Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
   Greetings in our Lord and Savior!  He loves you so very much.  Yes, even you and me.
   I am so excited about the start-up of so many church ministries this fall - old and new.  I hope you will be, too. 
   It is my hope that every member and many other frequent participants at ALC will make it his/her response to God's mercies to do the seven basic faith practices of Christian discipleship.  What are these 7 basic faith practices?  They are so "common sense" that many Christians will say, "Why of course, this is how I live my Christian life." 
   I invite you to do just that.  What a change there would be here at ALC if each one of us faithfully did these!  We would grow immensly from being a good, strong, pleasant congregation, to being a congregation that is more in tune with the gracious leading of God, and is more alive to bring the Gospel to the world , as well as to our own community, with proclamation of Christ and with deeds of justice and service.
   Here are the 7 basic faith practices:

- Pray             - Study             -Worship 
- Invite           - Encourage    - Serve
- Give

   I ask you.  No, I more than ask.  Know this.  It is the Lord's desire and will, out of His great love for you and for all, that you daily pray and study the Scriptures, that you worship every Sunday and daily, too,  that you invite others to faith in Jesus, to worship service, to your church, that you encourage others and pass on the faith in Jesus, that you serve for the sake of others, and that you give money and time freely and generously for the work of the Gospel which is the work of the church.   
   These are the marks of a faithful disciple. A follower of Jesus, except for the weakness or rebellion of sin, simply does these things. 
   In order to help us focus on these basic faith practices, we will emphasize one each month of the school year, with 2 months to spare.  Perhaps we will take a little vacation in December and April to experience Christ's birth and resurrection in Kodak color.
   So in September we look most at Prayer.  See suggestions for your personal prayer life and for your prayer ministry in another piece in this newsletter. 
   Actually, the "study" faith practice leaps into action this month, too, with Sunday School, Confirmation, and Luther League, but we will sharpen the focus in October. 
   So for now, would you begin or continue by praying tonight before you go to bed?  Perhaps, you might think about your needs and the needs of your neighbor, ponder what you are grateful for and excited about, dare to confess your sins - even those you keep hidden away in your heart, consider the purpose and goals of your life, and pray about all of these things. 
   Or if this is too much, just pray about one of these things.  Tackle what you can do, be patient with yourself, and just talk with God like you do with a good friend.  Because that is what God is.   
   Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (I Thess. 5:16-18).

Peace, Pastor John

Here are a few youth opportunities coming up.  Talk to Brenda or Pastor.

   Are you reading this right after church today, Aug. 25.

   9-12th Graders, registration for the 2003 Atlanta  Youth Gathering opens September 16, with a deposit of $100 due on September 15th. Talk about it at home. There will be an informational meeting on September 8th after worship service for youth and parents.

September 29 - Luther League (grades 7-12) will go horseback riding at Canyon Ranch in Veblen

Meet our 2002 Lutheran Outdoors campers: Donavon Rhody at Outlaw Ranch; Lisa Kalt, Shelby Nielsen, Nicole Pribbenow, Kaylea Karst and Candis Kiihl at Klein Ranch; and Allison DeKam and Chelsie Walder at NeSoDak.
God bless and grow them!