Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 2011
OUR BIGGEST MISSION FIELD
The Graveyard of the Atlantic. That is what they call a treacherous stretch of coastline off the Outer Banks of North Carolina in the United States. Hundreds of ships have gone down there over the past three centuries. But many lives that otherwise would have been lost were saved by the heroic rescuers of the United States Life Saving Service, which established a series of life-saving stations along the Outer Banks. Each one was a big white frame building, built far enough back from the ocean to be protected from the fury of powerful Atlantic storms. During a Park Service demonstration for tourists, Ron Hutchcraft, (Debby and I heard him at a Billy Graham evangelism conference), watched how a stations eight-man crew carried out their rescues. Many of those rescues were amazing, as Life-Saving crewmen would go out into violent surf and storms to bring back people about to die on a sinking ship. Their exploits exemplified the courageous motto of the Life Saving Service You have to go out. You dont have to come back. I believe our greatest mission field in these foothills is our youth. If the truth be known, nearly 50% of the world is under 25 years old. If we are serious about the Great Commission, we cant ignore half of the worlds population. Ron said that this is the largest generation of young people in history the MOST UNREACHED generation in history and the MOST REACHABLE generation in history. He said that most lost young people will never come to us at our life-saving stations, i.e, the church. We will have to go where they are geographically, culturally and methodologically or they will simply go on dying. The rescue effort begins when you hear the cries of dying people. Until we have a passion for lost people and hear the cries of dying people, we will be ineffective in evangelism and sharing the life-saving message of Jesus Christ. This is why we need to strongly support what we have at Sierra Lutheran Church. We have identified our greatest mission field in our area our youth. What Robert DuPree is doing to reach young people for Christ can never be measured. Continue to pray and support our youth ministry, and be one of those people who WALKS ACROSS THE ROOM to a teen ager with a smile and a welcome to this place attitude. Every Monday a bus-load of kids are dropped off at our place. Thank you, Lord for bringing them here, and for the volunteers who cook, clean-up, teach and mentor these tender hearts that live in such a mixed-up world! May God bless our ministry to our biggest mission field! Pastor John Saethre
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EXCITING NEW FALL SCHEDULE! In an effort to expand our ministry opportunities on Sunday morning, we are going to a new schedule starting September 18. The Praise and Worship service will begin a half-hour earlier at 8:30 a.m., with Sunday School between the services at 10:00. The Heritage Service will remain at 11:00 a.m. Having Sunday School between the services has many advantages, for one, there will be more adult classes being offered, plus, families will be able to worship together without having to be dismissed to separate groups. As an added bonus, Samantha DuPree will be managing the new technology for the early service. Please pray for the success of this new schedule laid out by our Worship Team!

FALL KICK-OFF AND RALLY DAY Be sure to circle September 11 on your calendars for a Single Service Sunday at 9:00 a.m. We will be featuring our various ministries during the service and launching the Just Walk Across the Room campaign. Sign-ups will be available for Life Groups. There will be a barbecue following the service. Be a part of the new look Sierra Lutheran Church as we seek renewal in our Lord Jesus Christ.

BARBECUE AND POTLUCK SEPTEMBER 11 The Friendship Team and Kitchen Team are hosting a church-wide barbecue following the 9:00 a.m. service September 11. Bob Actis and crew will be serving barbecue tri-tip beef and turkey roll at no cost to us. Members are asked to bring side dishes, salads and desserts. Donations are welcomed for expenses. Serving will begin around 11:00 a.m.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE Moving the Praise and Worship Service allows us to have Sunday School for all ages at 10:00 a.m. We have an exciting array of opportunities for adults during that time. We will meet in the sanctuary. Pastor Saethre will start us off with: A Bible study on Pauls letter to the Galatians The Velasquez Life Group will meet and study the Just Walk Across the Room material. Others are welcome to join! Lynda Qualls will teach The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman, starting October 30 & continuing November 13 November 6 will feature a special guest, Gwen Ehrenborg who will be portraying Katie Luther at both services and Sunday School

