God Is on the Move
Word from Wiese
17 April 2024
Wow. God is on the move at COS! For this week’s WFW, I thought I’d sit down for a moment and remind myself (with all of you, too) of everything that the Lord is orchestrating in these transformational days in our faith community.
(For weekly updates on these seven key “new chapters” in our COS story, check out the 7 Segues section in the Thursday emails blasts or website.)
I. Pastor Miriam’s Transition to Retirement
What a fantastic celebration this past weekend of Pastor Miriam’s dynamic 25+ years of ministry at COS. Thanks for all you helped organize and attended the Saturday reception and/or the Sunday morning worship services! Pastor Miriam said on Monday she was still feeling high—on the love and appreciation she felt from the hundreds who participated. As P Miriam starts the Bishop’s request to spend the typical year away from the pastor’s congregation (for those not moving away from the area), we trust she and David can start digging in to the long list of movies they’ve been constructing. Very soon, the Bishop will share a robust list of ministry opportunities throughout the region that P Miriam can pursue at her desire. Again, we say, “thank you, we love you, enjoy this new season, and see you later and in new ways!” to P Miriam.
Someone suggested “recordings of this weekend should be made available to all congregations so they know how to throw a send-off!” Speaking of recordings, click here to watch the staff’s version of “So Long, Farewell.”
Click here to watch the 11.00 Sunday’s worship service with P Miriam’s final sermon, incredible music, and Litany of Godspeed.
II. Interim Staffing
This Monday, April 22 Interim Pastor Carla Knobler joins the staff meeting with her first worship services Sunday April 28. Rev. Knobler will serve up to 20 hours per week and is appointed by Bishop Strickland. Does Carla’s name sound familiar to you? If so, that’s because Pastor John Weber had Pastor Carla preach at COS a few times before 2008, when she lived in the area and moving on to interim ministry assignments throughout the country. You’ll enjoy meeting Pastor Carla and her vibrant spirit.
III. Transition Team
Thanks to all of you who filled out the congregational survey exploring who COS is and God’s preferred hopes for our future. The Transition Team is working on summarizing everyone’s input into a cohesive report and will share soon with the congregation. The survey will help us fill out our Ministry Site Profile, a congregational description required for all churches in the call process.
IV. Call Committee
According to the Bishop’s instructions, now that P Miriam has retired, the Call Committee can be formed and start its work, taking the baton from the Transition Team. We’ve learned sadly that many congregations who say goodbye to a second pastor realize they can’t afford to call a new leader. Thanks to your strong stewardship, we rejoice that we’re moving ahead to discern the new pastor God already has chosen to join us in our future ministry. When the Call Committee completes this 6-12 month journey (we’ll be flexible), the council and congregation will vote to approve and welcome the pastoral candidate proposed.
V. Sanctuary Renewal Process
Thanks to a beehive of volunteers after services and Sunday evening, ALL the pews were prepped and began their new lives in your homes and throughout the community by Monday morning! Special thanks to Laura Hawkins, Paul Talbot, Steve Gunderson and Scout Troop 181 for their back-breaking diligence.
On Monday morning, we held hands in a circle prayer with our contractors and we asked the Lord’s blessing and direction upon this Sanctuary Renewal Project. What do you think of this picture I took of our empty sanctuary ready for the “new chapter”? A mixture of emotions, for sure. We’ll keep providing updates. 2024 will go down in history as the year of world-famous sanctuary renewals: Notre Dame in Paris, the National Cathedral in D.C, and COS in PTC!
VI. Rejoice & Renew: A Call for Sanctuary Renewal (Fund Raising Effort).
Thanks to everyone who has said with your wallets “I’m in!” on this generational opportunity to honor the house of the Lord. We have surpassed our $190,000 goal with gifts still being given. Such supplemental gifts are extremely appreciated. First, we want a very high percentage of COS families to know they have “skin in the game” in this legacy-empowering and mission-driven project. Secondly, the cushion prepares us to be ready with a few items (music area and chancel furniture) for which details are still fluid. Who knows. Maybe we can address some project goals on the wish list!
VII. Interim Worship Plan.
The Israelites endured an “interim worship space” for 40 years! We hope our Interim Worship Schedule will last only 4 months, give or take. Some of you feel you’ve read this hundreds of times, but let’s communicate it yet again: In light of our sanctuary updates, an interim worship schedule starts in the Fellowship Hall THIS SUNDAY!!!
We honor the praise band musicians need to set up and rehearse early each Sunday. So, our contemporary services will be held at 9:30 (15 minutes earlier than usual) and then traditional at 11:00 AM (same time as usual).
Thanks in advance for everyone’s positive attitude as we adapt to a new—and temporary—way of worshipping the Lord together. Wear your nametag. Bring a positive and gracious attitude as we figure out things together. If you want to burn a few extra calories, park across Peachtree Parkway in the Fresh Market lot to provide a space for a visitor or friend.
Get ready for the Lord of Reformation and New Beginnings to lead the way!
In Christ’s hope,
Pastor Fritz
Let us pray.
“O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Written by Eric Milner-White
