Wow! We hit a triple: for 2 Sundays, we had visits from Carol Rodman, Janet MacNair, and Barb & Brad Anderson. How's that for our chickens returning to the nest?! (Talk about a mixed metaphor...!)

Hugs to all the Sunday School teachers and helpers who gave so lovingly of their time and talent to our young saints. We are very grateful for each and every one of you!

Congratulations to our new confirmands: John Carkeet, Samuel Dafoe, Claire Decent, Annalise Klobe, Macie Mathers, Eric Parish, and Scout Sowell. This is a great step in your Christian path of life and we all support you in your journey.

Join us Thursday for our trip downtown to go through the Belz Museum, with lunch at the Majestic Grill afterwards. Meet at church at 10am.

Come hungry and wearing shorts, next Sunday. We'll be having a picnic outside in the pavilion, after the worship service in the sanctuary. St. Luke will provide the meat and Thrivent will provide ice cream, so please bring a side dish to share.

Mark June 2 ^nd on your calendars for our blood drive, from 9-12:30. Please eat a big breakfast and thank you for donating.

Cliff Notes: John 13: 31-35. Gratitude is the transformative power of giving thanks. This becomes habit, with practice and we have the opportunity to practice this four times a day. Gratitude can be a communal activity when we gather with others for celebrations: tailgate parties, school activities, confirmation and communion classes, new member classes, etc. When we join in communion during a worship service, we are celebrating the Eucharist, which means "gratitude" in Greek. When we prepare for the feast, we say, "It is right to give thanks and praise." Jesus' last commandment to his disciples (and us, as disciples) was to love one another. It is hard to be a Christian by yourself; we celebrate and grieve together. Thanks be to God!