Bulletin and sundry for 8/7/2022

[Pastor Angela Shannon]

Beloved,

Hope you are well and God is a very present help in your lives. Life is coming at us at the speed of life. We're dealing with grief and loss associated with the death of loved ones. We're navigating caring for parents and their wellbeing. We're preparing to leave for college and return to school. We're dealing with matters of our own health.  We're celebrating joyous life events. We battle loneliness and struggle with regret. Some life events are easier than others. Please pray for those on our prayer list; those who have asked for our prayers and those for whom we've promised to pray. I take comfort in the fact that there is no place where God's grace, mercy and love can't find you. Indeed, God is a very present help. God will seek you out, there is no hiding.

Last week I told you that Dave, a saint among the saints, sent me a text the evening before my race. "The love of God surrounds you." That simple phrase spoken by Dave was the voice of the Holy One speaking through him. And why not? Luther reminds us that we are to be little Christs for each other and the world.

Dave gave me a gift which I've turned into a breath prayer. I share this gift with you. Breath prayers are great because you can do them any time and any place. They also remind us that our very breath is God's gift to us. Give it a try.

Slowly Inhale: The love of God surrounds me.

Exhale: God's love finds me.

Repeat several times and close with "Amen."

Be kinder than necessary.  Embrace the world. Folks are struggling out there. May they find the soft landing that is ASLC.

Peace and joy,  

Pastor Angela Shannon

Housekeeping:

The bulletin is in the attachment. Take a moment to peruse it.  Note that we need a lector this Sunday. I have every confidence that one of the saints will step to the mic. Thanks in advance. The bulletin's redesign is for ease of reading electronically and on paper. Where possible, please consider reading the bulletin from your electronic device. We will always have paper copies available.

Monday from 9:00 am until 12:45 pm, we will continue cleaning out the cupboards in the front office. Scotti and I could use the help of one or two more people. 

With Jean's retirement, it is clear that we need the help of volunteers as leadership discerns and deliberates various aspects of administration.  One of the saints has volunteered to come to the office once a week as her schedule permits.  We need someone who is willing to print the bulletin preferably on Thursdays for Sunday worship. This too allows us to print for our homebound members.  If this is something God is calling you to do, reach out to me at pastor...@allsaintsbowie.org