WEEKDAY PRAYER CHAIN FOR 2009 The Sign-up sheet for the Prayer Chain is on the Bulletin Board.  Please add your name to the list and become a member.  There will be two means of contacting each other for prayers, one is by telephone and the other will be via Email.  Prayer is so powerful and is the most important thing you can do for a friend or family member in need.

FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY is held the last Sunday of each month.

OUR "BREAD MINISTRY" is a friendly way to welcome our first time local guest[s], by giving them a loaf of bread. On the first Sunday they come, they are given a bag that contains the bread and information about our congregation after service as they are leaving. This is a friendly approach to say they are special and we are glad they visited with us. Please feel free to
Registration fee is $50.00 by July 1 deadline. The church may provide some assistance in the registration cost.

PRAYER REQUESTS can be made to the WEEKDAY PRAYER CHAIN by contacting the church office. PRAYER REQUESTS to be included in SUNDAY WORSHIP can be made by writing requests on "PRAYER REQUEST SHEET" in narthex (just ask usher). Without hesitation, you may also make your request known by calling the church office, Pastor at home or office, or your Deacon.

FOOD LOCKER!!  We have a food locker that ministers to families in need that have been sent to us by the Social Services Departments from local cities. We have no means to store refrigerated or frozen items, so our collection is limited to nonperishable products. Keep in mind that people receiving food stamps, which most of our recipients are, cannot purchase non-food items with their food stamp allotment.

Gift certificates to local grocery stores like Food Lion the amount of $10.00 or donations for the purchase these are also welcome. These can help people to purchase fresh milk, eggs, lunch meat, etc. Just put your donation in an envelope in the collection plate and label it "Food Locker".

ABLAZE!!  This is a LCMS movement at the Synod, District, Circuit, and Congregational level to seek the lost for Christ.  Mission is what it is all about.  Bulletin inserts have had more information and more words, but the great commission of Matthew 28:16-20 drives our purpose as a church.  Our individual commission is captured in these words from Matthew 5:16 -- "Let your light so shine before others --".  ABLAZE is not a short term thing, but will be before us between now and the 500th anniversary of the Reformation on October 17, 2017.  The key is "The Critical Event".  A critical event is defined by our Southeastern District President, Rev. Dr. Jon Diefenthaler, as ....when one Lutheran Christian gives witness about Jesus of the hope that is within him or her to another person, so that person may encounter Christ.

The Southeastern District goal is reaching 2,500,000 people for Christ by 2017.  President Diefenthaler has asked each congregation in the District to make a commitment to this movement by the means of a "Covenant" document.  He has also suggested that Pentecost Sunday might be a good date to begin the commitment.

The Southeastern District Lutheran Church is holding a conference in Richmond July 30 thru August 1, 2010 -- Titled "TENDING THE FLAME" with guest speaker Reggie McNeal. These conferences are really an enlightening experience and sure to be of help in your church experience.  Please call the church office for details on time and costs if there is an interest in attending this conference.
Incredible Workshops - one of the reasons that you will not want to miss this year's Conference.  Workshops will be featured in the areas of starting new ministries, sharing your faith, working with young people, developing congregational prayer teams, and even technology. Teachers such as Bill Seaman will help us walk through Scripture to see how God sends us to be a blessing in this place. Sarah Guldalian will speak about personal witnessing. Missionary Pedro Lopez will share what it means to show hospitality to your neighbor. DCE Charessa Koontz will open up tons of resources to involve your congregation, Bible class, or evangelism committee in outreach. And these are but a few of the workshops you can choose at the Conference. See the bulletin board for more information about the main speaker and how to register.

In July, elected delegates and visitors will gather in Houston as brothers and sisters in Christ, united as ONE People—Forgiven (our convention theme) at the 64TH REGULAR CONVENTION OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH--MISSOURI SYNOD.. Your are invited to be one of the first to participate in a vital, personal way.  Your prayers and support for our beloved Synod are essential. As the decline of Christian influence in our communities is becoming more obvious, it is more important than ever to help people live confidently for Christ and embrace people with His love.

Toward this goal, you are encouraged the greatest gathering of gifts for the mission and ministry of our church that has ever been witnessed through a special National Offering. Sharing Christ’s Love is our offering theme to support the living presence of Christ’s love to everyone, no matter their need or season in life.

All National Offering gifts will be distributed equally among the following areas of ministry.
National and International Mission Planting
Congregation Revitalization
Stewardship Renewal and Education
Additional National Synod Mission and Ministry Needs

THE ALL NATIONAL OFFERING: At the LCMS Convention’s Opening Worship Service on July 10 in Houston TX, a special offering will be brought by the Pastoral Delegates from each Circuit. From now thru June 27 you may bring a special gift. Your check should still be made out to "Christ Lutheran Church", but please mark on your envelope that is for the Convention Offering. Our treasurer will then write one check to be taken to the Convention. All of the churches in our Circuit will be taking part in this National Offering.

ABLAZE MINISTRY UPDATE
What do these ministries have in common;
New Life in Concordia - Upper Marlboro MD,
Victorious Life - Jefferson NC, Mooresville NC,
Crossway - Norfolk VA, New Kent VA, North High Point NC,
Open Door - Weddington NC?

They are new beginnings through the Mission Development Academy. These seven new starts are being shaped through the partnerships of local circuit congregations and the Mission Development Academy. Each outreach mission team commits to a year-long learning process while they are at work praying, planning, and launching a new mission. Seven teams and seven new starts!   Praise God for these leaders and their passion to begin new work.  The Ablaze! goal is to equip 60 teams to plant new ministries. This will be possible through the power of the Holy Spirit as congregations and circuits identify and send mission outreach teams to the Mission Development Academy. It is also possible through your partnership in the Ablaze! for God's Mission fund appeal.

DEACON'S VISITORS BREAD MINISTRY  and PEACE CANDLE   A special thank you to all that have brought in bread for this ministry.  Our local visitors have appreciated receiving these loaves as part of our welcoming package.   Also check-out the map in the Narthex to see where the "Peace Candle" have gone.

Listen to the LUTHERAN HOUR every Sunday morning from 8:00 - 8:30 AM on your radio set to WTAR-AM at 850 on the dial.  Support Lutheran Hour Ministries so they may continue to share the Gospel with 44 nations on 850 radio stations, as well as offering inspirational pamphlets and booklets, TV programs and web-based materials at http://www.lutheranhour.org   Their offering envelopes may be found on the shelf table outside the office.

UNITED WAY DONATIONS The Lutheran Council of Tidewater could use your support.  LCT does not currently have a number to use but you may write in the name of the agency on your enrollment form.  Your prayerful consideration of this ministry is very much appreciated.

THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS This Fortune 500 organization is looking for a motivated professional to serve the insurance and financial needs of Lutheran in this area-- to build a career helping others.   Contact:  Recruiter Kolina Vortman at 1-800-631-2556 or apply online at http://www.thrivent.com/careers.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit Fortune 500 financial services organization helping nearly 3 million members achieve their financial goals.  Thrivent Financial offers a wide range of financial solutions.  Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and its members provide approximately $200 million annually for outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and needy individuals.   For more information, visit http://www.thrivent.com or call 1-800-THRIVENT (1-800-847-4836).

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members are organized into nearly 1,400 local volunteer groups called chapters.  They meet regularly to carry out a variety of volunteer efforts, fund-raising projects and educational programs to help themselves, their communities and people in need across the country.

To find out how you can become a member, contact Kevin Humphreys, your local Thrivent Financial for Lutherans financial associate, at 340-4472.  You can also learn more about the fraternal benefit society by visiting the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans web site at http://www.thrivent.com.