For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

and do not return there until they have watered the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,

giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that, which I purpose,

and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

The prophet Isaiah tells us that the word of God is like the rain and snow which water the earth and bring forth life.  Just as the rain and snow make seeds sprout and the plants grow the word of God are words of life for us.  It is with a word that God separated light from dark and created the world.  God’s word challenges, teaches, corrects, and tells us of the hope we have in Christ Jesus.

At the ELCA church wide assembly in 2007, the ELCA embraced an initiative to increase biblical reading among members.  This five year initiative is called the Book of Faith.  In the preface of the first resource, Opening the Book of Faithis the vision, “That the whole church become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture, in order that we might live into our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, empowered, and sent by the word.”

So just what is this Book of Faith initiative?  Some of the following explanations are paraphrased from www.elca.org/bookoffaith

The Bible is the written Word of God that creates and nurtures faith through the work of the Holy Spirit and points us to Christ, the incarnate Word and center of our faith. The Bible invites us into a relationship with God, making demands on our lives and promising us life in Christ. The Bible tells the stories of people living their faith over the centuries and, through its demands and promises, forms us as a people of faith.

The language of Scripture is our first language of faith, which forms our hearts, our minds, our community conversation, and our commitments.  As people of God, we are called to know, hear, share and be rooted in Scripture.  As we live into our calling as people who are formed by Scripture, we become renewed in our faith, enlivened through the Spirit, and empowered through the cross of Christ to serve God and neighbor. The prophet Isaiah promises that God’s word will not return to God empty.  God’s word shall accomplish God’s purpose.  God’s word shall succeed!   So dust off that Bible, open that Book of Faith and let the word of God water your soul and bring forth new life in you!

In Christ’s peace!
Pastor Pat Nabers

Good Shepherd – July Council Meeting

• Ron Norris presented devotions, followed by prayer.

• Today’s agenda and minutes from June meeting reviewed and approved.

• Treasurer’s Report presented by Walt McKee and approved by council.  Our building debt is being retired at the rate of approx. $1,800 per month, and is on schedule to be paid off by the end of this year. Walt asks that members ordering goods and/or services for the church clearly identify where in the budget the expense belongs.  Sometimes it is difficult for the treasurer to make this determination when keeping financial records.  A brief explanatory email would be helpful Walt has identified some (church) money appropriate for investing in short-term instruments (CD’s).  Any information on great, safe short-term rates available, please contact Walt or a council member.

 Committee reports: 

• Worship and Music:  Beginning mid-August, we will add more lay participation in the worship service, i.e., reading of prayers.  Planning and coordinating of nursery upgrade project continues.

•  Evangelism/Military Ministry:  Clothing Bonanza project scheduled for Aug. 9 is moving forward (see article in this newsletter).  Military Ministry box mailed out on June 9 to SFC Weatherly, a soldier decorated for valor in Iraq. 

• Property:  Dogwood Trees donated by confirmands have been planted.  Summer cleanup completed.  Council, Property Committee looking into gutter cleaning situation; gutter guards or hire gutter cleaning?  Also looking for bids, proposals for parking lot resurfacing.  Mulch hauling capability needed soon.  Lawn soil has been analyzed and treatment is tentatively being planned for September.
  
•  Stewardship:  Dick has been reviewing stewardship articles and resources and hopes to reinvigorate stewardship at Good Shepherd.  (Not that we’re in financial trouble!!  Our financial situation is very healthy at this time.)  True stewardship is not based on church budgets and financial needs.  It’s based on each individual’s faith and recognition of God’s gifts to us, and how we as Christians respond in a significant way.  Some ideas were shared on different approaches to stewardship campaigns and pledges. 

Walt received a call from Roanoke College.  They are looking to meet/visit with us.  They are trying to increase Lutheran student enrollment and are reportedly offering some incentives to that end.

Property committee and council are considering new crosses and signs for the highway-visible part of the property.  The present crosses are deteriorating and need to be replaced.  Call council members with any ideas you have.

Mt. Nebo Council Meeting of July

Council met on Monday July 9, 2008 at 7 P M.  Devotions were led by Harold Berrey using the booklet “Discovering Hope”; “A Devotional Guide for Congregational Leaders”.

Treasurer, Harold Berrey, presented the financial report.  We continue to use our savings funds to meet current expenses.

