HOLY SPIRIT LUTHERAN CHURCH OCTOBER 2016

THE SPIRIT

Thoughts from Pastor Robin

“Our purpose is to love God

and bringing people into a growing relationship with Jesus and His church!”

WEAR YOUR RED!

Reformation Sunday is Oct. 30. On this day we celebrate the heart of our faith: the gospel of

Christ – the Good News – that makes us free! We pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to unite the

church today in its proclamation and witness to the world in love, grace and forgiveness to all people.

In the waters of baptism, we are made one body; we pray for the day that all Christians will also be one

at the Lord’s table.

This year on Reformation Sunday we will be receiving seven new members through the Affir-

mation of Baptism. These young people have been attending confirmation classes for three years, have

participated in the life of the congregation as acolytes, lectors, assisting ministers, greeters and ushers.

They have put countless hours in working the ice cream stand at the Sykesville Carnival, attending the

yearly confirmation retreat, leading worship on Good Friday, learning about our church and our world

during Urban Plunge, and being a part of the life of the church in so many and various ways.

So, wear your red and give God thanks for those faithful people both here at Holy Spirit and

across the world that come together to bless the Lord and share in the work we do together as people

committed to justice and love!

DATES TO REMEMBER

Oct. 9 – Installation of Bishop Bill Gohl at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Frederick at 4 pm.

Oct. 16 – Trunk or Treat in the church parking lot at 1 pm.

Oct. 22 – Apple Festival! 10 am to 3 pm

Oct. 30 – Reformation Sunday – WEAR YOUR RED!

Hymn Story — All Glory, Laud, and Honor

No hymn is more closely associated with the Reformation than “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”. In fact, this hymn is known as the “battle hymn of the Reformation” because it helped to increase support for the reformers' cause. It is based on Psalm 46 and celebrates the power of God over all earthly and spiritual forces, which have been defeated by Jesus Christ, and the hope that Christians have as a result.

Although there was some debate about the source of the tune, it is now generally accepted that Martin Luther wrote both the words and the music. Exactly when and under what circumstances he did this is still a subject of debate, but sometime between 1527 and 1529 is probably most likely. It has been published in hundreds of hymnals over the years, including some Roman Catholic hymnals. There are over 70 English versions, and it has been translated into many other languages.

Luther's tune is the only one used with this hymn, but there are two major variations of it. The older one is the “rhythmic tune” in which the rhythm helps to emphasize the words and is more unpredictable and jerky as a result. The “isometric tune” is smoother, easier to sing, and more popular today. Countless works of choral, instrumental, and organ music have based on this hymn.

Deacon Linda

1 A mighty fortress is our God a sword and shield victorious; he breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod and wins salvation glorious. The old evil foe, sworn to work us woe, with dread craft and might he arms himself to fight. On earth he has no equal.

2 No strength of ours can match his might! We would be lost, rejected. But now a champion comes to fight, whom God himself elected. Ask who this may be: Lord of hosts is he! Christ Jesus our Lord, God’s only Son, adored. He holds the field victorious.

3 Though hordes of devils fill the land all threat’ning to devour us. We tremble not, unmoved we stand; they cannot overpow’r us. This world’s prince may rage, in fierce war engage. He is doomed to fail; God’s judgment must prevail! One little word subdues him.

4 God’s Word forever shall abide, no thanks to foes , who fear it; for God himself fights by our side with weapons of the Spirit. If they take our house, goods, fame, child, or spouse, wrench our life away, they cannot win the day. The kingdom’s ours forever.

Ein feste Burg (A Mighty Fortress)

With Luther’s signature (lower right)

Planning for property improvements has

continued over the summer. The next

physical change we will be making to our

facilities is installing handicap enabled

doors at the multipurpose entrance and at

the library entrance. The grant money to

fund the project has been received, con-

tractors have been hired, and the materials

have been ordered. The installation work

will be performed this fall.

There have been some mechanical problems with the windows that were installed last spring. A manufacturing

flaw is the cause and our contractor agreed to replace all windows free of charge. This work was completed near

the end of August.

The capital campaign drive has been very successful and will allow us to move forward with planning for the sanc-

tuary renovation and providing new classroom space for the Holy Spirit Early Childhood Learning Center. A big

THANK YOU!! to everyone supporting our mission with your commitments.

