Middle /Jr. High School Youth Gathering

Don't forget the Bible study!

The Heroes Bible Study is available for you to read in advance of attending the Gathering. You can also find more information including release forms, a guide to what to bring and what NOT to bring, maps, etc. on the RMS website.
 

Encouraging Youth and Young Adults

to be Leaders in be Church

TOP TEN Reasons for your congregation to consider selecting and/or nominating youth and young adults as members of your church council and as voting members for the 2011 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly:

1. Young people want to make a difference and seek opportunities to listen, serve and be heard.
2. Young people are the church of today, not the church of tomorrow.
3. A church council and synod assembly are a glimpse of the "larger church."  The experiences can be faith-forming and career shaping.
4. Young people are some of our most articulate voting members, speaking with insight and passion on issues at hand.
5. We are more fully the body of Christ when all generations and their gifts are included.
6. The dynamics of a church council and synod assembly are opportunities to reach out to a generation we are at risk of losing, to integrate them into the life and leadership of this church, and to tap into their talents for the sake of the gospel.
7. Most youth do not have enough caring adults in their life.
8. Most adults do not have enough young people in their life.
9. At baptism we say, "We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share . . ." Lifting up and empowering young people to serve is part of the calling of every congregation.
10. Because God does - young people are part of God's Holy Story!  

Holy Land Pilgrimage 2011

Holy Land and Egypt

October 10-26, 2011

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Egypt, October 10-26, 2011. Walk in the footsteps of Jesus. See the Holy Stones and meet the Living Stones, the people, of the Holy Land, as we visit Jerusalem and the sites of Jesus' ministry in Bethlehem, Nazareth, Capernaum and the Galilee. Tour Herod's fortress at Masada, swim in the Dead Sea, sail on the Sea of Galilee. Our days will include devotions, scripture readings at the holy sites, and time for reflection.
 

Pastor Paul Rowold, an experienced guide, will be our leader. See first-hand the inspiring ministries of Lutherans today in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Visit the pyramids of Egypt-Cairo, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings and Queens. Learn about the civilizations that once flourished along the Nile and see the archaeological treasures of the ancient world. 17-day Holy Land/Egypt tour: $4470, from Denver. for details, please visit the website or contact Jan Miller by email. The reservation deadline is April 1, 2011.

The Front Range Christian Ed Network meets Thursday, January 20 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the synod office. Bring your own lunch. Valerie Hess, Coordinator of Music Ministries at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boulder, university instructor in Spiritual Formation and author of two books on spiritual disciplines with kids, will be the guest presenter. No RSVP needed. For questions, please contact Linda Staats by email.

RMS Lutheran Schools Appreciation Days. Two opportunities for preschool & school directors, pastors and a school board member or staff person to gather: Thursday, February 10 at Lord of the Hills Christian Preschool in Centennial, CO or Thursday, February 17 at St. Luke's Lutheran Preschool, 9100 Menaul Blvd., NE, Albuquerque, NM.   Gayle Denny, Executive Director of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association will be with us. The cost is $10/person or $25 for three from a church and school. Each gathering will take place from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and includes lunch and free give-aways! To RSVP, email Cheryl Almquist in the synod office or give her a call on  303-777-6700 or 800-525-0462. If you have other questions, please contact Linda Staats by email or phone (602-740-3752).

It is not too late to register for the ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza in Kansas City, MO. from January 20-24, 2011. Please contact Rev. Paul Judson by email to ride the bus from Co9lorado to Missouri.

First Communion:  "My Heart Jumped in Joy."

 About 40 years ago I received my first Holy Communion.  Yes, it's been a long time!  Yet, I recall that Sunday as if it were last Sunday...well, ok, maybe not...my memory is not what it used to be.  Still, I remember getting up early and putting on my best plaid, short-sleeve shirt, my black-rimmed glasses, dress pants, white socks, and freshly waxed dress shoes.  I recall walking up the hill, enjoying the warmth of the sun shine, and listening to the ringing of the church bells. (Yes, our church had bells in the steeple!)

     The worship service was wonderful!  The church choir sang, the sound of the beautiful pipe organ echoed off the peaked wooden ceiling, the stained glass windows glowed, and our congregation was filled with joy!  I recall my pastor, Pastor Paul, extolling the blessings of communion and its importance for the community of Christ. 

