From the Pastor's Desk

This past Saturday the last group of campers returned home from camp. This marked the end of a total of 4 different week long camp experiences for our kids this summer (Daycamp here, Confirmation Camp at Luther Springs, another week at Luther Springs for our younger ones and a week at Lutherock for our senior high kids), plus a 10 day mission trip to Guyana for 2 of our college students and our youth director Jimmy. You'll be hearing more about this in our next newsletter. What these experiences offer to our young people is a bigger picture of the church. In settings like these there is opportunity to experience Christian community, get a taste of that "great cloud of witnesses in a special setting and to get to know other young Lutheran Christians who are also learning and growing in the faith. Many thanks to all who have contributed to help make these camping experiences possible.

And speaking of a "great cloud of witnesses", this coming weekend (Aug 14-15), that part of Hebrews (the 11th chapter) will be before us, as we think of what it means to be surrounded by them and what it means to be numbered with them!

Looking ahead, the following weekend, August 21-22, former Bishop Lavern Franzen will be our guest as he shares with us the work of Lutheran Services Florida. Also, since that is the last weekend before school starts for many we will be having the "Blessing of the Backpacks" for our children and blessing of the lesson plans for our teachers. Mark your calendars, have your children bring their backpacks to church, teachers their lesson plans, and be sure to join us.

It's a real blessing to be numbered with and surrounded by that great cloud of witnesses. Come and strengthen that relationship and be equipped to live that special identity out in your everyday lives.

See you in church!

Pastor Jack