Christ the King Lutheran Church Lodi, Ohio
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Welcome to Grace Notes, November 12-18, 2023

11/7/2023

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​KEYSTONE HABITS
​​The "Being Challenge" encouraged us to develop habits similar to the ones Jesus used, that pulled together his life and ministry on earth, like a keystone does for an arch.
​
The "Keystone Habits" (in the order you'll see them below) are Choosing Church, Studying Scripture, Committing to Community, Prioritizing Prayer, and Seeking Solitude)
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CHOOSING CHURCH
At Christ the King, an average of 52 people have "chosen church" at Christ the King the first two Sundays this month; 65 individuals have "chosen church" at least once this month.
CHOOSING CHURCH
​Sunday, November 12, 2023

​Worship at 8:15 am and 10:45 am
You can choose to join us in person at Christ the King, or watch our services live or recorded ​on Facebook (8:15 am) HERE>> or on YouTube (10:45 am) HERE>>

ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 - "Ready?  Ready!"
  • Worship (with Holy Communion) at 8:15 and 10:45 am.  You can open, download, and print the printout for both our NOVEMBER 12 worship services (at 8:15 and at 10:45 am)​ HERE>>​
  • Sunday School, Confirmation, and Adult Bible Classes at 9:30 am

STILL TO COME IN NOVEMBER . . . 
  • November 12 - "Ready?"
  • November 19 - "Set!"
  • November 26 - "Time to Go!"

AND COMING IN DECEMBER . . . 
December 3, 10, 17, and 24 (morning) - the Four Sundays in Advent
December 6, 13, and 20 (Wednesdays) TBA, including maybe
  • Morning and/or evning Advent worship services?
  • Choir practices?
  • Soup suppers?
December 24 (evening) - Christmas Eve worship
December 25 (morning) - Christmas Day worship
December 31 - The next Friends and Family Day! Morning worship 8:15 & 10:45 am; "Friends and Family New Year's Eve Party" 9:30 am (with lots of people to be thankful for in 2023)
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STUDYING SCRIPTURE
You can explore more opportunities to Study Scripture​ HERE>> ​

​Christ the King now has our own page on the YouVersion Bible App HERE>>.  ​
STUDYING SCRIPTURE - Bible Studies this Week

SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS FOR ADULTS - 9:30 am in the Sanctuary -  the Book of Revelation. 
  • November 12 - "The Resurrection and New Creation" Revelation 20:11-22:5
  • November 19 - "The Final Amen" Revelation 22:6-11 and Review

SUNDAY YOUTH CONFIRMATION CLASS - 9:30 am in the Parish Hall
  • ​November 12 & November 19 - The Son of God (Apostles' Creed, Article 2), lesson 1
  • November 26 - Thanksgiving Weekend / no class

WOMEN'S WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES - in the Parish Hall
Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm and Wednesdays, 9:30-11 am
We finished our study of Gideon - now would be a good time to join one of these groups, if you've been thinking about it! See Pam Reece for details, and a book about "The Armor of God!

​AND FOR KIDS - SUNDAY SCHOOL!  - 9:30 am in the Parish Hall
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COMMITTING TO COMMUNITY
​When you click the button below, you can learn more about our commitment to Community here at Christ the King as you find
  • A list of November birthdays and anniversaries
  • Information about caring for others with Meal Train
  • Food distributions in the area
  • More information about our SELC District, the next LWML Bible Study at Christ the King, and the Lutheran Church Extension Fund
CLICK HERE
COMMITTING TO COMMUNITY​​
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Christ the King Lutheran Church is a member of the SELC District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod ​
​Pastor Cahill is the Second Vice President of the SELC District. 

MORE ABOUT THE SELC
  • You can find our District website HERE>>
  • Click HERE>> to see a video about how our gifts are used to advance Christ’s Kingdom here and throughout the world, and their importance to our work together.

​THE SELC DISTRICT NEWSLETTER "THE BEACON" is published nearly every Friday afternoon - you can find the latest issue, or subscribe to get it directly to your email inbox, HERE>>
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Here at Christ the King, we support the Matthew 25 Coalition of Churches in Medina County with our prayers and offerings (and a line in our budget).  HERE>> are some stories of how we've helped people with acute and unexpected financial needs in our communities during October. 
The Matthew 25 Coalition of Medina County and the Matthew 25 Outreach Center of Ashland / Richland Counties 
​
NEXT FREE MONTHLY PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION
Saturday December 9
at the Cloverleaf Elementary School, 8337 Friendsville Road
          Distribution 10 am – 1 pm
​Volunteers needed 8 am – 2 pm
Questions? 419-961-0110, or visit this website www.m25oc.org
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PRIORITIZING PRAYER
PRIORITIZING PRAYER
Find the Christ the King prayer list at our updated prayer website HERE>>

​You can also download and read or print the Lutheran Bible Translators' November 2023 Prayer Calendar HERE>>
and you can download and read or print "How to Pray for Missionaries" from Wycliffe Bible Translators HERE>>
(Note: please be sure to include in your prayers our SELC missionary in India, and ongoing SELC mission projects in Montreal and in Honduras)
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SEEKING SOLITUDE
​SEEKING SOLITUDE
The Keystone Habit of "Solitude" doesn't simply mean loneliness; it means being away from the usual distractions of life to notice what God is doing around you and with you. 
​
​So here's a November suggestion:  With Thanksgiving coming up, make your own personal list of things you might be thankful for.  Here's one way to do it:
  • Take a piece of lined paper (like notebook paper) and write the alphabet A to Z down the left margin, one line per letter (if you need to turn the page over, go ahead).
  • Now for each letter, write something that you personally are actually thankful for. 
  • If you can't think of something for one or more letters, go down the line and do as many as you can; come back to the blank ones when something that fits them occurs to you.  If it takes several days to do that, that's fine.
  • Every so often, pause and say a "Thank-You" prayer for each one of them, like this "Gracious Father, thank you for APPLE PIES"; "Loving Father, thank you for my BEST FRIENDS"
You can use the same list several times in November; or, maybe make up a new list each week.
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Featured this month (November) . . .

