Immanuel Lutheran Church
                     of Almelund, Minnesota

Pastor's Corner

Pastor Marla Amborn

 Office: 651-583-2340

Cell: 651-315-3354

Email: pastormarla@immanuelalmelund.org                                  

Pastor’s Perspectives                                    June, 2013

Why Come to Church in the Summer?

Aaah, summer!  It is my favorite time of year. In Minnesota, warm summer days are precious. After the long, snowy winter that seemed like it would never end we are eager to get out into the great outdoors. School’s out. Farm fields call. Cabins beckon. Sports are in full swing. Families take vacations. The whole pace of life changes giving more time to grill, fish, boat, bike, camp, golf and enjoy those celebrated 10,000 lakes.

At church the pace changes as well. The choir takes off for the summer. Sunday school and Confirmation classes take a break. One could think that it is time to take a vacation from church.  Please don’t!

Worship is where we recharge our spiritual batteries and reconnect with the community of faith. Weekly worship is so important that in the Ten Commandments God commanded us to devote one day a week to Sabbath – a time for worship and rest. God knows better than we do what is good for us and gave us this instruction so that all would be well with us.

When we don’t take weekly time for Sabbath we are more likely to get into trouble. Temptations don’t go on vacation in the summer. Our need for Word and Sacrament doesn’t go on vacation in the summer. Thankfully, God doesn’t go on vacation in the summer!

So come. Come every week. Come and be part of the fellowship. Come and hear God’s word in scripture and participate in Holy Communion. Come and be part of the special services that you won’t want to miss.

When you are on vacation remember that the church’s bills continue and our need for your financial support continues. So if you are going to be gone for a few weeks you can mail in your tithe or offering, or give several weeks’ worth of offerings at once.

If you’re out of town, seek out another church. Find a community of faith to connect with. In your travels if you find a worship experience you really like, bring back a bulletin and tell me and other worship and music leaders

what you like about it. Bring back those good ideas to share with our community.

Most of all stay strong in your faith. Give God priority in your life –
during the summer and every day of your life.

Special Summer Worship Opportunities

June 2: Graduate Recognition and Music provided by OneFifty.6
–  a worship band from St. Stephen

June 16: Favorite Hymn Sunday and Father’s Day reception
featuring Root Beer Floats with Dad’s Root Beer

June 23: Relay for Life Sunday, Commissioning JoAnn Nielsen for Ft. Yukon, Alaska Mission Trip!  Luther Point Visitors

July 7: Patriotic Service, featuring Pat Remer & Chris Topper,
 and reception with Red, White, and Blue Pies

July 28: Outdoor Worship Service followed by Church Picnic

August 11: Threshing Show Worship Service at 9:00 at Threshing Show grounds led by Pastor Marla, Worship at Immanuel at 10:30

August 18: Vacation Bible School kick-off

August 25: Vacation Bible School kids sing in worship

-Pastor Marla