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JOIN A LIFE GROUP! One of the best ways to grow in our Christian faith is to be part of a life group. We have seven set up so far meeting at different times, and hopefully we will have more by the September 11 kick-off. Our campaign is titled Just Walk Across the Room, developed by Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church. The gist of the campaign is to encourage our people to share our faith in a natural, nonthreatening way. This biblically based campaign has been used successfully by churches across the country. Hardbound books and student guide books will be available for those in life groups. So, sign-up September 11 or before and enjoy this short, but powerful four week course! Choose from one of the following life groups: Sunday morning group, hosted by John & Joyce Velasquez 10:30 in the library Sunday evening, hosted by Boyd and Mary Jane Humphrey 7:00 p.m., 7163 North Bain Street in Fresno Tuesday afternoon ladies group 12:30 p.m. in the library Tuesday evening, hosted by Dave and Jeanie Bookwalter, 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, hosted by Dave and Bev McCann, 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, hosted by the Garwicks at the church, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, hosted by John & Lori Pape, 7:00 p.m.

Freefalling news!
Well, we have officially started the new school year! Thank you all for your support. A special thanks to Tami Wright as she has taken on the role of meal coordinator. Tami will also be helping me teach the JR. Highers this year. We have a lot of great things planned for this year. Here are just a few to get us started *Car wash fund raiser at CVS September 3rd from 9-1 *Boardwalk beach blitz in Santa Cruz on September 16th and 17th *Helping serve at the food bank *Serving the homeless at the Poverello house *Helping with Trunk or treat *Christmas tree lane walk *New years eve at the Mcdermont field house *Winter jam 2011 Thats just to name a few. Looking forward to a great year. Prayers are appreciated always! Robert!

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VICE-PRESIDENTS REPORT
A recent Fresno Bee article was titled U.K. urged to reverse its moral collapse. The article quoted Prime Minister David Cameron; This has been a wake-up call for our country (referring to recent riots). Social problems that have been festering for decades have exploded in our face. I think Mister Cameron should have read C.S. Lewiss observations from The Screwtape Letters and learned the lesson well before the recent events in Great Britain. C.S. Lewis wrote his classic satirical novel during World War Two. The theme of the book is the Devil (aka Screwtape) instructing his underling on how to wrest a young man from Christianity. In most books is an addendum titled Screwtape Proposes a Toast written in 1959 for The Saturday Evening Post. In the Devils Toast to a dinner group of Goblins, Screwtape revels over the decline of morals and ethics in both England and America. In Screwtapes toast he explains how the decline of education because of lowering of standards is helping his cause to eliminate greatness in English society. In addition, he exalts, Penal taxes are liquidating the Middle Class, the class who were prepared to save and spend and make sacrifices in order to have their children privately educated. The removal of this class, besides linking up with the abolition of education, is, fortunately, an inevitable effect of the spirit that deleteriously says Im as good as you. This Middle Class was, after all, the social group which gave to the humans the overwhelming majority of their scientists, physicians, philosophers, theologians, poets, artists, composers, architects, jurists, and administrators. Screwtape continues that this spirit of Im as good as you has worked its way into America. The basic principle of the new education is to be that dunces and idlers must not be made to feel inferior to intelligent and industrious pupils. This downward effect is noted at all levels, he crows, to include college entrance requirements and university exams. The Devils work of spreading imperturbable conceit and incurable ignorance among men will thankfully now be done by government programs. If Prime Minister Camerons concerns are correct, that Britain must confront a culture of laziness, irresponsibility, and selfishness that fueled four days of riots he need look no further than the social programs in England, loved by Screwtape, which led to this situation. Is it possible that elected governments cannot right this situation? I suggest that we all need to examine C.S. Lewiss concerns and must re-evaluate our social and educational programs that lead to moral and ethical decline. This effort should start with our world-wide Christian congregations. How about starting right here in our Foothill community? Read the book! Your brother in Christ Jerry Garwick

Reputation is what people think about you. Character is what people know you are.

