Pastor's weekly message

Dear Friends in Christ,

Our gospel lesson for this coming Sunday reminds us that the source of all good things is the God who feeds the birds and clothes the grass of the field (Matthew 6:24-34). In the lesson from Isaiah (49:8-16a), we hear that we are held in the palm of God's hand. God cannot forget us any more than a woman could forget her nursing child. Nourished at the Lord's table, we share God's gifts with those who are anxious, hungry, poor, or in any kind of need.

Please read on for announcements and prayer requests!

Announcements:

Thank you to everyone who helped make last Sunday a special day of celebration for our confirmands, teachers, and Sunday School kids. Also, thank you to all who pitched in and helped with the Block Party. A good time was had by all! Check out the models churches we built on the tables in the Rainbow Room, and keep your eyes peeled for some "incriminating" photos of SOV members engaged in water balloon fights! J

· Mark your calendars: This coming Sunday, on Memorial Day weekend, we will hold only one worship service on Sunday, May 25. It will be at 10:30 am. Beginning June 1, we will move to our summer worship schedule: 8:30 and 10:30 am.

· On Thursday, May 29th, at 7 pm we will gather as a church family for a short service of prayer and thanksgiving (30-40 minutes), as we remember SOV's past, celebrate the present, and prepare to receive the capital campaign pledges that will help SOV build for the future. The service will include three Scripture readings, a short reflection on each, a time for prayer and silent prayer, and four songs that express God's faithfulness to us in the past, present, and future. Please join us for this special time.

·Sunday, June 1st is Celebration Sunday, the day we conclude the active phase of SOV's Capital Campaign. It is also the day when we celebrate those who are graduating. Please let Wendy Roeder know if you are graduating or someone you know is graduating.

· SOV's annual congregational meeting will be held June 8th, immediately following the second service. We will be celebrating SOV's ministries and electing new officers for the coming church year. Child care and pizza will be provided.

Prayer concerns:

Prayers of gratitude on this Memorial Day weekend for those who have given their lives in service to our country;

Prayers for the safety of our men and women serving in the military;

Prayers for the people of Myanmar and China, that they receive the healing and help they so desperately need;

Adrian and Sam Garcia and family—prayers for healing for Adrian, as she recovers from emergency surgery for an ectopic pregnancy, and prayers of comfort for Adrian and Sam and family, as they grieve the loss of their baby;

Baby Jacob (in foster care with the Adamos)—Prayers for healing;

Jacob Tabor—Prayers for healing and strength to persevere with his restricted diet;

Ron Farnsworth, recently diagnosed with prostate cancer—Prayers for healing and strength and for successful treatment;

Rachel Flath, undergoing treatment for cancer—Prayers for healing and strength;

Sharon Graalum, undergoing cancer treatment—Prayers for healing and strength;

Jennie Graham—Prayers for healing and strength as she deals with ongoing health issues;

Maurice Labrousse, Julie Zetterberg's father—Prayers for healing so that he can return home from rehab soon;

Les Peterson—Prayers for his sister, who is in her last days, and prayers for healing and strength as Les deals with ongoing health issues;

The Rasmussen family—Prayers for God's peace and comfort, as they mourn the death of Dave's grandmother, Ila Fenwick;.

…Prayers for peace and healing for members and friends of SOV who are dealing with the pain of divorce.

…Prayers for strength and guidance for all who are caring for loved ones.