Volume 47 - Number 8           August 2008

Dear Friends,

Last fall I offered a class entitled “Good God Questions”.  It was very well attended and appreciated by all who participated.  This fall I want to offer another class with the same format.  This class is entitled How Lutherans Interpret the Bible.  We will begin with a simple potluck meal, followed by a DVD presentation and small group discussion.  The class will be on seven Sunday evenings (see specific dates below) from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Free childcare will be provided.

How Lutherans Interpret the Bible features Dr. Mark Allen Powell, a Lutheran pastor and Bible professor at Trinity Lutheran Seminary.  Dr. Powell is an engaging teacher and will help us to discuss some of the basics of how we understand Scripture for our lives as Christians.

Session 1: (Sept. 21) “The Word of God”

Session 2: (Sept. 28) “What Lutherans Say About the Bible”

Session 3: (Oct. 5) “Where the Bible Comes From”

Session 4: (Oct. 12) “Interpreting the Bible in Context”

Session 5: (Oct. 19) “Determining Right from Wrong”

Session 6: (Oct. 26) “The Many Meanings of the Bible”

Session 7: (Nov. 9) “Devotional Bible Reading”

The cost for this class is only $3.00. I’m looking forward to teaching this class and hope you will plan on being a part of our group!  This class is for everyone – last year we had a very diverse group of people, including folks who weren’t members yet.  Please sign up on the sheet on the kiosk in the narthex of the church, or call me for more information.

  In Christ,
Pastor Wold

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS - In our prayers: Mary Ann Hopper who is home recuperating, Bob Edlen home recovering from pneumonia, and Kathy Miller (Pastor’s sister) who is hospitalized in Tulsa, OK. 

  We extend our sympathy to the family of Margaret Peterson who was a charter member of SVLC and passed away, and to Carlos Vera and family whose grandmother, Ramonita Crespo, passed away in Puerto Rico

MONTHLY BREAKFAST TO BE HELD ONE WEEK EARLY – August 7th.  The August Breakfast group will meet at 9 a.m. at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Belvidere.  There is free entry to the fair for seniors that day.  Everyone is invited – under the age of “senior and senior age.” AUGUST 26th  SENIOR PICNIC LUNCH AT NOON AT SVLC.  Bring your own meat to grill, a dish to pass and your own table service.

SENIOR HEALTH AND INFORMATION FAIR hosted by Senator Dave Syverson will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.  at Patriots’ Gateway Center, 615 South 5^th St., Rockford, free refreshments will be provided.  Please see kiosk for complete information.

PRESCHOOL AT SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY:  Registration for children ages 3 and 4 continues for the 2008-2009 school year.  This Christian program is available Tuesday and Thursday mornings for three year olds.  Four year olds may choose morning or afternoon class which meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Our preschool is fully licensed by the state. SVLC members receive a discount.  Please call the preschool at 815-397-5880 for more information.  

CONFIRMATION CLASSES will begin for seventh and eighth graders on September 10^th .  Class times are generally twice monthly on Wednesdays from 7-8 p.m. (7-8:30 p.m. during the Lenten season) and run through April 2009.  Confirmation for eighth graders will be on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at the 10:45 a.m. service.  Please contact the Pastor if you have 7th or 8th graders who are not yet enrolled in confirmation.  Those currently enrolled have received letters, so if you have not received a letter, your child is not yet enrolled.

KICKS FOR KIDS – NOTE FROM KATIE BOWES  “Help is needed for completing my community service project.  I am collecting new shoes for the kids of need to begin the new school year at Dennis School.   I am trying to reach as many kids as I can.  We need children’s sizes 9-1, or cash donations so I can buy the shoes.  Any amount will be greatly appreciated.  Upon completing this project, I will be receiving a scholarship for college.  Please give what you can.”  The deadline for the collection is August 31^st.  If you have any questions, please call Katie Bowes at 815-997-8625 or 815-332-5612.  Thank you!

IT’S STILL NOT TOO LATE TO HELP AREA CHILDREN WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES ----DEADLINE IS AUGUST 8^th FOR SUPPLIES.  ALSO, VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO ASSEMBLE BACK PACKS.

LOVE INC. IS SPONSORING “TOOLS FOR SCHOOL” to help needy children with school supplies in the Stateline area.  The need in our school district is great!  Unless enough school supplies are collected, many children will start school without the needed school supplies.  This project is supported by area churches, not-for-profit groups, local businesses and the Rockford Fire Department.    HOW CAN YOU HELP?  Purchase school supplies and drop them off at SVLC, the Rockford Fire Stations,  or The Life Center.  Distribution of the school supplies will be August 16^h.  Financial contributions are also accepted.  Call the Love, Inc. at 815-282-4384 for more information.

