By Margaret Perry
A group from LCR picked up paintbrushes to serve the community through The Foundation for Hospital Art. Their work will become part of colorful murals placed in hospitals, care homes, and other facilities—completely free of charge.
To learn more about this project, visit hospitalart.org.
📸 Pictured above: Sandy, Margaret, Sandy, Vicky, Cindy, and Linda.
Are you looking for an inspiring way to engage with the Bible? Do you long for a space where questions are welcomed and conversations flow freely? This January, we launched the Immerse Bible Reading Experience to do just that! With a format that removes common barriers to Bible reading, Immerse invites participants into a book club-style journey through scripture, creating meaningful connections with both God and one another. As our first groups delve into Messiah, the reflections and experiences so far have been remarkable.
Discovering a New Way to Read Participants have found the Immerse format to be an easy and engaging way to explore scripture. Sandy Brosch, a member of the Mary/Martha Monday Morning group, shared, “It is such an easy way to read the Bible and to understand it. My group is not normally a talkative group, but we seem to be having more discussion.” The narrative structure, free from verse numbers and headings, allows readers to immerse themselves in the text without distraction.
Annette Alexa, who facilitates the Friday evening book club, echoed this sentiment: “The book format is an easier read. Without the headings and verse numbering, there is nothing to interrupt the thought process as I am reading.” This shift in presentation has opened up new insights and deeper conversations among participants.
Shifting Perspectives and Meaningful Conversations Pastor Rich has been deeply moved by the thoughtful discussions emerging from the Immerse groups. He reflected on how participants are discovering fresh perspectives on familiar stories, uncovering themes of foreshadowing, repetition, and deeper meaning. “Many participants shared how their understanding of the Bible has evolved,” he noted.
For many, this experience has reshaped their perception of Jesus’ teachings. One group noticed how Jesus’ words felt sterner and more direct in this format, prompting conversations about cultural context and his approach to discipleship.
“Reading other versions of the Bible, this was not as apparent,” Annette observed. “We also discussed how the cultural times and social behaviors might have required a more stern, direct approach.” These discussions highlight how scripture speaks to us in new ways depending on our experiences and perspectives.
Engaging with the Challenges and Beauty of Scripture The deep engagement with scripture has led to rich conversations about its complexities. Groups have grappled with challenging themes, including the concept of “hate” and the relationship between Jesus and the devil. They have also explored the modern application of biblical laws and principles, from the Ten Commandments to the importance of the Sabbath. These reflections have allowed participants to connect scripture with their daily lives in meaningful ways.
Building Community and Connection One of the most beautiful outcomes of the Immerse experience has been the sense of community it fosters. Groups have embraced discussion and dialogue, finding that scripture truly meets them where they are. Marge Mynhier shared, “Our group has had some lively discussions. We have run out of time to cover the entire week!”
Even across different groups, unique discussions have flourished.
Annette reflected, “We have a member who has attended two book club meetings and has commented that our discussions are very different from the other group. This is proof that God’s word meets us where we are—it is a living guide for our life journey.”
Looking Ahead As our Immerse groups continue their journey through scripture, we look forward to the ways these conversations will deepen our faith and strengthen our community. Pastor Rich reflected: “A common thread throughout our discussions was how Jesus’ teachings aim to break down barriers and foster connection. This is such an important witness for the world we find ourselves in today so these conversations are more important than ever.”
Whether you’re a seasoned Bible reader or exploring scripture in a new way, Immerse offers an open and engaging space for growth, connection, and discovery. If you haven’t joined yet, find groups at https://lcrmarietta.org/immerse or watch for the next book experience launching later this year.
Looking to connect with others in our church community over a relaxed meal? Join the Good Fellowship Dinners, a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow members and build new friendships. Adults will gather in small groups at each other’s homes from February through May. If hosting isn’t feasible or if you can’t commit for all four months, you can still participate as a substitute.
How It Works:
If you need to cancel, let your host know as soon as possible so a substitute can be arranged. For any questions or to contact a host, reach out to Nancy Papp at nancy.papp@harrynorman.com or Jill Gadebusch at jillgadebusch@gmail.com.
Don’t miss this chance to enjoy great food and even better company!
By Mark Brosch and John Osberg
Many of you have expressed an interest in volunteering your time and talents to help the victims of Hurricane Helene. Though we are beginning the holiday season, and it is obviously not the best time of year to plan time away from home. But there are so many victims suffering every day now, in so many ways, and in so many places because of the disaster it is a bit daunting to figure out where the best place for us to serve is. The answer to the question of when the best time to help is obvious: ASAP!
