Ways to Learn in July
Making Marriage Work - Someone once said, “Most pre-marriage work is a waste of time. The best time to introduce the idea of shaping a marriage is 30 seconds after the bride and groom have said, ‘I do’ and are secretly saying to themselves, ‘Now what have I done?’” There is probably more truth to this than most of us want to admit. With that thought in mind, why not consider a 6-part video class entitled: Making Marriage Work: A Biblical Look at Marriage, featuring Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott. This 6-part series will cover the topics of Myths, Pressure, Conflict and Faith. This series will meet on selected Tuesday evenings beginning on July 8th at 7:00. Interested? Contact Pastor Blenkush for more information.
Come to Tuesday morning weekly Bible Study at 10:30 a.m. in the Pastor's Office when we will use a study called "Daily Discipleship" to learn more about the Gospel for the next Sunday. Pick up study material in Narthex, find "Daily Discipleship" on the ELCA web site, or ask Pastor Blenkush. You can use the material on your own or with your family as well.
Summer Book Study: Ending Poverty: A 20/20 Vision
There has always been a lot of talk about the concern for poverty in this country and abroad, but what ever becomes of such talk? This book study will invite individuals to explore this concern not as a social issue but as a faith issue and hopefully promote efforts to move from merely talking to doing and making a difference. The book, Ending Poverty: A 20/20 Vision is written by Nancy Maeker and Bishop Peter Rogness. We will meet on selected Thursday evenings after worship - July 17th and 31st, August 7th and 21st.
Camp Onomia News:
New Updates:
Summer Work Weekend: Aug. 1-3 – An additional work weekend has been added this year. There will be a number of projects available for people of all ages. Projects include room Renovations, painting, landscaping, bed building, and more.
Previous Updates:
Room Renovation Project: We have recently remodeled another room and are ready to start on a few more. We are looking for volunteers to come up to camp for a weekend and remodel a room. There are jobs for people of all skill levels, but we do need some skilled laborers within the group. Please contact Julie Smith at 320-532-3767 or juliesmith@camponomia.org if you are interested in helping out.
Read the Bible daily - one of the marks of discipleship is reading scripture every day. Make it easy - get a Daily Scripture reading in your email from Zion Online. Sign up and chose to receive a Scripture passage, a Psalm, or a Psalm you can sing to a familiar hymn melody every day in your email.
Get a devotional reading everyday by email or online - written by Pastor Kerry Nelson who is pastor of Covenant Lutheran Church in Houston Texas and who was a classmate of Pastor Blenkush!
Pick up a current copy of - The Lutheran magazine, The Lutheran Digest, the daily devotional Portals of Prayer, and the children's daily devotional Davey and Goliath - all available in the bay window of the Narthex.
Zion's Library - You may have known that the Zion Library has many great books to read but did you know that it also has many good movies to entertain you? The library now has the heartwarming movies of the Love Comes Softly Series (Love Comes Softly, Love’s Enduring Promise, Loves Long Journey, and Loves Abiding Joy) on DVD. Stop by the library today and pick up some enjoyable books and movies.
Grow in Faith with Via de Cristo - Check the monthly calendar for date and place of the next Cursillo gathering at Zion or Trinity. Anyone who would like to learn more about this faith renewing and strengthening group is invited to come. Click here for more information about an upcoming weekend. Also visit Lutheran Via de Cristo.
Lutheran Marriage Encounter - Consider inviting new growth in your marriage this Spring. No matter how long you have been married, if you are seeking deeper communication, growth, and intimacy in your marriage register for one of the upcoming Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekends. For weekend information and registration call Pete and Phyllis McMahon at 763.561.1575, Rita DeBruyn and Jim Hedin; 651.687.9651 or online at www.ilme.org
Tune in to Grace Matters hosted by Rev. Peter W. Marty, senior pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa. Rev Marty will bring new voices of faith to the airwaves - ordinary people living extraordinary lives through the grace of God. Turn on your radio and learn about God's love and grace - because grace matters!
With The Rev. Peter W. Marty
JulyJuly 6, 2008 – Andrea Jaeger – Holy Laughter (2007 Encore)
Genesis 18:12-15
Those who follow the tennis world closely know the name Andrea Jaeger. In the mid-1980s she was playing number two in the world on the women’s pro circuit. That was young Andrea. Following a career– ending injury as a teenager, she engaged in a serious refocus of her life. Today she is an Anglican Dominican sister who devotes everything she is to kids who live with life-threatening diseases. It’s quite a life mixing tears, laughter, and a whole lot of fulfillment.
July 13, 2008 – Terrence Rynne – Nonviolence as A Way of Life
Matthew 5:38-44
If anything takes our breath away in this world full of events we cannot control, it is violence. Nothing cuts to the core of our peace of mind and joy for life like violence. So what can we learn from Jesus that might direct us to a better way? And what about the place of Gandhi’s life and teachings? Terry Rynne, founder of the Marquette University Center for Peacemaking, has studied Gandhi for a long time. He walks us into the difference between active and passive nonviolence.
July 20, 2008 – Charles Osgood – Blessed Deadlines
Luke 16:19-31
The voice of Charles Osgood is as familiar as any in broadcast journalism. Radio host of the “Osgood File,” and anchor of CBS “Sunday Morning,” Osgood is a veteran in the industry. Juggling long hours and balancing radio and TV, he knows the importance of keeping a deadline. We all have deadlines that permeate our lives. Some of them are even spiritual in character. Our challenge is to see these deadlines more as a blessing than a curse.
July 27, 2008 – J. Brent Bill – Gaining Clarity and Insight
Philippians 1:9-10
Spiritual discernment is a big deal. It is the practice of wisdom. It is that capacity for detecting an insight into the character of another person and into the preferred ways of God. Discernment is the hard work that comes for those who aim to love with a discriminating eye and who seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to see reality for what it is. J. Brent Bill, a retreat leader who has authored the book, Sacred Compass, shares with us the importance of living with discernment.
