Worship Services

Announcements and Prayers

September 13th, 2023

On-Line Viewing

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheFirstEvangelicalLutheranChurchofOdenton
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/event/537863
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstLutheranOdenton

September’s Congregational Discussion

9/20/2023 @ 7 PM: This Month we will be resuming the Congregational Discussions to discuss matters specific to the congregation (e.g. Future of the Congregation). Therefore as advertised on the Church Calendar, we will be meeting this Wednesday, September 20, 2023 – we will be meeting within the Fellowship Hall for “Congregational Discussions.” This month’s topic will be: “Cares and Concerns” within FELC. This will include discussions such as “What are we doing well (as a church) — and what can we improve?” All within the Congregation are invited and encouraged to participate.

Men’s Breakfast

The Men’s breakfast is resuming. It will be the third Saturday of the month, however, the exception is this month due to the short notice. For September, please plan to attend on Saturday, September 23rd, at 8AM. The new location is IHOP, 889 Rt. 3, Gambrills, MD 21054. Please contact Mike Mrozek, mike621m@broadstripe.net, if you plan to attend so we can reserve seats. If you forget to respond, please come anyway, we will make room. Looking forward to a large turnout with plenty of good fellowship.

Ladies Night Out

Thursday, September 28th, 6:30PM, Rinconcito Mexicano, Odenton Shopping Center. All ladies are welcome. If interested in attending, please let Denise know.

Pastor’s Office Schedule

Monday: 9:30-4:30

Tuesday: 9:30-4:30

Wednesday: 9:30-4:30

Thursday: 9:30-2:00 (Subject to change based on workload)

Friday: DAY OFF

Office hours will be flexible to accommodate other needs, pastor meetings, and conferences. In the event the pastor has to work on his day off, he will take that time off the following week.

Schedule for Pastoral Counseling

Monday and Tuesday: 1 hour time slots available based on Pastor’s schedule and availability that day. (Note: Pastor will be flexible to accommodate schedules that may not be able to meet during the day.)

When to Call Your Pastor:

• If you go to the hospital or are going to be having scheduled surgery.
• If you would like a prayer said for you.
• You are not able to come to church for more than a month (i.e., prolonged illness or recovery).
• You have a question or concern about something at church.
• You have an issue in your marriage that is unresolved after one month.
• Your conscience is troubling you and you want assurance of God’s grace through means of Private Confession and Absolution.
• You are wrestling with a spiritual issue or have a question about something the Bible says.
• You have a friend or relative who wants to know more about Jesus.
• When a loved one is near death.
• If you would like a visit from pastor.
• If there is an urgent need or emergency in which you feel the pastor should be made aware of.
• For counseling sessions.
• On pastor’s day off, members should contact one of the elders. The elders will then determine the urgency in which the pastor should be made aware of the need or situation.
• All other calls or emails after office hours will be returned within 24 business hours.

Prayers and Announcements

The policy for prayers is changing. The Prayer list will be refreshed at the beginning of each month. If you want a prayer to remain, please notify the church office by sending an email to prayerrequests@felcodenton.org. Prayers and announcements (email churchoffice@felcodenton.org) should be emailed by 8:00AM each Wednesday to be added to the announcement email and bulletin for the following Sunday. If you have a prayer after that time, a prayer card, located in the Narthex, can be filled out on Sunday morning, and given to an usher.

Sunday School News

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is that time of the year again. Time for what you may ask? Time for Sunday School! We are excited to share with you that we will be offering a class for the 3-5-year-old children as well as a class for all kids in 1st-5th grade. The children will be meeting in the Sunday School area below the sanctuary. Each Sunday will begin with a small opening for all children, and then each group will branch off into their respective classrooms. Adult Sunday School class will meet in the Fellowship Hall and will be led by Pastor Corey. Please bear with us as we make these changes to our Sunday School hour and transition into a new curriculum for our children. Also, please be in prayerful consideration about how you could help be a leader for one of our children’s classes.

As part of the adult Sunday School, Pastor Corey will be leading us through a family-based confirmation curriculum which will serve as a refresher in the six chief parts of the catechism, and introduction to the basic doctrine and theology of the LCMS, and as a way for those who wish to join FELC as members to get the appropriate training and education which leads to formal membership here at FELC. This is the curriculum our confirmands will be using this year as well. This will also serve to help parents, better serve their children who are in confirmation classes this year as well as you will be using the same material at home with your confirmands.

