This week at SOTH

This past Sunday we were reminded that we, the church, are a community of forgiven sinners who respond in gratitude to God’s abundance grace and are called to share that good news with others.

We also shared a moment of prayer and blessing for our high school graduates, Zack Hauk, Hannah Sieker, Abigail Urnes and Naomi Urnes. We, as a congregation, committed to their continued prayerful support in each of their new adventures.

It was not until I came home after worship and the council meeting that I heard about the mass shooting in Orlando. May our prayers, the peace of Christ, and the promise of the resurrection surround those who lost loved ones in that tragic event.

As ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton says in her open letter I response to the shooting, “Those murdered in Orlando were not abstract ‘others’ they are us.” You can read her letter in its entirety here: https://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/7834

-Peace and blessing,
Pastor Kristen

Growing in Faith Together

GIFT is an experiment we're trying this summer: Five Wednesday evenings where we gather as all generations to share a meal and celebrate God’s creation using An Illustrated Earth curriculum. That means that the coloring posters are back, along with storytelling and other activities that are guided by the curriculum and expanded by those who sign up to shape and lead the evening’s event.

Our first event will be June 22, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. The story of the night is The Calming of the Storm. The coloring poster will be out this Sunday after worship so we can get started early! You can sign up to bring food or to help out with an activity. And we encourage you to bring a friend along as well.

You can also participate with these events while you’re away on vacation. There are “flat earth” signs that you can take with you wherever you go this summer on vacation. Take a picture of yourself and your sign where you are and celebrate that “YOU were here, celebrating God’s creation.” Post your photo with the hashtag #AnIllustratedEarth to join your picture with others across the country who are participating in the same curriculum.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, June 16

• 6:00 p.m. Mutual Ministry
• 7:00 p.m. Last Choir Practice for summer

Sunday, June 19

• 9:00 a.m. Worship Service with Holy Communion
• Bible Study following worship

Wednesday, June 22

• 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Growing in Faith Together: The Calming of the Storm

Opportunities

Ushers are needed for the months of July, October and December. Please talk to Tom Ritter if you are interested, or phone him at 636-244-7747.

If you are interested in leading the Facilities Committee, or just want to know more about the committee, please talk to Jim Berry or phone him at 314-587-5989.

The Ugandan Thunder Children's Choir will have a concert at Atonement Lutheran Church, 1285 New Florissant Road, Florissant 63031 on Tuesday June 21 at 7:00 p.m. This 22 person choir from the Royal School and Orphanage in Uganda, Africa regularly tours the United States to raise funds to expand the orphanage school in the country. A free will offering will be taken to help support the work of the orphanage.

Our Garden of Eatin' is leading a tour of 3 other Gardens. (People will drive to the other Gardens.) The tour will begin Saturday June 25 at 9:00 a.m. at Shepherd of the Hills. For more information, please talk to Martha Johnson.

SOTH will host a table at St. Ann Food Truck Thursdays, held at St. Ann Park the last Thursday of each month through August, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Events are free and open to the public. These events are co-sponsored by the St. Ann Business Association and St. Ann Parks and Rec The next event is June 30

Vacation Bible School will be held July 11-15 in the evenings at Shepherd of the Hills. We are gearing up for an Adventure this summer: Cave Quest, Following Jesus, the Light of the World. "Where kids will find grounding in the rock-solid foundation of God's love, a love that takes us through life's dark times." Bring your kids and their friends. Please sign up to help with crafts, games, snacks, teaching, leading and more. See Jenna Hutson if you have any questions.

SOTH will host a Book Fair on Saturday, July 30. Start looking through your books to find those you would like to donate, and bring them to church. There will also be a Bake Sale to benefit WELCA during the Book Sale. Please bring your goodies to sell. Also, the Men's Group will be serving hot dogs and chips. Volunteers will be needed on Thursday and Friday to get the books ready for sale. Please see Pat Amick for more information

SOTH will host a Bridal Shower for Jackie Vick and her fiancé Brandon Smith on Sunday, August 14 at 11:00 a.m. here at Church.

Lutheran Restoring Creation (LRC) is a grass-roots effort designed to encourage the ELCA to promote care for creation. The Central States Synod and LRC Mission Table is committed to helping equip our synod, congregations and members to live out our vocation as earth-keepers.

In St. Louis the LRC Mission Table will be hosting the following:
* August 20, 2016 LR Creation Care Workshop in St. Louis at the beautiful Pallottine Renewal Center in Florissant. Delve into many aspects of creation care and work together to create action plans to move forward in our congregations and as individuals
For more information on local events, please see www.css-elca.org/lrc or email Jan Koch <njkoch@aol.com>