Dear Friends in Christ,

Recently, the LCMS released a report that stated that 2005 figures showed membership in LCMS congregations was down from the previous year. This is a continuation of a trend for the past several years. We are unwise if we do not take some time to reflect on the meaning of that news for our church body as a whole, but also for our ministry.

The report stated that “In the 1950s and '60s, churches saw a "natural increase" because families were larger… Today's families are much smaller, and societal norms regarding religious participation have changed.” The cultural context in which the church lives and carries out her mission is vastly different than the setting in which it operated in the past. While in the past the church could grow as families grew, today the church has additional challenges not only as families are smaller, but as parents and other family members do not feel the necessity of making sure their young people are in worship and actively involved in the life of the church.

Whose responsibility is it to carry the Gospel to people outside the church? It cannot be done by a few individuals or a small group of people who serve in official roles in the church. In fact, the leadership of the church is given the charge to equip the saints to carry out every good work given them (2 Timothy 3:17, Ephesians 2:10). Every Christian is sent out into the home, the neighborhood, the classroom, the workplace, the athletic field, the rehearsal room or wherever he or she may be as a representative of Christ.

During the month of October, one of the main observations in the Lutheran Church is the commemoration of the Reformation. One concept that the reformers worked to restore in the focus of the Church is the Priesthood of All Believers. The Church is not a business with a CEO; it is not clubhouse run by a board; it is the body of Christ of which every believer is a member given the charge of being good stewards and faithful witnesses to the message of life and salvation through Jesus Christ.

As we continue our special worship focus of “Renewed in Mission,” my prayer is that each and every one of us is personally revived by the Holy Spirit to take seriously the responsibility that each of us has to build up the body of Christ by loving and supporting one another and reaching out to others with the love of Christ. May the power of the Holy Spirit be evident in each of our lives individually and in our service of ministry we carry out together in this place.

In Christ,

Inside this issue:

Go Beyond...
Campus Minstry Vollyeball
Homecoming Activities
Brown Bag Devos
Homecoming Potluck
Fall Servant Event
Thrivent Dinner
Fall Fling
Van Schedule
Equipping to Share...
LLL
Africa Children's Choir
Homecoming Potluck
Evening Guild/LWML
Pastor's Conference
There's Still Time!
Outreach Opportunity
ALERT!
Evening Guild/LWML
LYF News
Oct Vols. & Calendar

College Hill
Lutheran Church &
Brammer Student Center

2322 Olive Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Church 266-1274
Center 268-9094

chlc.lcms@cfu.net
www.college-hill.org

The time of fellowship and study for college students continues every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. We are in the midst of a study looking at “Practical Christianity: Being Christian on a College Campus.” We continue our study, looking at issues of personal prayer life and living the example of faith on acollege campus.

We gather for song, refreshments, fellowship and focus on God’s Word. Go beyond the basics of faith, challenge yourself to grow in your faith and encourage one another in the maturing process of your faith.

Our play in the campus ministry volleyball league continues. Come every week or come as you are able. Our games for this month are as scheduled:
Monday, October 2 6:00 p.m.
Monday, October 9 7:00 p.m.
Monday, October 16 7:00 p.m.

Join us at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 7 to watch the UNI homecoming parade from the top of the Hill. Meet at church and we will walk over to the Hill together. Then later that day, join LSF as they tailgate before the homecoming game. We will meet in the Campbell B parking lot at 2:30 that afternoon. Look for the College Hill Lutheran Church van. We will have the grill going, snacks, and something to drink. Then we can head over to the game together to watch the Panthers take on the Bears in the Dome at 4:00 p.m.

One of the best ways to foster relationships is to eat together. Another wonderful way to foster Christian fellowship is to spend time in the Word. Join us as we do both in Mauker Union on Thursdays at noon. We will gather in the Union near Essentials (“near” being broadly defined) every week for lunch and a devotion. Grab your lunch and look for Pastor Ogilvie and others and join in the fellowship. The exact location will change each week depending on table availability. Even if you can only come for a few minutes, please join us.

The congregation invites you and your friends to be their guests at the Homecoming meal Sunday, October 8, following the morning worship.

Thinking about leaving Cedar Falls for a weekend but have no place to go. Then join the LSF as we go on a service project out of the area. Asking how much this would cost? The answer is free! We are still looking at options on what we will be doing but we are looking at the Chicago area. This is not final yet but we are trying our best to go there. We are hoping to help out a school or another organization in the area. If you would like to hear more information or are interested in going, contact Brad Brons, Stephanie Wesley or Lawrell Birk by Oct. 8. It will be a rewarding and an exciting trip. We hope everyone goes!

Calling out to all students willing to participate in serving and clean up of the Thrivent dinner. All participants will receive a free dinner, and a chance to represent LSF to Thrivent members. We will be starting right after service on October 22 and go until about 2:30 p.m. or so. We will be also doing some preparation on Saturday, October 21 throughout the day. We will be setting up tables and other items. Any help will be appreciated on one or both days. To participate or for more information, contact Tim Gamble, amlman@mchsi.com.

