Newsletter - Lamb of God Lutheran Episcopal Adventure

Join us Sundays at 10:00 AM

Click Here to Worship

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: June 21st - Jeremiah 20:7-13; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39

June 28th -Jeremiah 28:5-9; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42

Prayer Team

On May 24^th our congregation celebrated Pentecost, which is considered the spiritual birth of the church. Acts 2 tells us that the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and were able to speak the languages of those who had gathered to learn the truth about Jesus. The Spirit did not just fall upon Peter, who addressed the crowd. Every person in that room received the Spirit, a gift that is also offered to us. The Holy Spirit continues today to move within the church and within us, if we are receptive to Him. We simply need to pray for an outpouring of the Spirit in our hearts and in our minds. Invite Him into your daily decisions, your relationships, your mission or purpose. We have a choice: Submit to God’s plan for us or independently chart our own course. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Pentecost isn’t just about receiving the Holy Spirit. It is also about being sent. The Spirit gave the disciples the clarity and the courage to proclaim the Gospel. He can do that for us, too. Some of us may be shy about boldly declaring the truth about the Gospel. Giving your testimony, a story about how God has worked in your life, is an easy, yet effective way to give the Gospel meaning to others. There are stories that I share about the impact and saving grace of God’s love in my life. These are heartfelt expressions to show how God has blessed me through His unconditional love and compassion.

The Holy Spirit is also with us when we pray. The mistake made by some believers is that their words need to sound eloquent. Putting the emphasis on the grammar rather than the content may make the prayer sound articulate, but cold. God wants us to pray earnestly, from the depths of our soul. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans”. (Romans 8:26) God understands the deep cries of our hearts, even without words. The Holy Spirit will intervene to convey our message when we are too weak or overwhelmed to speak.

The Lamb of God Prayer Team prays daily for those in need of prayer. If you or someone you know needs prayer or if you would like to join the prayer team, please contact Val Bridegam at val@lambofgodchurch.net Remember, when we are too overwhelmed, exhausted or confused to speak, the Holy Spirit takes our internal struggles and translates them into prayer. The Spirit guides our thoughts, prompts our conscience, and reveals the areas that need prayer. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”(Hebrews 4:16)

Carole Kerns

Prayer Team

"In order to see where we are going, we not only must remember where we have been, but we must understand where we have been."

Ella Baker, 1969

Prayer Invitation

On Sundays for the next few weeks, Pastor Lucas will be offering prayers for individuals interested during the distribution of Holy Communion. He will be stationed beside the baptismal font. Once this practice becomes a regular part of our worshiping culture, lay leaders will continue to offer prayer. Your specific needs will be kept strictly confidential, but please feel no pressure to disclose. Truthfully, we all need prayer.

Care Ministry

Need someone to talk with? Lamb of God's Care and Connection Specialist would love to visit with you if you are in need of emotional support, encouragement, or simply an ear to listen. If you would like a visit, please reach out to Pastor Lucas or Val Bridegam, we'd be happy to arrange a time to connect with you.

Email: val@lambofgodchurch.net

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." — Galatians 6:2

We are here for you. ❤️

This Saturday! June 20th at 5pm. 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.

Community Spotlight

Al & Nancy Meyer own Kiwi, a 25-year-old Rainbow Swainson Lorikeet. She was hatched in Green Bay, Wisconsin, even though almost all of her relatives are from Australia. She was lucky to be chosen by Al and Nancy Meyer when she was just three weeks old with no feathers and her eyes just beginning to focus. For 13 years, the Meyers thought Kiwi was a boy, but were in for a big surprise when Kiwi laid a few eggs! She says "Love Daddy" to Al and "Hi, baby" to Nancy, before saying "night night" and falling asleep in Al's hand. Kiwi has a cage but has never been locked up and is free to climb and play. Her breed's life expectancy is up to 21 years, but the love and care she's received for over two decades from her family in Grandezza is keeping this fine feathered friend young at heart.

Stepping Up!

We are grateful to have Steve Anderson ensuring a smooth transition for our staff and faith community. His short-term assignment is straightforward... assess the scope of the position, Director of Operations, and report back our long-term needs. This will take some time, but it is the first necessary step in discerning our path forward. His professional background and experience allow him to be well-suited for the task. We appreciate your prayers throughout the process.

Steve can be reached at:

office@lambofgodchurch.net

239-267-3525 ext. 102

Please let Pastor Lucas know that you are interested by Sunday, July 5th!

I hope you're PUMPED!!! A portion of all tickets sold THROUGH THIS LINK ONLY will benefit the area Youth Fund, which provides scholarships for kids to go to camp and the National Youth Gathering. Help in getting the word out, follow the QR code!!

Baseball with the Bishop at Tropicana Field on Friday, August 28!

Pastor Lucas will drive if anyone is interested, please let him know you're interested by Sunday, August 2nd. Tickets are $36.60, with $5 from every ticket supporting Episcopal Charities. If we get enough people across the Diocese to attend, Bishop Scharf will throw the first pitch!

Prayer Vigils

As Alligator Alcatraz winds down, these Prayer Vigils are more in important than ever. They will continue as long as the facility remains open. Faith leaders from around the state of Florida host a Prayer Vigil every Sunday at 4:00pm. We gather to simply pray. Registration is required. The bus returns by 7:00pm. For further information, or to help support the vigils, please connect with Pastor Lucas.

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 3:00pm. Registration is required, you'll get more details once you express your interest.

July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19, December 17

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.