On Wednesday, August 6th and 13th at 6:30 p.m. Pastor Ginn will lead a discussion of the new social statement on sexuality. (Bring sandwich type dinner to eat during discussion). If you would like a copy of this statement, let Genelia know by calling the church office at 704-279-2500.

Before the bell rings and classes begin… comes the dreaded shopping… school supplies…what color book bag (will it last all year or should I get 2 now or wait?) But the sad truth is that for some children in Rowan County, they will not get to choose a different color of book bag, they just hope they get a book bag. For the last several years, the congregation has given school supplies graciously. But, this year we want to take our collection one step farther, by asking each of you to give a book bag, filled with school supplies, and our goal is to have 50 book bags from each service; just imagine 100 book bags! It can be done because of how God has blessed us. Even if you do not have children or grandchildren in school we are talking about children and needs… scripture tells us that what we do for the least of these we do for God. We are going to begin collecting these book bags on Sunday, August 3rd thru August 31st. August 24th will be the book bag blessing and what a blessing to have 100 collected book bags on the steps of the altar? In today’s Take It Home you will find a copy of a generic list of supplies. So, let’s begin with a gift given to the glory of God … a filled book bag. You do make a difference each day and we thank you in advance for your help and your donations. Before the bell rings and classes begin… comes the dreaded shopping… school supplies…what color book bag (will it last all year or should I get 2 now or wait?) But the sad truth is that for some children in Rowan County, they will not get to choose a different color of book bag, they just hope they get a book bag. For the last several years, the congregation has given school supplies graciously. But, this year we want to take our collection one step farther, by asking each of you to give a book bag, filled with school supplies, and our goal is to have 50 book bags from each service; just imagine 100 book bags! It can be done because of how God has blessed us. Even if you do not have children or grandchildren in school we are talking about children and needs… scripture tells us that what we do for the least of these we do for God. We are going to begin collecting these book bags on Sunday, August 3rd thru August 31st. August 24th will be the book bag blessing and what a blessing to have 100 collected book bags on the steps of the altar? In today’s Take It Home you will find a copy of a generic list of supplies. So, let’s begin with a gift given to the glory of God … a filled book bag. You do make a difference each day and we thank you in advance for your help and your donations.

Our Youth are back from their Philadelphia mission trip. They had a wonderful time.

If you want to see pictures of our youth in Philadelphia go to this website: http://www.lutheranyouth.org/ click on Youth Site Synod/Youth Program and then on events (Youth Event Album); then click on Transformational Travel pictures and see the events of the Philadelphia trip.

Our Upward committee is planning the 2008-2009 Upward Basketball & Cheerleading season. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Sallie at 704-754-4842.

There are a number of opportunities to participate in this wonderful ministry! Some areas include:

• Prayer partners (who pray daily for the teams)
• Coaches for Basketball and Cheerleading
• Referees
• Devotions
• Fundrasing
• Advertising
• Assiting in gym set-up/take down
• Concessions