VBS SET FOR JULY 31 – AUG. 4 VBS will be here before we know it. VBS “The Mighty Fortress” is scheduled for July 31 – Aug 4 from 6 – 8:15pm. There are many exciting and fun activities for members of the congregation to help with! See the sign-up sheets in the Narthex. VBS is for ages 3y/o thru 5th grade. There will also be movies offered again for high school thru adults if there is an interest shown. There will be a special congregational/neighborhood outreach activity on Friday night of VBS.

MOVIE NIGHT Friends and Family Cook-Out and Movie night Friday, August 4th at 6:30pm. The SOC is inviting our neighbors and congregation to a neighborhood cook-out and outdoor movie plus joining in on some of the VBS activities from this week. We ask that each family in the congregation bring a dish to share with our neighbors. We will provide meat, drinks and dessert. Movie time approx.. 8:30pm.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Greeters, Ushers, Scripture Readers, Communion Assistants and Offering Counters needed for August and September. Please sign up in the Narthex.

SANGAMON RIVER MUSIC FESTIVAL The festival is August 26 this summer. We would like to have a booth and float as part of the celebration again this year with the focus being on the Walk for Water on October 7. Watch for more information and sign-up sheets to be part of our outreach activity.

FLAG DISPLAY We have been given an American flag which was with Carole Tempel’s brother Drew in his helicopter on a mission. We would like to display the flag with a list of those in our congregation who have served in the Armed Forces. If you have served please give us the dates of your service and your branch of service, which will be included in the display.

PARADE FLOAT SOC is looking for someone with a pick-up truck or tractor and trailer that would like to be our float in the Sangamon River Music Festival on August 26. If this is something you can help with contact Cheryl Heinold.

JH AND HS YOUTH COORDINATOR The education committee is looking for an energetic adult with exciting ideas to engage the JH, HS, and College age members of our congregation in activities. If you think you could be the person to do that contact Pastor or Laura Campbell.

HELPING HANDS Helping Hands school supply lists are available in the narthex. Please pick up one or more, purchase the supplies, and return them church with the list. This s a great help to students in the school district. Thanks!

WALK FOR WATER The SOC is looking for people to serve on a committee for the Walk for Water on October 7. Some of the opportunities to help include publicity, recruitment, sponsorship or fund raising, activities, finance and logistic. This is a great outreach to our community and other NALC churches. Rich Gegg recently saw one of these water systems in person and he can share with everyone the need and appreciation in the community that he visited. If you feel called to help with our Walk for Water this year contact Pastor or Cheryl Heinold. Last year was successful but with more involvement from our congregation we can make it great this year!

CONVOCATION The NALC Convocation will be held in Nashville, TN, August 9-11. There will be a push to “Stuff the Truck” for disaster relief. The request states, “With current disaster response supplies depleted, our tangible donations of quilts, flood buckets, health kits, school kits, layettes, Bibles, and gift cards from Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target and Walmart are urgently needed. Here is a link to the full list of items requested: http://thenalc.org/projects/stuff-the-truck/. Please bring items to church NEXT SUNDAY, August 6, and Pastor Oman will take them to the Convocation.
Richey Vanderspool is our delegate for the Convocation.
Please pray for the Convocation and for safe travels.

CANDLEWOOD LUNCHES During the summer local churches help with lunches at Candlewood. Our week this year is August 7 – 11. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Please sign up to help on the sheet in the narthex. These meals especially help children and youth who don’t receive school lunches in the summer, and they are also a way for residents of Candlewood to get together for visiting with their neighbors.

BUNCO NIGHT BUNCO is on vacation! During the months of July and August, there will be no BUNCO nights. Just like some of you, BUNCO needs a vacation but looks forward to seeing MANY of you again in September. Mark your calendars for a “return to school” BUNCO night on Thursday, September 7th at 6:30 pm.

LIFETREE CAFÉ Practical Help for Getting Unstuck in Life
A proven technique for making difficult life changes will be explored at Lifetree Café on Wednesday, August 2nd at 12:30pm. “Most people have something in their lives they’d like to change, but they can’t find a way to make the change,” said Lifetree Café national director, Craig Cable. “This Lifetree episode includes a technique that can help people take a step in the right direction.” During the episode, titled “Getting Unstuck: Practical Ways to Improve Your Life,” participants will take part in a nonthreatening activity that often leads to insightful breakthroughs in achieving life change.

QUARTERLY GIVING STATEMENTS are in the basket in the narthex.

ATTENDANCE for Sunday, July 23rd was 64 and total offering was $3,241.00.