Capital Campaign: Rooted in Christ – Growing to the Future
We are well into our capital fundraising campaign. Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 19 for the Big Event: One worship service at 9:30 am followed by a celebration at 11:00 am.

I took a day of retreat last week and one of the things foremost in my mind was the health of Bethlehem and the capital campaign. I was praying in the grotto seeking some guidance and answers about this large undertaking we are considering together. Some of the questions that have been asked have been around the connection between the bricks and mortar and the ministry. The “answer” I received was this: As I gazed on the grotto, I noticed it was made largely of rocks and stones, the “bricks and mortar,” if you will. And yet, out of these rocks, these lifeless things, life was growing–and I’m not just talking moss and weeds. Good life, abundant life, that just seemed to “fit” with these rocks was bursting forth. So I offer this: let us consider how the “bricks and mortar” of this church building are organically connected to us, the living members of the Body of Christ and the vital ministries that God has given to us.

Please continue to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we continue our campaign.

Upcoming Events
Below are some upcoming events that you might be interested in. I have provided links for as much information as possible.

Lutheran Disaster Relief is holding Disaster Training (Level 1 and 2) on November 8, 2008: 9:00 a.m. until noon for Level 1 and 12:30 until 3:00 p.m. for Level 2 at NWOS Office, 621 Bright Road, Findlay, Ohio 45840. Click here to register.

A retreat on prayer will be held October 24-26, 2008 at Our Lady of the Pines, Fremont, Ohio as part of our synod’s Lay Academy for mission.

Grace Brethren Church of Bowling Green will be holding a Walk Thu the Bible Seminar on the Old Testament on November 8 from 9 am – 3 pm. The cost of the seminar is $17 and lunch is $6. They would like to have registrations at least one week in advance.

Zoar Lutheran, Perrysburg will hold a Luther Fest on October 19, beginning at 4 pm with a Battle of the Praise Bands followed by local musical acts. At 7 pm, there is an Afterglow Concert with Lori LeFever and Eric Dickey’s Jazz Trio. Tickets are available for $25 by calling Glenwood Lutheran at 419-255-0886 and all proceeds go to assist Toledo inner-city youth in attending the ELCA youth gathering in 2009.

And a Lutheran Revival will be held at St. Mark’s Bowling Green on December 5-6, 2008.