Missions
Time is running out to get your Grinder, Chef Salad and Chili orders in!
Grinder, Salad, and Chili Sale & Non-Perishable Food Drive to Benefit Friendly Hands Food Bank!
Due date for orders is Tuesday, February 6.
Pick up will be noon to 2 pm on Saturday February 10.
Please help us support your neighbors in need.
A plea from Bishop Hazelwood of the New England Synod
New England Synod eNews
April 17, 2023
Dear New England Synod,
On Sunday, I worshipped with the congregation of Faith Lutheran Church in Cambridge, MA. You will recall that this congregation suffered a devasting fire to its building, on 311 Broadway, late last Sunday evening. Thankfully no one was in the building then and no one was injured. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. However, the 100-year-old building suffered significant damage, that required six engine companies to respond to control and end the fire. Last Tuesday, the church’s steeple was removed to prevent further damage. However, the cross which stood atop that steeple now stands inside the sanctuary where the congregation will worship for the foreseeable future.
Pastor Robin Lutjohann and the congregation have received many blessings, with an outpouring of prayers, donations and the offering of the nearby Pentecostal Tabernacle for worship. On Sunday, the congregation’s pastor welcomed Faith Lutheran to worship in their space on Sunday mornings (the Pentecostal congregation worships at 4 pm on Sundays) and provided a love offering of $5,000. Earlier in the week, Faith Lutheran’s shared feeding ministry operated out of the nearby synagogue, with which they have partnered in that ministry for 20 years. Then on Wednesday, the local mosque welcomed the congregation for its weekly prayer service, where they broke bread together in fellowship. All of this is a testimony to how God’s Holy Spirit works to bring about hope and healing in this loss.
What can you do? While the congregation has significant support and is fully insured, there are high additional costs to their recovery. If you would like to support them in their efforts, I invite you to join me in contributing via the church’s Go Fund Me page. The link is here.
Fortunately, the congregation has wise and experienced architects, attorneys and finance people. They are indeed one of our small but mighty congregations. They have also received support and advice from nearby congregations which have experienced similar events. That shared wisdom exemplifies the fruits of a collaboration that Faith has engaged in for many years.
During worship, I offered the prayers of this whole synod for the people of Faith Lutheran, who are clearly people of faith. Again and again, I was impressed with their resilience. The worship opened with Hymn 652, Built on a Rock, which contains the opening stanza: “Built on a rock the church shall stand, even when steeples are falling.”
I invite you to continue praying for this congregation as they walk through a long, challenging road ahead.
Sincerely,
Bishop James Hazelwood
Faith Lutheran, Cambridge
FOLLOW THE BISHOP at BISHOPONABIKE.COM, or FACEBOOK
Website: www.nelutherans.org Phone: (508) 791-1530
20 Upland Street | Worcester | Massachusetts | 01607
ELCA of America Tornado Relief Fund
The ELCA of America has set up a Tornado relief fund for the victims of this weekend’s devastating tornados. Here is the link if you would like to help your neighbors in need.
Blessing bags for our Free Pantry- items needed.
We could also use items for the pantry. It is getting good use and demand is out-weighing our supply! Canned goods, non-perishable grocery items, cleaning products, toiletries and pet supplies. A full list of suggested items can be found on the inside of the pantry door.