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Fall Greetings from Outreach!

Excitement is in the air - what with Rally Sunday soon upon us. I hope everyone plans to attend our one service and potluck to hear all the fun things that will be coming up at Sierra Lutheran. Schools are all back in session now. I am happy to report that we were able to pass out school supplies at the August Food Bank distribution. God is good as there was exactly enough for all who needed materials for the upcoming school year. Seeing both young and old excited about getting these much needed items was a true blessing. Our summer give a way of toys and hygiene products was a huge success too. I give credit to Sallie Karp for seeing that these were passed out in July as I was on holiday with my family. Jesus asks us to give all the help we can each and every day. Even the smallest kindness does not go unnoticed. Sierra Lutheran is a beacon of hope and light on this mountain. I look forward to all that we can and will do starting with our fall kick off on Rally Sunday, Sept. 11th. I am still looking for more people to join in this ministry. I will have a table at Rally Sunday. Stop by and sign up!!! Blessings and love to one and all! Lynda Qualls

Hi all! New and exciting changes are coming to our church. This is also true with our place online. Our new, permanent website address is now sierralutheranchurch.org instead of sierralutheranchurch.com. Please note this new address in your browsers and bookmarks. Our website has been a very popular place for people to go to for our church information. We have had about 250 individual people checking out our site every month! This is a great place for you to post information about your events for our congregation to read. Please, let me know at least a week before you need your information posted. There will also be an interactive church calendar for people to read/print at home, so make sure that all of your event/life group information gets to me via email so that your event can be posted! Also, don't forget that our newsletter is also posted online through our website so you can print it or read at home via your Tablet or iPad. We are also working on getting Pastor's sermons recorded so that they can be posted online for anyone who may have had to miss church that week. If you have any special requests for our site or would like to be on the Webmaster Team, please let me know! Much Love, Samantha Flanagan-DuPree samfdupree@gmail.com

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THE SIGNATURE OF GOD IS WRITTEN IN FLOWERS

As I start on this new endeavor I want to express my thanks to Mary Jane and her helpers for all of the hard work that was done to keep our church grounds looking beautiful. I know that it was done with much love and joy. Mary Jane truly enjoyed her work. As she and Boyd start a new chapter in their lives we want to wish them the very best of everything. (Well done good and faithful servant)

ADOPT A SPOT
What could this possibly mean? Fern Martin worked hand in glove with Mary Jane through the years and she will be staying on with me as my right hand gal. BUT WE NEED HELP. This is the plan.We have divided the church grounds into 6 different areas. We need volunteers to maintain these areas. We call it ADOPT A SPOT. 1. Roses 2. Bushes and trees by the office air conditioner 3. Mound in front 4. Islands by kitchen and in parking lot 5. Bushes along the fence 6. Bushes in front by the highway 7. Lawn Lawn has been adopted by The Jolley Family 8. The watering is all on timers and drip so that need not be a concern. Each person or team can pick an area and maintain it. With all areas covered it should not take more than maybe and hour or so per week. If you feel the Lord nudging you to come forth please listen to Him. Please contact me at you convenience and I will meet you at the church and we can start on our journey together. Blessings, John Velasquez 855-3149 or muleguy35@yahoo.com

HOPE & JOY Ladies please join us for Hope and Joy at noon, Sept 10th, for a potluck, fellowship, bible study and a short business meeting. We will be meeting at the home of Joyce Velasquez, please let her know if you will be attending...855-3149. Bible study will be "Priscilla" Acts 18: 1-4, 18-28. Please bring your ideas for outreach projects to this meeting as we will be voting on which ones to do each month.