11/3/2023

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Here are some podcasts, programs, and helpful resources that are worth checking out in November.  Podcasts and programs often have a "subscribe" option so that you can get new episodes as soon as they are released.
  • NOVEMBER'S FEATURED PODCAST:  This episode of the "Red Letter Disciple podcast" with Zach Zehnder and Chris Johnson, featuring Clayton Greene on the Importance of Advent, What Habits Disciples Practice, and Why Turkey Must be Served on Thanksgiving. Now in its fifth season, some of the other episodes of the "Red Letter Disciple podcast" are about technology, church growth, ministry issues, stress for pastors, and particular life issues.  You can find - and listen to - more episodes HERE>>
  • NOVEMBER'S FEATURED BLOG POST:  "How Did the Reformation Change How We Experience Jesus?" by Allison Zehnder at the Red Letter Challenge blog HERE>>. 
  • NOVEMBER'S FEATURED MINISTRY PARTNER:  The Lutheran Church Extension Fund. The Lutheran Church Extension Fund is a sort of internal Building and Loan society that exists within the ministry of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  With over $1 billion dollars in assets, the fund makes affordable loans to LCMS churches, schools, workers, and ministries at interest rates that are often below market rates.  Unlike a bank, which invests the money you deposit into a variety of industries and companies, the LCEF invests their funds ONLY in these ministry projects and efforts.  And, the LCEF offers a number of products for investors to consider: short-and long term notes, checking accounts, and more - frequently with an annual percentage return that are better than a bank's.  Check out the LCEF's offerings, including a 2 1/2 year fixed-rate term note with 6.25% APR, at https://lcef.org/
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There's more to "Choosing Church" than just showing up

10/26/2023

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There's more to "Choosing Church" than just showing up at Christ the King to worship with us on Sunday mornings.  In our worship services there are several opportunities for us respond to the Good News of salvation in Jesus that we hear about: we confess our faith in the Creed, we pray - and we give offerings. In fact, in the original "Red Letter Challenge" series author Zach Zehnder shared that the five major groupings of "red letter verses" of Jesus are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.

Since the beginning of Christ the King we've brought our offerings in cash or checks and put them in offering plates; that's not going away - we'll keep giving you the opportunity to do that.  But now there's another way to give offerings - electronically.

In partnership with Thrivent Financial and Vanco Services, if you want to give an offering support the ministry of Christ the King Lutheran Church in response to the Gospel of God's goodness to you, just click or scan the QR code below and follow the instructions to donate via credit or debit card, or through Electronic Funds Transfer.  There's no "service charge" cost to you or to Christ the King (Thrivent is picking up that cost). 
PictureLOOK FOR THIS CODE AT CHRIST THE KING ON THE TABLE WHERE YOU GET THE WORSHIP PRINTOUTS ON SUNDAYS
  •  ​When the page that says "Organization Details" opens, click the “Make a Personal Donation” button.
  • A box that says “Leaving Thrivent” will show up.  Click the button that says “Continue.” This will open the donation page.
  • Fill in the required boxes (marked with a red asterisk).  As you scroll down, you’ll see that you can make a donation using a bank account (the default) or a credit card.  By now, this type of process may be familiar to you.
  • ​Thank you for your generosity!
NOTE:  There may be some delay between the time your gift is debited from your account to the time it is credited to the church's.  Thrivent is working to expedite the transfer of funds to shorten that delay.
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Praying about Israel

10/14/2023

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PictureFOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE
Dear friends in Christ,

The news from the Middle East over the last week has been distressing, worrisome, and polarizing.  Accusations from every direction seem to fill the air like bullets or missles.  People in the area - and their friends and relatives around the world - are frightened to the point of terror at reports of seemingly random atrocities; and many have quickly jumped (as many seem to do these days) to cast a wide net of blame on one "side" or another.  How are Christians to understand the situation?  How are we to pray about Israel these days?

I suggest that a good place to begin is with an article by Dr. Reed Lessing that appeared in the Lutheran Witness in 2006, titled "Whose Land is it?" (click the green button below). While the article does talk a bit about the historical and political background of the modern nation of Israel (and Gaza and the West Bank), Dr. Lessing's article seeks to address the theological issues related to claims about the land of Israel.  

Our Adult Bible Class has been working through a study of the Book of Revelation.  This Sunday (October 15) we will focus on Revelation 12-14, which tell the story of the cosmic war between Satan and the church (the whole people of God).  I believe these chapters, along with Dr. Lessing's article, can help us understand the current spiritual conflict in Israel, and guide us in our prayers for all the people involved.  

Meanwhile, how might we pray?  Perhaps this might help (paraphrased from Dr Martin Luther's explanation to the Lord's Prayer):

Father, we know that your Kingdom certainly comes when You give us Your Holy Spirit.  Pour out Your Holy Spirit into the hearts of all your people wherever we might live, so that by Your grace we believe Your holy Word and lead godly lives here in time - even in the threat of war and violence - and hereafter in eternity.  We also know that Your will is done when You break and hinder every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow Your name nor let Your kingdom come.  So we pray also that You would indeed break every evil plan and purpose that is causing such suffering and terror in our world in these days.  Bring peace to every place that is torn by war, and strengthen and keep us firm in His Word and faith until we die.  We know that this is Your good and gracious will; and so we confidently pray all this in Jesus' Name.  Amen.

