Youth Gathering, Politics, Big Event

Youth Gathering 2009: New Orleans
Many of you may remember attending a Lutheran youth gathering. Next summer our congregation will send a group to New Orleans for the 2009 version: "Jesus, Justice, Jazz." Click on the link above to read more about it.

Politics
This is the time of year when it gets tiring being in a swing state, doesn't it? I think we are subjected to more ads than most Americans. To me there is always a certain amount of (good) anticipation surrounding Election Day: Will my team win?

And yet, the day after the election there is also a certain amount of disappointment--even if my team wins. For we wonder how much will change (or stay the same). We know that politics and salvation are very different creatures and that the world has never been saved through a party platform or a charismatic candidate.

I think Dayspring Church in Bowling Green has it correct with their Pray for Our Nation week (October 27-31). So I'm going to ask you do something a bit out of the ordinary this week: Pray for the other party's candidate. If you support Senator McCain, please pray for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. If you support Senator Obama, please pray for John McCain and Sarah Palin. If you support the Libertarian candidateBob Barr, pray for Ralph Nader and vice-versa--you get the idea. Not only are we encouraged in Scripture to pray for those in positions of authority (Romans 13), but (if you really feel strongly against a particular candidate), we are also encouraged to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). See you in the voting booth!

Capital Campaign Big Event
Just a friendly reminder that we have one worship service this Sunday (9:30 am) with a celebration (food, games, etc.) following at about 10:45 or 11:00 am.