Do you have a favorite time of year? People like the freshness of spring, the crispness of fall, the lights of Christmas, the long summer days at the lake. Maybe you identify your favorite times of the year by sports seasons, or traditional family vacations, or maybe it’s work-related, like harvest time for farmers or the end of the school year for teachers.
I find that I have several “favorite” times of the year. As the calendar turns from August to September, I grieve the loss of my favorite season. At church, however, I find myself excited for this time of year! The anticipation of fresh beginnings in so many of our programs make this a favorite time of year for me too. I’m excited for October to see the quilters back on Tuesdays and the After-School Program on Wednesdays and Thursdays filling our building with love and joy and laughter.
There are several other activities starting up in the next week:
- On Wednesday, September 5, Confirmation begins. There are four students in confirmation this year. Pray for these young ones! We are studying the Lord’s Prayer and the Sacraments this year. What joy it is to pray to the God who hears and to receive His good gifts to us in Word and Sacrament!
- The youth group is having a “Kick-off” party on Wednesday as well. They are looking forward to a new year, and they will begin regular meeting times on Wednesday, September 12. If you know of middle or high schoolers who would benefit from being involved in a youth group, invite them!
- Next Wednesday, we are also starting a new series in Bible Study on the book of Psalms. I’m looking forward to this very much. On Sunday, you will find a reading schedule for the year that will take you through the Psalms as we study them. The schedule directs you to read five Psalms every week, and then Bible Study will focus on one of those Psalms. One of the benefits of doing a study like this is that you can pick up with us wherever we are, so if you miss a week or more of the study, you can return and not feel like you are behind everyone else. Join us this year as we walk through this wonderful book!
- Sunday, September 9, is Rally Sunday, our first day of Sunday School. We have a wonderful team of teachers and helpers who are excited to spend the year with your children! We are again offering two adult Sunday School options. The women’s group will be studying the book of Nehemiah, and the adult class will be studying what it means to be a Free Lutheran and why that matters for the future. We have many wonderful Christian brothers and sisters in other denominations, but why do we call ourselves Free Lutherans? Why do we believe this is the best place for us to be? Is there hope for Free Lutheranism in the future? Come to class to discuss these and other questions!
- Kids’ Club starts on Wednesday, September 12. The program runs from 6:30-7:30PM. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring your children to church for an hour of fun and learning from God’s Word. Feel free to drop them off or stick around yourself for our Psalms Bible Study.
As Christians, we love to meet together and study God’s Word and fellowship with one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Consider where you might be able to participate in our various activities this year as we meet together and encourage each other!
See you soon!
Pastor Micah