September 2026 Newsletter

3 days ago
3 min read

✨ "Beyond the Covered Dish"

— September at Union Lutheran Church

"He notably does not say, 'Keep your light safely hidden in the fellowship hall where it smells like casserole and sweet tea.'"

As the last of the Homecoming leftovers finally disappear from our refrigerators, Union Lutheran Church is asking a simple question:

What do we do with the glow?

Every August, Homecoming reminds us that the Holy Spirit is alive and well on Bringle Ferry Road—and that nobody feeds a crowd quite like our congregation. But then September hits. School bells replace the slow rhythm of summer, calendars fill back up, and it's tempting to treat Homecoming like a family reunion: show up, eat well, hug everyone, then coast until the holidays.

In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells us to let our light shine before others. The warmth and hospitality we feel in the pews each August was never meant to stay there. It's meant to be carried out into Salisbury, Rowan County, and beyond—the "covered dish" spirit of always having enough room, enough food, and enough love for one more person.

September marks the official launch of our autumn ministries, and there's a place for everyone to help carry that light forward.

📖 Engage & Disciple: Find Your Flock

Our new 12-week Engage & Disciple journey begins Sunday, September 13, with a light breakfast at 9:15 a.m. followed by small groups at 9:30. Whether it's building relationships, digging into God's Word, or learning to mentor others in faith, this fall series invites the whole congregation to grow together—no pop quizzes required.

🎶 Welcome, Nathan Bowman!

Union Lutheran is thrilled to welcome Nathan Bowman as our new Music Director. A Rowan-Salisbury band director with deep Lutheran roots, Nathan officially joined our staff in August and is already looking forward to meeting the congregation. Fall choir rehearsals kick off Wednesday, September 16—Belles & Beaus (Handbells) at 6:30 p.m. and Chancel Choir at 7:30 p.m. No experience needed, just a heart for worship.

🎒 Blessings for a New Season

On Sunday, September 13, we'll present Wyatt Thompson and Avery Cline with their very own Bibles, and pause during worship for the Blessing of the Backpacks—covering our students and school staff in prayer as the new year begins.

🧥 September Project: Coats & Blankets for Our Veterans

This month's outreach project supports local veterans through a coat and blanket drive benefiting the Salisbury Veterans Administration. New coats (sizes small–XXL) and clean blankets can be dropped off in the hallway pew through September 27. Our September benevolence focus, Rowan Helping Ministries, continues that same mission of breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness right here at home.

🏗️ Sanctuary Renovation Update

Our Sanctuary renovation—new flooring, a rebuilt platform, and relocated baptismal font and instruments—continues through September 20. Please stay out of the active construction zone during this time. We're grateful for everyone's patience as we refresh this sacred space for years to come.

✈️ Keeping Pastor Heidi in Prayer

Pastor Heidi will be out of the country from September 3–21. Please keep her travels in your prayers, and contact the church office for any pastoral care needs while she's away. We'll celebrate her safe return on September 21!

🎉 A Season of Celebration

September is full of joyful milestones: the ordination of Lucas R. Safrit on September 19, National Back to Church Sunday on September 20, a Catechism Kick-Off for 7th grade and up on September 23, and the wedding of Debbie Cauble McPherson and Ron Chase on September 26. Please keep each of these in your prayers.

❤️ Carrying the Light Forward

Our ancestors didn't keep this church going for over two centuries just to maintain a beautiful historic museum—they did it so we could keep launching out into the neighborhood to share the gospel.

So let's pack up the Tupperware, dust off our Bibles, and step into September with a healthy appetite for what God is doing next.

"Christ Centered ~ Mission Driven ~ Traditionally Grounded ~ Congregationally Focused."

See you in the pews!