It’s so good to have you here worshipping with us. If you are a visitor, please sign our guest book including your complete address. We hope you will return soon. Thanks for being here.

Pray for our brothers and sisters who are or have been ill: Todd Woertink, Larry Dockter, Bill Schmit, & Karl Madsen-Coning, thanksgiving for healing and for restoration of strength to Gary Hyde and Barbara O’Neill. Pray for the people suffering from Hurricane Katrina and for those helping them. Pray for our Sunday School students, parents, and teachers. Pray for our military people in Iraq/Afghanistan: Jeremy Pribbenow, Matthew Haug, Todd Freesemann, Charles Chapman. Pray for peace in Iraq, Israel, Columbia, Sudan, Afghanistan, and other areas of conflict. Mission Prayer: Pentecost 17 God of justice, bring to the people of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, especially those living in poverty, the hope and truth that you give to all your children through your Spirit.

Ushers for the month of September:*Chuck Juntti, Rod & Joann Fischer family, Steve & Lisa Janssen, Rich & Tammy Krause family, Kay Zimiga, Ari Zimiga, Adrianne Zimiga, Kendall & Alisha Nielsen

Communion Ware Care: Ruby McKee, Rhonda Karst, Dawn Wiersma

In this Year of the Bible at ALC, we encourage you to read your Bible each day. You may wish to follow the schedule below or plan your own.

Bible Reading Suggestions for this week: Sun. Jeremiah 37-41,Mon Jeremiah 42-44, Tues. Jeremiah 45-47, Wed Jeremiah 48-50, Thurs. Jeremiah 51-52, Lamentations 1, Fri., Lamentations 2-4, Sat Lamentations 5, Ezekiel 1-2 , Sun. Ezekiel 3-7 .

Today: Organist: Karen Lund . Reader: Doug McKee. Acolytes: Erin Jankord and Kasara Goldhorn

Offerings received last Sunday were: $1,563.00 General Fund, $375.00 - Building Fund, $20.00 - Mission Fund

The flowers in front of the church are in loving memory of Art & Blanche McKee and Fred & Minnie Staudy given by their grandchildren Brenda McKee, Dawn & Roy Wiersma Family, Janelle & Brian Wollschlager Family.

Congratulations Leonard and Jida Bleeker on 55 years of wedded bliss! Cake will be served in their honor during fellowship today.

Our Sunday service is on ITC Cable TV, channel 1, in Castlewood on Thursdays at 12:30 & 7:00 p.m. Watch and tell your friends.

Our Sunday School Teachers for September- January are: Pre-School: JoAnn, Kindergarten – 1^st – Barbi Schulte 2^nd & 3^{rd -} Dawn Wiersma, 4^th- 5^th, -6^th -Vicki Strait, Jr High - Brenda McKee, High School – Dee Vetter, Music: Lorna Nielsen, Kristy Borer, Neda Ries, Substitutes: Janell Bemis, Suane Selchert, Landon Vetter, Gary & Robin Gabur, Ardel Strait, Chuck Juntti Confirmation Assistant: Chuck Juntti Thank you for volunteering to work with our young people.

Confirmation Classes will begin this Wednesday, September 14. 7^th Graders and some 8^th Graders meet at 3:30 p.m. for snacks, class at 3:35 p.m. with a 4:50 p.m. dismissal. Some 8^th Graders & the 9^th Graders meet at 6:00 p.m. for snacks, class at 6:15 p.m., dismissal at 7:30 p.m. Everyone provides their own snacks each week. Let’s have a great year!

A Men’s Breakfast Bible Study, which we will call PIGS for Pretty Interesting Guy Stuff, begins this Thursday at 6:30 a.m. in the Conference Room. All men of all ages are invited. No one will be put on the spot to answer questions. It will be a casual, easy going time together when we encourage each other in faith and life as Christ’s men. Future dates and times will be planned by those present. Come! Be with us!

Thank you for your support to Hurricane Katrina victims, wherever you have chosen to give your gift. Thrivent members have a special opportunity to give a gift in a way that will increase what you give. See the insert in today’s bulletin. To become a Thrivent member see Kari Nolte, John Top, Doug McKee, Roxanne Bass, or Geri Gantvoort.

Our first Confirmation Mentor/Student/Parent meeting will be Sunday, September 18^th, at 6:00 p.m. for supper, activities, and mentor training meeting. All mentors, students and parents are asked to come.

Parents, Grandparents, Congregational Leaders, Sunday School Teachers, Youth and Family Leaders are invited to the "Passing on the Faith Conference," September 23-24 at Chamberlain. This conference helps people find the keys to their faith in Jesus Christ, so they can pass it on from generation to generation. It is presented by the Youth & Family Institute. Cost is $60.00/person or $45.00/ person if 3 or more from the congregation attended. See Pastor for more information.

The Castlewood CROP WALK will take place on Sunday, September 25th starting and ending at ALC. Registration is at 2 p.m. and the walk begins at 2:30 p.m. This year there will be a friendly competition between participating groups like the area churches and possibly school organizations. Plan to pick up your walker envelop to use in asking for donations, or plan to make a generous donation through a walker or two. Funds raised go to respond to disasters like Hurricane Katrina survivors, and long term hunger and poverty needs world-wide. ¼ of funds raised will be returned to the Hamlin County Food Pantry. For information and all you need to participate call Lorie Janssen at 881-4464.

We will join together on October 5, 6 – 8 p.m., with the Castlewood School and other area churches for a carnival night at the school to raise funds for victims of Hurricane Katrina. We are looking for one person to help co-ordinate the bake sale, for our youth and confirmation youth to plan and lead a few game booths, and possibly for ½ hour of a variety of entertainment. Please think and pray about how you (all ages) can participate, and talk to Pastor John about what you could do.