Lord of Life Lutheran Church

5051 Pleasant Valley Road Brighton, MI 48114

“God’s Work. Our Hands.”

You are invited to worship with us! 9:30 am Sunday Communion Service

Rev. Dale E. Hedblad, M.Div., Board Certified Chaplain Sheila Andring – Communications Coordinator

Labor of Love Daycare – Patti Fabisiack, Director

Contact us: 810-227-3113 or mylordoflife@sbcglobal.net

Visit us on the web: www.LordofLifeELCA.com

Follow us on Face book: Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Brighton, MI

Lord of Life 2018 Summer Newsletter

JUNE 2018 LORD OF LIFE SPECIAL EVENTS

Communion Worship is every Sunday at 9:30 am, followed by

hospitality.

The Board of Ministry meeting is Sunday, June 3rd

at 11:15 am, then will

recess until September 16th

Fish and Loaves will be Sunday, June 10th. Volunteers are always

needed and appreciated, please be at the church by 5:30 pm to help.

Congregational Meeting – Sunday, June 10th

, Immediately Following

Worship Service. Please consider attending this informational meeting

Youth Commissioning Ceremony and Send Off to the ELCA Gathering in

Houston, Tx is Sunday, June 24th

Vacation Bible School

Monday, June 18- Thursday, June 21

9:30 am – 11:0 am

Rally Day is Sunday, September 9th

Kroger Community Rewards Program

Dear LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH,

The Kroger Family of Stores is committed to bringing hope and help

to local communities. We do this through a variety of activities,

including charitable giving, sponsorships and the unique

Community Rewards Program of Kroger. We are also committed to

carefully protecting our customers' personal information. In order to

meet their expectation of privacy, we have adopted a simple policy

to never share a customer's personal information. Our privacy policy

applies to Community Rewards participation as well. As your

neighborhood food retailer, we deeply value our ability to support

local organizations like yours.

Your supporters (22 households) who shopped at Kroger between

1-31-2018 and 4-30-2018 (Cycle 17, Qtr 4) have contributed to your

$83.42 total donation.

To enroll your card simply go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com

Click on “sign-in” Put in your email address and password used

when you enrolled your card. Click enroll now.

Choose the group number for Lord of Life #

83096 Choose the organization

Click enroll.

June Message from the Pastor

“Send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth” (Psalm 104:31).

Greetings in Christ! As we begin the month of June, we begin the longest

church season of the year, Pentecost. Throughout the next five months, we will

focus our attention on spiritual growth. This season begins with the color red

which symbolizes the “fire” of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third part

of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Spirit was sent from God to be with us as Jesus

ascended into heaven. The Holy Spirit is our protector, our teacher and our

guide throughout life. The Holy Spirit prays to God on our behalf and speaks to

us through our conscience.

The Gospels in the first part of the summer present us with a variety of ways in

which we receive blessings from God. Through our baptism into Christ, we are

reborn into a life that begins now and lasts throughout eternity. This loving

provision from Almighty God is the source for our security despite the many

storms we experience in life. The benefits of believing far outweigh the costs, as

we experience healing of body, mind, and spirit. In serving and worshipping

God and caring for others, we find a measure of abundance and fulfillment that

only God can give.

There is a metaphor from John’s gospel that describes Jesus as the “bread of

life.” This statement sums up all that Jesus said and did. Like the manna in the

wilderness as described in the book of Exodus, God provides all that we really

need each day. Each Sunday we receive a loving reminder of God’s faithfulness

when we receive the Holy Eucharist. This summer we will spend time reading

the Gospels from Mark and John. They are filled with life lessons that serve to

encourage and inspire us on our journey.

This year we will host “Splash Canyon” at Vacation Bible School, June 18-21

from 9:30 to 11:30. We anticipate over 100 people will participate in this event.

Sign up your children now and join us if you like by signing up on the bulletin

board in the entryway of the church.

Join us on Sunday, June 24 @ 9:30 for a special worship service featuring our

"VBS Splash Canyon" finale and our Youth Commissioning Ceremony for our 9

people going to Houston, TX for the Youth Gathering. This will be a wonderful

send-off for them as they join 30,000 other youth from around the world for a

week of praise and inspiration. I pray for a warm, relaxing, and fun-filled Summer for us all.

Serving with you,

Pastor Dale+

REMEMBER IN PRAYER All troops serving worldwide, Brett Bartrum, Linda Smith,

Dave Micula, Austin Reid, Kyle Simone, Heidi Rock,

Joel Disbro, Ann Marie Kargel, Desmond Mikula,

John Freeman, Erick Foster, Annie Sembor, Rachel Postma,

Sally Fetter, Sara Dykhuis, Tony Renger, Marissa Monte,

Matthew Johnson, Helga Jensen, Enga Higgins, Tom Zahm,

Kimberly McCarthy, Therma Curtis, Tommy Settles,

Tim McHugh, Dick Newburg, Dennis McComb, Lisa and Sarah,

Noelle Barrett, Carolyn Mendis, Linda Wilson, Dorothy Woycik,

Will Burgess, Frank Losert, John Staten, Patty Wilcox,

Jack Mingo, Larissa Kramer, Duane and Carol Lenninger

and Emma Roberts.

