Almighty God, we thank you for planting in us the seed of your word. By your Holy Spirit help us to receive it with joy, live according to it, and grow in faith and hope and love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Derek C. Harkins to be Ordained July 8

Derek Christopher Harkins will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in Christ's one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church on Friday, July 8, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 318 East 6th Street in Casper, WY. Derek is being called to serve English Lutheran Church in Hazen, ND. All ordained, consecrated and commissioned ministers are invited to process. The color of the day is red.

God's Positioning System is the theme, November 18-20, 2011 at the Estes Park "Y"

Registration for the 2011 Senior High Youth Gathering will open August 1! 

Go to the SHYG page for all the exciting details!

Keep coming back as more info and details will be added each week. 

Storyhill to Play a Benefit Concert for Sky Ranch

Sky Ranch is excited to announce that Storyhill will be playing a benefit concert on Friday, July 29 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village, CO. The concert will begin at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available at the door, with general admission seating.    

Fresh off their June 18 NPR appearance on "A Prairie Home Companion," Storyhill is a folk duo that brings infectious melodies, smart story songs and heartbreaking harmonies together in one perfect package. Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson grew up and started performing together as teenagers, in Bozeman, Montana. They recorded their first tape as Chris and Johnny in 1989, upon graduating from high school.

Storyhill's awards, live national performances and CD recordings confirms that they are one of the most important songwriting duos today, mixing old-fashioned storytelling with hauntingly spare acoustic arrangements that sings about love, war and the many sorrows that accompany them.   

"Storyhill...setting a new high standard for male duet harmony" Garrison Keillor

Good Shepherd Sharing with others in the RMS Church Community 

The people of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Denver appreciate the many expressions of concern and support from congregations across the Synod.  The congregational council made decisions regarding the dispersal of property assets. Four ELCA congregations with special needs will receive items:

• Rejoice Lutheran Church, Erie, CO;  
• Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey, El Paso, TX;  
• Camino de Vida, Albuquerque, NM; and  
• New Beginnings, Denver, CO. 

Thanks to all who expressed interest and continue to offer prayers for the people of God at Good Shepherd. Please come to closing worship on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

Summer time means....transition time! 

 Please keep in your prayers the 2010-2011 Urban Servant Corps communities as they end the year of service; many transitions accompany this season! Additionally, the 2011-2012 crew will arrive at the end of August.  They, too, will appreciate your prayers of support.  If you'd like to help spiff up the USC houses during the in-between-time, mark your calendars for the week of August 15-19!

Closing BBQ

August 1, 2011 -- 6:00 p.m.

835 & 839 32nd St. Denver, CO

Believe it or not, the 2010-2011 year of service is winding down!  Join in the celebration of this year's USC volunteers at the BBQ event! 

Move-In Day!

August 28, 2011 -- 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.

Calling all alumni and friends!  Do you remember what it was like moving to Denver for the first time?  Please share your hospitality and welcome the new crew on move in day!  

Commissioning Service

Our Savior's Lutheran Church

September 25, 2011 -- 10:00 a.m. liturgy

Members of the Our Savior's community will offer a blessing on the 2011-2012 Urban Servant Corps volunteers during liturgy. All are welcome!

"The Little Church That Could"

Miracles and Blessings When We Need Them!  

Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit (LCHS) in Centennial, CO was called to serve in its own back yard. Faithful members of the LCHS congregation faced the heartache of losing their home due to foreclosure.  The family members were out of work for a time and had missed a few mortgage payments.  With such a large amount of money needed to keep their home from being foreclosed upon, the family approached the pastor with a request of prayer and any help LCHS would be able to provide.   

Pastor Christian Nisonger of Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit brought the matter to the Church Council which discussed the pros and cons in depth before every council member, without hesitation, agreed to whatever help was required. The Council saw this opportunity as a calling from God to open the LCHS home and help those who need to be helped. An appeal was made to the congregation for donations and the council agreed to supplement any shortfall from undesignated bequests.

For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing this ministry to the saints... 2 Cor 8; 3-4.

The congregation responded overwhelmingly and donated most of the needed funds.  The council found the funds and along with some matching funds from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, the family was able to stop the foreclosure process and save their home.   

LCHS is full of God's children that live and breathe God's word and the Spirit was surely with the council and congregation through this decision-making. The council has decided to continue this type of giving to pass the good word on to other families or individuals in need.  

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you   Luke 6:38

Youth Leadership Retreat

Inviting all 8th - 12th grade youth who want to explore the gifts that God has given them and learn how to use those gifts to serve the Church and the world.

DATE: July 22 - 24    

LOCATION: Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp

PRICE: $45

The weekend includes team building, leadership training, spiritual gift exploration, and peer ministry.  This retreat opportunity is great for youth on church council, in local youth group or wanting a leadership role in the RMS or ELCA Youth Gatherings. 

For more information, check out the color brochure. You may register online at the Sky Ranch website.  

Zion - Montrose 1st YOUTH Habitat for Humanity Build and Christian Concerts

 Activities from July 6-9 

Zion Lutheran Church of Montrose will have its first Humanity Build and Christian Concert event on from July 6 -9 2011. The build will take place on July 6 and 7 and the concerts will be performed on July 8 and 9 and will feature Mercy Me, Casting Crowns, Superchick, and many others.

The cost is $50.00 which includes 4 breakfasts, 2 dinners and a T-shirt. We only have spots for 20 people available on a first come basis. For more information, please contact the church (970-249-9828) or Heidi by email or phone (970-901-8225). Zion is located at 701 South Junction Avenue, Montrose (81401).  

