The Spirit is alive and well at Reformation Lutheran Church!
This month, our worship will be focused on the neighbor. “Where is my Neighbor?” will continue through July 7th,
and discuss how we help in our daily lives, in our families, in our city, and in the world. Later this summer, we’ll look at the book of Hebrews. We’ve enjoyed seeing members and friends return from vacation to come and worship with us, and said “see you in the fall” to those who leave for summer break. Attendance and giving is steady, and we are so grateful for every gift in this congregation.
More than this, being the church is about following Jesus together, which we call discipleship. We need to hear stories about how members are following Jesus in their lives, in their homes, and in the community. So, I’m inviting members of this church to share a faith story: how they were formed in faith, who shared faith with them, and how they engage faith today. These stories will be shared in our worship – and I’d like our leaders on council to start us out!
Serving our neighbors is what we do. In the last couple of weeks, we have helped a person experiencing homeless get home to Sacramento, and a veteran to get needed food and housewares for his new apartment. We helped a neighbor get a tank of gas this week, and provided snacks and cold water for people out in the desert heat. Our “Summer’s Cool!” heat respite has welcomed about 8 people each Sunday afternoon. They gather in Edwins hall for a movie and snacks to get out of the hot weather. The senior meal program continues to grow, and Leslie Ferrel and Ashley Pore manage in the kitchen, along with Karen, Gina, and Eileen Ward help out to serve there.
The 2019 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly was attended by 8 members (including one 3 year-old) of our church! Pastor Jennifer Zanhow and Marissa Metevelis have completed their term on synod council. Roger Bailey was installed as a new council member. I helped to lead music as we sang 25 new songs written by Pastor Dave Drach-Meinel from Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Henderson, shared an update from Lutheran Social Services, and helped lead a workshop on the theme, “Sing a New Song: leading change in the church.” Marissa was also elected to serve on the Synod’s consultation committee. Audra and Alfred Rael served as voting delegates as we approved the synod’s strategic plan and mission spending plan for the new year. Each of us was able to attend workshops and gain new insight and ideas for our ministry. We’ll hear more about these at the semi-annual meeting on June 30th.
We have events on the calendar! Theses are great times to invite a friend to come and see what is happening here in the heart of the city!
June 30: Semi-annual meeting and brunch!
July 3: Supercharged Wednesday
July 14: Ice Cream Social
As always we’re inviting folks to share special music in our worship. You can sign up at church to sing a song or play an instrument.
Thank you to our staff, council leaders, members, and friends for giving, serving, welcoming, praying, and participating in our life together at Reformation Lutheran Church! In all we do, we give thanks to God, who in Jesus grants us grace and forgiveness, and power through the Holy Spirit to love one another, to serve faithfully, and to follow our Lord together.
In Christ,
Pastor Jason
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