Newsletter - Lamb of God Lutheran Episcopal Adventure

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Join us Sundays at 10:00 AM

We stream live on Facebook & on Zoom

Below is a NEW zoom link used every Sunday.

The provided information can also be inserted manually in Zoom...

Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82243552232?pwd=bSw5KNVVWRVPdH1AKj4aWuz4J4ItNb.1

Meeting ID: 822 4355 2232

Passcode: 623084

If you miss Worship live, the service may also be viewed later on

YouTube and our website at www.lambofgodchurch.net

Read Ahead: August 2nd - Isaiah 55:1-5; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21

August 9th - 1 Kings 19:9-18; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33

Signature

If you have ever received an email from me, you may have noticed that I put directly under my name “he/him/his.” Why do I do this? With the name “Lucas,” it’s safe to assume my pronouns. I am aligned with traditional masculine social norms, though I’m not sure what that means. So why then do I bother telling people my pronouns? Well, there’s a story…

I had a friend in Seminary named Tonia. She was generous and compassionate. Just a few years before I met her, she went by the name Tyler. We became friends in Seminary because on the first day of class, she shared her textbook with me. We would often coordinate our schedules so that we could study together in the library while my textbook was on backorder. Once the textbook finally arrived, we kept the same study practice. She was a deep thinker and far smarter than me. Honestly, I don’t think I would have survived several classes without her help, particularly Greek!

Fast forward four years, we graduated Seminary and I went off to my first congregation in Akron, Ohio. I served there for four years. Tonia had spent those four years interviewing with churches that claimed to be welcoming to a leader from the transgender community. She must have gone through a hundred interviews. This rejection was crushing. To be honest, I was not as close a friend as I should have been during these difficult years. I still regret that.

A few months before I came to Lamb of God, Tonia completed suicide. I, like so many, was heartbroken. I do not believe that it was only the Church’s rejection that caused her death, but boy it felt that way. I was upset at the dozens of congregations that claimed to be willing but weren’t. I was angry at the Church that put her through the gauntlet. After she died, I wasn’t sure what to do but I wanted to do something. So, I began marking my signature with “he/him/his.”

Please understand, I by no means consider this gesture a noble act. It’s not about me. It is not about virtue signaling or any of that nonsense… it is simply about my friend Tonia. I hope that one day it becomes commonplace that we don’t think twice about being kind and inclusive toward all people. I figure, especially as a straight white man, signing my signature in this way is the least I can do. Tonia faced awful bullying, even as an adult. She endured tragic rejection. I, on the other hand, walk through life with relative ease. So, if someone notices the way I sign off on emails, then I will withstand the backlash and the mean-spirited rhetoric. I can afford to take the arrows for my friend, Tonia.

For me, this story has everything to do with our Christian values. I’m not sure what Christians are doing if all the worshiping, studying, and praying does not involve how we treat one another. For me, creating a loving community is really all that Jesus desired for us.

Even if you are not transgender, I bet you can relate to the experience. Have you been bullied? Have you been mistreated? Does society claim that there’s no place for you? Then, you are exactly whom Jesus is aiming his ministry toward. Loving the outcaste is a theme throughout all of Jesus’ teaching.

Jesus says, “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me” (Mathew 25:35). Friends, who is the stranger? Earlier Jesus reminds us that, “the last shall be first” (Matthew 20:16). Friends, who is the last? These are questions that require answers. God loves all people. Yes, even you! There is no rejection in the Kingdom of God. How do I know that? Because we believe in a loving God. The Apostle Paul says it best, “we have nothing if we do not have love” (1 Corinthians 13:3).

Boldly Inclusive,

Pastor Lucas

Open House

Wed, Aug. 5th from 4pm -6pm

Let Pastor Lucas know if you're interested in helping prepare or pass out goodies to folks who attend the Open House for San Carlos Park Elementary.

If volunteering around the school sounds like something you'd enjoy, we will send you needed information about the screening process. Lots more opportunities are on the horizon for the year ahead!

Teacher Appreciation

We're Collecting Gift Cards!

In addition to Open House at San Carlos Park Elementary on Aug. 5th, for the remainder to the month, we will be collecting gift cards from anywhere for a year-long employee to the month effort.

