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May 2008 Newsletter and Calendar...... ....

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From the Pastor

Leaders and Servants - One and the Same
I was looking over the Sunday schedule for this month and noticed a common theme - leadership, that is to say, people involved in various forms of leadership. For example:
On May 4 there is a teacher appreciation potluck after the second service designed to lift up the many who have helped with Sunday School and Confirmation Ministry. It comes close to 40 people! We are blessed!
On May 11, Pentecost, we celebrate the leadership of God's Spirit among us AND the gifts that the Spirit has given all of us for the benefit of the whole church. We all share in some form of leadership as we share our gifts. We are blessed!
Of course, leadership is most clearly linked to serving, as Jesus taught many times over in the gospel narratives, not least of which was his example of foot-washing.
On May 18, Holy Trinity Sunday, and which is also Church Music Sunday, we will be blessed with the musical leadership of our choirs. I'm not even sure what that total would come to, but it must be close to 100! We are blessed!
On that same weekend, May 16-18, the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the ELCA will be electing a new bishop at its annual assembly. Did I mention the leadership theme is a highlight of the Assembly this year? It will be three days long instead of two to accommodate that process filled with congregational leaders.
We are blessed!
On May 25 two things are happening: Seniors are being recognized (future leaders!) and Maureen Howard is graduating from Luther Seminary. She has already been assigned to the Central States Synod (Kansas/Missouri) and currently available for Call to pastor (shepherd) a congregation there. We are blessed!
I discovered a prayer for pastors and bishops on page 73 of the ELW. It is a prayer for leaders. But the prayer indicates that these leaders are servants.
Ever-living God, strengthen and sustain pastors and bishops [especially names], that with patience and understanding they may love and care for your people. Grant that together they may follow in the way of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
We will pray this for Maureen and for our newly elected bishop. But maybe we can take the theme of this prayer and use it for all leaders, for ourselves, that however we all lead, our leading is done with this in mind - love and care for [God's] people.
We are blessed!
Pastor Dick
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CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

OCCASIONAL ALL BRANCH MEETINGS will be continued in 2008-2009.

Continued to discuss the process of discernment being utilized in Council meetings.

Discussed the educational process on the organ situation. Set a Congregational Meeting for Sunday May 4, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. to consider the recommendation of the Organ Study Group.

Council began its study of The Jesus Connection: A Christian Spirituality by Jen Linn.

THE STEWARDSHIP Branch wants to thank people who have generously given their time, talents and finances to the Augustana family of faith. We hope to tell their stories in the upcoming months. This is a wonderful and exciting opportunity to tell the stories of our ministries and to share the spiritual growth experienced by members of our congregation through the sharing of the resources God has provided. If you have a story you would like to share, or a suggestion for a person to profile, please contact the church office 432-5910).

- Green Team is being formed. Potential members are being contacted.
- Cherish Our Children - A new emphasis from Synod being examined.

NEWS AND NOTES

Dates to remember:
May 04 Congregational Meeting (9:45 a.m.)
May 16-18 Synod Assembly in Coralville
May 18 Church Music Sunday
May 25 Summer Worship Schedule Begins
Recognition of Graduates
June 8-13 Confirmation Camp at Lakeside
June 22-26 Vacation Bible School

Reminder: The last day of Sunday school is
Sunday, May 18, 2008, then Summer
Schedule begins.

Eucharistic Ministry Update

It is time to update our list of persons who desire to have communion brought to them at their homes. We have a wonderful group of Lay Eucharistic Ministers just waiting to share our Lord's Meal with you. If you or someone you know are unable to come to church for a short period or long-term, please contact us and we will be pleased to bring communion to you. If you would like to have more information on this ministry, please call Pastor Dick Dahle at 432-5910, or Bev Phillips at 432-1120.

GOD'S LOVE IS A GIFT.
GIVE IT TO SOMEONE YOU KNOW

Did you know that statistics show that over 80% of new church members say they first came because a friend, neighbor or relative invited them? Would you prayerfully consider who YOU might invite to worship with you.

Our website is augustanaboone.org and our e-mail addresses are:

Pastor Solomon - dsolomon@augustanaboone.org
Pastor Dahle - ddahle@augustanaboone.org
Church office - augustana@augustanaboone.org

GOING INTO THE HOSPITAL? If you or a loved one will soon be hospitalized, please make sure you let the hospital know you are from Augustana when you register. Due to the Federal privacy laws, if you don't identify your "church preference" as Augustana, our staff will have no way of finding out you are in the hospital. Just make sure you let the hospital know you're from the Augustana family of faith. Better yet, call the church office and let us know when and where you or your loved ones are going to be or have been hospitalized.

MOVING? Please let the church office know your new address and when you will moving.

Regular Fall Schedule: Sunday Worship Services at 8:30 and 11:00. Education hour and Fellowship will begin at 9:45. a.m. Thursday evening services are held at 7:00 p.m.

Summer Worship Schuedule: Sunday Worship Services at 8:30 and 10:00. Fellowship at 9:30.
Thursday evening services are held at 7:00 p.m. (Summer schedule begins May 25)

AMBASSADORS
Volunteers visit with prospective members on Sunday or Monday following new visitors to Augustana. If you would like to be a part of this team, please contact Pastor Solomon.

CHRISTIAN LEARNING:
Sunday School is held Sundays at 9:45 a.m.. All youth must fill out a new registration form every year.

NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED:

New members: The next orientation for new members will be held in August 2008. For further information on becoming a member of Augustana, please call the church office at 432-5910.

GROUP ACTIVITIES:

WELCA:

Martha Circle meets on the third Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Esther Circle meets at 9:00 a.m. and Ruth Circle meets at
1:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month. Hannah Circle meets on the Saturday following the third Wednesday 9:30 a.m.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Habitat for Humanity Workdays are scheduled as needed.