     I recall coming to the communion rail and kneeling down on a red cushion, staring somewhat nervously at the beige brick of the altar and at the large, wooden cross suspended above it.

     It was not long before it was my turn.  I remember how Pastor Paul smiled at me as he said, "The body of Christ, given for you." 

My heart jumped in joy!  This was a moment of celebration! A time in my life meant to be remembered!
 

Read the entire article by Pastor Steve Leiser of Shepherd of the Mountains - Park City, UT
 

Mission Trip to Nicaragua June 14-24

An interfaith group lead by Abe Gonz�lez, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greeley, CO, is looking for physicians, dentists, nurses and folks with medical experience to join a mission trip to Nicaragua.

The medical portion consists of clinics in poor, rural areas that do not receive medical care. The group sets up a clinic and cares for the people. It is generally low tech with lots of teaching and love thrown in. If you are interested or want more information, please call Terry Ritter at 303-838-1614 or 303-564-2785, or call Pastor Abe at 970-352-3003 or 970-405-0308. Please consider this opportunity! 

Juried Art Show in Loveland to explore Lutheran identity February 11-25
 

Today, January 11 is the deadline for submissions.

Zion Lutheran Church in Loveland has issued the call to all artists to participate in the Juried Art Show which will take place from February 11-25, 2011. An artist's opening reception will be at Zion Lutheran Church on Friday, February 11, 2011.

Please note:

All work must be framed or completed on gallery wrap canvas

All work to be delivered by February 7

Deadline for submissions is January 11, 2011. Email up to 3 attached photos to Lanette

No entry fee - 20% of sales will be donated to ELCA World Hunger

For more information, please contact Lanette Wild by email or phone (970-669-0303).

Taiz� at Saint Paul - Denver Begins a New Year
 

We're very excited about our Taiz� offerings in 2011! In an effort to spread the word about the Taiz� tradition, and about our own service at Saint Paul, we have organized a seminar/presentation on Sunday, January 16 at 9:15 a.m. Please join us for coffee, treats, discussion, and a history of Taiz�. We'll even play clips from recordings of past Taiz� services at Saint Paul Lutheran Church! As always, any and all are welcome to attend-please invite friends and family! You are also more than welcome to join us at 10:30 a.m. for traditional worship service after the seminar/presentation.

Please add to your calendar our January 2011 service date: Wednesday, January 26 at 7:00 p.m. It will be held at Saint Paul Lutheran Church. 

You will find flyers for the informational session on the January 16 and for the Taiz� service on the January 26. Please share these with your communities and help us grow our ecumenical outreach in the Denver area. Thank you to all who have been supportive of Taiz� at Saint Paul since its inception! We are excited to be growing month by month - now offering the music leadership of 12 very talented individuals.

For questions, please email Jeff Steen or give him a call at 303-547-8760. If you haven't yet, please do join us! All are welcome!
 

The Life and Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Lecture given by Dr. Craig Nessan, Professor of Contextual Theology at Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, IA 
 

Congregations are invited to a lecture sponsored by Lutheran/Episcopal Campus Ministry at the University of Northern Colorado and Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Greeley:  
 

Saturday, January 22, 2011
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Reception to follow

At Our Savior's Lutheran Church

1800 21^st Avenue
Greeley, CO 80631
 

Clergy are invited to a dinner with Dr. Nessan following the reception at the home of Rev. Sarah Moening from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Please RSVP for the lecture and/or dinner by January 20 by calling the office at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. For questionsor more information, you may contact Pastoral Intern Jenn Collins by email or phone (970-352-4816). Free will donations accepted. 
 

St. Olaf College Concerts

The Choir of St. Olaf College, a four-year liberal arts college of the ELCA, will be performing two concerts in the Denver area on their upcoming national tour.  With 75 mixed voices, the St. Olaf Choir is considered one of the best college a cappella choirs in the United States. These concerts will include works for organ and choir with music spanning the 17st through 21st centuries.

The first concert will take place on Saturday, January 22 at 7:30 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 East Hampden Avenue in Cherry Hills Village (80113). The second concert will take place on Sunday, January 23 at 3:00 p.m. at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 East Alameda Avenue in Denver (80246).
 