Classes will begin at 9AM on Sunday’s and will end at 10AM. For the safety of our children here at FELC, parents will need to sign their children in and sign them out. No child will be allowed to leave the classroom until a parent has signed them out. If you would like to volunteer to help with the children’s classes or if you have any questions, please contact Ursula Pinckney or Pastor Corey!

Pork Dinner

October 14th, 4-6PM. Roasted pork, German potato salad, sauerkraut w/kielbasa, green beans, applesauce, roll and dessert. Cost $15. Eat-in only: Children 5-12 years $8, 4 and under are free. Cost reduced to $13 if you bring diapers or baby supplies. Pre-orders requested: Call or text Margie (443)838-8438. This is a Thrivent sponsored event. Proceeds will go toward Wellspring Life Ministry.

Ladies Retreat

Date Change – 2nd Chance to Have Fun!  October 20-22, at Brenda Gerhardt’s Farm in Sommerset, PA. BEE prepared to relax, refresh and recharge while enjoying old friends and making new ones. This year’s theme will revolve around bumbles and honey. Don’t miss the chance to see how many ways we incorporate the theme into our devotions, menu, activities, and service project, as well as our daily interactions. We’ll also visit a nearby park where you’ll have the opportunity to rent a kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or pedalboat, swim or take a walk or just relax in the shade. This year you can bring your own tent, sleep in the barn, or reserve a spot in the house. Bathrooms and showers are available for use. Please bring your own bedding and towels. Bring a swimsuit if you’d like to use the hot tub. Meals and activities begin with dinner on Friday evening and continue through breakfast and devotion on Sunday. Ladies of all ages are welcome- from the youngest to the oldest. We will accommodate you! Don’t forget to BEE kind and invite a friend. RSVP to Brenda at 410-271-6771 or Margie at 443-838-8438.

Operation Christmas Child

Thanks to your generosity, we are almost to the finish line! We are, however, still in need of a few more school supplies, to include: pouches, sharpeners, colored pencils and paint sets. Check the amounts needed on the list and see how you might help us get these items collected before the end of September. We hope to start prepacking in mid-October. We will need to be ready to deliver them to the warehouse by the 2nd week of November. Specific dates will be determined a little later.

A small group met on Wednesday, Sept 6th. We continued working on crafts from previous gatherings.

We are making slow but steady progress on these projects. In fact, we have scheduled another time to hopefully complete the current project. It was nice to see and fellowship with some new faces as we worked! So please join us on Monday, September 18th at 6:30pm, so that our goals can be met. Help us to bless the children with our love! Remember that “LOVE is spelled S-E-R-V-I-C-E”. (notice changed from SERVE)

August	Needed	Ornament # Suggestion
Pencil sharpeners w/lids	46	Sets of 2-4
Pencil pouches	67	Sets of 3
12 pkg colored pencils	40	Sets of 2-3
Paint sets	40	Set of 2

Upcoming Meetings

September 16th, Ladies Auxiliary Craft Night, 6:30 PM

October 2nd, Ladies Auxiliary, 6:30 PM

October 9th, Planning Council, 7 PM

Blood Drive

Mark your calendar! Our next blood drive is October 27th, 10AM-3PM in the Fellowship hall. Walk-ins are welcome, but if the schedule fills up, you may be turned away. So, if you plan to donate, please schedule an appointment. To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: FELC or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). For more information or to volunteer to help, contact Denise Bach.

Trunk or Treat

We will have an indoor “Trunk or Treat” on Sunday, October 29th. Time will be announced.

CAP

CAP will be picking up food from the county food bank on the following days…September 22nd, October 20th, November 17th, and December 15th. Pickups are at 9:30 at the food bank, with unloading at 20:00 at the pantry. If you can help, please contact Clare, capvolcoor@gmail.com.

Shut In Visitation Ministry

Pastor Harris visits shut-ins If you would like to be visited and/or receive Communion, please contact the Church Office (410-672-3352 or churchoffice@felcodenton.org).

Young Adult Small Group

If you are between the ages of 20 and 30 and would be interested in joining our Bible Study, we meet on Wednesdays from 8-9pm. We are currently studying Job. If interested please contact John Pinckney for more information.  We look forward to discussing God’s word with you!