Jim Jones, property chair, reported that he got the steps installed in the closet and that he would have the shelving completed soon.

The painting on the house for Habitat for Humanity has been completed until the trim is installed.  At that time we will go back and paint it.

In reference to improving the air conditioning in the fellowship; it was decided to have a service call performed on it again before moving forward with whether to have new equipment installed.  Fritz has received quotations from two companies and provided the numbers received from them.

Eddie Jarrell reported on the Trustees meeting which was held just before the regular Council meeting.  Two major items were discussed. 

0. That we would authorize the treasurer to set up an Endowment Account with the ELCA Foundation into which we would begin to invest our funds for perpetual care for the cemetery.   This was presented to council and was also approved by them. 
   
0. What action we should take concerning broken and missing tombstones in the cemetery.  It was decided that, for those graves that had only a funeral home provided metal marker with a paper card in it , we would provide a piece of slate and have it engraved with any known information that would then become a permanent marker.  It would be installed flat with the top of the ground to enhance the mowing.  For those stones that have broken and/fallen over; it was decided to find out how other churches handle those situations.  As the tombstones are the property of the families of the deceased, we don’t want to set a precedent on fixing them at no charge to them without further analysis. The known families were contacted by letter back at the first of the year pointing this out but no response has been heard from them.  They were told at that time that if we heard nothing from them that we would take whatever action that the cemetery committee deemed appropriate.

The Madison Main Street Festival is coming up on August 31.  We have a booth reserved as in past years.  This year, we want to expand our offering to selling some goods for a fund raiser in addition to giving away water and literature.  We are asking Ruth Penn to check into acquiring some items from the heifer project and another supplier of related items to sell.  We also discussed the making of cookies and putting them into baggies to sell.  This is something that people can eat as they walk the streets and may be a popular item.  Everyone be thinking about this and give us your suggestions.

 Evangelism Ministry

 Clothing and School Supply Drive Underway 

This event not only allows us to help those in the community but provides the opportunity to share the Good News!!  So check your closets for unwanted clothing and bring them to church—they can be placed in the Sunday room.

Pregnancy Center

Save the date:  ^{Saturday, October 11th}is the annual Central VA pregnancy Center dessert reception in Orange.  There will be great music, a fabulous speaker and LOTS of desserts.  The speaker will be Julie Makimaa.  Mark your calendar for an enjoyable evening.

Military Ministry

Our most recent collection box for the military was sent to SFC John A. Weatherly of the 4th Infantry Division.  He was recently awarded a Bronze Star Medal for Valor for his courageous actions and leadership provided to his Soldiers while under enemy fire.  ^{He is in the 7th}month of his second tour in Iraq.  His duty station before his deployment was Ft. Carson, Colorado.  His wife and children await his return in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He is the son of Karen and Allan Blair of Amissville, VA.

 Remember our military men and women

and their families in your prayers.

 A thank you note from Verdie Tappy

I want to thank you for the lovely vase of flowers that Mrs. Hunter Brought to me.  I was simply overwhelmed with the flowers that were given to me.In Christian love Verdi Tappy

August Celebrations

Good Shepherd Birthdays

2       Sue                                         

4       Hildy                                          

4       Cliff                                        

Mt.NeboBirthdays                            
8       Jurgen                                         

14     Virginia                                       

Mt.NeboAnniversaries                  
17     Harold & Mary Ann
31     Dennis & Maratha Diane

Congratulations

Tracey Stakem, Woodberry’s director of on-campus student activities received the Class of 2008 Residential Life Award for inspiring and encouraging Woodberry students.  Also congratulations to her husband, Tim who has won many awards for playing his bagpipes.

Sympathy

Good Shepherd extends our sympathy to Connie Kronander and family on the death of her mother Barbara Cutlip.

Welcome

Mt. Nebo welcomes the Harned family, David, Linda, Jennifer and Jacob.  They were members of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Dix Hills, NY and are now living in Greene County.   

Parish Women of the ELCA

Eleven women from the Parish met at the Madison Inn for lunch on Wednesday, July 2.  Lunch and fellowship were enjoyed by all in attendance.  

We received our Love Offering which will be taken to the VSWO Convention in Richmond July 25-27.  This offering go to “Woman to Woman Papua New Guinea Project”, to bring a woman from New Guinea to the next Triennial.

Verdie Tappy's 102nd birthday is July 2 so we all signed a card which was taken to her that afternoon.