Pastor Roggelin's Newsletter at Zion Church of Baltimore

„Wenn der Herr nicht das Haus baut,
so arbeiten umsonst, die daran bauen.“

”Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it.”

(Psalm 127:1)

Dear members and friends of Zion,

Summer has come and gone faster than we thought it would. This has been anything but a quiet summer at Zion. We have been busy with preparing for the Elevator construction, getting paperwork done, choosing the contractor, deciding on the loan, adjusting calendars.

We also had a unique spiritual highlight in celebrating Robert Leaverton’s ordination in July. You can read Pastor Robert’s message to us on the following page.

That celebration also showed me once more that our biggest asset is our faithful congregation, the people of God called Zion, die Zionsgemeinde, as Pastor Hofmann would prefer our German name to be.

„Wenn der Herr nicht das Haus baut...“ - „Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it.”

Sometimes, we are so immersed in construction that we need a word like this one in order to take a breath and reflect. It tells us: it is not you alone who is building. Don’t forget: there is another architect at work, and we better make sure that our plans are congruent to his. As much as we need all the professional help that we can have - and we have been able to retain some excellent advice and support – the same way we should make this an opportunity to ask God for his blessing. After all, ”the stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone” (Psalm 118:22).

So we pray that our construction will benefit both our visible and invisible structure. The coming months will be stressful at times, no doubt about it, but with God’s help, with respect four each other’s responsibilities, with calmness and humor, we will be able to meet any challenges and probably come out stronger than before.

I invite you to affirm (or perhaps rediscover) your being an integral part in our building – the visible one AND the one that is built of us: “like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house”. (1. Peter 2:5)

See you in your ZionsGemeinde; have a blessed Fall
Einen gesegneten Herbst wünscht Ihnen Ihr

Pastor Dr Holger Roggelin

PS: This is a fall issue covering the three months of September, October, and November.
The next newsletter will be published for Advent/Christmas and be ready in time for Christkindlmarkt.

A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR ROBERT LEAVERTON

Dear People of Zion Church,

I thank you for all the generous support, kindness, prayers, and love you have offered to me on my journey through seminary. I was deeply touched by your caring affection that you conveyed to me and my family, friends and fellow pastors at my ordination. I offer thanks to Pastor Roggelin for his kindness, guidance, support, and care that he offered to me not only during seminary but I am especially grateful for his time and effort in helping plan and prepare my service of ordination.

I want to thank all the Zion people who participated in my ordination service. Steve Brown faithfully followed in his son’s footsteps and was an excellent crucifer; Phoebe and Matthew Bennett-Hassaine were our faithful torchbearers; Simonne Cruz was the Gospel bearer and offered her gift of expressive reading of the first lesson. I thank our assisting minsters Bernie Penner and Richard Hershberger for their gifts at the altar during communion, Richard’s offering of prayer, and Bernie’s reading of the epistle. I thank Susanne Ridenour and Bonnie Brobst for assisting with communion. I want to especially thank Zion’s faithful ushers for their gracious expression of hospitality and service: David Tabler, Bruno Niemann, Lewis Bringman, and Frank Hobbs. I also am grateful for the fruits of their labor of Bishop H. Gerard Knoche and Pastor William Gohl preacher, who provided us with the Word. A special thanks to Ellen Solomon and the women of Zion who helped her present such a wonderful reception. The people of Zion can be proud of the beautiful presentation of delicious food and the generous hospitality we offer to friends and guests.

I am thankful that Zion has been my home congregation, the church that brought me back to my faith and shed light on the path that led me to be a Lutheran pastor. I am thankful for the saints both here and departed who have been fellow pilgrims with me on this faith journey. You all have helped in my formation of who I am today and I am grateful and thankful for all that you have imparted to me. I will take many experiences and memories with me as I begin my service to the people of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Absarokee, Montana. Thank you for sharing the journey with me. All the best to the people of Zion Church of the City of Baltimore.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Robert

Pastor Robert Leaverton,
Immanuel Lutheran Church

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