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JOURNEY TO JESUS.
Im so excited to watch God at work with our Sunday school program. We have a team that has listened to God telling them to join our childrens ministry and we will be blessed by them. We will be going back to the basics, following a time line we will be studying Bible stories starting with creation, Jonah and the whale, The Ten Commandments and many more. We have a exciting time planned and I would encourage you to invite family and friends with Kindergarten through 6th graders to join us. We will have two Sunday school classes this year. Kindergarten 2nd and 3rd 6th and as the children come we will be ready to respond as needed. Our team this year:

Kindergarten 2nd Grade

Cathy Jolley Michelle Stevens

3rd 6th Grade

David Bookwalter Becki LaVoy Jordan

Sunday School Support

Jodi Jordan - Shirley Leckie Sharon Tevis Shelley Telles Lynda Qualls

Music Team
Deanie Flanagan Mary Ann Price We will be starting off the year on September 18th after our Rally Sunday with introductions and learning about the time line we will be following. All of the Sunday school team would like to express how much we are looking forward to seeing each and every child this year. Dont miss a Sunday each will be filled with Gods Word. In Gods Grace, Cathy

Notes from the Praise Team

Aug. 25, 2011

School has begun and for our family that means home school. The very first unit in Sydneys literature book is the theme of courage. One of the many blessings of home school is that I get to learn right along with my kids. So Ive been thinking a lot about courage lately. According to Illumina, my Bible software, courage is the ability to act on what we know is right and good, to dare to do what we should or must. Joshua gives us a great example of courage. When he led the Israelite people into the Promised Land, he had to fight for it. He had to conquer established nations. But he didnt do it because he wanted to. He fought because God told him to. He acted on Gods word and dared to do what had to be done. And it wasnt just one battle. It took years! How did Joshua do it? He was encouraged. Joshua 8:1a Then the Lord said to Joshua, Do not be afraid or discouraged We are also studying roots, suffixes and prefixes this year. Did you notice the words encourage and discourage? It takes courage to live a Christian life. But know that God is fighting for you. Be encouraged to act on what is right and good. Dare to do what you should or must. And dont give up! No matter what battle you must face, you will never, ever be alone! Romans 8:38-39

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Dont you Dare go anywhere Veterans Day weekend or you will miss the

1st Annual SLC Put Up or Shut up Chili Cook Off November 12, 2011
At SLC campus from 11am to 6pm. Do you think your chili is the best? Well Put up and put it to the test. Just like to eat? Bring your family, bring your friends, bring your appetite And a smile. Spread the word and lets make it an Event that people will remember. Any Questions contact Mike Jolley 855-4048

POT LUCK LUNCH WITH TRI- TIP AND GARLIC BREAD ON RALLY SUNDAY on 9/11/11
We will be having a Pot Luck lunch on Sept 11, 2011 at church. We are asking everyone to bring a side dish of your choice. BBQ Tri-Tip and Hot Roasted Garlic Bread and drinks will be provided by the church. This will cost only what you can afford to give, it will be a love offering. Everyone invited, bring some friends. Lunch will be at approximately 10:45 am. Bring your side dish to the kitchen with name on it. Do not forget to pick it up after lunch. Thank you Friendship Committee. Special thanks to the Velasquez's, Pape's and Actis's for donating the bread and meat. The Bunnells for donating things for the barbeque. Also to Ben Flanagan for BBQing. Friendship and Kitchen committee for their work.
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ANNVERSARIES
Sept. 27 Wes & Lynda Qualls

BIRTHDAYS
Sept. 3 - Joyce Velasquez Sept. 7 Jodi Jordan Sept. 8 Ronnie Aylward Sept. 9 Jerry Garwick Sept. 10 Judy Rose Sept. 15 Jean Youngclarke Sept. 19 Susan Catchpole Emily Simpson Sept. 22 T. George Pickering Sept. 23 Missy Hansen Sept. 24 Jim Markus Sept. 29 Arlene Jumps Sept. 30 Taylor Hoag

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Worship Coordinator Shelley Telles