For the Fall Fling LSF is camping out at George Wyth Park! We will have marshmallows hot dogs and a bonfire. We will meet at the church at 6:00 p.m. and travel out to the park together. It will be a night that you can spend out in the good outdoors and get to know each other more. If you are interested, contact Brad Brons, Stephanie Wesley, or Lawrell Birk.

• Learn to listen to what is being said.
• Learn to share your own relationship with Christ.
• Learn practical tips for welcoming new families and much more.

LLL Rally—Join Reverend Tim and Carol Zimmerman of Our Redeemer, Iowa City, as they share their travels in Kyrgyzstan. Mark your calendar for October 7 at St John Lutheran Church, Waverly. Registration at 9:30 a.m., meeting at 10:00, followed by light lunch.

LLL shared a booth with Lutherans for Life during the 2006 Cattle Congress September 14— 17. This was another opportunity for LLL to reach out to our community and surrounding areas.

The African Children’s Choir is comprised of 24 African children, ages seven to eleven. Each child in the Choir has lost one or both parents to poverty or AIDS. This year’s Choir members come from Uganda.

The concert includes well-loved children’s songs, popular gospel tunes and lively spirituals. Through their songs and dances, the Choir brings Africa alive, in all its color and splendor creating a truly unforgettable musical experience. College Hill will host the concert at the auditorium in Lang Hall on Wednesday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m.

There is no admission charge for the concert. A free-will offering will be taken at the performance to support African Children’s Choir education, care and emergency relief programs.

October 8 is the date for us to enjoy food, fun and fellowship with a potluck in the Fellowship Hall following morning worship.

We extend an invitation to alumni, family and friends who may be here for Homecoming festivities to attend.

Drinks and table service will be provided. College Hill family members are asked to bring two dishes to share. Single members are asked to bring one dish.

Ladies, Attention: Information about our meeting October 5.

You won’t want to miss learning about the latest events and activities at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca, the LCMS camp in Iowa East District. Our guest speaker will be interim director, Rev. Terry Small.

Meeting will begin with dessert at 7:00 p.m. followed by the program. The LWML business meeting will be short and sweet followed by devotions presented by Marcia Stirler.

Pastor Ogilvie will be out of the office October 23 & 24 in order to attend the IDE Fall Pastors’ Conference in Waterloo. If you are in need of pastoral care during that time, please call the church office.

to register for the October 14 “Equipped to Share” Workshop at Grace Lutheran Church. See the information on page 3. The cost is $12.00 per person. Contact the church office for a registration form.

Our congregation members have been invited to be involved in an outreach opportunity with international students. Chris Pesek, director of the Cultural and Intensive English Program (CIEP) at UNI shared the need for singles and families to host international students. The host would agree to see the student and go out to eat, have them in their home, or do some activity once a month.

At this point in time the process of securing singles or families to host ninety CIEP international students is underway. There are letters of explanation and forms for indicating a willingness to be involved available at the welcome table in the gathering area. For further information feel free to call Chris Pesek at 273-3140 or chat with Ann Rueber or Doris Mauer.

This is a grand opportunity to assist a student with his/her English and provide cultural experiences, to gain cultural information from the student about his/her homeland for you and your family, and to carry out Jesus’ admonition to host one another and all the while you will be witnessing for your Savior. Do consider the possibility and discuss it in your family. If the response is “Yes, “ fill out the form and send it in. Chris will contact those who volunteer regarding an introductory meeting to acquaint the hosts with the students.

May God bless your consideration of this outreach opportunity.

As you are aware at the July Voters’ meeting the congregation agreed to provide the site and cater the annual Thrivent Financial for Lutherans annual dinner meeting on Sunday, October 22 at l:00 p.m. Thrivent has been a great financial support for College Hill and Brammer Student Center because we are a campus ministry. This is our opportunity to return the favor, so to speak. It is also an opportunity to earn financial gain from hosting the event.

On Saturday, October 21 workers will be needed in the kitchen to do preliminary cooking and baking. Workers will be needed in the fellowship hall to set up for the meeting. Please reserve time on your calendar to assist. Keith and Carolyn Macomber are chairing the event and will appreciate volunteers, so calls need not be made.

On Sunday, October 22, many workers will be needed to do lots of tasks, from early set up, serving, and cleanup. Just as the workers set up the fellowship hall, it will need to be returned to usual placement. There will be plenty of work for many helpers. Please, once again, reserve time on your schedule to assist. Why not volunteer so you don’t have to be contacted?

Everyone will need to help carry out this task and create a successful event.

The Waterloo Zone of LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) will hold a fall rally on Monday, October 9 at Grace Lutheran Church in Waterloo. The theme for the rally is “Let the Spirit Move You”. Registration and dinner will be from 5-6 p.m. with the program and meeting to follow. Speaker Otto Brillinger will share experiences in his mission work. Bible study will be presented by our own Rev. Ogilvie.

As you attend the rally your dinner is hosted by the Ladies Aid and Hannah Society of Grace Lutheran and there is no cost for the meal or registration. However, there will be two collections: one a door offering for Pastor Brillinger’s mission work and the traditional offering for zone activities and mites for LWML.

If you would like to share rides please contact Doris Mauer or Marcia Stirler. We welcome all ladies of the congregation to attend.