Before any classroom construction or renovation happens, we have to first acquire financing from the Mission In-

vestment Fund (MIF). There will be a planning period to get estimates for all elements of the project, so please be

patient while there is no visible progress; lots of planning will be happening behind the scenes. Other updates will

be provided as the capital campaign projects continue.

As the capital campaign drive wraps up, a new committee is being formed to guide the renovation work to reclaim

the sanctuary, and repurpose the offices and classroom spaces. The new Renovation Team will begin planning

the work for remodeling the space for the sanctuary while the new Early Learning Center facility is constructed.

The building committee will continue to oversee the work of the Early Learning Center construction. The property

committee will continue to maintain existing resources. If you would like to help any of the three committees in-

volved with new building, renovation, or maintaining the existing facilities, please contact any HSLC staff mem-

ber, any council member, send a phone message or email to the church office, or call/text Pastor Robin.

The Property Committee

HSLC Property Committee

October 2016

Spirit Diners The “Spirit Diners” will get together on Sunday, October 2, at Woodbine Inn on 401

Woodbine Road (http://www.thewoodbineinn.com. We will receive separate checks. Use

the “sign-up” sheet (in back of the church) to make your reservation. Bob and Peggy Mil-

ler are graciously inviting attending guests back to their home (2103 Leroy Drive, Wood-

bine, MD) for dessert following the dinner. Questions: call Barbara Northrop, 410-552-

0104.

Spirited Seniors

This group meets the second Wednesday of every month!

The Spirited Seniors will meet on Wednesday, October 12 at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church at 12:00 for

a bag luncheon.

Save the Date November 13, 2016

An Ice Cream social will be held between the late service and the congregational meeting to

bring us up to date on the building project. A special part of the Ice Cream Social will be fami-

lies signing a quilt block.

Reformation 500 Bookstore

The celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation will kick off on October 31, 2016, in Lund, Sweden, where Pope Francis, Lutheran World Federation President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan and LWF General Seretary Rev. Dr Martin Junge will lead a joint ecumenical commemoration of the Refor-mation.

Would you like to learn more about Martin Lu-ther, his writings, and their impact on Christianity? Do you want to reflect on the ongoing impact of the Reformation today? Or do you know someone who might be interested? If so, you’ll want to stop by our Reformation 500 Bookstore to shop for engaging books on the Reformation for readers of all ages and interests!

The Bookstore is sponsored by Augsburg Fortress, the publishing ministry of the ELCA. The books include bestselling biographies like Luther the Reformer, as well as an atlas of the European Reformations, a graphic novel for young readers, and pri-mary sources from The Annotated Luther series. Copies of each book will be available for you to look at. If you place an order at the Bookstore, you’ll save up to 50%, and shipping is free on all Bookstore titles.

The Bookstore will be set up in the back of the Multi-Purpose Room from Octo-ber 9 to October 21. If you want to get a sneak peek at the books that will be availa-ble, go to this site or see Deacon Linda.

October Preschool News:

We have had a great start to the new school year. We have many new families to welcome.

The morning classes are almost at full capacity. The morning program runs from 9:00 until

11:30. The afternoon program runs for 12:30 until 3:00. Our Lunch Bunch program has started

and is very popular. During Lunch Bunch the children will get to stay until 1:00 and get to eat

lunch with their teachers and have a little more social time with friends.

In the month of October we have so many things plan it will be so much fun. The older classes

will visit the Sykesville Fire Department on October 15 to learn about fire safety and to tour

the fire house. We will even get to sit in the fire trucks. We will visit Buppert’s Farm on Octo-

ber 26 and 27 to learn about farms and how our food gets to our tables. Each child will receive

a pumpkin for the holiday to decorate. At the end of the month we will celebrate Halloween

with a party and a costume parade.

Please don’t forget to go on line to register your Martins card with our Preschool it only takes a

minute and even if you already are planning to give to another school you can register with

multiple schools so all can benefit. Our school ID # is 01779. This is a great way to support

the school.

Right now we have Kidstuff coupon books for sale for $25.00. There are some great coupons

in them for everyone not just for kids. If you are interested in purchasing one or seeing one

please contact me at the preschool office or send me an email at hslc.preschool@comcast.net.