We have decided that to make the greatest impact, and to immediately help at least some of those struggling, we are organizing a trip to North Carolina Wednesday, December 4 through Sunday, December 8. Some volunteers may chose to leave early Thursday morning instead. We have been invited to stay at Lutherock Camp and Conference Center at Newland, North Carolina (near Banner Elk/Boone, NC). The travel time is about 5 1/2 hours. We are fast-tracking this effort knowing there are many details still needing to be firmed up.
The Lutherock Camp itself has received significant damage from Hurricane Helene. It is estimated that over 2,000 trees were downed. In addition, considerable damage was done to various buildings including the retreat center and the office building. But the camp can accommodate, and is able to adequately function, for disaster response teams now. We are focusing on this volunteer opportunity for two main reasons:
Please prayerfully consider volunteering to help Lutherock recover from the ravages of Hurricane Helene. It was severely damaged but will, with God’s help and servants like us, be ready to host campers in the spring and other sorely needed disaster response volunteers. We need your expression of interest and availability!
Listening to God,
Mark Brosch + John Osberg
Email the church office to get connected with Mark or John
Gratitude not only fosters a deeper sense of connection with those around us but also helps anchor us in the present, even during stressful times. Research shows that gratitude can have a profound impact on mental health. In a study highlighted by Misty Pratt in the article, “The Science of Gratitude” on Mindful.org, nearly 300 adults participated in writing weekly gratitude letters for three weeks. The gratitude group reported significantly better mental health than the control group, with effects lasting up to 12 weeks after the study.
Another practice, “Three Good Things,” in which participants wrote down three things that went well each day and identified their causes, led to increased happiness and decreased depression for up to six months after the study. By dedicating time each day to reflect on gratitude, we can cultivate greater happiness and resilience throughout this season of community and thanksgiving.
We invite you to engage in this practice daily throughout November, pausing to reflect and then writing down three things you’re grateful for. Whether big or small, these reflections can help nurture a heart full of appreciation and gratitude that extends beyond this month.
Gratitude Meditation Practice:
Find a quiet, comfortable space where you can sit or lie down.
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, releasing any tension with each exhale. As you continue to breathe slowly and deeply, bring to mind three specific things you are grateful for today. These might include moments like enjoying a peaceful walk, completing a task at work, or having a warm cup of tea.
Visualize these moments clearly, and feel the gratitude filling your heart, spreading warmth through your body. Sit with these feelings for a few minutes, noticing how they uplift your spirit. Afterward, take a moment to write down the three things you’re grateful for.
When you’re ready, take a few deep breaths, and gently open your eyes, carrying that sense of gratitude with you into the rest of the day.
Daily Practice Example:
Day 1: “I am grateful for the quiet morning I had to read, the helpful advice I received from a colleague, and the warm sweater I wore on a chilly day.”
Day 2: “I am thankful for having time to cook dinner at home, the encouragement from my friend, and finding a parking spot right away.”
Day 3: “I am grateful for the full 8 hours of sleep I had, the fresh air during my evening walk, and the positive feedback from my boss.”
Through this simple practice, we can strengthen our sense of gratitude and experience its lasting benefits throughout the season and beyond.
By John Osberg
Last month, I went up to north GA and SC for disaster response volunteering. It really affected me emotionally this time. I didn’t see flood damage—that’s further north in NC. But seeing so many devastated families really hurt me.
The winds weren’t as strong as tornadoes or the hurricane, but Helene was an incredible wind event like I’ve never seen before. Mile after mile, in all directions, huge trees were downed.
The group picture of our team shows a truly fun group that was amazing to work with. Three-fourths of the team were Methodists, and we stayed at a Methodist church camp in the NOVEMBERa area. Mark Brosch, our team leader, kept everyone busy and productive. I have to call him the Eveready battery bunny (from that old commercial). He worked harder than anyone and even woke up early to fix us all eggs and bacon.
I ran a brand-new, high-end 50cc Husqvarna chainsaw. It was an amazing machine! The picture of me with the little guy, Erik, captures a special moment. Earlier, out of the corner of my eye, I saw him watching me running that loud chainsaw. He went inside, grabbed his own set of music headsets that looked like my hearing protection, and gave me that look like, “I’m ready, coach!” He pulled himself up on the tailgate and joined me while I was taking a break.
His parents were still dazed by their loss, and I told them they’d look back on this as a bad dream sooner than they think. I swear they stood up taller, like a load was lifted off their shoulders.
Hope is a powerful thing. That’s why I do disaster recovery volunteering.
