Lucy Joy
It has been a few weeks since I have been writing these devotions. We were honored and blessed to welcome our second daughter and third child, Lucy Joy, on July 2nd. Thank you for rejoicing with us at her birth.
Devotional Readings
I have posted devotional readings (based on the Sunday lectionary) from now until July 26 at http://7daydevos.blogspot.com/. You can also view archived devotions on that site.
Voice of the Martyrs
Some of you may be familiar with the group Voice of the Martyrs. They support those around the world who are being persecuted for their Christian faith. In September and October, they are holding several regional (Saturday) conferences. The ones closest to us are:
October 4: Aurora, Ohio
October 18: Ann Arbor, Michigan
For more specific information on each conference, please see http://www.VOMMeetings.com. On the left hand side of the home page, please see Conference Schedule, Regional, and click on the link for the conference nearest you.
Trip to Islamic Center: Tuesday, July 22
For those who might be interested (several members have already expressed interest), this coming Tuesday morning (7/22) we will take a trip to the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo. This tour is part of the Toledo Area Ministries tours of houses of worship. If you are interested, call the church office or see me on Sunday. We will leave Bethlehem’s east parking lot at 10:30 am on Tuesday morning to be there by 11 am. The tour is expected to last two hours.
Youth Gathering: New Orleans 2009
Here are a few words from our synod coordinator about the New Orleans youth gathering in 2009:
The ELCA is offering scholarships for youth who desire to attend the 2009 National Youth Gathering but may struggle with the financial means to do so. Scholarships for paying the full price of registration fees are available for up to 1000 youth across the country. Scholarship information can be found at this website: archive.elca.org/youth/gathering_financial.html . Deadline is July 31, 2008.
Also, if you or someone you know is interested in volunteering for the Gathering, the ELCA is accepting up to 800 volunteers. The information here is posted at this website: archive.elca.org/youth/gathering_volunteers.html.
Registration for the Gathering begins September 15, 2008 (that’s only 3 ½ months away!) and ends January 15, 2009. As of now, the Gathering is open to all young people in the ELCA entering high school by September 2009, those already in high school, and those who will graduate in 2009. (In past gatherings, incoming freshmen were not included in the event. Incoming freshmen are invited!)
New Pastor at Calvary, Northwood
From the synod office…
We are pleased to announce to the Congregations, Pastors, and Associates in Ministry of the North Central Conference that on Sunday, July 20, Robert Scott Noble will be installed as Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Northwood, Ohio. The Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary. A Picnic will be held following the service. If you will attend the picnic, please call the church office at 419-836-8986. (Calvary is located at 1930 Bradner Road, Northwood.) Please pray for Calvary and Pastor Noble.
Four Lutheran Agency Golf Outing
The 12th Annual 4 Lutheran Agencies of NW Ohio Golf Outing will be held on Friday, August 1st. This is an important way for folks to learn about and give support for the missions of the four agencies: Filling Home of Mercy, Luther Home of Mercy, Lutheran Homes Society, and LSS of Northwest Ohio. If you have any questions or need further info, please contact Pastor Jerry Rayl, Filling Home – (419-579-0207) or Karen Schanke, Luther Home – (419-725-5188) or Joyce Willier, LSS of NW Ohio – (419-726-8653) or Pastor Don Wiess, Lutheran Homes Society – (419-861-511).