Connecting to God, each other, and the world

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Connecting to God, each other, and the world Highlights Of Items In This Issue: A Compliant Free World 6 Acolyte Schedule 14 Alzheimer s Victim s Requests 9

Gatherings 8-9 God s Servants 14 Lay Callers Needed 6 Mitchell Gillman s Winning Drawing 15 Officer Elam and Mike 4 Rooted in the Word 5 St.

1 Connecting to God, each other, and the world Highlights Of Items In This Issue: A Compliant Free World 6 Acolyte Schedule 14 Alzheimer s Victim s Requests 9 Children, Youth & Family Birthdays Brunch Potluck Bishop Lull 4 Calendars Insert Church Pictorial Directory 4 Garlough Summer Meal Program 11 Gatherings 8-9 God s Servants 14 Lay Callers Needed 6 Mitchell Gillman s Winning Drawing 15 Officer Elam and Mike 4 Rooted in the Word 5 St. Paul Saint s Event 16 St. Stephen s Information Page 2 Service Opportunities 12 Stewardship 7 Summer Sermon Series 5 Team Extreme 4 Via de Cristo 4 Why Do You Worship? 3 Pastor John

2 (If you need assistance outside of these hours please call ahead to be sure someone will be available to assist you.) Summer Worship Schedule May 24 - September 6, 2015 Saturday Evenings 5:00 pm The Bridge Sunday Mornings 9:30 am Worship with Holy Communion 12:00 pm Pueblo de Fe Worship in Spanish Children & Youth Programs Church School Year: September 9, April 20, 2016 Wednesday Evenings (6:00-7:00 pm) J.O.Y. ( Jesus, Others, and You ) Ages 3 through 1st Grade W.I.L.D. ( Word In Love & Deed ) 2th-5th Grade Confirmation 6th-8th Grade Sunday Mornings Senior High Youth Group 9th-12th Grade Sundays 9:30-10:30 am St. Stephen s Update Newsletter July-August, 2015 Page 2

3 it is more blessed to give than to receive. St. Stephen s Update Newsletter July-August, 2015 Page 3

4 St. Stephen s Update Newsletter July-August, 2015 Page 4

5 Rooted in the Word V: Three Books (Please note: July s Breakfast is a week later because of July 4th) St. Stephen s Update Newsletter July-August, 2015 Page 5

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.

In fact, in Genesis 1:25, God reviews all of creation and declares it to be very good.

Further, when we complain we may miss potential solutions to problems by focusing solely on the problem itself.

6 If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." Maya Angelou A Complaint Free World With every stage of creation, God reviewed his handiwork and claimed it to be good. (Genesis 1:4, 1:10, 1:12, 1:18, 1:21, 1:25). In fact, in Genesis 1:25, God reviews all of creation and declares it to be very good. Therefore, when we complain about our lives or anything in God s world, we are denying the truth that God s creation is inherently good. Further, when we complain we may miss potential solutions to problems by focusing solely on the problem itself. In so doing, we may inadvertently do so to absolve ourselves from responsibility to resolve problems and create positive solutions for ourselves and others. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines complain as to express pain, grief or discontent. It makes sense to express each of these sentiments on occasion but most people complain dozens of times each day and this ear pollution negatively impacts their health and relationships. ABOUT THE COMPLAINT FREE WORLD MOVEMENT The Complaint Free World program began in July of 2006 when Rev. Will Bowen of One Community Spiritual Center handed out purple bracelets to his congregation in Kansas City, Missouri. His objective was to encourage them to think more positively. The idea was simple: put a purple, rubber bracelet on either wrist and, when you catch yourself complaining, switch the bracelet to the other wrist. Scientists believe that it takes 21 consecutive days of a new behavior for it to become habitual. So, by switching the bracelet from wrist to wrist with each complaint until one has gone 21 consecutive days without complaining, a person can establish the habit of being Complaint Free. Inspired with their experience and results, the first participants began describing it to their friends, families and coworkers. A reporter at the Kansas City Star wrote about a story about the phenomenon. The news spread and Bowen began getting calls and doing interviews around the world. In 2007, he wrote, A Complaint Free World -- How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life you Always Wanted, which has become an international best-seller. A Complaint Free World has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, NBC's Today Show, ABC Evening News, CBS Sunday Morning, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and in People, Newsweek and a myriad of worldwide, magazines, newspapers and broadcasts. Thousands of schools, businesses and other organizations have used the purple bracelets to positively transform attitudes and life experiences. Millions of purple Complaint Free bracelets have been sent to people in more than 105 countries Join the movement commit to a Compliant Free World and do your part. Take the challenge see if you can make 21 days that s 21 consecutive days! Challenges are more manageable when you have fellow participants. Join the St. Stephen s CFP group. We ve got the purple Complaint Free bracelets on order reserve yours now. We ll meet Thursday evenings at 7pm for an hour beginning Thursday, July 9th. We ll watch videos to see how other folks have progressed through the program, walk through Will Bowen s books A Complaint Free World and Compliant Free Relationships, and support each other in our quest to be Compliant Free. Jan Perkins will be heading up this new ministry at St. Stephen s. Please contact her if you have questions or would like to reserve your bracelet now. Take the challenge join the ripple effect felt throughout the world. St. Stephen s Update Newsletter July-August, 2015 Page 6

7 GOD S WORK. OUR HANDS. Sunday September 13, 2015 God s work. Our hands. Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. St. Stephen s Update Newsletter July-August, 2015 Page 7

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9 "What s the catch? "We just wanted to say hello and maybe put a few smiles on some faces" - The Evangelism Committee Whether it s the little souls in the camp making toys, or the girls creating businesses, it s all about giving hope. St. Stephen s Update Newsletter July-August, 2015 Page 9

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12 St. Stephen s Update Newsletter July-August, 2015 Page 12

13 Happy July Birthdays! St. Stephen s Update Newsletter July-August, 2015 Page 13

14 For I Know the Plans I Have For You... St. Stephen s Update Newsletter July-August, 2015 Page 14

15 Happy August Birthdays! These are very colorful characters from different games I play with my friends. There is an alien, a ninja, a Minecraft character, a cooking chef from SIMS, and a giant floating bunny. I put a little something for everybody. St. Stephen s Update Newsletter July-August, 2015 Page 15

16 NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO Address Service Requested Connecting to Each Other... SAVE THE DATE AUGUST 10

Complaint Free Churches Message Notes

Complaint Free Churches Message Notes A Program for Positive Transformation Based on If you don t like something, change it; if you can t change it, change your attitude. Don t complain. Maya Angelo Complaint