FROM PASTOR RICK’S COMPUTER:
COMING BACK TO CHURCH: PAIN

When preaching about joy this summer, I told the story of “Maggie” whose first thought about making new friends was pain. To avoid getting hurt, she did not make close friendships. How horribly sad.

Pain is among the most common reasons given for not participating in church. Pain carried from the past into the present is one reason. Some were:

	forced to go by parents and they really hated it;
	made to feel deeply ashamed by adults who used religion in a bad way;
	were rejected at church;
	were told they were not wanted because of a mistake they made or sin they committed;
	were hurt when their efforts were not recognized equally with others;
	were embarrassed or hurt by something somebody said.

Pain and grief experienced in the course of life is a second reason. Some:

	lost a parent or a friend to death;
	didn’t have a prayer answered the way they asked;
	can’t see that God does anything about suffering.

And so to avoid the pain or to express anger, people stay away from church.

I will not try to argue about these or to explain them away. They are real hurts for real people. Real pain forms a barrier to moving ahead in that area.

Successful people face their barriers and overcome their obstacles. When we get stuck, that is sad. When we avoid our issues, that does not help us.

NEWS AND EVENTS:

Rally Day Sunday

Rally Day is Sunday, September 10^th.  We return to two Services at 8:00 & 10:30 am and resume Christian Education for all ages at 9:15 am

“Choo”  “Choo”  “Choose” Jesus’ Love will be the theme for Youth Christian Education this year. Join us for learning and fun as we explore Jesus’ love for us.

SUNDAY ADULT EDUCATION
Who is … ?

Pastor Rick will be leading a series of classes called, “Who is…?” We will pursue the questions: Who is God?; Who is Jesus?; Who is the Holy Spirit? – using the Bible as our basis for discussion.

adults to study a variety of topics

“Anything goes” will be the theme of Adult Sunday School class led by Pastor Paul.  At the first session, those who sign-on for the course will be invited to bring their own ideas for topics to be explored together.  The class will meet in the Youth Room at the far end of the fellowship hall.

Both youth and adult classes will be held during the Education Hour at 9:15 a. m.

1^ST COMMUNION CLASSES

Our children are invited to the Sacrament of Holy Communion in 5^th grade. Pre-Communion classes will be on Wednesdays, September 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. First Communions will be celebrated at the 10:30 service on October 1^st. Parents: call the church office (627-6310) if you have a scheduling problem or if you have a 6^th grader who missed last year.

CATECHISM BEGINS FOR GRADES 6, 7 & 8

Sunday Night Live (SNL) begins Sunday, September 10 @ 6:15 – 8:15 p.m. This is the catechism program for all middle school youth. We meet in the church basement. Youth must attend in order to be confirmed in 8^th grade. If you did not receive a post card/letter or are new to our congregation, please contact the Church office.

PASTOR TO HOLD NEW MEMBER CLASSES

We rejoice in welcoming new disciples to faith and new members to our church’s ministry! People join after taking a series of classes looking at Bible teachings, Church teachings and their faith. Pastor will start the next series Wednesday, October 4^th. If you are interested, please call the office.

Healing Prayer Ministry

It's nearing the end of summer and wonderful fall days are beckoning to us as is the Lord.

God's good will for his people, as revealed in the scriptures, is union with him, health, salvation and wholeness.  In prayer, we open ourselves to willingly receive what God has prepared for us in Christ and through the Holy Spirit. (Philippians 4:6-7) Prayer provides an opportunity not only to speak to God for guidance, but also to wait and listen.

We are a branch of the Health Ministry Team and our intention is to provide an additional outlet to "promote healing and wholeness in the church and society" as written in the Health Ministry Mission Statement. We are honored to be commissioned by Immanuel Lutheran Church and its congregation.

As members of the Healing Prayer Ministry team we have signed a covenant in which, among many other things, we have made a commitment to continue to grow spiritually in our personal and communal prayer lives, to share our spiritual gifts through our ministry and to love, listen and pray for those seeking healing prayer.

Each week we have teams available for Healing Prayer sessions that will be held during Communion and after the services on Sunday mornings in the Care Room.  It has been gratifying that many of you have taken advantage of prayers for healing and thanksgiving. "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."  (Matthew 18:19-20) 

A ROOF OVER OUR HEADS

Members continue to support this project. During July $191.00 was contributed, bringing our total to $11,325. Project Proposals were put out for bid by the Property Committee.

RESETTLEMENT REPORT

July was an important month. We realize that we are getting close to one year. It was over Labor Day last year that Katrina blasted the Mississippi Delta and the Gulf coast. Meetings were held with Leland and Rose to discuss our future relationship. The congregation will pay their housing expenses through September. Last month $161 was contributed by members toward this.

MISSION TRIP

Kelly Love will be volunteering in an orphanage located in Salvador, Brazil this Thanksgiving.  The program is coordinated through Cross Cultural Solutions, a non-profit volunteer organization based in the U.S.  CCS will provide housing, food, and transportation in Brazil, bringing the cost of the program to $1,600.  Airfare from Michigan to Brazil is looking to cost about $1,500 alone, so Kelly is asking for your help financially!  If you would like to donate to Kelly’s experience, please make checks payable to Kelly Love, and send to her at: 7812 Heritage Dr. #9, Lansing, MI 48917

Thank you for your support!

IF GOD HAD VOICEMAIL

Thank you for calling heaven. I am sorry, all of our angels and saints are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us and we will answer it in the order it was received. Please stay on the line.

If you would like to speak to:

God, press 1.   
Jesus, press 2.   
The Holy Spirit, press 3.
If you would like to hear King David sing a Psalm while you are holding, press 4.
To find a loved one who has been assigned to Heaven, press 5,
Then enter his or her social security number followed by the pound sign. (If you get a negative response, please hang up and try area code 666.)
For reservations in heaven, please enter J-O-H-N 3:16

For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, the age of the earth, life on other planets, and where Noah's Ark is, please wait until you arrive.

If you are calling after hours and need emergency assistance, please contact your pastor.

Eyeglass collection container

The Lions Club has placed a collection box in the entryway for used eyeglasses. Please donate your old frames.  Thank you!

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