Mountains 2 February 2022 As you read this, I am getting ready to fly home after spending two days skiing in the Utah mountains with my son Luke and long-time family friends. It was my first-time skiing west of the Mississippi and first-time skiing in over a decade. I hope I’m still walking! I doubt my mountain moments were as …
Broken Pieces in the Potter’s Hands 26 January 2022 Jeremiah was the prophet God assigned to encourage the scattered Israelites struggling in exile in Babylon after King Nebuchanezzar destroyed their temple and homeland. In last Sunday’s sermon, I explored how Jeremiah 31 is a call for us to LAMENT, LEAN IN, AND LOOK FORWARD. In our staff meeting Monday morning, …
Risking Boldly 19 January 2022 What’s the riskiest move you’ve made? How much have you risked for Jesus in your faith life? Legendary among Lutherans is the story of Pastor Bob Graetz. Bob grew up in a predominantly white community in West Virginia. But at seminary, Bob felt the Holy Spirit’s call to be a pioneer in our country’s civil …
What’s the Report 12 January 2022 Tomorrow you will receive via special email the COS 2021 Congregational Report composed by your faith friends leading the charge in our various ministry areas. Waves of astonishment never fail to roll through my heart as I’m reminded of how much “joy and life” the Holy Spirit incarnates through our congregational efforts. What a …
Belly, Bank Account, or Brotherhood 2 January 2022 Happy New Year! Are you someone appreciating the invitation to set goals or resolutions for a new year? Hard and helpful. Research indicates 25% of goals are abandoned within a mere seven days. But if you write them down, you’re 42% more likely to achieve them. At COS, our council is gathering …
With Joy, Give Thanks 24 November 2021 While COS regrettably does not gather this year for our traditional Chili Dinner and Thanksgiving Eve service, we are pleased to offer this guide to enrich your Thanksgiving celebrations. God’s blessings! A GUIDE FOR OFFERING THANKS THIS THANKSGIVING Christ Our Shepherd Families 2021 Sing or say these verses from “Come Ye Thankful People …
Nothing Really Matters 17 November 2021 One of the most popular songs of the last several decades is “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. Opera, rock, ballad. Several genres are fused into this amazing song still sung by millions when they hear it on the radio. Just last week, I even heard country singer Zack Brown cover Bohemian Rhapsody as he opened …
Candy, Apple Pie, and Fish—What a Menu! 10 November 2021 “A little child shall lead them.” So prophesizes Isaiah 11:6. Children certainly led COS this past Sunday in terms of sharing back to God what we are first given. Miss Ingrid Hudson, our Director of Children & Family, invited the kids to tithe (give 10%) their Halloween candy gained while …
What Do You Miss? 3 November 2021 What do you miss? John 21.25 declares, “if every one of (the things Jesus did) were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” The same might be said for the list of things we’ve MISSED during the Covid pandemic! But good news has …
Oktoberfest Picturefest 27 October 2021 “A picture is worth a thousand words!” If that adage is true, let me stop writing. Instead, let me enthusiastically offer this link to a short video capturing all the fun God let us enjoy at the COS Family Oktoberfest this past Saturday at Palmetto Road! Oktoberfest Picturefest! Click here for video Thanks to Barbara …