From the Pastor's Pen ?
July 2008

     Greetings in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

      As we continue the process of Discovering God’s Call to Us, I thank you in advance for your con-tinued participation. Our congregational gathering on June 29 is a necessary step to identify the means to LISTEN to the needs of our neighbors, either by inviting them to Gloria Dei, or by polling them in another way. Regardless of the method, the input of the neighborhood is crucial for our understanding of needs that we might address in our mission and ministry as a people of God.

      Vacation Bible School is soon to be here! We join with other congregations of our Cooperative Parish to offer VBS on Saturday, July 19, from 9:30 AM – 4 PM at Gloria Dei. Look inside this newsletter for details and opportunities that you might fulfill. And, please plan on joining the young folks for the 3 PM homemade ice-cream closing event!

      I talked in June about Opening the Book of Faith. And we will begin a Bible reading and study initiative this fall at Gloria Dei.  But here is a great summer study opportunity for you – “The Lutheran Course!” This 7-week class will meet at 7pm each Wednesday evening from July 2 through August 13.  Great for new Lutherans, old Lutherans, and anyone in between, we will use multiple resources that help Lutherans laugh harder and believe smarter!  Advance registration is requested, but not required (there is a sign up sheet on the fellowship hall bulletin board.) There will be a materials fee for the class of no more than $14.  Over the seven weeks, we will use learning and laughter to explore:
     •  Law and Gospel, and how to tell the difference;
     •  Jesus, including the most rebellious things Jesus did;
     •  things you should know about the Lutheran Reformation;
     •  the Bible and how to read it;
     •  Evangelism, or how to share your faith with someone;
     •  the anatomy of Baptism;
     •  how to receive Communion.

     I invite all of you to consider attending this class. Call or email me if you have particular questions. Again, The Lutheran Course begins Wednesday,
July 2 at 7 pm, and continues each Wednesday through August 13.  My brothers and sisters, we have many ways to CELEBRATE the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to BUILD a nurturing community of faith and service, and to WITNESS that faith in our daily life. May we be faithful disciples of our cru-cified and risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In His love,

+Pastor Craig