Official notice & invitation:
Our annual congregational meeting will be Sunday, November 6, following the 10am worship service (11ish), in the sanctuary AND via Zoom.
All church members have a vote that matters, and all visitors who care about our ministry should plan to attend! Agenda and all meeting materials are here or available to be picked up at church.
Did you attend one of our mission & strategic plan discussion groups? If not, we'd love your input on the four core questions asked at each of these groups: click here to see the questions and share your answers!
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Welcome to the world and GLC,
Landry Caroline Bender, born this week to parents Ashley and David!
Thanks be to God for her safe arrival - asking your continued prayers for baby, mom and dad, and new big brother, Beau as they head hone, heal, grow, and adjust as a family of four.
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Dear GLC members and friends,
October 30 is Reformation Sunday, which celebrates our freedom in Christ and the tradition of the Protestant Reformation, which began on October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses. Wear red, the color of the day, if you want to be festive!
This Sunday, don't miss:
8:30: brief, spoken worship
9:00: Bible Show and Tell - Pastor Brett invites you to get an up-close look at our 1730 German Bible and others, as well as some new Bible recommendations!
10:00: festive worship with new member welcome, a trumpeter and special music
11:15am, we will gather in the fellowship hall for a German/global party. Over 250 years ago our congregation was founded by German immigrants, and we're thankful that now our community includes backgrounds from all over. GLC will provide German sausages and fixings, bring a dish or item to share (either German or from your own global background!). Let us know what you plan to bring on the sign-up sheet online or at the sign-up desk, but just plan to come!
*Note: the Marine Corps Marathon is Sunday, and especially if coming from Virginia, you'll need to plan ahead around the course. Many bridges and key routes are closed - view the course map here, and the list of road closures here.
Sign up to serve at the 10am service this or coming Sundays!
Upcoming and below:
Click here for Sunday's bulletin and more on our worship page!
Peace+
Pastor Brett Wilson
(202)830-8996 (cell)
Here for you - schedule a meeting with me directly here on my calendly page!
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Pre-Thanksgiving Community Dinner
Mark your calendars now to join us for our annual Pre-Thanksgiving Community Dinner, on Wednesday, November 23. We share a meal with anyone in need or seeking community and fellowship: a full Thanksgiving spread with all the fixings! So, sign up now to volunteer if you'll be in town, or provide a pie. We cook and set up throughout the day on Wednesday, and serve the meal in the evening - exact times and volunteer shifts TBA. Questions? Contact Sophie Guiny.
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Winter Warmth drive with Friendship Place
Provide winterwear to an unhoused neighbor by collecting new winter outerwear for Friendship Place. You can purchase from the Amazon Wishlist. Select the “Winter Warmth Gift Registry Address” and your donation will be shipped directly to Washington Hebrew Congregation, where items will be sorted for distribution to hundreds of men, women, and children served by Friendship Place – those on living on the street, in short-term housing facilities, and in permanent supportive housing. Want to purchase from somewhere else and donate? This is possible - ask Sophie how. Questions? Contact Sophie (sophie.guiny@gmail.com)
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Sunday school and Parents & littles' group
We're excited to resume Sunday school! Sunday school meets on the first and third Sundays of each month, (*this* Sunday) 9:00-9:45, Sunday school for grade schoolers meets in the fellowship hall. Please let Pastor Brett know if your child plans to participate so that we can plan and possibly group students by age. We're also starting something we're calling Little Lutherans, a gathering for parents and littles, infant to Pre-K. This will meet on the second Sunday of each month, 9:00-9:45. Little Lutherans will provide fellowship for parents and some simple ways to talk about and start growing faith in your little ones.
If you are an adult who might be interested in leading, helping, or teaching (or learning how) adults, kids, or youth, please also reach out to Pastor Brett.
If you haven't already, parents, if you'd like for your children to attend or for all parents, infant through school age, please complete our parent survey here, to help us plan for group sizes, children's ages and interest. This fall for all ages we'll be using the excellent Manna and Mercy curriculum, which uses excellent theology, engaging lessons, and real-life application, to learn the story of the Bible and our faith.
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Weekly Bible Study: Thursday Nights on Zoom!
Weekly Bible study is weekly on Thursdays, 7:30-8:30pm on Zoom.
We're reading together the book of Acts from the New Testament. Zoom link here or also linked at glconline.net/social--learning. Feel free to join in whenever you can - no prior experience or continuity is required! You can use any online Bible to follow along (a simple NRSV, same translation we use in worship, is here: bible.oremus.org), or recommended print Bibles include the Harper Collins Study Bible and Lutheran Study Bible (with the blue cover, published by Augsburg Fortress).
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Puerto Rico & Hurricane Relief
When we see tragedy strike in the world, or even in our lives, remember that God is there. The church is often there too, in other congregations, people on the ground, communities of care just like ours. Did you know there's a Caribbean Synod, and 27 ELCA congregations in Puerto Rico, that are a part of it?
This week, as again the people of Puerto Rico reel from the devastation of a storm, needing water and recovery, we're reminded that the church - and importantly, God, is there and all places where people are struggling - from war, from disaster, from grief, from whatever it is.
Click here for a special email from our own Metro DC Synod Bishop Ortiz (for whom Puerto Rico is home), about how we as church together can help, and an invitation to give to our siblings in the Lutheran churches affected.
As this week we now pray for folks under the path of Hurricane Ian, Lutheran Disaster Response offers a way to give and 100% of gifts will go to use on the ground, often routed through congregations, local relief, and social service. Click here to learn more.
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