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Our Neighbor's Faith Summer Sermon Series is off and running as we began last week with the Roman Catholic Church. Please know that the Wednesday Mid-Week moment will be about the upcoming faith tradition and one-page handouts with more information are on the table in the narthex/lobby. 
I received a lot of positive feedback for the first one and I believe we will all grow in our understanding of our neighbor's faith through our summer experience. Time does not allow an in-depth coverage nor can a summer series cover the over 40,000 denominations. My choices were what is popular and familiar and are from my prayerful review of a booklet used before here at St. Andrews called "Our Neighbors Faith" by Augsburg Fortress.
As we look at these other traditions this summer, let us hold close our own beliefs and traditions. Remember, we are saved from our sin by grace through our faith! Remember, that when we receive Holy Communion we believe in the Doctrine of Real Presence that in, with, and through the bread and wine (wafer or grape juice) Jesus becomes real to us. We then receive forgiveness and a rich outpouring of grace. 
When were we saved in the ELCA? Around 33 A.D. when Jesus died on the Cross. This event cleansed us of our sins: past, present and future. Let us rejoice and be glad! Be proud you are a Lutheran in the ELCA, and visit http://www.elca.org to learn more about our own denomination!
TOP THREE THINGS TO KNOW FOR THIS WEEK OF JUNE 7TH:
1) Always number one is that we are a praying congregation! We pray for our community of faith, for those not with us on Sunday, for those needing God's healing touch as they battle cancer with Dale and Bobbie. For those recovering from surgery or medical concerns: Jeanette Burbrink, Suzanne DeBoer, Jeanine Smith and Crystal Wall. As the Task Force meets with Council to look at our future options, we pray that God will lead and guide!
2) Summer Sermon Series continues with a look at the Jewish Faith tradition this Sunday. See you at 9 a.m. and plan to stay for Adult Education in the library. Or join us Sunday evening at 7 p..m. for Faith Formation currently studying the Book of Acts (chapters 4-6 for the 11th).
3) A Joint Council meeting will take place here at St. Andrews Saturday from 10-12. Please pray for the Councils of both congregations as we have our quarterly meeting and fellowship. On Saturday afternoon we will lay to rest Steve Albaugh, husband of Faith Council member Becky Albaugh. Please add Becky and her family in your prayers.  
God be with you until we meet again, 
Pastor Doug