God bless us - and all the people living under the threat of conflict and war - everyone!
Pastor Cahill
WHOSE LAND IS IT?
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Welcome to Grace Notes, October 14- 21, 2023

10/13/2023

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​During the COVID pandemic, our weekly email updates were first called "A Season of Grace in a Time of Fear."  We hoped that you might find some moments and places of the peace of God in that time of fear, uncertainty, and confusion.  Eventually, the title became "Seasons of Grace," and now, "Grace Notes."  Here's the place to look for weekly updates and reminders, and notes on things to look forward to
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KEYSTONE HABITS
​Pastor and Bev Cahill under an aqueduct in Caesarea, Israel -  January 2023

KEYSTONE HABITS
​​The "Being Challenge" encouraged us to develop habits similar to the ones Jesus used, that pulled together his life and ministry on earth, like a keystone does for an arch.
​
The "Keystone Habits" (in the order you'll see them below) are Choosing Church, Studying Scripture, Committing to Community, Prioritizing Prayer, and Seeking Solitude)
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CHOOSING CHURCH
The Jaunary 2023 Israel tour group in the Synagogue in Nazareth - you can read in Luke 4 how Jesus "chose church" here
CHOOSING CHURCH
​Sunday, October 15, 2023

​Worship at 8:15 am and 10:45 am
You can choose to join us in person at Christ the King, or watch our services live or recorded ​on Facebook (8:15 am) HERE>> or on YouTube (10:45 am) HERE>>

ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15
Living Softly in a Hard World, Part 3: In a world where it seems that rivalry is getting meaner and egos are getting nastier, is there a way to play a different game?

​You can open, download, and print the printout for our OCTOBER 15 worship service at 8:15 HERE>> and our worship service at 10:45 am (including the Sacrament of Holy Baptism for Aiden Michael Trachsel)  HERE>>

On Sunday, October 15
  • In our 10:45 am worship service:  the Sacrament of Holy Baptism for Aiden Michael Trachsel, born April/14/23 to Tiffany Baxi and Steven Trachsel

​On Sunday, October 22
  • Church Council meets at Noon - lunch is provided
​
On Sunday, October 29
"Friends and Family Sunday!"  Pick up an invitation card sometime this month to give or send to a friend or family member!  Throughout the morning we'll 
  • Worship (with Holy Communion) at 8:15 and 10:45 am
  • Serve as we pack up health kit items for Lutheran World Relief (learn more HERE>>)
  • Connect with each other over Trunk or Treat with our Sunday School, and maybe
  • Grow a bit more in the love of Jesus
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STUDYING SCRIPTURE
​You can explore more opportunities to Study Scripture​ HERE>> ​

​Christ the King now has our own page on the YouVersion Bible App HERE>>
STUDYING SCRIPTURE - Bible Studies this Week

SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS FOR ADULTS - 9:30 am in the Sanctuary -  the Book of Revelation. 
  • October 15 - The Cosmic War - Revelation 12-14
  • October 22 - Judgment on Humanity - Revelation 15-16
  • October 29 - "Friends and Family Sunday" (see below)

SUNDAY YOUTH CONFIRMATION CLASS - 9:30 am in the Parish Hall - October 15 & 22 - Apostles' Creed, Article 1 "God the Father," Part 2

WOMEN'S WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES - in the Parish Hall
Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm and Wednesdays, 9:30-11 am
Our current study is Gideon - see Pam Reece for details, and a book!

​AND FOR KIDS - SUNDAY SCHOOL!  - 9:30 am in the Parish Hall
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COMMIT TO COMMUNITY
COMMITTING TO COMMUNITY
Helping our neighbors around the world
At Christ the King in October we’re collecting personal care items to send to Lutheran World Relief for people recovering from the many natural disasters we've been hearing about.  LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF ACCEPTS ONLY THESE ITEMS IN THE HEALTH KITS: combs, bar soap, nail clippers, packaged toothbrushes and bath towels (read LWR’s specifications for each item, and more about this project HERE>>). Donated items that are not on this list will be given to the Lodi Family Center.

​THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN APPROVED AS A "THRIVENT ACTION TEAM PROJECT!" You can follow this project on the Christ the King Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ctklodi or HERE>>
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Christ the King Lutheran Church is a member of the SELC District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod ​
​Pastor Cahill is the Second Vice President of the SELC District. Last week (September 25-29) he attended the SELC District Board of Directors meeting and the District Professional Church Workers Conference.  Click HERE>> to learn more!

MORE ABOUT THE SELC (Click HERE>> ​for a one-page fact sheet about the SELC)
  • Our sister congregation Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Lorain, Ohio, will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ministry of its pastor, Rev. Ed Anthony, on Sunday, October 29, with a worship service at 3:30 pm. Pastor Cahill will be the preacher.
  • The SELC District Convention happens every three years. The next SELC District Convention will take place January 16-19, 2025, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Lake Mary, Florida (between Orlando and Sanford).   ​

