Hello Gloria Dei,
Over these past few weeks in worship, we’ve been using the words “Chosen For…”. Following the Lutherans Outdoors camp themes, we’ve focused on being Chosen for Kindness; Chosen for Humility; and Chosen for Freedom. This weekend’s theme is Chosen for Love.
I read the other day about a teacher who travels around the country giving seminars on various topics. He said that when he arrives in a new town and meets with the leaders of the conferences, he pulls out a toy sling shot, sets up empty cans, and proceeds to have fun with his newly met friends by shooting the sling shot and knocking down the cans.
That seems rather odd. But he says he does this because once you have fun with someone, it’s much easier to become friends. At our recent Gloria Dei staff retreat we had an axe-throwing contest at Inspiration Hills camp. Talk about fun. Caring for one another in love can and does take on many different forms. Maybe having fun together is one step toward loving others.
This summer, make it a priority to slow down and have some fun with others. In your family, make sure you to play some fun games together. With your friends, it’s always good to have fun and enjoy each other’s company. The same can be true with strangers. It’s not hard to have fun and interesting conversations as a way of getting to know one another.
Speaking of love and fun, I want to encourage you to participate in the upcoming Feed My Starving Children MobilePackTM event at Gloria Dei. Our goal is to pack 100 thousand meals which will be distributed to hungry children around the world. You are needed. Sign up for a two-hour time slot on either Friday or Saturday, July 17 or 18. I know you’ll have fun. And it is all done out of love. Use this link to sign up or call the church office if you need help or have questions.
And keep our Dei Campers and staff in your prayers this week as they gather at Gloria Dei each day to learn about God’s love and have fun together.
See you in worship,
Pastor Tim