More information

Buy tickets online
 

LFS Valentine's Day Event

Want a unique place to celebrate Valentines Day?
Looking for a way to explore your artistic side but don't know where to start?

Join LFS for one of the "trendiest nights out" in Denver! Lutheran Family Services is hosting a fundraiser at Canvas and Cocktails, one of the newest ways to learn the basics of acrylic painting while enjoying the company of friends.  The class which is for both the artistic and the not so artistic will be held on Monday, February 14 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $40 per person with $10 being given to LFS. To register visit, please www.canvasandcocktails.com or call 303-333-3288. For more information, please contact Erica at LFS on 303-217-5859.

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Social Phonics Boot Camp for Pastors and Ministry Leaders

Learn the language of new media
 

Bethany Lutheran Church

4500 East Hampden Avenue

Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113

Join Social Phonics on Thursday, February 17, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. for a one day workshop where you will learn about how to best use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, a podcast, and a blog for your ministry. And most importantly of all, you'll develop a philosophy of social media engagement that will fit into your own mission. Plus, you'll have fun.
 

Tony Jones has been leading these workshops all across the country to rave reviews.  Cost is $125 and includes lunch. Bring your own laptop! Check out the website for more information or you may register online.

Aces High

VOCES8 - a musical group you will not want to miss. Inspiring people through music, VOCES8 presents a musical journey with a repertoire that spans 500 years and three continents! Their performance includes arrangements of pop and jazz, and harking back to their roots as English choristers, they share the sacred and secular music from the Baroque and Renaissance eras. This lively group does more than sing - they enthrall!

Augustana Lutheran Church 5000 East Alameda Avenue, Denver (80246)

$30 Adult / $20 Senior / $20 Student (Reduced pricing for groups of ten or more)

Saturday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Get Connected... with New Orleans

The work is not done, yet!

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Longmont, CO, will be taking its fifth (and probably last) trip for Katrina relief in 2011. The trip is schedule for April 3-9. This is the best time to go to New Orleans weather-wise, so we need we need to our reservations as soon as possible. We will again be staying at the Annunciation Mission in uptown New Orleans. We will also again work with St. Bernard Project doing reconstruction.

The Annunciation Mission offers very nice dormitory housing and good meals. It is very reasonably price and centrally located. The St. Bernard Project is a well-organized ministry focusing on families who have run out of options. SBP has built 319 homes since its inception in 2006. More that 800 families are still living in FEMA trailers, so the need is great.

It is a lot of work with some play. Each year we do enjoy the culture and cuisine of that great city. One special addition to this year's trip is Pastor Lili Stahlberg, our first intern pastor, hopes to join us. She is now the pastor of Highlands Lutheran Church in Denver and plans to bring a group from her church as well.

If you are interested in going or have questions, please contact Bob Cotton (303-651-6563) or Pastor Mark Peterson (303-776-3290). Space is limited and the time to make reservations is running out, so please reserve you place right away.

Join others from many different faith communities and be encouraged to keep advocating on behalf of the poor and disenfranchised in Colorado!Together our voices can be a strong cry of justice to those who need to hear it. 
 

Legislators and representatives from the media will present how faith impacts their work and reporting. Hear the legislative priorities for Colorado Council of Churches, Colorado Interfaith Voices for Justice, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - Colorado and Jubilee Ministries. Learn how to engage more members of your faith community to participate.
 

Registration cost is $25.00 by Wednesday, February 16, 2011 (early bird) and includes lunch. A low-income/student rate of $15.00 is available as well. The event is from 9:00 a.m until 2:00 p.m. with an optional Lutheran Legislative Breakfast with Bishop Allan Bjornberg of the Rocky Mountain Synod (ELCA) from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. The additional for the breakfast is $10.00. A portion of the proceeds from the breakfast will support the Youth Group at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Longmont.
 

Ways to register:
On-line: at www.lam-co.org
By mail: Lutheran Advocacy Ministry
455 Sherman Street, Suite 160, Denver, CO 80203
(Please provide contact information)
By phone: (303) 777-6700or(800) 525-0462
By email: whobbs@rmselca.org