Lamb of God will also include a teacher from Preschool at the Lamb to share our monthly gratitude for their love and devotion to our students.

$20-$25 Gift Cards go a long way!

Please place your gift cards in Sunday's collection basket or stop by the office.

Eva's Closet

Lamb of God is excited to deepen our partnership with Eva's Closet, providing a new drop site for donations. Eva's Closet does a phenomenal job serving people in need throughout the community. Donating lightly used items could not be easier for our families and the neighborhood... spread the word!!

Earthquake Relief

Lamb of God matched the generosity of the congregation, totaling $1000 given in response to the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. Joining forces, and one small act of kindness at a time, we make a massive difference. Well done!

Jesus the Refugee

Part Two:

Part One:

Larger Church

As Lutherpalians, we are a part of both the Lutheran and Episcopal Church. Locally, that's a combined total of 236 congregations. Nationally, that represents 15,136 congregations. Our influence has double the impact!

Following Worship on Aug. 9th, there will be a brief opportunity for everyone to meet our Bishops. From there, they will be invited into a working lunch with our Board of Trustees and our internal ecumenical team. Thank you for your prayers as our relationships continue to deepen. It'll be an inspiring morning!

Monday, August 24th 9:00am-11:00am

Because our last opportunity was so transformational, we're serving again! We need a few people to serve food and few others to prepare a designated main dish. Let us know you're interest by August 10th. You'll then be given logistics and cooking instructions.

Care Ministry

Sometimes, we just need a trusted someone to listen. Our Care & Connection Specialist would love to visit with you for emotional support, encouragement, or simply presence. If you'd appreciate a visit, reach out to Val Bridegam, who'd love to arrange a time to connect with you.

Email: val@lambofgodchurch.net

We are here for you. ❤️

Saturday, Aug.15th - Come and join us for a fun night of dominoes! We will meet and dine together before playing. Please bring a dish to share.

If you've never come to dominoes night or you don't know how to play don't worry... we would love to have you join us and we will teach you how to play.

We always have a blast! If you have any questions,

please contact Barb Tvedt at btvedt6564@msn.com.

WOMEN'S CONFERENCE

⏰ DATE & TIME:

Sat., August 29th

9am - 4pm

📍 LOCATION:

Summit Church-University Campus

19601 Ben Hill Griffin Parkway

Fort Myers, FL 33913

✨ Registration is required. CLICK BUTTON BELOW TO RSVP!

Click here to register

✨USE CODE "EARLYBIRD" AT CHECKOUT FOR 15% OFF FROM NOW UNTIL JULY 18TH!

Childcare will not be available.
Your ticket includes a t-shirt and lunch.

You're invited to join Pastor Lucas in participating in an ELCA-wide Bible Study, centered around the inclusion of all people. Held every third Thursday of the month at 4:00pm. Registration is required, you'll get more details once you express your interest.

August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19, December 17

Sunday Volunteers Needed!

#1. Tech Booth

Running slides, operating the camera, or assisting with Zoom during the service, please contact Mika at mikasflower1234@gmail.com.

#2. Welcome Desk

Greeting members and visitors, please contact Val at val@lambofgodchurch.net.

Thank you for enhancing our Worship and visiting experience!

Prayer is central to our spiritual development and deepens our relationship with God. Members of our Prayer Team pray for those on our prayer list every day. It can be powerful to have someone else acknowledge what weighs on your heart. Know that confidentiality is extremely important to our team. If you know someone who needs our prayers or you would like to join our Prayer Team please contact Val Bridegam @ val@lambofgodchurch.net

Seekers

Wednesdays, 10:30 am

Beginning July 1, the Seekers group will be discussing Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times by Fr. Gregory Boyle, SJ. Boyle is the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation and reentry program in the world.

From the dust jacket:

“Cherished Belonging invites us to nurture the connections that are all around us and live with radical kindness. Boyle believes that ‘the answer to every question is, indeed, compassion.’ Through colorful and profound stories brimming with wisdom, humor, and inspiration, we understand that love is the light inside everything.”

The Seekers group will discuss this book, chapter by chapter, on zoom. To join the discussion, contact Judy Frye at judyfrye608@gmail.com for the zoom link. All are welcome.