Bible Study
Join Pastor Pokora for Bible Study this evening at 7 pm (via Zoom). Contact Pastor Pokora to join.
Preparation for the Food Pantry & Clothing Closet
Volunteers are needed to put away food from the River Bend Food Bank Delivery at All Saints Lutheran Church at 9:30 am on Thursday, August 17th.
Food Pantry & Clothing Closet
The Food Pantry & Clothing Closet are open every Saturday from 11 am – 1 pm, even holiday weekends. Volunteers are needed while the food pantry and clothing closet are open to the public.
Information for Sunday, August 20th
All are welcome to join us for contemporary worship and fellowship time at All Saints Lutheran Church!
Ardor Rehearsal – 9 am
Worship – 10 am
Fellowship Time/Refreshments – following worship
Blessing of the Backpacks
During worship there will be a special “Blessing of the backpacks” service. Plan to bring your backpack to church and have it blessed for the 2023-2024 school year.
Introduction for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost
In Isaiah we hear that God’s house shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today’s gospel is a Gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church extend its mission to those on the margins of society? In our gathering around word and meal we receive strength to be signs of comfort, healing, and justice for those in need.
Scripture
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8: A house of prayer for all peoples
Matthew 15:21-28: The healing of the Canaanite woman’s daughter
Theme & Write Up for the Season of Pentecost Summer
written by Matt Reece, Director of Music Ministries
Transformed by the Spirit, empowered by grace
As we enter the season of Pentecost, we learn that we are “Transformed by the Spirit, Empowered by Grace.” This worship theme embodies the profound impact of the Holy Spirit’s work within us, bringing about personal transformation and empowering us to engage with the world around us. As we gather in worship, we will delve into the ways in which the Spirit’s presence can shape our lives, renew our faith, and equip us to share the message of God’s abundant generosity.
Through our worship services, we will reflect on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, recognizing that it has the capacity to change us from within. We will explore the concept of being sent into the world, not as passive observers, but as active participants in God’s redemptive work. As we open ourselves to the Spirit’s movement, we will discover newfound strength, courage, and gifts that enable us to proclaim God’s generosity to all we encounter. With hearts filled with gratitude, we will celebrate the unmerited grace we have received and seek to extend that grace to others, embracing our role as ambassadors of God’s love and mercy in a broken world.
We will explore the profound impact of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, recognizing how it empowers us to engage with the world and proclaim God’s generosity. By embracing our calling and relying on the Spirit’s guidance, we will be equipped to bring transformation and grace into the lives of those around us, embodying the love of Christ in all that we do.
Worship Planning Meeting
The worship planning team will meet on Thursday, August 17th at 6:30 pm in the church library to plan the next season.
Stewardship
On Monday, August 21 beginning at 6 pm, the ELCA, in partnership with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, will host a webinar title: “Stewardship When Economics Are Uncertain”. This webinar is geared toward helping leaders talk openly, honestly, and inspirationally about stewardship and generosity, even in uncertain times. The webinar will be led by the Rev. Meredith McNabb and the Rev. Tim Brown via zoom.
Contact Roger if you would like to attend with him.