LYRA, FIRST COMMUNION AND A PARISH RETREAT

The Psalms often speak of making a "joyful noise", singing to the Lord a "new song", "making melody" and so forth. All these things and much more happened Ascension Day, May 21st, as we were pleased to host the musical group Lyra. Lyra blessed us with their beautiful voices as they led us through the Divine Liturgy bringing us in song and in spirit to the gates of heaven, and the risen Christ himself. Later, in the second part of their program we experienced the life of the Russian people through a variety of folk songs and colorful costumes.  Equally wonderful was simply the opportunity to meet brothers and sisters in Christ from a different land and culture. These kind of meetings go far beyond what any classroom or formal learning can convey. These meetings are simply priceless. So thank you to everyone who made this evening possible. Thank you for your generous offerings, for providing food and hospitality, and special thanks to Connie for all her work behind the scenes, with e-mails, posters, Russian flags, and other decorations.

FIRST COMMUNION

On the feast of Pentecost we are pleased to welcome for the first time 3 young people to the Lord's Table. Andy Albert, Noelle Brasch, and Brett Umbs. Certainly this is evidence of the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life. The Lord's Supper is the very center and heart of the Christian faith and on this day Jesus our Lord is pleased and delighted to gather Andy, Noelle and Brett to his holy feast.  Certainly this holy feast makes one hungrier for the Lord Jesus, hungrier for his Word, hungrier for his body and blood, hungrier for life eternal with him, in him and through him. Let us keep these three disciples in formation in our prayers, that the Holy Spirit will continue to call, gather, enlighten and sanctify them "as often as they do it."

PARISH RETREAT

On Saturday, July 11th, there will be offered a day of prayer and retreat. We will gather and pray in the Psalms, have some common conversation together around a specific topic, eat together and have some much needed quiet time, time to "be still and know that I am God."(Ps 46:10). So, set aside some time for yourself and for your Lord, that together with others you may be renewed in the Spirit of the Lord.  The time will be from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

May the Holy Spirit grant you a blessed summer in and with the Lord.

Mark W. Knappe, Pastor