The Bishop's Page

Bishop's Calendar

Archives

Pastoral Letters Regarding
Churchwide Assembly Decisions

2009 Youth Gathering

Trip to Middle East

Greetings from Bishop Zeiser

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

I preached at Grace, Topton, recently. They celebrated their 60th anniversary.

It impressed me that Grace is a bona fide congregation on the campus of the Lutheran Home at Topton. There’s a congregation council, a choir, and worship assistants. Its members reside in the various facilities. They faithfully provide mission support to the wider church.

I am more familiar with worship services regularly provided by most care-giving facilities, often in a social room. As a congregational pastor I took my turn leading these services in communities I served. They were meaningful and those attending were deeply appreciative. Such services are also available at the Topton Home.

But the “Grace experience” was new for me. It was also invigorating. As folks gathered, it was evident that they were not simply thrilled to be together, but that they valued their togetherness as a faith community. Warm greetings abounded among them, greetings that portrayed for me images of the earliest Christian gatherings. I saw eagerness, affection, joy, and focus as individuals assumed responsibilities and took their various places.

Grace Church, Topton, is a vital, extraordinary congregation of this synod. It adds to our integrity. It invigorates our mission. It gives life to Luther’s words explaining the third article of the Creed: “I believe that there is on earth a little holy flock or community of pure saints under one head, Christ...called together by the Holy Spirit in one faith, mind, and understanding.”

Congratulations to this “communion of saints” on their 60th anniversary. And thanks to every one of our congregations for their unique gospel witness, borne out of life together in word and sacrament.

Your servant in Christ,

Samuel
 

Top of page

Bishop's Calendar

March 2010

• March 4-9, Conference of Bishops meeting, Itasca, Illinois

• March 10, Interim Ministry Team Meeting

• March 11

  • Staff meeting, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Good Shepherd, dedication of chapel in honor of Pr. Bill Horn, 4-6 p.m.

• March 13-14, Regional assignment, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia

• March 14, chapel dedication, St. John, Easton, 4:00 p.m.

• March 21, Trinity, Bechtelsville, preach, 9 and 10:15 a.m.

• March 22-23, Pennsylvania Lutheran Network, Camp Hill

• March 23, Preach at Immaculate Conception, Jim Thorpe, 7 p.m.

• March 25

  • Staff meeting, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Finance Committee, 3 p.m.

• March 26, Installation of Mark Pile

Top of page

© 2010 Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod. All rights reserved.