Dr. Mark Jacobson, Medical Director of Selian Lutheran Hospital, Visits on July 7

Saint Peter Lutheran Church, in Greenwood Village, has been supporting Selian Lutheran Hospital in Arusha, Tanzania for many, many years, including the Selian 5K Run/Walk event in early June 2011. On Thursday, July 7 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Saint Peter will host a reception for Dr. Mark Jacobson and his wife Linda and an invitation to attend is extended to the entire community.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn of Mark's efforts in making Selian Lutheran Hospital and its subsidiary programs what they are today. Learn about the cooperation required to meet the medical needs of so many people living in poverty and hear of the positive impact that Selian Hospital has had on the lives of those in the Arusha area.

If you plan to attend, please contact Carol Mayer by email carolmayerco@aol.com or call the church office at 303-770-9300, so that enough coffee and snacks are available. Saint Peter Lutheran Church is located at 9300 E. Belleview Avenue, Greenwood Village (80111).

50th Ordination Anniversary Celebration

On Sunday, July 10, Augustana Lutheran Church will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pastor Ron Swenson's ordination. Please join Pastor Swenson and his family at a reception from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Pastor Swenson was Augustana's senior pastor from 1980 to 1999 and continues as an active member of the congregation.   

If you are unable to attend the reception, cards and greetings may be addressed to Pastor Ron Swenson and mailed to Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 East Alameda Avenue, Denver CO (80246).

3^rd Annual Blessing of the Bicycles

On Sunday, July 10, House for All Sinners and Saints will be hosting its 3rd Annual Blessing of the Bicycles at 6:00 p.m. on the corner of 22nd & Dexter in Denver.  We know that urban biking is not without peril. Many of us rely almost exclusively on human-powered transportation and do so while competing for road space with motorized vehicles. As a way of acknowledging the inherent goodness of God's gifts of life and health and the humble but elegant bicycle we are conducting a Blessing of the Bicycles for the entire Denver cycling community.

For more information, please contact Nadia Bolz-Weber, pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints, by email or phone (720-301-9409).

Hymn Society of the U.S. and Canada Annual Conference in Colorado Springs

With a hymn festival at St. Paul, Denver

The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada will hold its annual conference in Colorado Springs, CO from July 17-21, 2011. Our theme is "Touch the Earth Lightly," which will focus on our responsibility to care for God's creation.  Our program will feature Dr. I-to Loh, a world renowned specialist in Asian hymnody, as well as outstanding leaders in church music from across the United States and Canada. Six events are open to the public:

Sunday, July 17
Organ Recital by Carol Wilson, 4:00 p.m., First Christian Church, 16 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs.

Hymn Festival, 7:30 p.m., Touch the Earth Lightly: Singing Our Care for the Earth, Grace and St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 601 Tejon Street, Colorado Springs.

Monday, July 18
Hymn Festival, 7:30 p.m., A Heart to Praise Our God: A Festival Highlighting Hymns by Gay and Lesbian Poets and Composers, First Congregational Church, 20 East St. Vrain Street, Colorado Springs.

Tuesday, July 19
Hymn Festival, 7:30 p.m., Rooted in the Rockies: Congregational Song with a Colorado Connection, St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1600 Grant Street, Denver.

Wednesday, July 20  

Hymn Festival, 7:30 p.m., The Earth is Our Mother, First United Methodist Church, 420 North Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs.

Thursday, July 21
Hymn Festival, 10:30 a.m., "Look in Wonder, Hold in Honour," Air Force Academy Chapel, Colorado Springs.

Registration and schedule: http://www.thehymnsociety.org/conference.html   

Lutheran Family Services "Tee Off for Hope" Golf Event

Join Lutheran Family Services for the 18^th Annual Golf Classic - 'Tee Off for Hope'. The event will take place at Arrowhead Golf Club on Monday, July 25, 2011 - 7:30 Shotgun Start.

The individual fee is $175 and $700 for a foursome. Fees include: green fees for 18 holes, golf cart, breakfast, unlimited snacks, lunch, exceptional prizes and more!

Register online at www.lfsco.org . You may also call Danette at 303-217-5860 with questions or to get more information.

 Lutheran Colleges Fair and Seminar

Sunday, August 21, 2011 at   

Bethany Lutheran Church

Registration begins at 6:45 p.m.
Financial Aid Seminar at 7:00 p.m.
College Fair from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.   

Lutheran Colleges.org (LECNA) . 

Although each of the 40 colleges and universities represented by the Lutheran Educational Conference of North America (LECNA) is unique, they all focus on developing the whole self through active learning that engages the mind, body and spirit. Don't miss this opportunity to talk to representatives from more than two dozen different Lutheran colleges and get important information about financial aid resources. Learn what questions to ask when choosing a college. Get help with financial aid resources...how, when and where to apply. Find out how to plan your high school classes to be well prepared for attending college.

Save the Date

New Beginnings 13^th Annual Celebration Dinner and  Fundraiser 

On September 24, New Beginnings 13^th Annual Celebration Dinner and Fundraiser will take place at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO featuring a silent auction, dinner, entertainment, and awards. Mark IV will be on hand offering their musical gifts throughout the evening. Also, many hand knitted and crocheted items from the women on the inside will be available at the silent auction.   

For silent auction inquiries or donation, please contact Heiko Meyer by email. (Monetary donations are also welcome.) Come and make this a night to remember and let the women know that they are cared about.

New Beginnings Church is an ecumenical ministry inside the Denver Women's Correctional Facility.