​THE SELC DISTRICT NEWSLETTER "THE BEACON" is published nearly every Friday afternoon - you can find the latest issue, or subscribe to get it directly to your email inbox, HERE>>
​You're invited to these events at other area churches of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod this month . . . 
  • October 15, 3 pm - The Installation of Rev. Phil McClelland as Pastor of Faithwalk Church in Brunswick (Ohio District; website HERE>>)
  • October 28, 4 pm - The Installation of Rev. Garrett Buvighausen as Pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Wellington (Ohio District; website HERE>>)
  • October 29, 3:30 pm - The celebration of 25 years of the ministry of Rev. Ed Anthony as Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Lorain (SELC District - Pastor Cahill, preaching; website HERE>>)
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​Here at Christ the King, we support the Matthew 25 Coalition of Churches in Medina County with our prayers and offerings (and a line in our budget).  HERE>> are some stories of how we've helped people acute and unexpected financial needs in our communities over this past summer. And HERE>> are the minutes from the meeting of September 14, including announcements of upcoming activities at some of our participating churches.
​The Matthew 25 Coalition of Medina County and the Matthew 25 Outreach Center of Ashland / Richland Counties 
​
NEXT FREE MONTHLY PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION
Saturday October 14
at the Cloverleaf Elementary School, 8337 Friendsville Road
          Distribution 10 am – 1 pm
​Volunteers needed 8 am – 2 pm
Questions? 419-961-0110, or visit this website www.m25oc.org
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PRIORITIZE PRAYER
PRIORITIZING PRAYER
Find the Christ the King prayer list at our updated prayer website HERE>>

​You can also download and read or print the Lutheran Bible Translators' Fall 2023 newsletter "The Messenger" HERE>>
and you can download and read or print "How to Pray for Missionaries" from Wycliffe Bible Translators HERE>>
(Note: please be sure to include in your prayers our SELC missionary in India, and ongoing SELC mission projects in Montreal and in Honduras)
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​YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD THAT OCTOBER IS "BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH"
You may even know someone who has fought - or is fighting - breast cancer.  Please pray for them sometime this month - HERE'S a prayer you might use.
SOMETIMES OCTOBER IS CALLED "PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH" - but in the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod we have many different kinds of church workers - including volunteers! We have quite a few here - in the office, at the organ or CD player, on lawn mowers, on a ladder, and many more!  You can learn more about some of them - and think about ways to pray for them - by clicking this button:
PRAY FOR CHURCH WORKERS
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SEEKING SOLITUDE
SEEKING SOLITUDE
The Keystone Habit of "Solitude" doesn't simply mean loneliness; it means being away from the usual distractions of life to notice what God is doing around you and with you. 
​
​So here's an October suggestion:  take two walks by yourself in one of our Medina County parks.  If you must take your cell phone with you, keep it in your pocket.  On the first walk, enjoy the colors of the leaves changing on the trees. It might be worthwhile to notice that the leaves of some trees turn yellow, while others turn orange and still others a deep red. Thank God for His artistic imagination! On the second walk, notice how the wildflowers are going to seed; how the milkweeds are beginning to split and send out their seeds into the wind (see the picture, left); how the walnuts are dropping to the ground. Thank God that autumn is not only the time of year when the lively summer comes to an end, but the season when He is preparing for new life to come again in spring after the cold of winter.  NOTE:  if you don't use a decent amount of bug spray before your walk, you'll notice that lots of bugs are hungry, too!
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Welcome to Grace Notes, October 7-14, 2023

10/6/2023

0 Comments

 
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​During the COVID pandemic, our weekly email updates were first called "A Season of Grace in a Time of Fear."  We hoped that you might find some moments and places of the peace of God in that time of fear, uncertainty, and confusion.  Eventually, the title became "Seasons of Grace," and now, "Grace Notes."  Here's the place to look for weekly updates and reminders, and notes on things to look forward to.
Picture
KEYSTONE HABITS
Pastor and Bev Cahill under an aqueduct in Caesarea, Israel -  January 2023
​​The "Being Challenge" encouraged us to develop habits similar to the ones Jesus used, that pulled together his life and ministry on earth, like a keystone does for an arch.
​
The "Keystone Habits" (in the order you'll see them below) are Choosing Church, Studying Scripture, Committing to Community, Prioritizing Prayer, and Seeking Solitude)
Picture
CHOOSING CHURCH
The Jaunary 2023 Israel tour group "choosing church" - Sunday worship at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem
CHOOSING CHURCH
​Sunday, October 8, 2023

​Worship at 8:15 am and 10:45 am
You can choose to join us in person at Christ the King, or watch our services live or recorded ​on Facebook (8:15 am) HERE>> or on YouTube (10:45 am) HERE>>

ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8
Living Softly in a Hard World, Part 2: In a world that seems to be getting darker every day (and not just because the days are getting shorter), how can we be its light?
​You can open, download, and print the printout for both OCTOBER 8 worship services at 8:15 and 10:45 am HERE>>

COMING in OCTOBER -
NEW sermon series (October 1, 8, 15, & 22)!  Living Softly in a Hard World (Saint Paul's letter to the Christians in Philippi)
Over four weeks we'll focus on one model of how the love of Jesus can give you the strength to remain un-hardened by the world around you. 
  • Last week (October 1): When all you think you can see are the walls closing in, are there still reasons to thank God?
  • This week (October 8): In a world that seems to be getting darker every day (and not just because the days are getting shorter), how can we be its light?
  • On October 15: In a world where it seems that rivalry is getting meaner and egos are getting nastier, is there a way to play a different game?
  • On October 22: When it seems like the world is just getting harder all the time, where can you find true, excellent and praiseworthy things that can also point you to Jesus?​​ ​
​
On Sunday, October 15
  • In our 10:45 am worship service:  the Sacrament of Holy Baptism for Aiden Michael Trachsel, born April/14/23 to Tiffany Baxi and Steven Trachsel

​On Sunday, October 22
  • Church Council meets at Noon - lunch is provided

On Sunday, October 29
"Friends and Family Sunday!"  Pick up an invitation card sometime this month to give or send to a friend or family member!  Throughout the morning we'll 
  • Worship (with Holy Communion) at 8:15 and 10:45 am
  • Serve as we pack up health kit items for Lutheran World Relief (learn more HERE>>)
  • Connect with each other over Trunk or Treat with our Sunday School, and maybe
  • Grow a bit more in the love of Jesus
Picture
STUDYING SCRIPTURE
By the Way - There are TWO new Bible reading challentes in October - one for adults HERE>>, and one for kids HERE>>!

