Grace Lutheran Church has had a vibrant summer so far. The community has come together to support the youth ministry of this congregation. As I mentioned last month, we hosted Day Camp. Fifty area children spent time in worship, Bible study, prayer, service, and play. With the support of Ewalu Bible Camp, our congregation came together to lift up and encourage these young children. Our confirmation students also spent a week at Ewalu, learning how to connect the Word of God to the world of God. They faced new challenges, developed teamwork skills, and built new trusting relationships. In the last week of July, some high school youth attended the Synod gathering in Saint Paul/Minneapolis. There they worshiped with youth from across Northeast Iowa.
Many of our community members in Tripoli have been tending the community garden. We are growing produce such as peppers and tomatoes meant to feed anyone hungry. The people of Tripoli are welcome to tend to this garden and benefit from its produce. The garden produce will make its way to our Little Free Food Pantry at harvest time.
Inside our building, we have been making a significant renovation to our entryway. In addition, we are committed to improving the accessibility of our worship and fellowship spaces, including a sanctuary-level restroom, a new elevator, and improved accessible parking.
This congregation would not have been able to do any of this without the God who is the source of all life, healing, and forgiveness. Jesus Christ dies and is resurrected so that you may have everlasting life. Through this death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit calls and equips you with gifts for ministry. The Spirit equips some with the gift of teaching and children’s ministry. The Spirit gives the gift of community organization to others. The Spirit gives the gift of a green thumb to gardeners and farmers. The Spirit gives the gift of generosity to others who financially support ministry. I thank God for all of these gifts, and I also thank you. This whole community is grateful for your time, talents, and financial support to the children’s ministry, feeding programs, and making our worship space more accessible.
I encourage you to continue to lean into the gifts God has given you to support the ministry of this congregation. God continues to speak Good News through you to our youth. God continues to feed those who are hungry with your labor in gardens and farms. God continues to welcome all people into worship and fellowship through the support of your generosity.
Peace,
Pastor Tyler Hoey, August 2022