetical instruction are welcomed to join us. For more information, or to bring a young student to our attention, please contact the office.
On the topic of September schedules, I will be out of the office for the entire last week in September. Starting on September 26th, the Eastern District is holding its annual Fall Pastor’s Conference, of which my attendance is mandatory. Since I will be out of town anyway, I’ve determined to extend my time out of the office with a little vacation time. I will return to the office on Tuesday, October 4th. In the meantime, please welcome Pastor Carl Happ, who will lead our Divine Service, preside over the sacrament, and offer faithful Bible study time following the service (graciously continuing our series in Acts).
Perhaps I’m waxing a bit philosophical, but the seasonal changes tends to do that to me. As we prepare for schedule changes, and look forward to the pretty Autumnal colors, we remember with Solomon that there is a time, a season, for everything under heaven. “A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…” Whatever may come our way, wonderful things or crises, we can and indeed must come to them with joy and peace in our hearts, knowing not only that God works all things together for the good of those who love him, and that He still watches over us actively to this day, but that He has given us the kingdom. In the resurrection, surely, things will be as they ought. Let us then anticipate that day with peace and joy and faithful living.
God’s blessings on your Month,
Pastor Jake Bellinghausen