​You can explore more opportunities to Study Scripture​ HERE>> ​

​Christ the King now has our own page on the YouVersion Bible App HERE>>
STUDYING SCRIPTURE - Bible Studies this Week

SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS FOR ADULTS - 9:30 am in the Sanctuary -  the Book of Revelation. 
  • October 8 - Suffering from Evil - Revelation 8-11
  • October 15 - The Cosmic War - Revelation 12-14
  • October 22 - Judgment on Humanity - Revelation 15-16
  • October 29 - "Friends and Family Sunday" (see below)

SUNDAY YOUTH CONFIRMATION CLASS - 9:30 am in the Parish Hall - October 8 - Apostles' Creed, Article 1 "God the Father," Part 1; October 15 & 22 - Apostles' Creed, Article 1 "God the Father," Part 2

WOMEN'S WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES - in the Parish Hall
Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm and Wednesdays, 9:30-11 am
Our current study is Gideon - see Pam Reece for details, and a book!

​AND FOR KIDS - SUNDAY SCHOOL  - 9:30 am in the Parish Hall
Picture
COMMITTING TO COMMUNITY
COMMITTING TO COMMUNITY
​NEW!  Helping our neighbors around the world
At Christ the King in October we’re collecting personal care items to send to Lutheran World Relief for people recovering from the many natural disasters we've been hearing about.  LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF ACCEPTS ONLY THESE ITEMS IN THE HEALTH KITS: combs, bar soap, nail clippers, packaged toothbrushes and bath towels (read LWR’s specifications for each item, and more about this project HERE>>). Donated items that are not on this list will be given to the Lodi Family Center.

​THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN APPROVED AS A "THRIVENT ACTION TEAM PROJECT!" You can follow this project on the Christ the King Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ctklodi or HERE>>
Picture
Christ the King Lutheran Church is a member of the SELC District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod ​
​Pastor Cahill is the Second Vice President of the SELC District. Last week (September 25-29) he attended the SELC District Board of Directors meeting and the District Professional Church Workers Conference.  Click HERE>> to learn more!

MORE ABOUT THE SELC (Click HERE>>)
  • Our sister congregation Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Lorain, Ohio, will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ministry of its pastor, Rev. Ed Anthony, on Sunday, October 29, with a worship service at 3:30 pm. Pastor Cahill will be the preacher.
  • The SELC District Convention happens every three years. The next SELC District Convention will take place January 16-19, 2025, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Lake Mary, Florida (between Orlando and Sanford).   ​

​THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF THE SELC DISTRICT NEWSLETTER "THE BEACON" FEATURES ARTICLES ABOUT
  • The recent Professional Church Workers' Conference in the St Louis area
  • A celebration of ordination anniversaries at Concordia Lutheran Church, Macungie PA, and a visit there by "Martin Luther"
  • The funeral service of Rev. George Plvan, in Emporia Virginia
  • An Israel trip coming in June 2024
  • The LWML Fall Rally in the Eastern Zone
  • SELC Mission Work in Honduras
  • Prayer Requests
  • Grace (Lakewood) Preschool activities
  • and some closing thoughts by Pastor Ken Ballas
THIS WEEK'S "BEACON"
You're invited to these events at other area churches of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod this month . . . 
  • October 15, 3 pm - The Installation of Rev. Phil McClelland as Pastor of Faithwalk Church in Brunswick (Ohio District; website HERE>>)
  • October 28, 4 pm - The Installation of Rev. Garrett Buvighausen as Pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Wellington (Ohio District; website HERE>>)
  • October 29, 3:30 pm - The celebration of 25 years of the ministry of Rev. Ed Anthony as Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Lorain (SELC District - Pastor Cahill, preaching; website HERE>>)
Picture
​Here at Christ the King, we support the Matthew 25 Coalition of Churches in Medina County with our prayers and offerings (and a line in our budget).  HERE>> are some stories of how we've helped people acute and unexpected financial needs in our communities over this past summer. And HERE>> are the minutes from the meeting of September 14, including announcements of upcoming activities at some of our participating churches.
The Matthew 25 Coalition of Medina County and the Matthew 25 Outreach Center of Ashland / Richland Counties 
​
NEXT FREE MONTHLY PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION
Saturday October 13 
at the Cloverleaf Elementary School, 8337 Friendsville Road
          Distribution 10 am – 1 pm
​Volunteers needed 8 am – 2 pm
Questions? 419-961-0110, or visit this website www.m25oc.org
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PRIORITIZING PRAYER
PRIORITIZING PRAYER
Find the Christ the King prayer list at our updated prayer website HERE>>

​You can also download and read or print the Lutheran Bible Translators' Fall 2023 newsletter "The Messenger" HERE>>
and you can download and read or print "How to Pray for Missionaries" from Wycliffe Bible Translators HERE>>
(Note: please be sure to include in your prayers our SELC missionary in India, and ongoing SELC mission projects in Montreal and in Honduras)
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And a reminder! THIS NOTE about a special "Scripture Celebration" with Wycliffe Bible Translators, coming October 12!​
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YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD THAT OCTOBER IS "BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH"
You may even know someone who has fought - or is fighting - breast cancer.  Please pray for them sometime this month - HERE'S a prayer you might use.
SOMETIMES OCTOBER IS CALLED "PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH" - but in the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod we have many different kinds of church workers - including volunteers! We have quite a few here - in the office, at the organ or CD player, on lawn mowers, on a ladder, and many more!  You can learn more about some of them - and think about ways to pray for them - by clicking this button:
PRAY FOR CHURCH WORKERS
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SEEKING SOLITUDE
Seeking Solitude
The Keystone Habit of "Solitude" doesn't simply mean loneliness; it means being away from the usual distractions of life to notice what God is doing around you and with you. 
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​So here's an October suggestion:  take two walks by yourself in one of our Medina County parks.  If you must take your cell phone with you, keep it in your pocket.  On the first walk, enjoy the colors of the leaves changing on the trees. It might be worthwhile to notice that the leaves of some trees turn yellow, while others turn orange and still others a deep red. Thank God for His artistic imagination! On the second walk, notice how the wildflowers are going to seed; how the milkweeds are beginning to split and send out their seeds into the wind (see the picture, left); how the walnuts are dropping to the ground. Thank God that autumn is not only the time of year when the lively summer comes to an end, but the season when He is preparing for new life to come again in spring after the cold of winter.  NOTE:  if you don't use a decent amount of bug spray before your walk, you'll notice that lots of bugs are hungry, too!
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Notes and links from the SELC District

