LWMS VIRTUAL MEETING
SAT SEPT 25, 9AM TO NOON. 
SPEAKER: JOEL NITZ, VIETNAM HMONG MISSIONARY
CLICK LINK
MEETING 869 0105 6933
PASSCODE: 602694

SEPTEMBER 26 - BIG DAY AT CHURCH
On this day we will be inviting the entire grade school to sing in church. Because we have 80 students, even if small portion show up, it will be quite crowded. To alleviate this, we are adding an extra 8am service. We will also devote a few minutes of each service, 8am and 10am, to celebrating the 50th anniversary of our school. 

CALLING ALL MUSICIANS
If you are a musician interesting in helping add variety to our worship in a praise-band setting, please speak to Kyle Amonson, who is trying to find a few contemporary songs that would be suitable for our worship services on occasion. 

MEN'S OLYMPICS
This relaxing day of leisure (don't let the name fool you) will be Sept. 25 from noon to 5. After Ron wins the gold medal we'll enjoy some food. 

OCT 8-10 CAMPING - MORE OPTIONS AVAILABLE
The ultimate experience: $105 per person for food and lodging from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. 
One night only: If you can only come Fri-Sat or Sat-Sun, you can pay $75 including meals. 
Saturday day trip: If you want to come up for the day on Saturday, you need to pay $10 per person for facility use and add $15 per meal, paid in advance.  
Gluten free? If you have special dietary needs, we can work this out on an individual basis. 
Please come if you can. A lot of thought has gone into making this the most fun weekend you'll have all year. If you're still thinking, take another moment to read over the website and realize what a nice place we've booked. 

Our itinerary will include: zipline, paintball, archery, gaga ball, 24/7 campfires and coffee, indoor and outdoor gathering places, Bible studies and devotions.
Meals will include: spaghetti, tacos, biscuits and gravy. 

BURDEN BEARING SMALL GROUP IN THE WORKS
Four people have expressed interest in a grief share program here. Based on feedback, I think something like a "burden bearing small group" would be the best title. We do not have a lot of people mourning a recently lost loved one, but we have a lot of people with various stresses and difficulties in life, and sharing our burdens, praying for each other, and receiving encouragement from God's Word, would probably be a good idea. 
It's looking like we'll start with one meeting a month on a Tuesday night. Give me feedback if you have it. 

BIBLE STUDIES RESUME
The following resume now:
Sunday morning Bible study. Various topics are chosen at the recommendation of members. 
Monday night 6:30pm: Spiritual growth group. 10 weeks. Looking at spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation, keeping the commandments, etc. Please let me know if you're coming because we might meet in a private residence rather than at church. 
Tuesday morning 10am: Thru the Bible study (replacing the former Thursday study). We will pick it up with Exodus unless someone persuades me otherwise. 
Friday morning, 8:45am (starts 9/24): A four week catechism basics class, primarily for school families, but all are welcome. 

A GOD-LIVED LIFE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
We will participate in a synod-wide whole-life stewardship program this year. We will devote four Sundays to growing in our Christian living:
Sept 12 - A Life of Being a Disciple
Oct 17 - A Life Lived for Others
Dec 5 - A Life of Hospitality
Jan 8 - A Shrewdey Lived Life
We all have areas where we can grow, myself included, and these Sundays give us a chance to examine that and pick one or two things to work on individually. PLEASE ATTEND IF YOU ARE ABLE! If you can't, still look for commitment cards in your mailbox. 

RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS FROM VACCINES?
Several people have asked me about religious exemptions. A few have even asked if I would write them a letter. That's not how these things work. For exemption purposes, a religious conviction does not need to match the teachings of any particular denomination, even if you are a member. The courts have recognized that there is a personal element to religion that can differ from your congregation. You don't need a permission slip from a pastor. You need a heartfelt reason based on your deeply held religious convictions. By definition, I cannot do this for you. But I would be willing to talk through the issues with you and help you think through if you have a religious objection. If you'd like to talk about this issue, or any issue, please give me a call. Or perhaps better, send me a text, and we'll set up a good time to call. 

CONTACT PASTOR SCHULTZ TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE VINE EVENTS:

THE VINE - GRIEF SHARE
 A 13-week ”Grief Share” support group will be meeting at the Vine starting on Thursday, September 2^nd, at 6:30 pm.  If you are interested in attending, contact Pastor Schultz for details. 
 
THE VINE - GRANDPARENTS & GRANDCHILDREN SUNDAY
The Vine will be having a special "Grandparents & Grandchildren Sunday" on September 12th at 10:30 am.  The service will honor all grandparents and grandchildren.  Light refreshments will follow.  All grandparents and grandchildren are invited.