   #2 pencils, 5” primary scissors (left or right-handed), 8 to 10-count Crayola Markers, 24-count Crayola Crayons, 
12 –count Colored pencils, Plain colored pocket folders, Wide rule spiral notebooks, 5 x 8 supply box, Boxes of Tissue                           12” ruler, Metric ruler, Elmer’s School Glue, Watercolor set/with paint brush, Backpack

Supplies must be received thru August 8 if dropped at SVLC.  Volunteers are needed at Life Center on August 11^th and August 14^th to pack each backpack with supplies.  Please help, if you can.

SWING CHOIR TOUR 2008  SVLC is invited to come to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St., Elgin, IL, on Friday, August 1 at 7 p.m. for a program of ministry and song.  The choir consists of high school age youth who will perform at 10 congregations throughout the state.  This tour sponsored in part by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

 
      The annual SVLC church picnic was held on Sunday, July 27th at  Baumann Park with many in attendance enjoying each other, the delicious food and the beautiful weather!  A huge thank you to ALL who helped with the picnic in any way! 

LOOKING AHEAD….

• Wednesday, Sept. 3^rd Blood Drive at SVLC (blood mobile will be in parking lot) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Saturday, Sept. 6^th  Lutherdale Fest/Quilt Auction in Elkhorn, WI., 10 am-4 pm.  Please see kiosk for details

• Sunday, September 14^th  the 23^rd Annual Meeting of Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries’ Delegate Assembly, 6:30 pm registration at St. Mark Lutheran Church.  Open to Pastors, Delegates, and visitors.

• Friday, October 3, 8 p.m. to Sat. Oct. 4, 8 a.m. Jr. HI/Middle school Lock-In at NIU Campus, Lutheran Campus Ministry, 401 Normal Rd., DeKalb.  See Kiosk and/or youth bulletin board for details.

• Marriage Encounter Weekend – October 17-19, 2008, 7:15 p.m. Friday to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Double Tree Hotel, Schaumburg, IL. (3/4 mile west of Woodfield Mall on the east side of I-290).  (The hotel used to be named Wyndham Garden Hotel.)  APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, SEPT. 12^th.  See kiosk for more information and application forms.

• Sunday, November 2^nd . Noted singer and songwriter, Ken Medema, will appear in concert at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church at 3 p.m. in conjunction with Thrivent Chapter’s Annual Meetings.

• Friday, November 14 – Trivia Night fun-draiser!  It’s time to start honing your memory skills for Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries’ Annual Trivia Night fun-draiser.  The place is Grace Lutheran Church and, once again, tasty chili will be on the menu. The silent auction returns - one of the very best anywhere because the items are made and given by our own church members!

Summer Concerts 2008

Concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. and conclude with refreshments
Wed., Aug. 6 – Mike McIntyre
Mike is a multi-instrumentalist and has performed at numerous music festivals throughout the U.S.  For his concert, Mike is joined by his sister, vocalist Kathleen Summers, as well as some very special guests.

Wed., Aug. 20 - Patte Armato Lund
Unique vocal stylings and light audience repartee make this a “not to be missed” evening.  Mike McIntyre on keyboards backs this versatile songstress.

Information about the Synod's adult lay theological education program, the Diakonia Program.  The church of today needs and recognizes strong, knowledgeable leadership among the laity. Diakonia provides systematic training to adults during a two-year program of weekly classes in Bible, theology and church history as well as practical ministry. This course of study, combined with spiritual retreats and group interaction, helps train people for the many diverse tasks and opportunities to which Christ's Great Commission directs them. For further information, please contact Doug Liston at 815-385-2700, dliston@premmag. com or go to www.nisynod. org/ministries/ diakonia. htm.  Please note:  Stu Hoffman is currently enrolled in this program and would be happy to answer any questions people

Saturday, August 23^rd  JUMP MUSIC FESTIVAL To be held at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center,  1834 IL Route 2 South, Oregon, IL.  They invite you to a Christian Concert – Music Explosion!  Please see Kiosk for details.