Don’t forget we are working really hard to find exciting items for the silent auction at the An-

nual Apple Fall Festival this year on Saturday, October 22. We are also looking for crafters and

vendors if you or if you know anyone that would be interested please contact the church office

for the information. If you have anything you would like to donate please contact the pre-

school office @ 410-795-2287.

Lutheran Church Men of the Westminster Conference

The Lutheran Church Men of the Westminster Conference will hold their

Fall Dinner Meeting, Monday, October 24, 2016, at St. Luke,

(Winters’) Lutheran Church, near New Windsor. The ladies of

the church will be serving a family-style dinner at 6:30, which

will include Roast Beef, Gravy, Scalloped Potatoes, Vegetables,

and Apple Crisp for dessert. As has been customary, a free-will

offering will be received for the meal, with at least $12.00 ex-

pected.

Following dinner a short devotion and hymn sing will be led by the

Rev. Virgil Cain, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in

Smithsburg, and son of the congregation of Mt. Union Luther-

an, near Middleburg.

A special offering will be taken once again to benefit the scholarship

fund of Carroll Lutheran School.

These semi-annual dinners have become a wonderful opportunity for the

men of the churches of our conference to socialize and renew

old acquaintances. We look forward to welcoming a large

group from your church.

An estimate of numbers would be greatly appreciated by Sunday, Octo-

ber 9, with an update and firm reservation count by the 16th.

Please contact Jim Fair at 1-717-630-2116, or by e-mail at

jfair751@gmail.com with your count or questions. You will

note the change in phone number and e-mail address for your

secretary as he has moved to Homewood at Plum Creek in

Hanover, Pa.

Get ready for our fall fundraiser!

RADA Cutlery catalogs are available through

October.

Keep your Christmas gift list handy as you

check out the high quality cutlery, cookbooks,

stoneware, dips, soups, and sauces. Take an

extra catalog to share with family, friends, and co-workers.

RADA products truly are “a cut above the rest.”

And they are made in the U.S.A.!!!

If you have any questions….call me or see me at church.

Nancy Bowman

410-795-3415

from………Nancy Bowman

Music & Worship Chairperson

Adult Choir

Choir practices have begun….Thursdays at 730 p.m. If you wanted to join us, but

you missed the first couple of week, it’s never too late. Come join our musical

praise!! We’re keeping a seat warm for

you!!

Worship Service Volunteers

The next schedule of Worship Service Volun-

teers will go out in December.

New volunteers are always welcomed…..and

needed.

The young and not-so-young can participate.

A variety of opportunities are available at

both the early and late services.

Let’s talk about how you can expand your

worship experience by being a Worship

Service Volunteer.

Annual

Apple Festival

Food! Fun! Games! Vendors!

Silent Auction!

Saturday- October 22, 2016

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Rain or Shine!

Holy Spirit Lutheran Church 2205 Old Liberty Road Eldersburg, MD 21784

410-795-6333

Proceeds from Apple Festival support the ministries of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church and Early Childhood Learning Center

Sunday School has so much to Offer!

Welcome to a great year! We have our Oldies but Goodies returning and some new Programs too. Please join us as we learn

about God together and bring people into a growing relationship with Jesus and his Church! The Sunday School hour is from

9:30 to 10:30 right in between our two services so jump in and find your spot in our SS family!

Adults Deacon Linda leads an Adult Bible discussion each week. Join them for discussion and coffee!

Nichole Giordano welcomes all parents to a book discussion in the Library. “Raising your Child in Faith”

It will take place on the 2nd and 4th Sundays.

Elementary 4 years and under will be joining Ms. Kim, Ms. Laura and Miss Sara sing-

ing and playing our way through God’s Word! Kindergarten -4th grade will be diving deep

into Bible stories with Mr. Mark and Ms. Sharon

Youth 5th –High School will alternate between traditional Sunday School with Mr. Tim,

Mr. Martin, Ms. Carol and Youth and Family fun. These Sundays will involve food music

and activities for hands on fun and learning

High Schoolers and Friends We know you want to get together but your schedules are crazy so Ms Dona is setting up a Facebook group for all of you to stay in touch and planning quarterly events Sleepover, Pizza Party, Bonfire? How does that sound? Contact Ms Dona and start your year off right!

Join us for the fun!

Calling all congregation members and Friends!

Answer these simple questions. Do you drive to church? Do you have a trunk? Do

you ride with someone to church?

