August is an exciting month. It's the last full month of summer which means one last family trip or adventure. It means the weather is still nice and beautiful outside for all of those outdoor activities or just nights spent in the backyard with friends. It also means preparation for another year of school complete with new clothes and shoes and of course school supplies. The excitement and energy and expectation is palpable. Then there is the first day of school. There are huge smiles on everyone's faces. And from a church perspective, travels begin to slow down and church begins to fill up again. It is truly an exciting time.

 

As we enter into this coming year, I want to share with you the theme for our coming school year. The theme is beautifully simple: Focus on Jesus. The theme verse is Hebrews 12:1-2:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

As I hear these words, I can't help but think of the lives that we live. Many of us live busy and even frantic lives. We have places to go, people to see things to do. Our to-do lists are longer than we would like, and if we are not careful our calendar will own us rather than the other way around. And in the midst of all of the craziness, distractions abound. How many times a day are we distracted from what we are trying to do?

 

In Hebrews 12, the author is keenly aware of the many and various challenges of running the race of life. His encouragement to us is to look to Jesus, to focus on Jesus. If we focus on the tasks at hand, they can consume us so that there is no room for anyone or anything else. If we focus on the medical diagnosis, we can live life filled with fear and regret. If we focus on the troubles in the world around us, we can feel like the world is spinning out of control and begin to wonder if God is MIA. But with eyes focused on Jesus, the race is completely different.

 

With eyes focused on Jesus, we are reminded that we have a God that has the whole world in His hands.

 

With eyes focused on Jesus, we are reminded that the battle has been fought and the victory has already been won so that no matter how crazy life or the world might get we know on the last day we have victory because on that day GOD WINS!  

 

With eyes focused on Jesus, we are reminded that we don't run this race alone. Every step of the way God is with us. Every step of the way there are fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in the race with us to encourage us and at times help pull us along.

 

With eyes focused on Jesus, we are reminded of God and His incredible love and grace. As we enter into this grace, we are reminded that we are where we are, and we are who we are, all by God's grace. We are also reminded that it is God and His grace that sustains us and our faith.    

 

And so as we enter into this new seasons, I invite you to focus on Jesus as he guides your unique race. It's going to be a great year in God's grace and following His leading.

 

Please join us for Launch Sunday, August 25.  On Launch Sunday, Sunday School starts, and we will witness the  

Commissioning of Staff, Recognition of Years of Service, Commissioning of Board of Directors and Elders, and Blessing of the Priesthood of All Believers. 

Children ages 3 through 5th grade:  Sunday School will begin again on August 25th, Room 14.

Confirmation meeting: August 25th there will be a confirmation meeting with parents in Room 201.

Adult Bible Study Class: August 25th with Jesse Yow called "My Role in God's Kingdom" in the Fireside Room.

September 1, only Adults have Sunday School.

 

FABRIC NEEDED FOR QUILTS! Please search for cotton fabrics that you were going to use, that you stashed, that you started to make something from. The Quilters for Lutheran World Relief need those fabrics to continue making quilt tops and backs. We will meet each Wednesday from 1 - 5 pm in Room 19. Come and see what's happening. Help us tie, cut, piece and bind. Call Susan for questions at 925-462-3753.

Save the date for the LWML Fall Rally Saturday, September 7, at Resurrection Ministries in Brentwood. We will have a flyer soon. This is always a lot of fun, with a program, Bible Study, Worship, and a time to learn of new ideas for ministry.

Preschool is excited to begin another year we know that God has big plans how could He not when our theme for the year is Focus on Jesus. As we prepare for our year to start on September 3 the teachers are planning home visits with each student. This gives us the opportunity to personally give each family a Beginners Bible and begin loving on them like Jesus. Our team is excited to spend the year being Jesus hands and feet for these children and their families. We ask that you pray for our staff and their families this year as God does amazing things.

  Click here to read Minutes from the June Lay Governing Board Meeting. Click the following links to read the attachments to the Minutes.

Pastor's Report

Financials P & L

Financials Balance Sheet

Contact Kim Brandt, Lay Governing Board Secretary, a t kimberlybrandt1@sbcglobal.net with any questions.

To Live Is Christ by Beth Moore

Looking ahead, on Sept. 20, we'll begin our 31-week study of Paul, his missionary journeys and his servant heart.  Join us in the Conference room each Friday  morn ing (9:30-11am) for coffee, fellowship, prayer and study of His Word.  

Workbook cost is about $20.  Please sign-up with Beth Young 

( bethanylyoung@gmail.com) to reserve your workbook.

  The 2019 - 2020 Adult Choir season is just around the corner! The first rehearsal will be  Thursday, September 5, 2019 and we meet in the choir room from 7:00 to 8:30 PM.   Helping to lead the congregation in meaningful worship is the major function of the Adult Choir. Music repertoire includes varied styles. One of the seasonal highlights is the annual Christmas Concert, which is scheduled for December 8th at 4:00 PM! There's plenty of room in each section of the choir! Consider joining the choir this season! Contact the music office for more information. (925-447-1246 x 231)  Click here for Our Savior Choir schedule.