On Sunday, we hear how the Lord came to the prophet Elijah in moments of silence, when he was facing a troubled time. In the midst of everything happening in our lives & in the world, may we too find blessing this weekend in moments of calm, with the Lord coming to bring strength & hope! We had such a tremendous celebration last weekend: feeding nearly 150 youth at our Friday football ministry kickoff; and last Sunday, with students/educators filling the sanctuary for our back-to-school blessing. If you didn’t get a schoolbag blessing tag, we still have extras here. This Sunday, we offer a Blessing for our 2nd group of college students, along with their LS continuing education grants. After worship, there’s an important lunch gathering for all parents, youth & children to make plans for the months ahead. This is our 3rd Summer Hope Sunday. Everyone gather in the Fellowship Hall at 9:20 to welcome Bethany Vause from Lutheran Services Carolinas, who will share about their many ministries of hope, including a new Youth Program center being dedicated Sunday afternoon in Columbia. Also, stop by the fellowship hall before/after worship to assemble a few of the 500 bags we will be passing out next Tuesday for Rush Hour ministry! Everyone, mark your calendars for our big Faith Formation Kickoff Celebration on Aug. 20. All-congregation Unity Worship will be at 10:30, with some powerful sharing from the youth about their summer experiences & annual Congregation Photo – all followed by our LS fellowship lunch, with interactive “Journey with Jesus” bingo and our human Stuff-a-Bus chain. There are wonderful opportunities to share God’s hope in the week ahead. Today, Saturday at 3:30, is the dedication of the new facility for Cristo Rey, our LS Mission Partner. Pastor Jorge and the people of Cristo Rey are excited to have a lot of us attend. Lutheran Campus Ministry BBQ is also tonight at 5:30. Next Tuesday at 5:15 is Rush Hour Ministry; and next Thursday is our first Football pre-game devotion meal. On Saturday, Aug 19, LS Stuff-a-Bus for children’s Backpack Food will be at both NE Kroger stores. Sign-up this Sunday, or call the office, to help! On Sunday, we hear how Jesus came walking through the waves to his disciples, who were being battered in their boat with the wind against them. “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid!” Jesus said to them – and so too, those words fill our hearts, as Jesus still comes through the winds & waves of life to be with us each Sunday in sacrament and Word. We look forward to all being together Sunday in worship, as Jesus speaks those wonderful words of promise & hope to each of us, “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid!” Christ’s peace! #SundayWorship