Do you have a basket? Do you enjoy seeing happy children? Do you want to help

Carroll County food Sunday?

If you answered Yes to at least 3 of these questions than we have a great event for

you!!

Please be a part of our trunk or treat. You fill your trunk with some treats and will

supply the smiling children. You can decorate your car and or dress festive if you

wish! The children will come and trick or treat from car to car instead of house to

house. Don’t worry if you ride with someone just bring a basket of treats. We are

asking all participants to bring nonperishable food items for Carroll county food

Sunday, so that’s how your participation will help them as well. Our event will take

place on SUNDAY OCTOBER 16TH AT 1pm. We are taking RSVP’s and will

keep you posted on the number of trunk or treaters to expect. Please let Laura Blum

know if you are excited to participate by emailing her at lblum@bcps.org or signing

up at church.

You bring the treats! We will bring the kids and together will fill a trunk for

Carroll County Food Sunday

2nd Annual WHAT: Instead of going door to door the kids will

go from car to car! We are asking members and

friends to be waiting with a trunk of treats!

Where: Holy Spirit Parking lot

When: Sunday October 16th

Set up for the event is at 12 noon

Kids begin trunk or treat at 1pm

We ask each person to bring a non-perishable

food item for Carroll

county food Sunday.

Please RSVP, we won’t have any tricks, but we do

want to have enough treats! Sign up on the bulletin board or Call the office 410-795-

6333

WEAR YOUR COSTUMES! BRING YOUR FRIENDS!

Contact Information for Holy Spirit Lutheran Church

Address: Holy Spirit Lutheran Church

2205 Old Liberty Road

Eldersburg, MD 21784

Church Office Phone: (410) 795-6333

Preschool Office: (410) 795-2287

Email:

Pastor: hslc.pastor@comcast.net

Deacon Linda: aim@hslceldersburgmd.org

Parish Administrator: hslc.eldersburg@comcast.net

www.hslceldersburgmd.org

Website: www.hslceldersburgmd.org

Bulletin announcements are due by Wednesday morning.

Newsletter articles are due by the third Friday of each

month.

~ October 2016 ~

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Wedding

2

Blood Pressure Screening WORSHIP 8:30 & 10:45 9:30a Adult Bible Class 9:30a sunday school classes 7:30p AA Meeting

3

4

4:30p Deacon Meet-ing @ Library 5:30p Stephen Minis-try

5

7p AA Meeting @ MP Room

6

Children's Chapel 2p Bible Discussion Group 5:45p Adult Bible Discussion Group 7:30p Choir Rehears-al

7

8

Wedding

9

Bishop's Leadership Days WORSHIP 8:30 & 10:45 9:30a Adult Bible Class 9:30a sunday school classes 7:30p AA Meeting

10

Bishop's Leadership Day 6p Lutheran Teach-ing class @MP w/ Pastor

11

Bishop's Leadership Day 6:30p Preschool BD

12

12p Spirited Seniors church 4:30p Apple Fest. meeting 7p AA Meeting @ MP Room 7p Church Council

13

2p Bible Discussion Group 5:45p Adult Bible Discussion Group 7:30p Choir Rehears-al

14

15

16

Baptism WORSHIP 8:30 & 10:45 9:30a Adult Bible Class 9:30a sunday school classes 1p Trunk Or Treat 7:30p AA Meeting

17

12p Excello Extermi-nators 6p Lutheran Teach-ing class @MP w/ Pastor

18

19

7p AA Meeting @ MP Room

20

2p Bible Discussion Group 5:45p Adult Bible Discussion Group 7:30p Choir Rehears-al

21

Set up for Festival 22

Apple Festival 10a to 3 pm

23

WORSHIP 8:30 & 10:45 9:30a Adult Bible Class 9:30a sunday school classes 12p Confirmation 7:30p AA Meeting

24

6p Lutheran Teach-ing class @MP w/ Pastor

25

26

7p AA Meeting @ MP Room

27

2p Bible Discussion Group 5:45p Adult Bible Discussion Group 7:30p Choir Rehears-al

28

29

30

Reformation WORSHIP 8:30 & 10:45 9:30a Adult Bible Class 9:30a sunday school 7:30p AA Meeting

31

6p Lutheran Teach-ing class @MP w/ Pastor