HOLY SPIRIT LUTHERAN CHURCH AUGUST 2015

THE SPIRIT

Thoughts from Pastor Robin

“Our purpose is to love God

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

In Mid-July I was blessed to accompany three of our young people to the triennial

ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit, Michigan. We worshipped, learned, fellowshipped and praised

God with 30,000 other young people from across the country and internationally. It was an amazing

experience that I will treasure.

On our first full day, we were driven to one of the outer communities of Detroit where we

cleaned blighted houses. We learned from the neighbors of the painful last 10 years. Due to so many

factors, many of the people of this northwest Detroit community moved out of their neighborhoods

leaving homes abandoned. Over time, these abandoned homes and buildings became a danger to those

still living in the community. We raked, picked up trash, cut down branches, mowed grass and board-

ed up doors and windows.

Some people from the neighborhood came and helped us. But it was one little boy, around six

years old, who seemed to capture everyone’s heart. Trashan just appeared out of thin air. He lived

across the street. When he saw the young people working, he wanted to join them. Together they

cleaned up a yard and a home. And Jesus was among them!

We are blessed people. Jesus seems to show up in some of the strangest places. He even decid-

ed to show up in the body of a little boy named Trashan. My prayer for you is that you see Jesus in the

people around you.

Blessings as you enjoy and wrap up the last of summer. May you see Jesus in all that you see

and in all that you do. Thanks be to God!

ELCA YOUTH GATHERING Pastor Robin, Laura Blum, Erik Larson and Patrick & Ben McCardell joined 30,000 other young people at the Nation-

al Youth Gathering in Detroit, Michigan on July 15 to July 19. This once in three year event included worship, educa-

tion and a service project in the community.

Can You Read the Bible in One Year?

Since there are only five weeks left on our schedule (Can you believe it?), I included them all here. As we finish up, our Thursday afternoon and Sunday morning Bible discussion groups will continue to meet. You’re welcome to drop in anytime!

Aug 2, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Ezekiel 36-37 1 Peter 3 Aug 3 Ezekiel 38-39 1 Peter 4 Aug 4 Ezekiel 40 1 Peter 5 Aug 5 Ezekiel 41-42 2 Peter 1 Aug 6 Ezekiel 43-44 2 Peter 2 Aug 7 Ezekiel 45-46 2 Peter3 Aug 8 Ezekiel 47-48 1 John 1

Aug 9, Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Daniel 1-2 1 John 2 Aug 10 Daniel 3-4 1 John 3 Aug 11 Daniel 5-6 1 John 4 Aug 12 Daniel 7-8 1 John 5 Aug 13 Daniel 9-10 2 John and 3 John Aug 14 Daniel 11-12 Jude Aug 15 Hosea 1-4 Revelation 1

Aug 16, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Hosea 5-8 Revelation 2 Aug 17 Hosea 9-11 Revelation 3 Aug 18 Hosea 12-14 Revelation 4 Aug 19 Joel Revelation 5 Aug 20 Amos 1-3 Revelation 6 Aug 21 Amos 4-6 Revelation 7 Aug 22 Amos 7-9 Revelation 8

Aug 23, Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Obadiah Revelation 9 Aug 24 Jonah Revelation 10 Aug 25 Micah 1-4 Revelation 11 Aug 26 Micah 5-7 Revelation 12 Aug 27 Nahum Revelation 13 Aug 28 Habakkuk Revelation 14 Aug 29 Zephaniah Revelation 15

Aug 30, Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Haggai Revelation 16 Aug 31 Zechariah 1-3 Revelation 17 Sep 1 Zechariah 4-6 Revelation 18 Sep 2 Zechariah 7-9 Revelation 19 Sep 3 Zechariah 10-12 Revelation 20 Sep 4 Zechariah 13-14 Revelation 21 Sep 5 Malachi Revelation 22

Cartoons Copyright © 2015 HarperCollins Christian Publishing

August Building Committee Report

Submitted by William Stecher

During the past several months, the building team has reviewed options to help meet HSLC mission needs with facilities. Options

eliminated include selling our existing facilities and building at a new site; and adding new buildings at our present location. The

committee is now focused on plans to remain at our present location; and recapture and remodel the original sanctuary (Phase I).