In sympathy for the family of Harv Wedell.

PEOPLE ALL WRAPPED UP

IN THEMSELVES MAKE A

PRETTY SMALL PACKAGE.

“Jesus replied, ‘. . . and love your

neighbor as yourself’ ” (Matthew

19:19).

About Lord of Life Lutheran Church

“God’s work. Our Hands.”

Welcome to Lord of Life – Pastor Dale Hedblad leads our worship each Sunday. Our worship is hands-free (no book). Just follow the Power Point liturgy on the big screen. Our Church – Lord of Life Lutheran Church is a member of the Southeast Michigan Synod branch of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The ELCA is the largest Lutheran Church body, consisting of 4.6 million members worldwide. Lord of Life was established as a mission development on May 21, 1972. Our current pastor, Dale Hedblad, has a Master of Divinity Degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Oh. He is one of two specialized ministers in the Southeast Michigan Synod. Pastor Hedblad is also a Board Certified Chaplain and is on-call at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. If you would like to learn more about Pastor Hedblad, there is a brief biography under the picture of Pastor Dale and his wife, Colleen, as you exit the sanctuary. Currently, Lord of Life consists of 578 members. Lord of Life is active in the Brighton Community with several ministries including: Vacation Bible School, Love INC., Gleaners Food Bank, Crop Walk, Habitat for Humanity, Juvenile Diabetes Research, Fish & Loaves, Red Cross Blood Drives, Kids Against Hunger, Bountiful Harvest Food Pantry and our annual Christmas “Adopt-A-Family” giving tree. Lord of Life is always open to joining or initiating new ministries that are consistent with our mission statement and our core values:

“Gods Work. Our Hands.”

Compassion

Discipleship

Hospitality

Commitment to excellence

JUNE ANNIVERSARIES

Have a wonderful anniversary!

14 – Howard & Debbie Renton

20 – Craig & Kathleen Johnson

27 – Chuck & Gloria McCracken

28 – Dan & Teresa Hedblad

JULY ANNIVERSARIES

2 – Douglas & Nancy Rice

15 – Phillip & Deanna Lamoreaux

17 – Alton & Shirley Bartrum

19 – John & Kathy Hartman

24 – Jeremy & Christine Hubbell, Jon & Bonnie Unruh

26 – David and Lynn Burgess

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES 12 – Mike & DeLynn Garcia

JUNE BIRTHDAY’S

01 – Rylie Kay Madison & Alyssa White

02 –Joy Staisil, Colin Olsen & Nathan Hubbell

04 – Brendan Unruh

05 –Vicky Jollitz & Michelle Garcia

07 – Dennis Kallio & Monique Elphinstone

08 – Glenn Kelly

08 – Aaron Renton

09 – Katie Moore

10 – Erik Kallio

12 – Aaron Hawley

14 – Zane King

15 – Samantha Hawley

17 – Linda Lamoreaux

18 – Cris Keech & Gina Leinninger

19 – Kara Leinninger

20 – Ryan Hedblad, Julia Farmer

25 – Harper Grace Chewning

26 – Scott Myrand

30 – Lindsey Rowell

JULY BIRTHDAY’S

03 – Kayla Harper

04 – Dana Hahne

06 – Dan Raszkowski

09 – Marley Simpson

11 – Linda LaPlatt

12 – Michelle M White

13 – Andrea Burdick, Becca Hawley

14 – Mike Garcia

15 – Sara Wedell

16 – Andrew Everson

17 – Brian Klaus

18 – Duane Leinninger

19 – Dan Chewning

21 – Pastor Dale Hedblad

23 – Olivia Hubbell

28 – Vance King

30 – Megan LaPlatt

31 – Tanya & Timothy Newberg

AUGUST BIRTHDAY’S

03 – Ariana Hawley

05 – Charles White

06 – Jack Losert

09 – Zoeanne McCurren

11 – Alton Bartrum

15 – Matt Schreer & Christine Simpson

16 – Douglas Rice

17 – Carson & Eric Hahne, Emilie Elphinstone & Sheila Andring

19 – Alexa Lamoreaux

21 – Karen Dei, Gloria McCracken & Sharon Zizka

24 – Jennifer Ruso

26 – Allison & Alyssa Garcia

27 – Joseph & Justin Shigley

30 – Gloria Austin, Brett Burdick,

& Sally Sonkiss

God’s Draft Choices

Two of the most highly watched sporting events on television are not when

teams or athletes are competing against each other; rather they involve the

drafting of players for the National Football League (NFL) and National

Basketball Association (NBA) teams. For many hours, fans of professional

sports will watch intently to see whom their favorite teams will draft.

