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.
by George O’Donnell
During the month of March, the LCR Serving Ministries (Outreach) Team is assisting by serving the refreshments during our weekly Fellowship Hour between services on Sunday mornings.
On March 9, the LCR team for Must Ministries will be serving and having an underwear collection for MUST clients, on March 16 the LCR team for YELLS will be serving and on March 23, the LCR Team for Guatemala will be serving.
Serving others is at the heart of our congregation and these teams look forward to serving the members of LCR as they do the broader community outside of our church throughout the year.
On Sunday, March 9, 2025, Fellowship Hour will shine a spotlight on our ministry partner, MUST Ministries, and their Hope House Shelter. Hope House provides food, shelter, and essential resources for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.
To support their work, we are collecting new underwear and socks in all sizes for adults and children. These basic necessities are often overlooked but are in constant demand. Providing these items can offer dignity, comfort, and warmth to those who rely on Hope House for support.
We invite you to bring your donations to the Gathering Room on March 9 and stay for refreshments as we learn more about the impact of MUST Ministries. This is a simple yet meaningful way to serve our neighbors and share God’s love in a tangible way.
For more information, contact Dana Jelinek or Heather Boyer.
🔗 Learn more about Hope House: mustministries.org/marietta-must-hope-house
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.
LCR’s Promise Garden is a vital part of our community, impacting lives in so many ways. Preschoolers learn about growth and food, special needs adults from Circle of Friends gain confidence, and volunteers come together to plant, weed, and care for the garden. The fresh produce we grow is donated to the Sandy Springs Community Assistance Center’s Food Pantry, providing healthy options for families in need.
This winter, the garden may be quieter, but our team is preparing for an exciting group onion plant on Saturday, February 8, from 10 AM to noon, coinciding with the Recycling Event. Onion slips will be planted to grow bulb onions, a favorite among Food Pantry clients.
Everyone is welcome to join in! Bring warm clothes, gloves, and a helping hand. For more information or encouragement, contact Margaret Perry at margperry@bellsouth.net. Together, we can grow food, community, and hope!
The LCR Music Ministry is excited to invite you to a free concert of classical chamber music at 3:00 pm on Sunday, February 23, to dedicate our newly-acquired grand piano.
A piano trio, consisting of Andrew Uhe on violin, Tim Feverston on cello, and Julian Calvin on piano, will perform piano trios by Franz Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven. Haydn’s Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, often referred to as the “Gypsy Rondo,” takes its nickname from the lively and spirited third movement, which features a rhythmic pattern and style reminiscent of traditional Hungarian folk dances.
The term “Gypsy” historically referred to the Romani people, an ethnic group with roots in India, but the word is now widely regarded as pejorative due to its association with stereotypes and discrimination. In Haydn’s time, the term was used to evoke the lively, free-spirited character of the music rather than to reference the Romani culture directly.
Beethoven’s Piano Trio in B-flat op. 97, “Archduke,” was dedicated to Archduke Rudolf of Austria, a patron and student of Beethoven and an amateur pianist. Unlike the Haydn trio, where the cello mostly doubles the piano’s bass line and the violin has few solo moments, the “Archduke” trio gives each instrument greater independence. Composed between 1810-1811, this trio was the last work that Beethoven performed in 1814; his deafness prevented him from playing in public thereafter, although he continued to compose until his death in 1827.
You won’t want to miss this afternoon of exciting music. We look forward to seeing you there!
Join us on February 8 from 9:00 AM to noon in the LCR parking lot to recycle your old electronics and securely shred documents, all while supporting hurricane relief efforts!
Now is your chance to recycle those old electronics and shred documents to clear up some of your post-holiday clutter at our free community event in the parking lot of LCR.
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, in partnership with Data Delete Recycle, invites the community to recycle all obsolete and outdated electronics. RAM Shredding will be securely shredding and recycling your old documents. Proceeds from the event will benefit hurricane relief efforts.
“There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28
February 21-23, 2025 | Camp Glisson, Dahlonega, GA
All youth in grades 6–12 and their adult leaders from across the Southeastern Synod are invited to the All Georgia 2025 Youth Gathering! This annual event is a time of faith formation, fellowship, and fun, where we connect with God and one another in a retreat atmosphere.
We’re excited to return to Camp Glisson in Dahlonega for the second year in a row. This year’s theme, “United in Christ,” will explore what it means to be one in Christ as we learn to love God, ourselves, and our neighbors. Special guest presenters will guide us in meaningful discussions, worship, and activities.
Details:
This is a wonderful opportunity to grow in faith and community.
If you’re interested, contact LeAnn Haack for more information.
We look forward to seeing you there!