AUGUST 2016 THE PASTOR S PRESS

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1 AUGUST 2016 THE PASTOR S PRESS I can t help but feel a little down, A little worried when I look around. That s why my hope is in, my hope is in the Lord. I fix my eyes upon the God who gives, Cause all I need is what I have in Him. That s why my hope is in, my hope is in the Lord. My hope is in the Lord, I belong to Him, He will never let me go. My hope is in the Lord, I can count on Him, My hope is in the Lord. ~My Hope is in the Lord, song from Cave Quest VBS We have completed another successful week of Vacation Bible School! Again this year we grew in numbers, with 30 kids participating throughout the week. Those 30 kids heard and saw the message that they matter to us and that Jesus loves them. In transforming our space into an over the top place of wonder and excitement, they connected with each other, loving adults, and God through all the senses. The songs for Vacation Bible School are always a refreshing way to proclaim God s love and sing praises to God. They are more upbeat than our usual Sunday routine, and engage the entire body in worshipful song and dance. While refreshing, I usually find myself quite glad to be back to our hymnal for the rest of the year because of the depth of the lyrics in the ancient hymns. But this year, one of the songs was profoundly meaningful for the current events of our country. The lyrics of My Hope is in the Lord spoke to where we ought to be centered in the midst of a world that is troubled. We cannot put our hope in policies or the presence or absences of weapons. We put our hope in God, and count on Him to provide everything we need (which sometimes means good policies, medicines, etc.). When we truly believe that God s arms are wrapped tightly around us, we are able to see our world more clearly and discern how to engage in God s healing of this broken place. Once again, I walk away from a week of Vacation Bible School reminded that so often it is the little ones who lead us adults. Their energy, clarity, and passion remind me that while God has mysterious ways, His message is simple: Jesus gives hope, courage, direction, and love to all people. Blessings, Pastor Deanna

2 ANOUNCEMENTS Vacation Bible School was a great success! The 30 kids who came had an amazing time learning about Jesus, the light of the world. Thank you to all the volunteers who taught, helped out, and worked behind the scenes to make this a wonderful week! Parables and Pints! Join Pastor Deanna, Pastor Nate Robinson, and Pastor David Drebes as we study parables from the Gospels with our friends from Emmanuel and Prince of Peace. We will meet the first Wednesday of each month (this month Wednesday, August 3 rd ) at 6:30pm at the Woodstock Brewhouse. This month we will be studying The Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:10-14, The Wise and Foolish Builders in Luke 6:47-49, and Building a Tower in Luke 14: Bring your Bible and a friend! The North Mountain Parish continues to assist with Mt. Olive Methodist s Enrich Program for children this summer. We still need volunteers in the kitchen on Thursday, August 11 th, to prepare breakfast, snack, and lunch (food is provided). Please let Pastor Deanna know if you are able to help. Parish Council will meet Monday, August 22 nd, 7pm at St. Stephen to finalize plans for the Fall and begin planning for the winter. MT. OLIVE COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP DINNER S St. Matthew s Lutheran Church to be held on the following 4th Tuesday s from April to September. Remaining Calendar dates are August 23rd and September 27th. Lunch will begin at 11:30am. Bring a covered dish and come out for some fellowship and good food. It is summertime!! Are the children and grandchildren running out of things to do? If so take advantage of an opportunity that will teach as well as entertain. King Arthur Flour and Thrivent are sponsoring a bread baking event. Where? WW Robinson Elementary School When? Thursday, August 25 th, 2016 Time? 8 AM to 3 PM Lunch will be provided. Who Should Come? Kids between 7 to 14 Each child will bake two loaves of bread. One to take home and one to contribute to a bake sale which will benefit the FNC Program. It is a day of fun and activity when the bread is rising and Baking. We will play games and sing songs. Suggestions are welcome. Also, you can enter in Shenandoah Fair, forms are available. Look for Sign Up Sheet in your Church.

3 NORTH MOUNTAIN PARISH AUGUST BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES Wishing all a Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary ST STEPHEN ST PETER 6 Gary Ryman 9 Norman Racey 3 Nick Baker Ray Heishman 4 Melissa Orndorff Stephens Kaleigh Fake 13 Gabriel Brown 12 Steve Silveus 16 Nancy Hockman 13 Colton Whittington 22 Gene Keller 18 Ann Pollard Gerald Mumaw 21 Wayne Walker 28 Andrew Orndorff 23 Madison Doehler, 31 Richard Peer Deryl Tucker 26 Patsy Himelright ST MATTHEW 3 Susi Blissert 5 Oliva Strosnider 8 Frankie Conner, Jr. Irving Kibler, Jr. 11 Blake Dysart 26 Kelsy Keene 27 Lacy Ann Ritenour ST PETER ST MATTHEW 12 Connie & Phil Fauber 8 Frankie & Tammy Conner 20 Tiffany & Gabriel Brown 13 Pat & Elizabeth Riffey 27 Donald & Joyce Hamrick ST STEPHEN 12 Shirley & Ron Bowman 13 Remy & Jeremy Pangle 18 Imogene & Floyd Ryman 23 Margaret & Deryl Tucker

4 AUGUST 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat SS= St. Stephen SP=St. Peter SM=St. Matthew :30 PM at Woodstock Brewhouse, Parables and Pints 4 8AM Enrich 5 6 SS -4pm Ice Cream Social 7 SM Communion 8 9 SM 7:30PM Council 10 SS 7PM COUNCIL 11 8AM Enrich SS 4PM Family Fun Get-Together SP Council following service 21 SM Communion 22 SS 7PM Parish Council SS 11:30 AM Katie s Ladies Luncheon St. Stephen: 9am Worship St. Peter: 9:45am Sunday School 11am Worship St. Matthew: 10am Sunday School 11am Worship (Children s Sunday School during church) SUNDAY SCHEDULES

5 SEPTEMBER 2016 Newsletter Deadline August Newsletter deadline is August 18th. Please send all articles and information to Connie Baker at North Mountain Lutheran Parish