Thanking God for the Ministries of
Rostered Ministers, both Deacons and Pastors,
Lay Worship Leaders (LWLs), and
Synod Authorized Ministers (SAMs)

 

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.

(Philippians 1:3-5, NRSV)

 

October is Minister Appreciation Month!  Thank you to all who serve in the Southern Ohio Synod as Ministers of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Your faithfulness to your calling and your commitment to serving the Church and your communities is tangible evidence that God continues to be active in our world. Thank you for the many ways you work behind the scenes to ensure that the needs of all are met, through pastoral care, worship leadership, feeding your neighborhoods, collecting and distributing items to help many in your communities, and being safe places where people can gather.

 

The calling to serve in ministry is one filled with long hours and unseen work. Know that your congregations, ministries, and larger communities see God at work through you.

 

Congregations, take time this month to thank your leaders. You are partners together in ministry, strengthening one another so that the gospel is proclaimed through word and deed throughout our Synod.

 

From a grateful and loving Synod Staff and Bishop, thank you for continuing to say yes to God’s call! You are truly Christ’s hands, feet, and voice in our world. Serving alongside you is indeed an honor.

 

Join me in praying for our leaders:

 

Almighty and merciful God, you build your church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and you instituted the offices of the ministry of Word and Service and Word and Sacrament that the apostolic and prophetic work might continue throughout the ages.  Grant that all who are called may carry out this ministry faithfully in the power of your Spirit through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

 

Almighty and merciful God, you build your church on the baptized who faithfully serve in the world. Grant those who serve in this Synod as Lay Worship Leaders and Synod Authorized Ministers the gifts of your Spirit to care and tend for the people of God in those congregations who have stepped out in faith in new ways and welcomed these lay workers in the vineyard.  Grant that they may carry out the ministry faithfully. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen

 

In Christ,

Bishop Dillahunt