Pastor’s Wednesday Message

I’ve had a great time with the Confirmation class this year. There are six boys in class. I have really enjoyed getting to know them. These six may be the most lively and engaged students I’ve ever had in a Confirmation class. We meet on Sunday evenings, which makes a long day for all of us. But most of the students have had consistent attendance. And the experience has been so good that for me, at least, the long day is worthwhile.

We start off with “highs and lows” — telling the best and worst of our experience in the previous week. Then we watch a short (3.5 minute) video on the topic of the day. The topics last fall-winter focused on Lutheran Heritage, Luther’s Catechism, Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Suggestions, and the Creed. In February, we began delving into the Old Testament. We’ve read some of the greatest stories in the Bible! After the video introduces the topic, we get into a wide-ranging discussion. I’ve been really pleased at the critical thinking and faithful imagination the kids bring to our discussions. They are grasping the key claims and values of this material far better than the kids I remember from my days as a Confirmation student (including me). But by the same token, I have to admit that these kids have a far better teacher than I did!

Soon we’ll wrap up our school year together. June 5 and 12 are the last two sessions. Our final class may be an exploration of the Gospel according to St. Pizza. I will enjoy these last two opportunities to spend time with the students. I’ll give thanks for our time together. And I’ll grieve that this, like all good things, must come to an end. Your new pastor will have an opportunity to confirm some fine young Christians. I hope he/she will love this bunch of Confirmation students as much as I have.

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Lessons for Sunday, June 5, 2016
1 Kings 17:17-24
Luke 7:11-17

THIS WEEK

Wednesday  10:00 a Bible Study

Thursday      6:00 p Men's Night at Cruise In Diner

Friday          1:00 – 9:00 p Palmeter Piano Studio

Saturday      9:30 – 11:00 a Choir rehearsal

Sunday        10:00 a One worship service
                   followed by Annual congregational meeting.

June 5th
SOV’s Annual Meeting will be this Sunday, June 5, after our 10:00 service. At this meeting officers and committees will be elected, and Committee reports will be presented. The Nominating Committee (Jacob Tabor, Peggy Vermaas, and Lyle Heilman) have done a great job and will present the ballot for election at the meeting. Additional items on the agenda for this meeting will be an explanation of the new designated giving policy, Call Committee update if one is available, and a review of work having been done so far with counselor Michelle Nelson Sinn who is helping leadership work through issues identified in the Congregational Vitality Survey.

Please plan to be there!

June 12th
Summer worship schedule begins
8:30 & 10:30 a

June 25th
Les Peterson Memorial
11:00 at SOV