The following announcements were distributed at the September 11th service.

WELCOME TO NEW BEGINNINGS LUTHERAN CHURCH: We are glad you are worshiping with us today!

PLEASE STAY FOR FELLOWSHIP: After worship you are invited to join us downstairs for refreshments and fellowship. An elevator is located at the end of the hall.

COMMUNION: All are welcome to receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in, with and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life & salvation.

WHY IS GRACE SO AMAZING? Join us Sunday mornings at 11:30 in the Café for an hour of discussion and discernment of grace. This Sunday’s topic is “How can I get along with others—even when I don’t feel like it?” For more information, contact Bobbie Schnitkey, 898-0358.

THE WEDNESDAY 12:30 BIBLE STUDY has decided to study the book of 1 Corinthians. All are invited to join the study. We always review, so come join us.

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION will be Sunday, November 8, 2015, following the worship service. The agenda will include election of council members, the budget, and action on an amendment to the NALC Constitution.

ADVENT IS SOON HERE. There will be a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27th, at 7:00 p.m. to plan for Advent/Christmas decorating. Plan to come and bring your ideas!

RESTORING BROKEN TRUST EXPLORED AT LIFETREE CAFÉ THIS WEEK. Whether trust can be restored in a marriage following betrayal will be explored at Lifetree Café Wednesday night at 6:30 and Thursday morning at 11:30.

The program–titled “Busted Trust: Can It Ever Be Restored?”–features a filmed interview with Michael and Trinity Wilbourn, a married couple who coped with broken trust.

Also featured in the session is psychologist Doug Weiss, an expert on marital counseling who has appeared on Dr. Phil, Oprah and Good Morning America. During the episode, Weiss shares insights gained from working with couples and explores whether trust can ever be fully restored once it’s has been lost.

YOU’RE INVITED TO A BARN PARTY! Sunday, October 18th at 4:30 pm at the Schnitkey’s. Join us at 4:30 for barn games, worship at 5:30 followed by dinner and more fun! Drinks, table service, hot dogs and s’mores will be provided. Bring a chair and a side dish. We will be in the barn and pasture so wear suitable clothes and shoes. The Schnitkey’s address is 570 County Road 2425 N, Dewey. Call Bobbie if you have questions, 898-0358.

WALK TO BETHLEHEM UPDATE: We have now walked, swam or cruised 5,670 miles. There are about 630 miles left to get to Bethlehem. We are passing thru Turkey now so on Nov 1 we will have Turkish food for luncheon. We will celebrate arriving in Bethlehem on Nov 22 with traditional Jewish food. Nice job everyone. I’m pretty sure we will make it to Bethlehem before the beginning of Advent.

SOCIAL OUTREACH COMMITTEE UPDATE: Senior Care Health Fair is coming next weekend, October 17. Stop by between 10am and 2pm to find out what opportunities are available in our area for seniors and their families. There will be many helpful ideas for children of senior citizens to aid in future decisions about their family members. Volunteers are still needed, there is a sign-up sheet in the narthex.
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE: The Red Cross will be here during the health fair for blood donations from 10am to 2pm. Sign-up ahead of time or come as a walk-in. You can also visit redcrossblood.org to schedule a time and save time by completing your information at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass. Some thoughts on donating blood: 1 blood donation can help save 3 lives and every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, blood only comes from generous donors, 41,000 blood donations are needed every day. The total time expected to give blood is 1 hour, to complete the paperwork and health information, the actual donation takes 10-15 minutes. Look for sign up sheet in the narthex.

TRUNK OR TREAT: October 31 we will be offering trick or treaters the goodies found in the trunks of our cars or trucks. Decorate your car trunks or back of your trucks, the young at heart can dress in costumes, and give out candy or snacks for the kids. The kids will have an opportunity to vote on the best decorated, the scariest and the funniest decorated vehicles. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex. The more that participate the more fun it will be so if you don’t get many trick or treaters at your house join us in the church parking lot.

LISA SCHWARZENTRAUB HAS VOLUNTEERED TO HELP COORDINATE THE PRAYER CHAIN. Thank you Lisa! To put a prayer request on the prayer chain contact either Lisa or Pastor Oman. The best contact email for Lisa is: lbhs1234@gmail.com. If necessary, leave a voice or text message on her phone 217-493-4107. Pastor Oman can be reached at: allanoman@newbeginningslutheranchurch.com or 217-621-8697. Feel free to contact either of us and we can get the prayer request sent to the prayer chain. Thank you again to Julie Vollmer for her years of faithful service with the prayer chain.

If you are not currently on the prayer chain and would like to be added, please contact Lisa or Pastor Oman with your email or phone information. Be people of prayer!

ATTENDANCE for Sunday, October 4th was 71 and the total offering was $7,725.00