Hurricane Relief in North Carolina
National Day of Mourning
Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 – Patuxet (Plymouth, Mass.)
Since 1970 an annual march and rally organized by the United American Indians of New England (UAINE) have taken place on the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving. Many Indigenous people and supporters have come to know and commemorate this day as the National Day of Mourning. This tradition honors Native ancestors and Wampanoag stories while fostering greater awareness and understanding among the U.S. public about the destructive presence of pilgrims and settlers in and around Patuxet, also known as Plymouth.
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
This book which was made into a movie is about the history of the Osage Nation and Osage People set in 1920s Oklahoma. It depicts the serial murder of members of the oil-wealthy Osage Nation, a string of brutal crimes that came to be known as the Reign of Terror.
The general population knows very little about how the Indigenous peoples have been persecuted and have experienced genocide at the hand of colonizing forces. The Truth and Healing Movement of the ELCA works to help us grow in better and right relationships with Indigenous people and tribal nations and break down systems of oppression.
If anyone is interested in forming a book group to read and discuss this book, please contact Sherry Koehler.
“Native Nations: Standing Together for Civil Rights”
A one-hour historical documentary exploring the role of the Lutheran church in the American Indian civil rights movement of the 1970s and 1980s is available on youtube at URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWa3iYpNAxw
A Ministry That Empowers People
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tend: a bible podcast
Pastor Kevin Shock and Pastor Nathan Pile have a weekly podcast discussing one of the readings for the upcoming Sunday worship service. It can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or the website for the feed is here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2071358 God plants the seeds of faith in every life. Any good gardener knows that those seeds need tending if the seed is to produce vegetables or fruit. Faith needs to be tended.
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Daily Devotions
Pastor Dan Warntz offers a Daily Devotional on his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/daniel.warntz/. If it does not appear on Pastor Dan’s personal page, try https://www.facebook.com/FaithUnitedNescopeck/ the church facebook page.
Daily Devotions :: Lutheran Hour Ministries
https://www.lchwelcome.org/spirit/office/office.php Lutheran Daily Prayer Offices
https://d365.org/ Devotions 365 days a year
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2023-2024 PA Legislative Session Ends
Lutherans advocated for key programs that care for our neighbor and for God’s creation. Incremental increases in funding for important programs: including universal free school breakfast, an increase in the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, a $1million investment for the delivery of Senior Food Boxes, and support for indigent defense services.
In 2024, the General Assembly voted to lift the cap on the Pennsylvania House Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund to $100 million by 2026. A $3 million investment in providing menstrual products in public schools was advanced. The Solar for Schools grant program, allocating $25 million dollars for schools to invest in solar energy was passed.
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KINDLING FAITH OPPORTUNITY
Lunch & Learn: Immigration from a Biblical Perspective and What It Means for Us Today You are invited to join Pastor Christine Dunn and Deacon Emily Orner as they explore the immigration issue from a biblical lens, drawing from scripture to reflect on the realities of immigration in the U.S. today. No previous knowledge or experience with immigration is required. Wednesday, December 4th at 12 pm EST. Register here.
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ALLEGHENY SYNOD ASSEMBLY DATE CHANGES
The date of the 2025 Synod Assembly has changed to allow more transition time before our next Bishop election. There will no longer be an assembly in May. The 2025 Allegheny Synod Assembly will meet October 31—November 1, 2025, at the Blair County Convention Center.
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Go Tell It In the Mountains
First Informational Session
The Lost Sheep
This video retells Jesus’ story without words. The parable helps us reevaluate our priorities in mission. Read Luke 15: 1-7. After viewing the video, think about, talk about, and share it with others. Discussion questions have been provided by the Go Tell It In the Mountains Initiative.
- How does the shepherd in the video compare to the biblical image of the Good
Shepherd? How is he the same or different? - The video gives the lost sheep a personality. The lost sheep isn’t just lost but is also
hurting. Explain the lost sheep’s pain. How does the video make us feel empathy for
the lost sheep. - The end of the biblical parable ends with a celebration. How does the video’s ending
add or detract from the biblical story? - Many prominent Old Testament leaders spent time as a shepherd, including Abel,
Abraham, Lot, Isaac, Jacob, Rachel, Laban, and Jacob’s twelve sons including Joseph,
Moses, and David. How is this good leadership training? - The imagery of a Jesus as the Good Shepherd is found in the Gospel of John. How do
these two verses from the Gospel of John add to the biblical What kept him from
being discouraged and giving up? - n 10:11 “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd and know my sheep, and am known of mine; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father.”*****************************************************************************************************************
We Don’t Become Leaders By Accident