| Pastor Biermann's Message There are many factors, of course, that lead to the growth of the church. In fact, there are so many economic, social, psychological, personal, inter-personal, cultural and political factors at work in the growth of the church and of any given congregation that there will always be room for another idea, another book, another prescription about how to have a growing, healthy congregation. The insights are often good and useful and address some part or parts of all the infinite factors at work. But, it is important to remember that at the bottom of every discussion about the vitality and strength of a congregation there are just two things: the Holy Spirit and people. The Holy Spirit is the only reason that the church and any specific gathering of the church ever grows. Only the Spirit of God gives spiritual life. Only the Spirit creates faith. Only the Spirit blows when and where He chooses and brings his gifts and his life to people. As mysterious as this sounds, and there is always more mystery to God and his work than we like to admit, it is actually quite plain and tangible. The Holy Spirit works through chosen means. He uses the Word preached and the Sacraments celebrated to give life and to grow his church. When those gifts are present, the Spirit is present. It's as simple as that. That leaves the people. The first task of the people is to make sure that the gifts are going on in a place: Word preached, sacraments delivered. Then, the people make sure that there are people present to receive those gifts that are given. Which means that they themselves are regularly present (one must be present to receive!), and it means that the people actively invite other people to be present with them. That's the big secret (which is no secret at all, but only a truth routinely forgotten) to how churches grow. Those who are present cherish what God gives, delight in the giving, and are eager to make sure that other people are also coming to do all of those things with them. The church grows when the Spirit works in the lives of his people. He works through Word and sacrament. The people work to make sure that people are present to hear and receive. When was the last time you did the work of making people present?
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| Help Needed with St. Paul's College Hill VBS St. Paul's Lutheran Church in College Hill will be hosting an EVENING VBS again this year, and we are asking for groups who might VOLUNTEER for ONE EVENING of the 5 we have planned. We are planning on July 24-27, and August 1 in the evenings (5:30-7:30, with a meal provided). I hope we can count on a group from your church to help out one evening with this important outreach to our community. Pastors Jim Kirschenmann and Dave Andrus
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July Rummage Sale  We are scheduling this annual event for Friday July 21 and Saturday July 22. Items can be dropped off at the gym the week of July 16. A sign-up sheet and sale hours will be posted soon. Check the kiosk. |
| Funnies (used with permission)  |
| Pastoral Care If you need pastoral care for any reason, don't hesitate to contact the church office or one of the vacancy pastors directly. Pastor Biermann will be at the church on Monday and Thursday mornings most weeks, and Pastor Erkkinen is available on campus on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. |
| Worship Attendance Saturday 7/1, 11; Sunday 7/2, 102 = 113 Total |
| Worship Leaders
Worship Leaders
| This Sunday (7/9)
| Next Sunday (7/16)
| Preacher/Celebrant
| Pastor Biermann | Pastor Biermann | | Liturgist | Pastor Biermann | Pastor Biermann | Lector
| Cathie Albers | Andy Ortstadt | | Pianist (Saturday) | Carol Benninghoff | Joy Elowsky | | Organist (Sunday)
| Joy Elowsky | Joy Elowsky | | Acolyte | Spencer Moore | Anna Rawlings | Communion Assistant
| Steve Albers | Joel Elowsky | | Lay Assistants
| Karen & Greg Frimel | Charlotte & Frank Moret | Greeters
| Miriam & John Lee | Hank & Joan Schlichter | Sound/Video
| Mike Toney | Paul Barbercheck, Grace Ortstadt | Ushers
| Carol Froesel, Beverly Dixson, Jeanne Lipinski, Lisa Grossenheider | Mike Toney and Youth | Nursery
| Cyndi Moore, David Moore | Mary Skouby, Spencer Moore | Children's Message
| Janet Leet | -- |
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| Next Sunday's Bible Readings PREPARE FOR NEXT WEEK'S WORSHIP through a careful, prayerful reading of the appointed lessons for the day: Isaiah 55:10-13; Romans 8:12-17; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 |
