Lake of Fire, Joseph Pennell 1857-1926  MFA Boston”I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”  Luke 12:49

Every adult in our congregation has experienced the pain of separation, of loss, of failure, of regret and guilt. We have also felt the self-consuming flames of anger and resentment, envy and pride. In the reading for Sunday, we hear Jesus say that he brings fire to the earth. He brings it!

A sub-theme, which may become primary for me between now and Sunday morning, is the image of the cloud, which appears later in the gospel reading (When you see a cloud rising in the west…) and in the reading from Hebrews (…since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.).

Return Sunday school registration forms to Kim Canning. The forms can be downloaded from our website. Copies are available on the table in the narthex.Weeding and reading for the confirmation students Sunday at 11 am. Wear your weeding shoes. We will have another celebrity Lutheran reader who will read to us as we weed our booming sunflower garden.

Next Sunday we will listen to a recorded presentation from the public radio program On Being. The topic is abortion. Ron Riggert recommended it as an example of a civil discussion of a difficult topic. I hope that you will consider staying after church to join in the forum discussion.Rejoicing Spirits at 4 pm, followed by a potluck supper. Everyone is welcome.

Songs for a Summer Night is a vocal recital program, here at Peace, on Sunday evening at 7 pm. Admission is free to hear the voice students of Susie Kuzma, accompanied by William Merrill.