Beverly and Pastor Bob have returned to us. He gave a wonderful sermon to a good crowd (esp. for August) about Abundance. Rev. Isaksen: "It's not a matter of scarcity; it's a matter of giving. If we all chip in, we've got plenty. People, talent, positive attitude toward the future (rather than a focus on what we have lost), an open-ness, money." We can do what we want!!!
I spent Thursday (in Chatham) and Friday (in NYC on 57th Street with the cast & crew - how cool is that!) watching Ang Lee's new movie, "Taking Woodstock," which was filmed in Columbia County. Rich Kraham is in it; so is one of the Calhoun boys and Graham, a senior at Chatham High. Joe's band was in it for about 20 seconds - it was great! Of course, I am biased as Joe's mom.
Anyhoo - the message of the film was the same as pastor's sermon in some ways. Did Jesus provide all the needs of the concertgoers? Maybe! Three days of love, peace & happiness at a time when war was raging and there was a lot of unrest in the country? Hmmmmm....go figure.
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS - NEXT WEEK
Communion: TBA
Acolyte: E. Tucksmith
Readers: D. Tucksmith & A. Jackson
Greeters: Wilbers & Bervys
CHRIST OUR EMMANUEL NEWS
The New Constitution for Christ Our Emmanuel has been drafted.
August 23rd and 30th -- we will have informal question and answer sessions at Chatham.
September 13th (note corrected date) -- both congregations will vote for consolidation approval.
50 DAYS OF PRAYER As the days count down to the ELCA Assembly in Minneapolis in August, church members are encouraged to lift up our national church body in prayer and to ask for God’s wisdom and insight upon all who will vote on difficult issues at the assembly.
CLUSTER PICNIC The annual picnic of the Northern Columbia County Lutheran Cluster is being planned for Sunday, August 16, at Crellin Park in Chatham. Worship will begin at 11:00am in the pavilion closest to the lake. Then we’ll share in the picnic feast. The Emanuel/St. John’s Parish will be supplying a few card tables for those who cannot sit at the regular picnic benches. The cluster will provide hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks. Please bring a dish or dessert to share, lawn chairs, and any group games that all might enjoy.
There will also be a worship service at Emanuel, Stuyvesant Falls at 8:30 am on August 16.
