“Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; [God’s] understanding is beyond measure.” (Psalm 147:5)
I’ve been in awe of the images coming back from the James Webb Space Telescope in the last week. First, it’s just amazing to see the vastness of the universe. Then, I consider that the pictures we’re seeing are of the universe as it was 13.5 billion years ago – we are actually looking back in time, almost to the beginning of the cosmos! The beauty of the stars and nebulae, galaxies, and glowing stardust are enough to make me stop and stare. And I have little understanding of any of this. How much more amazing is it to the one who made it and set it in motion? To see these stunning views of the universe is to marvel at the greatness of God, who creates and sustains all life, who loves the creation, and even chooses to join in by coming to live with us in flesh and bone in the life and ministry and death and resurrection of Jesus. God’s understanding is certainly beyond measure.
I am grateful that we have this faith community and a space to praise the Creator, to give thanks to God for the many blessings we receive, and to experience the love of God through Jesus in our lives and our ministries together. We get to be a part of God’s greatness, as we gather to be the church – the body of Christ in the world.
Our Ice Cream Social on July 17th was a big success and we raised $100 for ELCA World Hunger! Thank you to the youth who helped to scoop, and all who spent time getting to know one another and the many new faces at Living Hope! God is continuing to do great things here!
We are blessed to serve our community in so many ways! Our students will soon go back to school, and thanks to our friends at The Center, we have already collected over 200 backpacks! Another 200 were donated to Lutheran Social Services of Nevada! We will use $250 in funds from Thrivent Action Teams to purchase more supplies, and have connected with Fremont Middle School for delivery beginning in August. This might be our biggest school supply year ever! We will continue to receive gifts of peanut butter for LSSN though the month of July!
We’re getting ready to celebrate God’s greatness with our Monumental Vacation Bible School beginning Monday, July 25th! We look forward to the music, games, activities, and sharing Bible stories with our kids and youth and adult leaders! Expect to hear them sing our theme song on July 31st! Thanks to all our volunteers and families!
We have applied for a Manna Grant (focused on hunger ministry) through the Grand Canyon Synod for $10,000 in additional funding for the Senior Meal program. This will help to offset food costs and support staff as we look toward a future third host site for the meal.
We’re hosting the youth and leaders from Christ Lutheran Church in Visalia, CA this week, who are in town doing some service projects with local agencies. They’ve been staying in our upstairs classroom space. Maybe we’ll take a trip to see them one day?
I continue to serve on the board of Lutheran Men in Mission and meet (via Zoom) for our monthly board meeting. You can check out the ministry resource site we created at ProjectTwelve.net. I met with conference deans from the Grand Canyon Synod this week and will travel to Phoenix Sept. 23-25 for a retreat (expenses are paid by the Synod).
Our neighbors are excited to serve with us, and looking forward to God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday (Sept. 11th) and trunk or treat! (date tba). With Nevadans for the Common Good, we’re planning neighborhood walks to help connect with local residents and remind them about local voting sites. Look for more information in the weeks to come. This is a great way to be present in public and share the hope that is in us!
The ministry of Living Hope connects across space and time! As young minds grow, they encounter the God who creates them and loves them. New voices join our song of praise. God’s grace extends beyond the walls of our church and into the community, and beyond as we gather for worship in person and online! The Word renews us and builds us up together as the Spirit moves us to serve one another. The greatness of our Lord is truly awesome! Thanks for your leadership and participation in this mission, and thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Jason Adams
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