Pastor’s Pen—June 2016

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Church Open, Mission Continues

Summer is Here! As you make your plans to get away for a period of rest and relaxation, remember to also make your plans to worship in the area where you will be resting and relaxing. Whether you are going to the beach, the mountains or someplace in between, there is a church nearby. I want to encourage you to continue giving thanks and praise to God this summer as you travel and rest by stopping in at a local church. And if you remain in town, don’t get out of the habit of coming to worship…God needs to hear from you! Summertime is not a time to take a break from worship! The experience of communal worship and greeting other brothers and sisters in Christ is important because it keeps us all connected. Worship, even during the summer, is a wonderful thing to do because it keeps us connected to the source of our being.

As some of you know, Beth and I will be away in China beginning Wednesday, August 3. Guest preachers will continue share the Word of God and provide Holy Communion and with the exception of canceling the 8:00am Worship service during August, we will continue our normal worship life at First Lutheran.

Our ministry with chinaconnect is slowly building relationships with an elementary school in the rural countryside of Jiangxi Province, near the major city of Nanchang. Relationships are also growing with a foster care home outside of Beijing that cares for children with brittle bone disease. Both projects continue chinaconnect’s witness of God’s love in Christ with the Chinese people. It is our hope to worship in both areas this summer and bring greetings from the people of First Lutheran. Why will we continue to go to worship? Because God wants to hear our thanks and praise, and because we are just a small part of God’s mission in the world. So whether we are with a group of youth or by ourselves, the fact that we are in worship says something. Being connected to other Christians is vital for our worship life and prayer support system.

God’s mission, the ministry of First Lutheran, continues this summer also, and you are an important part of that mission. Your presence and your tithes and offerings continue to serve people in the community and around the world. From Lutheran Community Services, HOMEstart, Listen Live at Lunch, to the beginnings of the Busy Bee Pre-school and a new Cub Scout Pack, the mission of First Lutheran charges forward as we continue to serve.

It is with great thanks to you for your generous offerings that these ministries continue in order for First Lutheran to bless all those who enter our doors. So, to all of you who pledged to support First and to all of you who use other giving methods to support the ongoing ministry of First Lutheran…THANK YOU for your faithfulness that carries forward the Gospel of Christ.

So, if you are going to be traveling, find a local church and go to worship! Going on a cruise? Go to chapel! Going to another state and city, worship at the local Lutheran Church. Going camping, take along Bibles and sing hymns giving thanks to God! As we enter the Season of Pentecost we are reminded of the boldness with which the disciples shared their faith. We will continue to hear stories about the “mighty deeds of God” through the word and ministry of disciples just like us. God has been so good to us by giving us new life through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son. Let us always keep this as the forefront of our service, our witness, and our giving this summer.

With gratitude, Pastor Steve.