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From
the
Pastor's Pen
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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
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