God's Loving Presence in a Hurting World

Musings from the Pastor's Desk

October 5, 2025

Special Days in October

Happy October, friends!

Each day, I feel a little stronger and can walk better. October 6th will be a special day for me when I visit my orthopedist to get permission for physical therapy and to start driving again. Mark your calendars for the 6th—it's Pastor Eric's Beginning to Drive Day!

As I write this, I have just started walking with only one crutch! I feel blessed to be able to walk again for the first time in three months. October is full of various special events, both secular and religious. I never realized how many events are celebrated each month.

Here is a sample of month-long celebrations and awareness events from AI:

ADHD Awareness Month: A month focused on raising understanding of ADHD.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: A worldwide campaign to increase awareness and raise funds for breast cancer research and prevention.
International Walk to School Month: A global event encouraging walking or biking to school to promote health and environmental awareness.
National Pizza Month: A celebration of everything pizza. I love this one!
National Cookie Month: A time to enjoy and bake all kinds of cookies. Instead of baking, go to the supermarket and support my pension by buying some Oreos!

Check out The Today Show website for many trivial and silly awareness days.

Click here

I can’t even begin to pick the silliest awareness days; see for yourself.

Here are a few more important awareness days we all recognize and will celebrate this month.

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4) – the Blessing of Animals, prayer for peace and creation, acts of charity, and environmental dare days.
Reformation Day (October 31) – when we celebrate Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, which sparked the Protestant Reformation and the rediscovery of salvation by faith alone through grace and the authority of Scripture.
All Hallows' Eve (Halloween, October 31) - The eve before All Saints’ Day (November 1), when we remember the victory of light over darkness and honor the saints who have died in the last year.

Join us for worship this Sunday at 10:30 AM or watch live on Facebook at Hopeclinton as we celebrate each day when Christ overcame death and the grave, giving us the promise of eternal life.

All are welcome!

Shalom+

Pastor Eric

Preparing for Sunday

17th Sunday after Pentecost

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4

Psalm 37:1-9

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Luke 17:5-10

Household Prayer: Morning

God of glory, I greet you at the dawning of this day. Let my life proclaim Christ Jesus and the good news of the gospel from the rising of the sun to its setting; to the glory of your name. Amen.

Household Prayer: Evening

God of glory, I greet you at the ending of this day. Overshadow me with your peace so that I may rest in your presence from the setting of the sun to its rising; to the glory of your name. Amen.

Shoe Boxes

We'd love to have your shoe boxes ... and if you can make a cash donation in support of the things we'll put in these boxes, that'd be wonderful.

Thank you!

Community Day

Date: THIS Saturday, 10/4

Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm

Where: Christ Episcopal Church, 8710 Old Branch Avenue, Clinton, MD.

All are welcome!

Bible Study

NO Bible Study on Friday.

Words to Ponder

We should treat all the trivial things of life seriously, and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality.

—Oscar Wilde

Sometimes, the simple things are more fun and meaningful than all the banquets in the world.

—Unknown

Choir Rehersal

This Sunday, the choir will sing "Fertile Ground" by P. Landgrave. We will rehearse 10 minutes before the service.

Mark Your Calendar!

On Saturday, October 18th @ 5PM, Hope will host a Christmas Carol Recital, featuring Joe Richter and Michael Santana. Please make plans to join us and invite a friend.

You’re Invited!

The Rev. Philip C. Hirsch's installation as our next Bishop will be held on, November 9th at the National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Ave., NW in Washington, DC. The service will begin at 3pm.

metrodcelca.org/upcoming-events/

Social Ministry

We will meet after the service, ALL are welcome!

Faith in Blue

This year's event will take place on Sat. 10/11 from 11AM-2PM at Padgett’s Corner Shopping Center (parking lot) - 7906 Allentown Road, Temple Hills.

Pastor Eric will try to get individual(s) from the Grief Group to be there to share information to the visiting public. Please come out and show your support and represent Hope Lutheran Church with games/activities for children. Let Veronica Taylor know (church office).

Diabetes Support Group

MedStar Health launched a space dedicated to support individuals and families affected by diabetes. The group meets every third Wednesday of the month, from 11:00am-12:00pm, 10403 Hospital Drive, Suite G09A, Clinton, MD 20735. For more information, please call: 301-877-5560.

6201 Coventry Way, Clinton, MD 20735

301.868.2678 | office@hopeclinton.org