Informal Summer Volleyball the 2 & 4th Sat., 6 p.m. at Bauman Park, Cherry Valley. Game Nights 2nd & 4th Sat. in August at Evans United Methodist Church, 7605 N. Second St., Loves Park. Hand & Foot Canasta, 3rd Friday in August, 7 p.m.. Breakfast Out, Sat. Aug. 2nd, 8:30 a.m., Sunrise Family Rest., 7019 N. Alpine Rd., Loves Park

LOVE INC. IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO ANSWER PHONE.  They will be extending their hours in the fall and are looking for people.  They will be having a training session on Tuesday, August 5 from 6:30-8 p.m. or Saturday, September 13 from 10-11:30 a.m.  This short orientation session will provide you with the tools necessary to respond to those who call Love INC with a need.  Please call 815-282-4654 to reserve your spot!  Reservations are required.  Please see kiosk for more information.

The Barnabas Caregiving Program   Do YOU know someone who wants to care deeply for those in special circumstances?  Do YOU want to care better?  Have people who need that care?  The Barnabas Caregiving Program provides appropriate skills and structure to create a volunteer caregiving program of any size in churches and other institutions - and it's fun. We laugh and learn through our 6-9 hours of training. After training participants are welcome to care anywhere.  Dr Chuck Olson will be offering the first half of our caregiving training on Tuesday, August 19th, 1-4, P.A. Peterson Center for Health, 1311 Parkview Avenue, Rockford, IL, 61107 (815-399- 8832).  They will cover the First Skill: Deep Understanding of the Stages of Life, and introduce the Second Skill: How to Have the Best Conversation.  It's free, and there's no obligation to care for someone at P.A. Peterson; the only cost is for the manual($10).

MISSING LIBRARY BOOKS – Please check your homes
After taking an inventory of our holdings in the library, we found the following items missing.  Please check all corners of your house for the following titles:

  Picture Books
The Star                                      Someday a Tree                                       Princess Liffitee
This Land is My Land                  Planting Seeds                                          Remember the Manager

  Bible
The Children’s Bible:  The Old Testament, The New Testament                     Joseph – King of Dreams

  Juvenile
Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul….                 Little Prayers for Little Kids                       Tomorrow Begins at Bedtime                                                                    Rocks, Minerals and Fossils                                On the Court with…Michael Jordan           On the Court with …Hakeem Olajuwon
The Journal of Augustus Pelletier                          My Life as a Fifth-grade Comedian            Twister on Tuesday                                                                                  Together We’re Better (video tape)

  Young Adult
Nobody’s Perfect                    Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Love and Friendship                      God Loves Me – So What!                                                     Stuff You Gotta Know; Straight Talk on Real Life                    Peaches                                                     The Magician’s Nephew
I want to Live                What My Mother Doesn’t Know         The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (DVD)                                                                                                                         The Search for Paul (DVD)

Adult
Chicken Soup for the Soul:  101 Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit            Light at Eventide:  Devotions for the Autumn YearsCooking with Natural Foods::  As You Search for Abundant Health                          222 Terrific Tips for Two:  Ideas for a Happy and Lasting Marriage
What Kids Need to Succeed:  Proven, Practical Ways to Raise Good Kids               Mount Vernon Love Story:  A Novel of George and Martha Washington
A Simple Way to Pray           The Runaway Quilt                           Cooking with Natural  Foods II                                                                                                   
The Best of Country Cooking          Fun Facts About the Blble You Never Knew                         My Bridges of HopeNeanderthal                                                            Snow Falling on Cedars                 Halfway to Forever                 The Postcard                       Pearl                          Dawn            The Christmas Blessing

July 2008 statistics (based on the four weeks):
· average weekly worship attendance: 163.
· average weekly contributions: current & benevolence $3,852   and building fund $662.

Financial Results - Year to Date as of June  2008

  If you have questions, please feel free to contact any member of the church council or Phil Smalley, church treasurer. 

FROM PATTE LUND:  THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED WITH VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL :

Candy Wolf                  Karen Maness                     Carrie Schabacker
Axandra Smalley           Phil Smalley                         Sarah DiSilvestro
Nicholas Frisella            Carol Bailey                         Kathy Goral
Chris Northrup              Marcia Smith                        Lois Johnson
Matt Northrup               Amy Fritz                             Claire Ferguson         
Erika Lowe                    Vicki Wilson                        Joel Fox
Kathy Meier                   Kaitlin Owens                      Holly Armato
Alan Wold                      Dana Rogers                       Patti Wiese
Jodi Bjerke                     Susie Smalley                      Maritza Vera                
Pricsila Flygare                Carlos Vera, Jr.                  Alexa Smalley

.

Worship Services  
Fellowship time after all services