The building committee met at the beginning of July to discuss the loan pre-approval figures from Mission Investment Fund (MIF),

and to work on details of Phase I building plans: recapture the original sanctuary. There is good news and bad news about present

funding for the recapture phase. The good news is that monetary gifts and grants have been received by the church which can be

used towards Phase I expenses. The bad news is the pre-approval loan amount from MIF is lower than anticipated.

Throughout the committee process of forming building plans, discussions about how the plans meet the needs of the HSLC faith

community both now and in the future as defined by our Long Range Strategic Plan, have been a constant part of the planning. As

part of this process, the committee has been reviewing the evolving mission of the preschool. Although the preschool has always

existed as part of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, it had been managed and operated independently from the congregation. Over the

past several years, changes have occurred to make the management more integrated with the congregation, and the Pastor now

contributes to daily operations. The present preschool board is made up entirely of congregation members, except for the director.

As of the fourth of quarter of 2014, the schools financial books are managed by the congregational council treasurer. The reputation

that the school’s director has made for the school, and her commitment to quality programming, has made the preschool financially

successful, which allows the school to contribute to the annual congregational budget.

The process of renovating and restoring the sanctuary will involve juggling the existing operations in the building which includes

worship space, Sunday school space, preschool space and other groups using areas within the facilities. To avoid jeopardizing the

health of HSLC missions, the committee is considering approaches to minimize disruption to both worship and pre-school

operations. The most recent plans being detailed are to add temporary (or permanent) classroom partitions at the north side of the

multipurpose area, and move the altar to the recaptured sanctuary. The preschool and Sunday school classes will meet in the new

classroom space and the “nursery room”. The sanctuary renovation will be performed at the same time the temporary classroom

space is constructed. Since the preapproved loan funding came in low, the Phase I plan has been modified slightly from the June

presentation to the congregation in that construction of new classroom space addition will probably occur during Phase II.

More details to Phase I are being worked on by the building committee this summer and the cost of implementing the Phase I plans

will be calculated. Any plans of the building committee will be submitted to the council and the congregation for approval; and all

expenses must also be approved prior to making any commitments with architects and contractors.

SOCIAL MINISTRY PROJECT:

The Social Ministry Team in conjunction with VBS will be collecting money and supplies in order to assem-

ble “School Kits” for Lutheran World Relief (LWR).

COLLECTION DATES: Sunday, July 19, 2015 – Sunday, September 6, 2015. Place items in designated

bin at the back of the sanctuary.

KIT ASSEMBLY DATE: ELCA “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday, September 13, 2015 between services

Holy Spirit will joining other churches in this ELCA synod-wide celebration day of service by putting our

faith in action, and working together to assemble the kits. Cloth backpacks will be used to pack school items.

In the areas where LWR works, public schools are usually free, but school supplies: pens, pencils, and pa-

per are more than many families can afford. Only children who have the required items attend school – so

these supplies mean the difference between getting an education or not.

ITEMS NEEDEED FOR EACH SCHOOL KIT*:

Four (4) 70-sheet spiral-bound notebooks of wide- or college-ruled paper

One (1) 30-centimeter ruler or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other

One (1) pencil sharpener

One (1) blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades)

Five (5) unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers

Five (5) black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink)

One (1) box of 16- or 24-count crayons

One (1) 2 1/2” eraser

One (1) sturdy backpack-style cloth bag (these will be provided by HSLC)

*Please give new items only.

Please do not donate items with any religious symbols, messages, or your congregation’s name.

Please do not donate any items decorated with a USA flag, patriotic, or military symbols, or references to

the armed forces, including camouflage.