10/5/2023

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The SELC District Board of Directors met September 26 at The Way Church in Columbia, Illinois. One of the newest churches in our District (received into the District at last year's District Convention), The Way was planted in 2008 and has grown in size and in ministry to their community since then.  You can learn a lot about their exciting ministry at their website HERE>>. (By the way, at the far right on the top of  their homepage there's a link to an invitation to join RightNow media, an online library of thousands of Christian videos, Bible studies, and other resources.  It's free to join, through The Way Church, and worth checking out).
 
Notes from the Board of Directors meeting:
  • The finances of the District are in good shape.  Because most congregations are submitting their mission goal offerings in a timely manner, the District is able to fulfill its financial commitments to church work students, new congregations, people, and ministries in our District and our Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
  • We are supporting mission work in India and in Montreal (Canada), and we are helping congregations to reach out into their communities in Galloway, New Jersey; Sanford and Rockledge, Florida; and Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
  • We are supporting several church work students - three at the LCMS' Concordia Seminary in St Louis, and one at the LCMS' Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne (the SELC District is one of only a handful of the 35 LCMS Districts that gives financial support to their college and seminary students).
  • While we want to focus on outreach and planting new churches into the future, a huge concern of our District's leadership centers around the declining number of pastors in the LCMS, as well as the future of aging congregations.  For example, in our Central Circuit (Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and Ontario) there are 16 congregations.  Christ the King has the newest building (at over 40 years old).  9 of the congregations have no pastor.  Of the 7 active (not retired) pastors, only 3 are younger than Pastor Cahill.  

Notes from the SELC District Professional Workers' Conference, Sept 27-29, Lake Williamson Conference Center, Carlinville Illinois
When the SELC District church workers (pastors, wives, and others) meet at a District Convention or Conference, it's like a family reunion.  Old friendships are renewed, and new friendships are begun and nurtured.  Teasing happens, and so does caring, prayer, and sometimes tears.  As the hymn says, "We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear / and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear."  This conference was no exception - but here are a couple of things to know:
  • One of the speakers was Dr. Larry Vogel, who after many years as a pastor now works for the Commission on Theology and Church Relations ("CTCR" - more HERE>>) of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  His presentation was about the CTCR document "The Royal Priesthood: Identity and Mission" (you can download it HERE>> and learn about how we understand the relationship between the people of a congregation and their pastor when it comes to the mission of the church).
  • The other main presenter was Rev. Todd Biermann.  He was the pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Parma (in fact, while he was there he conducted the funeral of Pastor Cahill's mother Janet in 2001, and the wedding of Pastor Cahill's dad Jerry and stepmom Carolyn in 2003) before moving to Michigan.  His ministry passion for years has been "family discipleship"; he has recently been named as the new Executive Director of the Concordia Center for the Family at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  You can find his blog "Life in God's Way" HERE>>, and explore ministry of the Center for the Family HERE>>.
You can read a summary of these meetings and see some pictures of the participants on our District e-newsletter “The Beacon” at THIS LINK>>.

And - not exactly a highlight, but - if it seems to you that people are quick to take sides and get into arguments not only on important issues but on silly questions, Pastor Cahill offered this little one-question survey while the pastors were eating s’mores at the conference: how do you like your roasted marshmallows? Lightly tanned? or charred and crispy?  What's your guess about their answers?  How do you like YOUR roasted marshmallows?
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Featured this month (October) . . .

10/4/2023

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Here are some podcasts, programs, and helpful resources from around our website that are worth checking out in October.  Podcasts and programs often have a "subscribe" option so that you can get new episodes as soon as they are released.
  • ​OCTOBER’S FEATURED APP: The YouVersion Bible app HERE>>. Available for both Apple and Android devices (and on your computer), this app features
    • and much more!
    • the ability to bookmark, highlight, and make notes right from your phone or computer;
    • lots of English language translations to choose from (pick your favorite!);
    • the Bible in hundreds of languages (to remind us to pray for believers all over the world);
    • If you set up your own account, you’ll get a personal dashboard that can display all your bookmarks and highlights, so you don’t have to hunt for them endlessly. On the dashboard, you can also see what Reading Plans you’ve completed - or select some you’d like to do one day.
    • THIS IS NEW! you’ll be able to use the “My Church” option to choose Christ the King, where you can easily follow the reading plans we do together, and receive email or text notifications about worship services, Bible studies, and more at Christ the King.

