Pastoral Message

Dear Flock,

As you know, the Day of Pentecost is the day that we recall the Holy Spirit descending on the disciples, creating the Church. The reading from Acts for that day begins with ‘When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.’

As a result of our research around the future of our Moline/Rock Island congregations, we’ll be  gathering together in one place for a joint worship service of all eight congregations in Moline and Rock Island on the Day of Pentecost. That’s right, each church will close the doors of their buildings that day (June 8th) and we’ll worship together at Augustana’s Centennial Hall at 10:00 am. Within the service, we’ll have lively liturgy, the installation of Pastor Pillar as pastor of San Jose Obrero, Pastor Melinda Pupillo of Augustana will be our preacher and Bishop Stacie Fidlar will preside.  We’ll even have coffee hour afterward, just so everyone feels complete. 

This is the first activity in our efforts to get used to the idea that greater collaboration and resource sharing will be necessary in the not-too-distant future for all of the congregations. Next, the congregations will be forming a committee of lay people to keep managing the enterprise. I’ve asked our council members Lynn Friesth, Donna Rod, and Joe Vermeire to be our representatives. Another fun fact is that all the congregations will be closing and joining us at First Lutheran to celebrate our 175th anniversary, which also marks 175 years of Lutheran witness in the area. That date will be December 7th at 9:00.  

I’ll keep you posted as plans evolve. Please keep our congregations and the whole Church in your prayers.

Sincerely,

Pastor Dan