As we approach our September kick-off into the fall or new season at Sierra Lutheran, it is time to remind you the congregation, of areas where your service (help or participation) is needed. God brings people into our lives when we need guidance. A few years back He sent Pastor Carl to Sierra Lutheran. Carl taught our committee that worship is not lead by one individual (the pastor). Many individuals can have active roles in worship and we are taught and guided by our pastor. Carls guidance helped us to grow in worship support for this congregation and prepared us for the arrival of Pastor John. There are no limits to the number of people that can be involved with leading or supporting our worship. If you are feeling a tug that God is directing you to step out and be up front during a part of worship, just let Pastor John or any of us know what you are feeling. Worship Assistant Schedule - the names you see each month on the schedule are not members of a closed club. If you would like to be a part of the support that connects to the up front worship: preparing the Altar, the Narthex, the music (display on computer), greeters-ushersreaders, just let us know! This month we will have sign-up forms so you can indicate an area for your service to assist in our worship. You will also hear about other areas to support and serve our church such as our landscape/grounds upkeep, assisting with setup needs (tables, chairs, etc.) for special events or services there are service needs to fit all people, personal schedules, and talents.

Ephesians 2: 10
For we are Gods workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

A SENIOR MOMENT
Pick A Party
Hosted by: The Telles & Markus Families Come celebrate October fest by making and sampling various sausages. Each guest will be served lunch and take home 5lbs. of sausage. Price: $25/person Total number of guest: 25 To check availability please call number below Date of Party: October 15 Time of Party: 9:00a.m. Location: The Messers, 32107 Rock Hill Lane Phone: 855-8990 259-1830 (cell) E-mail: shirl@netptc.net

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Life Groups/Just Walk Across the Room

Tuesday 12:30 pm - Womens Group - Library 7:00 pm McCanns Home 7:00 pm Jumps Home (Acting for Jumps - Bookwalters Home) 7:00 pm Garwicks - Church Wednesday 12:00 Noon Mens Bible Study at L.A. Caf 7:00 pm Everharts Home 7:00 pm Papes Home Saturday Noon Hope & Joy (2nd Sat. Each Month) Call Doreen Pickering 855-3797 For location of meeting Sunday 10:30 am Velasquez Library (Stay Tuned Subject To Change)

KITCHEN CORNER
We have been busy. Coming up is the September 11 one service Rally Day Sunday. We will have smoked meat and you are to bring a potluck dish of your choice. Mike Jolly is in charge of a CHILI COOK-OFF that will be in November. Remember the youth have started their Monday night gatherings with dinner. Please help if you can, Tami Wright is the person to contact. Our next meeting will be Sept. 1 at 7:00 P.M. in the kitchen. Join us.

LADIES DID YOU KNOWGood

friends are like starsyou dont always see them, but you know they are always there.

Do you have a Life Group? Please Join Us!

Beware of Terrorist Groups in Church

Reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our churches. They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin gossipin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin. Their leader, Lucifer Bin Workin, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ. The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and to do the work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy. However, there have been reports of a sixth group. A tiny cell known by the name of Bin Prayin is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church. Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along. Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ. We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ, to return. No church is exempt! However, you can spot them if you bin lookin and bin goin.

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Bible Treasure Hunt:

Pastor- Council President John Saethre 559-855-8989 jsaethre@netptc.net Church Administrator: Lori Pape 559-855-2861 559-289-5271 (Cell) ljpape@netptc.net Vice President: Jerry Garwick 559-323-6603 559-284-6507 (Cell) fgarwick@aol.com Secretary: Becki La Voy Jordan 559-298-5184 559-593-1063 (Cell if needed) 28692 Pittman Hill Road Clovis, CA 93619 davidnbecki@gmail.com Elder: Doug Baker 559-855-8181 Longhorn@netptc.net Elder: Mike Jolley 559-855-4048 mtnrocker@gmail.com Elder: Dave McCann 559-298-0609 davemccann.elder@gmail.com Treasurer: (Acting) David Jordan 559-298-5184 559-593-1385 28692 Pittman Hill Road Clovis, CA 93619 davidnbecki@gmail.com The Psalmist wrote, How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth (119-103). Have you tasted the goodness of the Lord? Open your Bible today. David Roper The Bible, the Bible! More precious than gold; Glad hopes and bright glories its pages unfold; It speaks of the Father and tells of His love, And shows us the way to the mansions above. Anon. Solve the clue to discover the treasure, a Bible person, place, or thing. Solution on page 13. The word from Paul was that he should, While living there in Crete, Appoint some elders in each town Where congregations meet. DAILY BREAD: OUR

