SILENT AUCTION: 10 am to 5 pm

COOKOUT: Noon to 4 pm

All proceeds will go to Bethel Lutheran's Fire Disaster Fund.

But what I have always appreciated most about the monthly church council meeting is the unmissable, unmistakeable fact that gathered in one room are a dozen to fifteen individuals, each at their own place along the journey of life and discipleship and each with their own joys and struggles, dedicating this precious time out of their already too-busy lives to the building up of our Christian witness as a congregation. It always floors me... the dedication and the obvious passion of these people!

Last night at our August meeting, Peter Krause, representing our Stewardship team, led us of with a devotional centered around 1st Corintians 3:6-9, in which the Apostle Paul reminds us it is God who gives the growth. We, each of us as servants, are the tools God uses to grow the kingdom. His devotion couldn't have been better timed, as we start heading into fall with all of the attendant busy-ness that comes with it.  This tends to be the time of year when most folks in congregational leadership roles start breaking out in hives and grabbing for the Maalox trying to recruit others to serve in leadership, teaching, shepherding and servant roles so that all of the grand plans we've laid for our ministry can actually happen.  NONE of it happens without lots and lots of people hearing God's call to serve and then letting themselves be a tool through which God can work.  Sunday School, Confirmation, Adult learning opportunities, worship, fellowship, visitation, administration, hospitality, outreach, inreach... so many opportunities to serve! And so many of those opportunities do NOT require a multi-year commitment! Some might only ask an hour or two of a person's time, yet all are important.

I left last night's meeting feeling a little lighter in spirit than when I went in (often the case!), mostly because of the spirited and enthusiastic discussion amongst those present regarding plans to use this fall as a time to focus our stewardship emphasis on using our TIME, encouraging all the good people of Trinity Lutheran Church to allow God to use them in some way, be it large or small, over the coming year for the building of a stronger witness.  We've talked pretty candidly here in the recent past about how we consecrate (set aside for a higher purpose) our money, our finacial resources, each year for such a purpose.  What we haven't spent nearly as much time on is challenging one another to consecrate our TIME, to set aside a tithe of our time in service to God and to God's people through our church.  I wonder how we'll respond to such a challenge...

Class time:  9:35 am to 10:30 am

Registration forms are available in the church office, on the door of the Sunday School office, or on our website. Submit on-line and save a stamp or standing in registration lines on Rally Sunday!