September 2025 News
Greetings from Ritter Church!
Join us on Saturday September 27th 9am-3pm for a Rummage Sale to raise money for our Shepherd's Storehouse Pantry. Donate your stuff, gather it up and drop off the week of the sale. You can also request a table by September 21rst and sell your own stuff and donate a bit of the dough to say thanks for the space. We will have a grill for hot dogs to go with chips and a drink. There will be special cupcakes and cookie treats too. We will have tools, furniture, baby stuff, clothing, tv, dishes, household, decor, etc.
Looking ahead:
Friday October 10th from 7 - 9 pm there will be a Family Fun Movie Night with free popcorn and drinks.
October is Pastor Appreciation month. There will be a Pitch-in Dinner on October 19th after Worship to honor and celebrate our pastor.
Upcoming events:
Celebrate Recovery happens every Sunday night from 6 to 8 pm in the Worship Center. This is a great place to find healing for hurts, habits and hang-ups. Check out the information table in the foyer or contact Pat and Becky Fellows for additional information.
My Friends and Me is for infants, toddlers and preschoolers and their adults. We meet on Friday mornings at 11 am for silly songs, stories and playing with friends. Adult must attend with their child. Contact Karen Young for questions. We will not meet on September 19th.
Shepherd's Storehouse food pantry is open on Monday September 8th and September 22nd. Bible Study meets from 4:30 to 5:25 pm. Food pantry runs from 5:30 until 7:30. Donations of food, hygiene products and grocery bags are always welcome. Check out our Amazon link. We now have clothes and household items available for our clients. We are currently accepting donations of household items and men's clothes. We are not in need of women's clothes right now.
Ladies' Bible Study will meet on September 2nd and 16th. We meet in fellowship hall from 6:30-8 pm on the first and third Tuesdays. When there is a fifth Tuesday we have a ladies night out. We will have a Ladies' Night Out on September 30th. Details to be announced. We are using a 7 week study He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer. Contact Karen Young for a study book or questions.
Golden Agers ( and those who like lunch) will be meeting on Friday September 26th at 1 pm. We are meeting at Chicago Beef and Dog located at 5402 E Washington St. 46219.
LBOA and finance committee will meet on Tuesday September 23rd. Finance at 6 pm and LBOA at 7 pm.
From the Pastor's desk:
Dear Beloved Church Family,
As we enter the month of September, my heart is drawn to the letter Paul wrote to the Philippians — a book filled with joy, encouragement, and deep spiritual wisdom, written from a prison cell. Isn’t it amazing how Paul, in the midst of hardship, could still write, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)?
That kind of joy — not based on circumstances, but rooted in Christ — is something I pray we each experience more deeply this season.
September often marks a time of transition. Summer winds down, routines pick up, and for many, there’s a renewed sense of structure and purpose. In Philippians, Paul speaks of pressing on “toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). As we re-engage with church life, school, work, and community, let us also press on in our faith with that same focus and dedication.
Here are a few highlights from Philippians I encourage you to meditate on this month:
With love and thanksgiving,
Join us on Saturday September 27th 9am-3pm for a Rummage Sale to raise money for our Shepherd's Storehouse Pantry. Donate your stuff, gather it up and drop off the week of the sale. You can also request a table by September 21rst and sell your own stuff and donate a bit of the dough to say thanks for the space. We will have a grill for hot dogs to go with chips and a drink. There will be special cupcakes and cookie treats too. We will have tools, furniture, baby stuff, clothing, tv, dishes, household, decor, etc.
Looking ahead:
Friday October 10th from 7 - 9 pm there will be a Family Fun Movie Night with free popcorn and drinks.
October is Pastor Appreciation month. There will be a Pitch-in Dinner on October 19th after Worship to honor and celebrate our pastor.
Upcoming events:
Celebrate Recovery happens every Sunday night from 6 to 8 pm in the Worship Center. This is a great place to find healing for hurts, habits and hang-ups. Check out the information table in the foyer or contact Pat and Becky Fellows for additional information.
My Friends and Me is for infants, toddlers and preschoolers and their adults. We meet on Friday mornings at 11 am for silly songs, stories and playing with friends. Adult must attend with their child. Contact Karen Young for questions. We will not meet on September 19th.
Shepherd's Storehouse food pantry is open on Monday September 8th and September 22nd. Bible Study meets from 4:30 to 5:25 pm. Food pantry runs from 5:30 until 7:30. Donations of food, hygiene products and grocery bags are always welcome. Check out our Amazon link. We now have clothes and household items available for our clients. We are currently accepting donations of household items and men's clothes. We are not in need of women's clothes right now.
Ladies' Bible Study will meet on September 2nd and 16th. We meet in fellowship hall from 6:30-8 pm on the first and third Tuesdays. When there is a fifth Tuesday we have a ladies night out. We will have a Ladies' Night Out on September 30th. Details to be announced. We are using a 7 week study He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer. Contact Karen Young for a study book or questions.
Golden Agers ( and those who like lunch) will be meeting on Friday September 26th at 1 pm. We are meeting at Chicago Beef and Dog located at 5402 E Washington St. 46219.
LBOA and finance committee will meet on Tuesday September 23rd. Finance at 6 pm and LBOA at 7 pm.
From the Pastor's desk:
Dear Beloved Church Family,
As we enter the month of September, my heart is drawn to the letter Paul wrote to the Philippians — a book filled with joy, encouragement, and deep spiritual wisdom, written from a prison cell. Isn’t it amazing how Paul, in the midst of hardship, could still write, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)?
That kind of joy — not based on circumstances, but rooted in Christ — is something I pray we each experience more deeply this season.
September often marks a time of transition. Summer winds down, routines pick up, and for many, there’s a renewed sense of structure and purpose. In Philippians, Paul speaks of pressing on “toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). As we re-engage with church life, school, work, and community, let us also press on in our faith with that same focus and dedication.
Here are a few highlights from Philippians I encourage you to meditate on this month:
- Philippians 1:6 – “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” God is not finished with you. Whatever season you’re in, He is still working.
- Philippians 2:3-4 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition… but in humility value others above yourselves.” Let us strive for unity, love, and humility in all we do — in our homes, our church, and our community.
- Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything… and the peace of God… will guard your hearts and minds.” In times of uncertainty, let’s bring our concerns to the Lord in prayer and trust in His peace.
With love and thanksgiving,
Pastor Steven Bales
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