Most of us won’t be drafted by professional football or basketball teams, but,

as Christians, we receive a greater calling. We, in essence, are God’s draft

choices. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go

and bear fruit” (John 15:16). God has made us a part of His team. We are

not chosen by God because we are successful in our careers, great athletes, or

wealthy. God chooses ordinary people to do extra-ordinary things. “But

God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the

weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of

this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the

things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:27-28).

Through faith, we understand that we are among the foolish and weak

through whom God carries on his life-saving work. “But we have this

treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God

and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). God entrusts us—clay jars—with this

treasure—the Gospel. Even though we are frail and unworthy of our tasks,

God has chosen us to carry His message of love to the world. As humble

people of faith, we are empowered by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He

transforms and molds us. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new

creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is

God Who does the drafting and the changing. Through faith, we will stay on

God’s team, and we will bear the fruit that He calls us to bear.

The professional athletes who are drafted are expected to perform. They are

paid large sums of money to do very athletic things. As God’s chosen

people, we may not receive large compensation, but our benefits are out of

this world! Therefore, we are eager to use our lives and resources in God’s

service for His glory. Paul wrote, “For we are God’s workmanship, created

in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to

do” (Ephesians 2:10). What a privilege it is to be part of and serving on

God’s winning team!

Ronald J. Chewning

12 Months of Congregational Stewardship

SCRIP Remember, SCRIP Meijer reloadable cards are available

for reload every week. Please see Colleen to reload or

for more information. Thanks to all who are supporting

the Meijer reload program, it has been a huge success.

Make sure you have a Meijer reload card from SCRIP.

WANTED - USED INK CARTRIDGES

Lord of Life would be happy to recycle your used ink

cartridges. We received $2.00 per cartridge; this is an

easy fundraiser for the church. We have placed a plastic container on

the table in the narthex for you to deposit your used ink cartridges.

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Rally Day is Sunday, September 9th

.

Don’t miss it!

Congregational Meeting – Sunday, June 10th

.

Immediately Following Worship Service.

Please consider attending this informational meeting

Congratulations Confirmands

What a SUPER GREAT bunch of young women and men we have in

our congregation. It is gratifying that both our teenagers and their

families made a two-year commitment ending with affirmation of their

baptism at our wonderful Pentecost service. Thank you, Noah, Ryan,

Payton, Ashlee, Jade, Will, Adam and Michael for making my two

years with you so wonderfully rewarding. Thanks also to Pastor Dale

for his warm personal message.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has said:

“Confirmation ministry is a pastoral and educational ministry of the

church which helps baptized person through Word and sacrament to

identify more deeply with the Christian community and participate

more fully in its mission.”

This definition challenges us to broaden our understanding of

confirmation here at Lord of Life. Our confirmation ministry is much

more than just two years’ worth of classes. To “identify more deeply”

and “participate more fully” suggests that, regardless of our age, what

God wills for us and has begun in us has not been finished, nor will it

be at the completion of our Confirmation program.

By the grace of God, we continue – each and every day of our lives –

to walk in the newness of Christ Jesus. Confirmation at LOL intends

to instruct each individual (children and parents alike) in how to live

out their daily life while walking in the newness of Christ. It teaches us

the promises that God has made to us and how we can depend on those

promises during our lives. It seeks to make the Christian faith and trust

in God not merely an abstract concept, but a personal reality based on

the honest beliefs of each person. It encourages us to live out our

baptismal identity as God’s children through active participation in the

church and society.

Through an in-depth study of scripture, the Sacraments, and Luther’s

catechism in the 64 hour-and-a-half lessons (in class) and through

experiences of worship (sermon reports) and the Christian life

(service), students come to a deeper and more personal understanding

of their faith. At the completion of their two years of study and service

our eight students were called upon to make a confession of faith

before their congregation.

Confirmation is a journey of faith filled with new questions and

answers, new discoveries, new relationships, new responsibilities, and

always new possibilities. Clearly, confirmation is intended to be a

milestone, not a destination; it is not graduation! Rather, Confirmation

is a tool that equips for the lifelong process of living out Christian

identity in a community of faith.

Now, with all that said, I am unbelievably excited to see Sydney,

Rylie, Josie and Austin continue on toward their confirmation on

Pentecost Sunday 2019. So . . . if you know a seventh grader who

would like to join this super group of kids please let me know. We’ve

got plenty of room!

Together in Christ’s Loving Peace,

Mr. Craig