Office Hours: Tues. thru Fri. 9:00 a.m. - Noon Church Website: www.sierralutheranchurch.org Church e-mail: slc@netptc.net 32410 Rock Hill Lane Auberry, CA 93651

Did you Know?

LUTHERANISM had its beginnings in 1517, when Martin Luther publicly called for the correction of errors in the medieval church, LUTHER was pastor, professor, author, composer of hymns and reformer, His ideas still stimulate new thinking in the church - - he is RESPECTED but NOT WORSHIPED! Basically, Lutheranism teaches that a person is saved only by the grace of God through faith in Christ.

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September 2011
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 1 6:30pm Praise Team 7pm AA Meeting Room 2 7pm Kitchen Meeting 8 6:30pm Praise Team 7pm AA Meeting Room 2 15 6:30pm Praise Team 7pm AA Meeting Room 2 22 6:30pm Praise Team 7pm AA Meeting Room 2 2 FRIDAY SATURDAY 3 Youth-Car Wash @ CVS

4 9am Celebration Service 11am Heritage Service 11 Rally Sunday 9am -Single Service Sunday

5 3:15pm-Youth 7pm AA Meeting Room 2

6 6:15pm Co.D.A. Library

7 Noon-Mens Bible Study L.A. Caf

10 9am Joseph Store House

12 3:15pm-Youth 7pm AA Meeting Room 2

13 6:15pm Co.D.A. Library

14 Noon-Mens Bible Study L.A. Caf

16 Youth-Beach Blitz

17 Youth-Beach Blitz

18 8:30 am -Celebration Service 10:00 am -Sunday School 11am Heritage Service 25 8:30 am -Celebration Service 10:00 am -Sunday School 11am Heritage Service

19 3:15pm-Youth 7pm AA Meeting Room 2

20 6:15pm Co.D.A. Library

Noon-Mens Bible Study L.A. Caf

23

24

26 3:15pm-Youth 7pm AA Meeting Room 2 Newsletter Articles Due

27 6:15pm Co.D.A. Library

28 9am Food Bank Noon-Mens Bible Study L.A. Caf

29 6:30pm Praise Team 7pm AA Meeting Room 2

30

Solution to Bible Treasure Hunt: Titus - see Titus 1:5

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**Please note the time change for first service, starting Sept. 18

September 2011 Worship Assistants Sept. 11

Rally Day One Service Shelley Rod & Marcia

Sept. 4
Altar Guild Greeters 9 am 11 am Susan/Shelley Pam & Joyce R. David & Becki

Sept. 18
Shelley/Susan

Sept. 25
Shelley Alan & Sue Shirley

8:30am

Gloria

& Chris

no 11am service
Dave & Bev & Mike

Jerry & Fran

Ushers

9 am

Dave & Joni & Chris David & Becki Nordine Stan ---Shelley

8:30am

John & Joyce & Fern Jerry & Fran Praise Team Shelley ---Shelley

YOUTH & Robert Shirley Praise Team David J. ??? Shelley

11 am Readers Gods Word Computer 9 am 11 am 9 am 9 am

no service
Alan ---Shelley

Communion Assistants

9 am 11 am

Mike & Joyce R & Fern Fran Yes

8:30am

John & Lori & Debby David B. Yes

Prayer Stations

9 am

If you are unable to serve when scheduled please ask one of the other assistants to trade dates or provide a substitution for you, and notify Worship Coordinator Shelley Telles (855-5703) of the change.

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