Thursday, October 9, 2025 | | Thank you for subscribing and welcome to Lutheran Church of the Nativity. We look forward to keeping you informed, sharing stories, and answering your questions. | | | | |
Sunday Morning
October 12, 2025
18th Sunday after Pentecost
8:30am & 10:00am
| | | BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS This past Saturday (The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi), a group gathered in the pavilion to receive blessings on the beloved animals in their lives. Pastor Julie (Fletcher UMC) and Pastor Sean blessed a total of 6 dogs, 3 cats, and one lucky chinchilla! | | CROP WALK On Sunday, October 5, ten disciples from Nativity gathered at St. Mark's Lutheran Church to join with people from around the area to raise awareness of hunger in our area as well as raising financial support. It was the perfect day for a walk through Asheville together! | | Mark Grush, Michele Grush, Camille Williams, Stephen Pierce, Pastor Sean, Aaron Davis, Claire Dahlberg, Elizabeth Phillips, April Barrett, and Andra Nus. | | |
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
This year, All Saints Sunday is November 2. We will commemorate our members who have united with the Church Triumphant over the past year. During the prayers, we will name other loved ones who have died since last All Saints Sunday (November 3, 2024). To add a name you wish to be lifted up please note on a Care Card found in the pew and place in the offering plate or call the Church Office at 684-0352. Since we have a congregation meeting afterwards, we will only have one worship service that day at 10am.
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FELLOWSHIP TIME SIMPLIFIED
Been enjoying the snacks after worship? Sign up now to support this ministry! A team of disciples has been tirelessly serving each week to make this happen, and it's time for us to pitch in and help them out. To simplify things, the church will now be providing snacks so all you have to do is set things out, tidy afterwards, and be friendly with people. You'll never serve alone and you'll only be scheduled once a month at most. A sign up sheet is on the snack table right now! For questions, contact Dr. Aaron Davis (Fellowship Engagement Director) either after worship or at aarondavis@nativityarden.org.
| | Live streaming on Sundays at 10am on our facebook page. Service recordings are available on our youtube channel. | | | |
SMOKY MOUNTAIN BRASS BAND
Our friends at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Asheville (10 North Liberty Street) have invited us to a concert by the "Smoky Mountain Brass Band" on Sunday, October 26 at 3pm. This is Asheville's British-style Brass Band. There is no cost.
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PUB THEOLOGY
Pub theology is back! Please join us at Appalachian Mountain Brewery THIS TUESDAY, October 14. Come early at 6:30 for dinner and/or to chat - Pub Theology questions and discussion begin at 7pm. Pub theology will continue every second and fourth Tuesday throughout the fall. Contact Andra Nus at andrawnus@gmail.com or 828.545.9519 if you have any questions.
BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
Consider joining us for a Bible Study! Wednesday Morning Bible Study meets weekly on Wednesdays at 10am in the Fellowship Hall. We are currently focusing on Ecclesiastes led by Pastor Sean (Please note NO Bible Study on Wednesday, October 15). Evening Bible Study is held on Mondays at 7pm. We are walking through the Gospel of John from its launch until we enter Advent. Dr. Aaron Davis leads this Bible Study.
| | Jesus said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn 14:27 NIV) | | |
For the Christian, these words are a source of hope and inspiration. We have peace not ‘as the world gives’, a temporary feeling of calm in the midst of our busy lives, but His peace. We are promised a peace that can carry us through our days, whatever they hold. The kind of peace that helps us see the world as it, and we, are made to be.The Shalom in Me workshop offers the opportunity to explore and reflect on the ways you experience the peace promised to us in our real lives. And how we might cultivate a vibrant expression of shalom for the sake of the world. We would love to have you join us!
Saturday October 25, 2025
8am - 4pm
Lutheran Church of the Nativity
Click HERE to register.
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PREPARE IN A YEAR
Join a Small Group Preparedness Journey:
As part of LDR Carolinas—and having personally experienced the devastation of Hurricane Helene this past year—I was deeply moved to discover a resource designed to help individuals and families become better prepared for disasters. Originally developed by ELCA Lutherans in the Oregon Synod, this toolkit has since been adopted by Oregon and Washington State’s Emergency Management Divisions. I’ll be adapting these materials for use here in North Carolina, and I’ll be honest: I’m still working on my own preparedness. That’s why I’m inviting others to join me in a small group journey over the next few months—to learn, reflect, and take practical steps together. Whether you’re just starting out or already have a plan in place, your perspective is welcome. Let me know your preferences below, and we’ll shape this experience to meet our community’s needs. If you have any questions or want to have conversation--just reach out!
