Sunday, September 3 – In honor of Labor Day we have a Blessing of Vocations. Martin Luther lifted up that everyone has a vocation which serves God in its own unique way. No vocation, he said, was greater than another. To honor all vocations, we will offer a prayer and blessing on our vocations, and for some fun–we encourage you to bring tools of your vocation to worship. This could be a book, a laptop, a pen or pencil, a hammer, whatever you use–bring it. And “retired” persons–this still applies! Many of you, I know, are still actively engaged in a project or in volunteering. Students–your vocation is to learn, so bring a textbook or bookbag. This blessing is truly for all.
Thursday, September 7, 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsals begin. Join our new Chori Director in the recently restaged and organized Chori room for our first weekly, one hour rehearsal. All are welcome (you do not need to be a member of Bay Shore to sing in the choir!).
Sunday, September 10 “God’s Work. Our Hands.” 10th Anniversary Celebration: Sending to do God’s Work in your own “backyards.” & Blessing of Backpacks. GWOH’s is celebrating 10 years of ministry–watch for my blog post about this on September 1.
Children and youth–students of all ages–bring your backpacks to be blessed and receive a reminder of the blessing to wear on it all year long.
Our first Second Sunday Series for Adults, at 10:45 am in the Lounge, will feature a viewing of the short film, Black Strings, followed by discussion led by Kate Yelvington, a board member for the Black Strings Triage. We are beginning this Second Sunday Series this month. Look for an adult forum each Second Sunday.
Wednesday, September 13, Grief Support Group begins, 3 pm, in the Lounge. This is free and open to the public. A guest groef counselor will lead this weekly group.
Also on this day, Pastor Sarah’s Bible Study will begin at 9:30 am, in person and on Zoom. Our first few weeks will center on Jewish holy days in the Old Testament. All are welcome!
Sunday, September 17 “God’s Work. Our Hands.” 10th Anniversary Celebration, followed by our Community Service Project in Estabrook Park. You can sign up here to pitch in and make God’s Creation a bit cleaner! All ages are welcome. We also will celebrate BIBLE Sunday for 3-year-olds, 3rd grade and Beginning Confirmands & J.A.M. (Jesus And Me) starts for three year olds-fifth grade during worship.
A.B.C (aka Confirmation) begins for grades 6-8 at 5 pm. All students welcome. Email Pastor Sarah if you will be attending!
Sunday, September 24, at 9:30 a.m. Celebrating Bay Shore — we are not yet 100, but we are getting closer. On this day, we will give thanks to God for our church, Bay Shore, and also have some fun trivia, sharing of histories and more at worship and after.
Wednesday, September 27, at 6:30 Bay Shore is hosting Bay Bridge’s Event on Housing and Segregation with a guest speaker from Habitat for Humanity. Sign up for this free event is strongly encouraged. Please click HERE.
Saturday, September 30 2023 Outreach for Hope Family Ride, Run and Walk. If you are not able to attend yourself, you can sponsor our Bay Shore team by clicking HERE or using an envelope that will be passed out early in the month.
Sunday, October 1 – Blessing of the Animals. In the afternoon, from 1-3 pm, the blessing of all animals will be administered by Pastor Sarah in our parking lot. We do this in a unique way. Come whenever you can between 1-3 with your pets for a quick, personal blessing. Pictures and treats, giving thanks to God for our furry family members–these are good things!