Dear Beloveds,
The fall season is upon us! Pumpkin spice has made its appearance, decorations have changed, and the world outside our windows is getting that crisp fall look. I do love fall and all the decorations and fun we get to have in this season. While I was looking through our decorations I noticed we have such a variety of pumpkins. We have spooky wooden pumpkins, sparkly pumpkins, silly jack-o’-lantern pumpkins, among many others. Not to mention the real pumpkins we love to decorate with and eat this time of year. With pumpkin patches being everywhere too, it is undeniable that it is the fall pumpkin season.
I started to think more about pumpkins since the seem to be everywhere right now. How pumpkins are really a fruit. How people once carved turnips before Irish immigrants started carving pumpkins in the US. How the pumpkin capital in the world is in Illinois, which explains how many pumpkin patches we drove by this fall. How pumpkins really show us how we are in faith and as a people of God. Like pumpkins, we grow best together. We are connected on a vine. We come in a wide variety of sizes and appearances. We come from many different backgrounds: carefully cultivated or grown voluntarily in a random place. Like pumpkins, we are loved for being perfectly imperfect.
Friends, this fall, I hope that you find yourself feeling like one of the wonderful pumpkins in God’s pumpkin patch. Loved for who you are and growing on the vine of the faithful in an amazing joy-filled kingdom. This fall I hope you join us for all that is going on in church and I hope you enjoy something a little pumpkin-y.
With God’s Peace and Autumnal Joy,
Pastor Leandra
October Activities
Quilting – Come tie with us this fall! Quilting is at 9 a.m. on Monday mornings.
WELCA – meets on October 6, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School – Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.
Confirmation Evening of Sharing – October 15, 2026 @ 6:30
Join us at CLC as our confirmation youth share what they have learned and their faith statements as they prepare for their confirmation. Please let Pastor Leandra know if you plan on attending.
2026 Trunk or Treat – Stay Tuned for date and time!
Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church
Council Minutes-September 20, 2026
Touch Base meeting, not enough for official meeting or voting.
Members in attendance included: Pete, Cathy, Mike, Julie H., Pastor Leandra, Diana
Pastor Leandra led opening prayer.
Secretary Report:
Sent via email, with no corrections sent back. Will wait to approve at next meeting.
Treasurer’s Report:
Beginning Balance: $65,141.11
Revenue: $7,643.31
Expenses: $19,671.44
Ending Balance: $53,112.98
CD’s have renewed that were approved at last meeting.
No approval on treasurer’s report, will be reviewed and approved at next meeting.
Trustee’s Report:
Tree trimming/removal will be happening soon. Snow blower has been looked over and ready for winter. Mike will check on having roof check done before winter as we want yearly checks to stay ahead of any leaks or anything else needing attention.
Old Business:
New Business:
Discussed that Confirmation Evening of Sharing will be October 21 (Note: Changed to Oct. 15) and Confirmation Sunday on October 25.
Need to have signs posted at both North and South doors when having any joint services or any change/cancel of church services.
If unable to find replacement piano/organ player in absences option is available on You Tube of hymnals being recorded to play for service to keep music as part of Sunday services.
Respectfully submitted, Diana Horan, Council Secretary