  • OCTOBER'S FEATURED PODCAST:  This episode of the "Red Letter Disciple podcast" with Zach Zehnder and Chris Johnson, featuring Rebekah Gregory and her story of surviving the Boston marathon bombing in 2013. Now in its fifth season, some of the other episodes of the "Red Letter Disciple podcast" are about technology, church growth, ministry issues, stress for pastors, and particular life issues.  You can find - and listen to - more episodes HERE>>
    ​
  • OCTOBER'S FEATURED BLOG POST:  "My Failure Resume" by Allison Zehnder at the Red Letter Challenge blog HERE>>. Pastor Cahill’s note: What’s important about Allison’s post is the sentence “When you connect your failure with God’s redemption, that, my friend, is your testimony.” Too often we either beat ourselves up over our failures (or, other people beat us up over them) without hearing anyone say “God, for Jesus’ sake, forgives you ALL your sins and failures, and restores you to precious life in His redeeming love.” If that forgiveness and redemption are never spoken or heard, “your failure narrative” is just a list bemoaning everything you’ve done wrong. But if you hear and embrace the forgiveness of God, the narrative becomes “God’s redemption story in your life.” As Saint Paul wrote, "I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10)
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Helping our neighbors around the world (revised)

10/4/2023

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Wildfires in Canada and Hawaii.  Hurricanes in Florida and Mexico.  Flooding in Libya.  Earthquake in Morocco.  We read these headlines and more about disaster after disaster that leave people without homes, shelter, even jobs and entire communities. 

Some folks are positioned and equipped to jump in and help with immediate rescue, recovery, and comfort work; others are not so well positioned or equipped to help with the longer-term care efforts needed after such disasters.  All kinds of agencies ask for donations to help, and it's easy to be turned off by the constant barrage of appeals for help.

So here at Christ the King some of us often say "Let's focus our efforts rather than spread them out.  Let's do one thing, for one agency, and let them figure out the best use for what we can give them." This fall, some of us have suggested that we focus on Lutheran World Relief. We've done some things for them in the past, and this fall we can help again with one specific project that we're pretty good at: Personal Care Kits.

During the month of October, we're collecting items to make these Personal Care Kits that we can ship to Lutheran World Relief, and they can distribute to some of these areas where there is considerable need and suffering. 

When you come to Christ the King at any time in October, please consider bringing in ONE of the following (as specified by Lutheran World Relief):
  • Two or three NEW bath-sized bars of soap (any brand, in unopened original wrapping)
  • One NEW adult-sized toothbrush (in unopened original wrapping - if you buy a toothbrush multi-pack, please open it at home and put each toothbrush BY ITSELF in a business-size envelope, then seal the envelopes and bring them to church.  NO PLASTIC BAGS, PLEASE!)
  • One NEW sturdy comb (please remove the packaging first)
  • One NEW metal nail clipper (please remove the packaging first)
  • One NEW dark-colored lightweight bath-size towel (52 by 27 inches maximum, 20 by 40 inches minimum - these are used to wrap up the others in a neat, one-per-person package for shipping and distribution.  LIGHTWEIGHT towels are easier to hand wash and air dry, take up less storage space, and are less expensive than the fluffy ones we may prefer to use!)
We already have some of the first four items on this list, left over from the last time we did this project several years ago - we particularly need more towels to wrap them up and send them on their way.

ITEMS NOT TO DONATE:
Anything with any kind of religious symbols or messages, or any items decorated with a US flag, patriotic or military symbols, camoulflage, or references to the US armed forces (in some countries the recipients could get in trouble or danger simply by holding an item with a cross, American symbol or Christian message on it). Any of these items that have already been donated will be given to the Lodi Family Center, along with other items that are not included on the Lutheran World Relief list.

You can bring these items to Christ the King any time during October; last day will be Sunday, October 22.  Collection bins will be on the long bench in the Narthex near the cloak room. 

On Sunday, October 29, we'll have a special "service project" during the 9:30 Sunday School / Bible Class hour to wrap all these kits and prepare them for shipment.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity for our neighbors in need around the world.

THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN APPROVED AS A "THRIVENT ACTION TEAM PROJECT!" You can follow this project on the Christ the King Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ctklodi or HERE>>
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Welcome to Grace Notes, September 24- October 7, 2023

9/22/2023

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​During the COVID pandemic, our weekly email updates were first called "A Season of Grace in a Time of Fear."  We hoped that you might find some moments and places of the peace of God in that time of fear, uncertainty, and confusion.  Eventually, the title became "Seasons of Grace," and now, "Grace Notes."  Here's the place to look for weekly updates and reminders, and even some notes on things to look forward to.

​"Keystone Habits"
​The "Being Challenge" encouraged us to develop habits similar to the ones Jesus used, that pulled together his life and ministry on earth, like a keystone does for an arch. 
The "Keystone Habits" (in the order you'll see them below) are Choosing Church, Studying Scripture, Committing to Community, Prioritizing Prayer, and Seeking Solitude)
This edition of "Grace Notes" covers TWO WEEKS (September 24-October 7) including TWO SUNDAYS (September 24 and October 1)!
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CHOOSING CHURCH

Choosing Church

SUNDAYS, September 24, 2023 and
Sunday, October 1, 2023

​Worship at 8:15 am and 10:45 am
You can choose to join us in person at Christ the King, or watch our services live or recorded ​on Facebook (8:15 am) HERE>> or on YouTube (10:45 am) HERE>>

ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
In today's Gospel lesson, Jesus tells a parable about fairness.  Or maybe it's about jealousy.  Or could it be about acceptance?  Or maybe about the value of a person (like you or me)?  Maybe it's about all of the above - come along and see!
​You can open, download, and print the printout for both SEPTEMBER 24 worship services at 8:15 and 10:45 am HERE>>

ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1
Living Softly in a Hard World, Part 1: When all you think you can see are the walls closing in, are there still reasons to thank God?
​You can open, download, and print the printout for both OCTOBER 1 worship services at 8:15 and 10:45 am HERE>>

