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 In our Gospel reading yesterday we heard about a man transformed, a man who had a legion of demons and a legion more of torment and who was transformed to a man sitting peacefully at his Savior's feet. It is a dramatic story of salvation and conversion and it fit well to hear it at the close of our week of Day Camp here at the church. We had 90 campers, 10 youth helpers, 10 College Counselors, and a dozen adult volunteers as well. Among that group as in any group of human beings, there was and is of course a legion of struggles and trials, as well as a legion of hopefulness and good. And as a group over the week at Day Camp we experienced the strength and hope that comes from Christ and that is so often found through being together as the body of Christ. At Day Camp we saw transformation in many ways, such as a child scared to come to camp on Monday, who didn't want to leave on Friday, middle school students who showed up Monday with their "cool caps" on and by Thursday night had thrown them to the side and were singing the loudest and showing the most enthusiasm at the Thursday program, counselors and helpers who felt the exhausted joy of giving everything they have. So thank you to all who helped open wide the doors of God's house this week and be a part of God's transforming love at work through Day Camp!
As we look ahead to the summer, there is one important date we want to invite you all to put on your calendars as both a prayer request and as a possibility of being in attendance. At noon on Saturday, August 31st, Pastor Robert Schaefer will be installed as the fourth Bishop of the Florida/Bahamas Synod at St. Timothy's Church, in Lutz, FL (near Tampa). We are all invited and if you are interested we will work to arrange carpools or van rides, so reply to this email if you'd like to attend. The worship service will be a meaningful service of worship folding together in song, prayer, word, and meal, all of who we are as a synod and as God's people. As Bishop-Elect Schaefer said, "August 31st at noon is a time for us all to be Christians together as I will be installed as your regional pastor at St. Timothy's in Lutz (Tampa). If this day is simply about me being made a bishop, then I am very fearful. If this day is about our life together as a synod and about our being called from this gathering around word and sacrament to participate in God's mission to the world, then I am both strengthened and filled with joy!" And let God's transforming love be at work in your life and through you,  | | Thank You LOMF Counselors for a wonderful Day Camp! |
_____________________________________________ Please note the Church Office will be closed on July 4th and 5th in observance of Independence Day. |
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