This task force is made up of pastors serving in South Dakota, professors, and lay people with technology expertise to collaborate on how we can use technology and digital spaces to support congregations in the South Dakota Synod. In order to do good work, we want to learn more about you and your church so that we are aware of what your needs are so we can do something that is helpful.
Do you have a hula hoop laying around your house that you don’t need anymore? For a project in Lent we need hula hoops for each of our Graceful Hills Churches.
If you have one to donate, please bring it to a worship service on Sunday. Thank you!!
Matthew writes that when the magi saw the shining star stop overhead, they were filled with joy. “On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother” (Matt. 2:10-11). In the home, Christ is met in family and friends, in visitors and strangers. In the home, faith is shared, nurtured, and put into action. In the home, Christ is welcome.
On the Twelfth Night (January 5), Epiphany of Our Lord (January 6), or another day during the time after Epiphany you may gather to bless your home. Someone may lead the greeting and blessing, while another person may read the scripture passage. Following an eastern European tradition, a visual blessing may be inscribed with white chalk above the main door; for example, 20 + CMB + 22. The three letters stand for either the ancient Latin blessing Christe mansionem benedicat, which means “Christ, bless this house,” or the legendary names of the magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar). The last number (21 here) is the new year.
Greeting: May peace be to this house and to all who enter here. By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. (Proverbs 24:3-4)
Reading: As we prepare to ask God’s blessing on this household, let us listen to the words of scripture. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being, and the life was the light of all people. The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. (John 1:1-4, 14, 16)
This inscription may be made with chalk above the entrance: 20 + C M B + 23 Write the appropriate character while speaking the text: The magi of old, known as C Caspar, M Melchior, and B Balthasar, followed the star of God’s Son who came to dwell among us 20 two thousand 23 and twenty-three years ago. ☩ Christ, bless this house, ☩ and remain with us throughout the new year.
So it will look like this but the last number is 23 instead of 20 here:
Prayer of Blessing: O God, you revealed your Son to all people by the shining light of a star. We pray that you bless this home and all who live here with your gracious presence. May your love be our inspiration, your wisdom our guide, your truth our light, and your peace our benediction;
Working hard making the Lefse! We sold out last year so get them while they last, 6 in a pack at $10. Not only lefse we have our Fall Bazaar with 10 craft vendors signed up!
Saturday, Nov 5 at 9 AM to 3 PM at Atonement Lutheran Church, 602 Auburn Dr, Rapid City
The vacation bible school at Atonement was well attended and enjoyed by everyone! We had a blast and learned about Joseph’s story in the Old Testament. Joseph’s dreams and hardships inspired the kids and leaders to be open for God’s surprises in life!
At the end of the week on Friday, we had a movie night in the sanctuary with popcorn. A cozy evening to end this fantastic week! Thank you to all the volunteers for your dedication!
Fun alert! Last week, the confirmands 2022 went to the Rushmore Tramway Adventure park! We had sooo much fun and made some great memories as a group.
Thank you to Piedmont Valley Luth. Church for funding the outing with a special fund for the youth! We hope this will become a tradition for the confirmands in the future.
Last week, the confirmands 2022 went to the Rushmore Tramway Adventure park! We had sooo much fun and made some great memories as a group.