Each kit costs about $1.40 to ship.

Mark your calendars for donations and plan to join us on “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday, September 13,

2015.

If you have any questions about this project, please call Patsy Taylor at 410-795-2921.

2015 Spirit Diner Schedule Here is the 2015 Spirit Diner schedule. Details will follow in the Sunday Bulletin for each

month. Please use the “sign-up” sheet (in back of the church) to make your reservation.

Questions: call Barbara Northrop, 410-552-0104.

August 9 St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Church Dinner (Woodstock )

September 6 Baldwin Station (Sykesville)

October 4 Winfield Inn (Winfield)

November 1 Dimitries (Catonsille)

December 6 Mt. Airy Tavern (Mt. Airy)

The “Spirited Seniors” will meet on Wednesday, August 12 at the Winfield Inn, 1616 W. Old

Liberty Road at 12 noon. We will receive separate checks. Use the “sign up “ sheet ( in the

back of the church) for reservation. Need a ride? Meet at the church at 11:30 A.M.

Spirited Seniors

This group meets the second Wednesday of

every month!

Music and Worship

Adult Choir to resume…….September 17 at 7:30 p.m.!

Previous members.... please let me know if you will be returning to choir.

Those thinking of joining choir…..we welcome you with open arms.

Worship Service Volunteers…….new volunteers are 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.

from………Nancy Bowman

Church & Village: Partners in Ministry August 2015

Carroll Hospital President to Speak at CLV Carroll Hospital Center officially became a subsidiary of LifeBridge Health on April 1. At the invitation of Carroll Lutheran Vil-lage, Carroll Hospital President Leslie Simmons will visit the Village on Tuesday, August 18 at 2pm to discuss how this new partnership will build on the hospital’s commitment to the people of Carroll County with new services and expanded care. Members of our corporate congregations are invited to join the discussion in Krug Chapel Auditorium to learn more about what this development means for you and our community. All are welcome and no RSVP is necessary.

Student Scholarships Awarded Five student employees and three adult employees at Carroll Lutheran Village were awarded scholarships at a reception with residents of the Village on July 16. To qualify, student employees must have worked at least 1,000 hours at the Village and plan to enroll full-time in college in the fall. Each will receive $500 per semester for up to eight semesters. The student scholarship program is funded exclusively by donations from residents of the Village. The 2015 recipients are Brooke Aush-erman, Asa Hanson, Nicholas Lolli, Joshua Luber, and Christina Vaughn, all of Westminster. Since its inception in 2000, the program has awarded more than $171,000 in scholarships to 100 students. Clinical track scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to existing employees who wish to enter or advance in the health care field. The 2015 recipients are Chari-ty Bennett and Amanda Bonner of Westminster and Amber Wentz of Union Bridge. All three plan to pursue their GNA certi-fication at Carroll Community College and return to Carroll Lutheran Village in a health care capacity.

Upcoming Carroll Lutheran Village Events

Conquer Your Paperwork Mountain – August 19 – For those seniors preparing to downsize, they find that years – even decades – of paperwork has piled up or gotten out of control. Attend this session to learn what to keep, how long to keep it and create an organization system that will tame the paper in preparation for a move to a senior living community. A Prescription for Fitness – August 28 – Exercise is becoming more important to people of all ages. Fitness is the perfect prescription for a healthy heart, a sharper mind and a happier you. Wellness Director Lynn Glaeser provides an overview of the Flourish wellness program and will show you easy, effective ways to get your heart in shape.

Seating is limited for these events. Please call 410-848-8922 for more information or to register.

Carroll’s Best Voting for the annual Carroll County Times Carroll’s Best Readers’ Choice Awards is underway through August 10. Please consider voting for Carroll Lutheran Village for Best Retirement Community, Best Assisted Living Facility, Best Nursing Home, and Best Physical Therapy. The survey is available online only at www.carrollcountytimes.com/carrollsbest. Thank you for your support!

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

AiM: 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.