August 2008

Sunday Summer Worship Service Schedule: 8:30 & 10 a.m.; 7:30 p.m.

During August we will welcome several guest preachers to worship.  One will be our Bishop, Chris Boerger.  August is a great time for reflection God’s call in your life.  Our time together in worship can be a vital part of that process of reflection and discernment. See you in church!

Sunday, August 3:  The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost - Bishop's Choice

Readings: Isaiah 55:1-5; Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21; Matthew 14:13-21

In a time of rapid change within our world that then rocks our churches, it takes a particularly gifted person to serve in the office of Bishop.  As a congregation of the Northwest Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we are particularly blessed with a person of such sorely needed gifts.  On this day, we will be graced with our Bishop, Chris Boerger.  Come for the wisdom, stay for the coffee and good conversation with a great leader.

Sunday, August 10: The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Get Out of the Boat

Readings: 1 Kings 19:9-18; Psalm 85:8-13; Matthew 14:22-33

Poor Peter.  He so wanted to follow Jesus.  He even took the risk of stepping out on the boat, just like Jesus.  He was doing great, until he realized what he was doing.  Feeling like you’re drowning?  The temptation is to just jump back into the boat.  Except, that’s not where Christ is...  Come on, get out of the boat.

Sunday, August 17: The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost- The Margins

Readings: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Psalm 133; Matthew 15:10-28

When it comes to note taking, an art slowly giving way to “keyboarding,” there are those who always stay within the margins.  However, there are those whose best notes are found on the sides, outside the margins.  As God paints the picture of Israel’s homeward trip from exile, those who have lived as “outcasts”—outside the margins—are to be brought in, and so God’s justice will be done.  How will God’s justice be done in our day?  How will we move the margins?

Sunday, August 24:  The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost- CHURCH PICNIC

Join us at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah for our annual Sammamish Hills & Grace Chinese Lutheran Church Picnic! We'll kick off the festivities with a bilingual Chinese/English worship service at 10 a.m. followed by food, fellowship, games and fun! Bring your neighbors and friends for some "fun in the sun".

In our Gospel for today there is no doubt as to where we should stand.  So how do we manage to take the teeth out of Jesus’ message so consistently?  There is no such thing as sitting on the bench when you follow Christ.