The reading according to Romans 12:1-13

¹Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to God as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That's the most sensible way to serve God. ²Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to God.³ I realize God has treated me with undeserved grace, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you. ⁴ A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. ⁵ That's how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another. ⁶ God has also given each of us different gifts to use. If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have. ⁷ If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach. ⁸ If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully.⁹ Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. ¹⁰ Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself. ¹¹ Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. ¹² Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. ¹³ Take care of God's needy people and welcome strangers into your home.

A new school year is headed our way, and with it an opportunity to help a child.  Look for the collection box in the Narthex, Sunday, July 5 through Sunday, August 2. Donated items will go to Communities in Schools and are distributed to local school children.

Thanks for your support,
Karen Laughlin
Service Chair

The August Mission Spotlight focuses on Lutheran World Relief. This Mission focuses on people in need, either domestically or globally. Whether wildfires, flooding or hurricane damage in the US or drought, famine, disease or other natural disaster, Lutheran World Relief is there.

Founded by Lutherans in the United States at the end of World War II, grounded in Lutheran theology and building on decades of experience, Lutheran World relief tackles global poverty by helping people adapt to the challenges that threaten their livelihoods and well being.

LWR works with people based on need, regardless of race, religion or nationality and does not evangelize. They provide aid in emergencies and help families restore their lives. They partner with communities to build and grow rural economies and break the cycle of poverty, so that families and communities can thrive.

Lutheran World Relief works through a wealth of expertise, resources and networks to find solutions for difficult problems. In the days and weeks after a disaster, they are on the ground, meeting the people’s immediate needs. In the months and years following, LWR is dedicated to working with those affected to ensure they can rebuild better and stronger than before.

Please include the dedicated staff and volunteers of Lutheran World Relief in your prayers, as well as the families and communities they service. A dedicated offering will be collected on Sunday, August 23.

Peace,
Service chair
Karen Laughlin