God’s Peace be with you all.

1 Peter 4:8-11  ⁸ Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.  ⁹ Be hospitable to one another without complaining.  ¹⁰ Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.  ¹¹ Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

This may seem as though it is coming a little late, but our life together has been a whirlwind since VBS ended.  So allow me to recap a little bit:

• We had close to 35 children who participated in VBS.  The majority of these kids were not members of SoG or St. Margaret’s.  They were people within the community who had connections to SoG.  So congrats on having a wonderful VBS and a many thanks to those who helped in various ways.
• Pentecost Sunday was its usual high celebration.  We celebrated with Isaac Adderholdt as he made public affirmation of his faith.  The children that were present sang some of their VBS songs and those in attendance got to see many of their crafts.
• Holy Trinity Sunday was celebrated on June 19, with the Rev. David Coffman filling in for me.  I have heard many wonderful things about that Sunday, and I think it is important to note that it was the best attended Sunday that we have had with a substitute pastor.
• Yesterday, with sad hearts, we celebrated and said good-bye to Doris, who has been a very faithful member of our congregation.  She leaves this week for St. Matthew’s, where she will live with her daughter.  We capped off the celebration with a wonderful community luncheon.

Finally, I would like you all to pat yourselves on the back a little bit.  For the second straight month, our average attendance has been in the 50’s (54/Sunday for June).  We have had visitors who have been welcomed, and have returned.  As I mentioned yesterday in my sermon, we are a part of the “sent church”, not the “idle church”.  As hard as it is, I think we are doing a good job of living up to God’s expectations of us.

In our prayers this week:  Ann, Daniel (Jane’s dad), Marissa (Wendy Zeigler’s daughter, who is in Ecuador on a mission trip), Nancy (Gail H.’s sister), and Gail H.

God’s Peace,