Amy Phillips, amy@ldrcarolinas.org
Here is the link to get some feedback:
https://forms.gle/5D99zMkJhEaJ2BjX9
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NATIVITY BOOK GROUP
Nativity Book Group will meet on Thursday, October 16, at 2pm in the church LIBRARY. Please come into the church by the office door. It is the second entrance on your left as you drive into the church parking lot. The book under discussion is Penitence by Kristen Koval. The book for November 20 is The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis. All are welcome to come and join in the lively discussion of some amazing books, even if you have not finished the book before the meeting.
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RECONCILING CONVERSATIONS
The next Reconciling Conversations meeting will take place on Sunday, October 19 following the second service. We will meet on the first and third Sundays of the month unless there is a conflict with other scheduled church activities.
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BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
Consider joining us for a Bible Study! Wednesday Morning Bible Study meets weekly at 10am in the Fellowship Hall. We are currently focusing on Ecclesiastes led by Pastor Sean (Please note NO Bible Study on Wednesday, October 15). Evening Bible Study is held on Mondays at 7pm. We are walking through the Gospel of John from its launch until we enter Advent. Dr. Aaron Davis leads this Bible Study.
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NATIVITY'S PODCAST
Now, you can catch up on missed sermons. Various other content will be coming as a result of the work by our Strategic Plan Implementation Teams! You can find us by searching "Nativity, Arden".
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SERMON Q & A
Do you enjoy listening to the sermon but sometimes have questions you'd like to ask? Do you disagree with something or want clarification? Nativity now has a way to ask questions of the preacher. Please text (828) 393-0083 with your question. If you prefer to call instead of sending a text message, feel free to call and leave a voicemail with your question.Questions will be answered on Monday with a link sent in the "Growing in Faith" email.
TAKING FAITH HOME
This devotional can be used for home devotions and small groups to deepen your daily and lifelong faith formation Click HERE to view this devotional for this week.
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PASTORAL CARE
Pastor Sean will be on vacation from Friday, October 10 through Sunday, October 13. If you have a pastoral emergency, please contact Pastor Matt Smith (St. Mark's - Asheville) at
(828) 719-8964.
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THE ART OF INVITING
Would you like to learn how to effectively share the good news of God's love with a world that desperately needs to hear it? Pastor Sean's mentor, Pastor Dave Nelson, will lead four sessions on "The Art of Inviting." This is a short-term commitment for a lifetime of results that will strengthen our ministry at Nativity and beyond! We will work to make this training fit your schedule. Please contact Pastor Sean at pastorsean@nativityarden.org if you'd like to be part of this inspiring initiative!
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CALVARY FOOD PANTRY
Calvary Food Pantry thanks Nativity for our vital involvement and support as the ministry responds to Jesus’ command to “Feed my sheep”. Nativity is active in the garden, delivering food, and stocking shelves throughout the week; we’re present on Saturdays serving clients face-to-face as they shop for food for their families. October 4’s impact by-the-numbers: 118 households (13 new) = 422 neighbors. Like most weeks, cereal is on the request list, because each family may choose a box, oatmeal, or grits, unless the household has 7+ members and eligible to select 2 cereal items. CFP goes through 125+ boxes every week! What kind should I purchase for my neighbors, you may ask? Answer: Your favorite, your childhood favorite, your grandchildrens’ favorite, the ones on BOGO, or the ones with a coupon. Other priority requests this week: Ramen noodles, canned fruit, and bar soap. Thank you! To learn more about volunteering, contact Karen Rich at 828.242.6403. To sign up for Friday or Saturday morning, click HERE.
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2026 BUDGET MEETING
This year's Congregation Budget meeting will be on Sunday, November 2 after worship. There is only one service that day (10am). Please plan to attend. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall.
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Help Us Make Christ Known – Grant Applications Now Open!
Members of Lutheran Church of the Nativity,
Do you work with or volunteer for a nonprofit or organization doing meaningful work in our community or beyond? They may be a great candidate for a grant from our church’s endowment fund! We invite you to think prayerfully about the organizations you’re involved with — whether it’s a food pantry, mentoring program, arts organization, or any mission-driven group. If their work aligns with our values and vision, we encourage you to share our grant opportunity with them.
How to Apply:
Have the organization fill out a grant application at https://nativityarden.org/endowment
Application Deadline: December 31, 2025
Let’s continue to extend God’s love and resources beyond our walls. Thank you for being the connection between our church and the good work happening in the world!
The Endowment Committee
| | Click image to get more information or sign up! | | |
YOUTH DINNER SIGN UPS
Throughout the school year our youth group gathers for learning and fellowship on Sunday evenings, but first they've got to eat! Would you be interested in providing a meal? This is a great way to connect with our youth and support this valuable ministry. Please note that meals do not have to be homemade! Check out our sign up list here and consider picking up a evening or two now.
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