COMING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1
NEW series!  Living Softly in a Hard World (Saint Paul's letter to the Christians in Philippi)
Over four weeks we'll focus on one model of how the love of Jesus can give you the strength to remain un-hardened by the world around you. 
  • On October 1: When all you think you can see are the walls closing in, are there still reasons to thank God?
  • On October 8: In a world that seems to be getting darker every day (and not just because the days are getting shorter), how can we be its light?
  • On October 15: In a world where it seems that rivalry is getting meaner and egos are getting nastier, is there a way to play a different game?
  • On October 22: When it seems like the world is just getting harder all the time, where can you find true, excellent and praiseworthy things that can also point you to Jesus?
By the way - 
81 people "Chose Church" at least once in September (many "Chose Church" more than once); 148 people "Chose Church" at least once in 2023
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STUDYING SCRIPTURE

Studying Scripture

Bible Studies this Week
SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS FOR ADULTS - 9:30 am in the Sanctuary -  the Book of Revelation. THIS WEEK (September 24 - A Vision of Heaven, Revelation 4-5.  NEXT WEEK (October 1) - Seven Sealed Scrolls, Revelation 6-8

SUNDAY YOUTH CONFIRMATION CLASS - 9:30 am in the Parish Hall - September 24 - The Ten Commandments, Part 2; October 1&8 - Apostles' Creed, Article 1 "God the Father," Part 1

WOMEN'S WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES - in the Parish Hall
Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm and Wednesdays, 9:30-11 am
Our current study is Gideon - see Pam Reece for details, and a book!

​AND FOR KIDS - SUNDAY SCHOOL  - 9:30 am in the Parish Hall
By the Way - 17 people completed September's online Bible Reading Challenge!  There are TWO new ones coming in October - one for adults, and one for kids! You can learn about those Challenges, and explore more opportunities to Study Scripture​ HERE>> ​
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COMMITTING TO COMMUNITY

Committing to Community

NEW!  Helping our neighbors around the world
At Christ the King in October we'll be collecting personal care items (combs, soap, nail clippers, toothbrushes and bath towels) to send to Lutheran World Relief for people recovering from the many natural disasters we've been hearing about.  You can read more about this project HERE>>
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Join women from a number of our churches in central Ohio and Pennsylvania for an LWML Rally on Saturday, September 30, at Saint John's Lutheran Church in Massillon, Ohio!  The schedule begins at 9:30 with coffee, includes Bible Study, some LWML business, lunch and worship.  Cost is $5 and, if you wish or are able, non-perishable food items for the local food pantry.  See Betty Olah or Pam Reece for details!
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Christ the King Lutheran Church is a member of the SELC District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod ​
MORE ABOUT THE SELC
​​This week's edition of our e-Newsletter "The BEACON" features articles about 
  • A recent "Mission Forum" at Ascension Lutheran Church in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Some fun events at our sister congregations in Hazleton and Macungie PA
  • Prayer requests for our pastors, churches, people - and our missionary in India
  • The schedule and link for the LWML (Lutheran Women's Missionary League) "Let's Meet Bible Study" hosted at Christ the King
  • An investment offering from The Lutheran Church Extension Fund
  • A note from Pastor Ken Ballas "Making Time for the Word of God"
. . .  and more!  You can check it out HERE>>
By the Way - Pastor Cahill is the Second Vice President of the SELC District. Last week (September 25-29) he attended the SELC District Board of Directors meeting and the District Professional Church Workers Conference
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​Here at Christ the King, we support the Matthew 25 Coalition of Churches in Medina County with our prayers and offerings (and a line in our budget).  HERE>> are some stories of how we've helped people acute and unexpected financial needs in our communities over this past summer. And HERE>> are the minutes from the meeting of September 14, including announcements of upcoming activities at some of our participating churches.
The Matthew 25 Coalition of Medina County and the Matthew 25 Outreach Center of Ashland / Richland Counties 
NEXT FREE MONTHLY PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION
Saturday October 13 
at the Cloverleaf Elementary School, 8337 Friendsville Road
          Distribution 10 am – 1 pm
​Volunteers needed 8 am – 2 pm
Questions? 419-961-0110, or visit this website www.m25oc.org
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PRIORITIZING PRAYER

Prioritizing Prayer

Find the Christ the King prayer list at our updated prayer website HERE>>

​You can also download and read or print the Lutheran Bible Translators' September prayer calendar HERE>>
and you can download and read or print the September prayer list from Wycliffe Bible Translators HERE>>

Also, check out THIS NOTE about a special "Scripture Celebration" with Wycliffe Bible Translators, coming October 12!​
Please pray about this important issue during September

​Click the button below for more about Suicide prevention, including a document called "Finding Hope: A Toolkit for Suicide Prevention"
PRAYER FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION
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SEEKING SOLITUDE
This is Pastor Cahill on an island off the southern tip of India.  Behind him is the city of Kanyakumari.  The next major body of water beind him to the north is the Arctic Ocean; the next major piece of land to the south is Antarctica.

Seeking Solitude

The Keystone Habit of "Solitude" doesn't simply mean loneliness; it means being away from the usual distractions of life to notice what God is doing around you and with you. 
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​So here's a September suggestion:  go for a walk by yourself in one of our Medina County parks.  If you must take your cell phone with you, keep it in your pocket.  Don't listen to music; instead, listen for the sounds of breezes in the trees, the voices God has given the birds in the trees and frogs in the ponds, and the rustling of critters in the underbrush.  Don't watch videos; instead, look around at what God is doing in the plants and flowers as they all get ready for Autumn.  Do this several times in September, and notice the changes He is making as He changes the seasons.  NOTE:  if you don't use a decent amount of bug spray before your walk, you'll notice that lots of bugs are hungry, too!
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