Large and small - people do things for you that you appreciate. Could be the ticket taker at the movie theater, the person taking your order at your fast food place, a friend you hangs out with you, a parent who does so much for you every day as well as people like teachers, coaches, and even those that you don’t see everyday (police, firefighters, doctors, nurses, etc.). Do you stop each day and pray for them? Do you find them out and personally thank them when they do something good for you (or others)?
Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19 (NRSV)
From the verses above, only one of the men who were healed decided to thank the person who helped him. Jesus asks the man where everybody else went? What could the man say? Jesus doesn’t punish the other 9 who didn’t come back and say thank-you to Jesus. However, Jesus is very pleased with the ONE who did say thank-you. A lesson in manners, yes, maybe. How much more is it a message that God constantly helps us and sends people to help us in large and small ways AND how excited God is when we thank God and everyone who goes out of their way to care about us. This week, say thanks to God and those around you!!!
SALT Campers returned on Friday, July 25 with many great times, awesome memories and a lot of hard work completed!
More pictures soon to be added!
We’re taking ticket reservations for our trip to the JUMP! Music Festival at LOMC.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
For more info go HERE!
We are really excited that 20 youth and 2 adults will be spending a week at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center in Oregon, IL enjoying the great outdoors and helping out in the local community doing various types of service work.
Our 4th year of SALT (Service and Leadership Training), we’ll spend the week helping at places like:
- Local Animal Shelter
- Area Elder Care Centers
- LOMC
- Zion Development Corporation (part of Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford, IL)
- Other local agencies
We’ve walked dogs, done trail maintenance, yard cleanup, dug out an old basement, cleaned brick work, fished with developmentally challenged adults, and much more over the years.
The group heads out Sunday afternoon for a week of fun and service. Please be praying for our SALT participants as well as our Senior High Workcampers (who leave Saturday for Minnesota) as well as our Ecuador Mission Trip that returns this Sunday. Lots of great service work being done all over the world in the name of Christ on behalf of St. John’s!
In church last Sunday a baby was sitting nicely on her father’s lap looking around, smiling, being a wonderful baby. Suddenly without a warning the little one lurched backward and as babies are not the most nimble (You try moving gracefully with baby fat!), she almost fell off her dad’s lap. Her parents reacted quickly and stablized their precious gift – but I’m sure it gave both of them at least a little scare (no matter how many times it had happened before).
A few weeks ago 8 of us traveled to Missouri for Cave Camp and had a great time. Late Sunday night (the first night) my fellow leader says to me, “What’s that in the hallway?” After expecting it to be one of the 
campers up out of bed and not seeing anyone I looked closer. Walking across the middle of the hallway was a HUGE Wolf Spider. This spider was about 6 inches long from leg to farthest leg. A spider as big as my hand. We freaked – I mean that’s a big spider, and we all know creepy crawlies give most people a scare.
Life is full of things that can be scary, fear-filled, and full of anxiety. This summer many of you are antipating new jobs, new schools, new homes and many other “new” things this fall. Going into junior high or high school is a big deal and I know it scared me big time WAY BACK WHEN. What are we to do with all this fear?
“God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea…”
Psalms 46:1-2 (NRSV)
Pray – Listen – Read God’s Word
Trust in God because like a small child unbalanced, we teeter and totter away from God and worry about our lives. Seek God and trust Him with your worries and cares! By the way, the spider didn’t hurt us – but it did scare the bajeebies out of us!
Jr. High! Volunteer to Serve at…
Power Lab!
St. John’s Lutheran Church VBS
July 28th – August 1st
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
SALT rolls into service at LOMC July 20-25, 2008.
For more info GO HERE!
