From the Pastor's Desk

There's no doubt that the summer season is winding down! Teachers are all busy in their classrooms, the "Back to School" sales are happening, and this coming weekend, we'll be having our "Blessing of the Backpacks" at both the 6pm Saturday service and the 9:30am Sunday service. Our children will be bringing their backpacks to church, placing them at the altar, and during the service will be invited up, along with all teachers and others who work in our school system for a beginning of the school year blessing.




On the construction front, attached with this email is a picture of the great progress being made on our addition. The walls are up and trusses may be going up by later this week! In the picture you can see in the center the higher part of the wall, which is where the new main entrance will be. Mark your calendars now for the dedication and 50th anniversary celebration on Sunday, December 11!



This past week we received notice that Thrivent (the fraternal insurance company for Lutherans) was sending us $1200! What a nice surprise! This is because several of our members designated their "Thrivent Choice Dollars" to Our Savior Lutheran Church! Many thanks to those of you who did this. This is something any Thrivent member can do. You just need to call 1-800-THRIVENT (or 1-800-847-4836) and tell them you would like to designate your Thrivent Choice Dollars to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Vero Beach. Or, you can designate them to something like "Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Florida" or any of a number of other recipients. If you don't designate your "Thrivent Choice Dollars", they will still go to a good cause, but one of their choosing, not yours. So, if you're a Thrivent policy holder, please consider this. It costs you nothing but a few minutes of your time to make the phone call.



Along with school beginning, the Youth Group (grades 6-12) will have its kickoff party for the new school year on Wednesday August 24, 6:30-8:30pm. Plans are in the works for "Rock the Universe" coming up along with other great things in Youth Ministry. Whether you are a long time Youth Group veteran or brand new, plan on joining us as another season begins.



Finally, our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be meeting all week in Orlando. For highlights or to follow the events of the week as they happen, go to www.elca.org.



As another season is about to unfold before us, may we enter it with hope, confidence and trust in the One who promises to be with us til the end of the age. And in the time we have, may we be reflections of His Light in all of our comings and goings.



See you in church! Pastor Jack +