Heroes- Middle School Youth Gathering

Over the weekend 8 junior high youth and a bunch of awesome adults went to Anaheim for the Middle School Youth Gathering. The theme of the weekend was "Heroes." On Friday night we listened as Pastor Tim Huff gave his first talk, we went to the Superhero Dance Party and Hall of Heroes game room. Saturday was more general sessions and workshops followed by an evening at Disneyland! Sunday morning we had worship with communion, and I had the honor of being asked to be presiding minister. All in all we had a great time! Phyllis the Motorhome was a trusty chariot and we are so thankful for our great sponsors: Julie, Tom, Theresa, and Kevin!

Day 3- Lots and lots of worship!

On Day 3 we went to worship at Ascension Lutheran and Chapel of Peace. They were both great worship services, emphasizing the importance of patience and hope as we await Jesus' return. (They were both around 2 hours long too, but we didn't really notice after the coffee kicked in!) Then we were treated to a great lunch of food traditionally from the nation of Belize before we headed to CityWalk for fun and then hit the road for home.

Urban Immersion Day 2- Chillin' in the Neighborhood

On day 2 we began our morning with some delicious Chicken and Waffles from Roscoe's and then went to hang out with Pastor Brian Eklund at Messiah in Los Angeles. Pastor Brian, Intern Mark, and Pastor Vivian took different groups out on neighborhood walks so we could see a little bit of what life is like in this urban area. After lunch and discussion we went to distribute food at Holy Trinity, watched Randy skate at the park, took showers at the YMCA and headed to Torrance for the banquet.

At the banquet we went to a lively worship service, had an amazing dinner, and received the Angel Award on behalf of Saint John's. Afterward, we headed to the Santa Monica Pier for some chill time before heading back to Inglewood for sleepy time.

You're going where?- Urban Immersion, Day 1

It was a long car ride, but we arrived in Inglewood at Chapel of Peace Lutheran Church ready to go! In the first few minutes along, Randy met some other kids who came back to skate with him the parking lot. We had pizza, got settled in our pews for the night and spent some time discussing the Sermon on the Mount using the Message translation. All in all it was a great trip down, with great kids, and a whole lot of impromptu karaoke from Savallie-OH!

Savannah shares why she wants to go to New Orleans

The National Lutheran Youth Gathering is something that makes me so excited. The Western States Youth Gathering was the highlight of my summer! I loved it so much. All the workshops, concerts and speakers were great. It was a cool thing to have so many Lutheran teens around you. You know that you have at least one thing in common with them; everyone is a Lutheran. That is why I am so excited about this once in a lifetime chance to go to the National Gathering!

Going to New Orleans to help and give my service with 35,000 Lutheran teens around me sounds like the most amazing thing. To see first hand, New Orleans and what has happened would be breath taking. Everything about this trip sounds cool. Working in New Orleans, fellowshipping with other Lutheran's, listening to the great speakers and musicians sounds great! And I know that everything that we'll be doing there is for God. The National Lutheran Youth Gathering will be a blessing to all who attend.--

By Savannah Schallen

Getting Ready for the Big CIty

I'm getting very excited for our trip to LA with the High School this weekend! We will be leaving tomorrow afternoon for Inglewood, CA and our Urban Immersion experience with the New City Parish. This is going to be a great way to learn about what it means to do ministry in the inner city and to get a chance to meet some amazing people in the process. It is my hope and prayer that God will open our eyes to see beyond the differences that often end up separating us from others- whether it be age, race, socio-economic conditions, cultural differences-- you name it. We have a lot of reasons to focus only on the differences- yet in God's eyes we are all the same.

So High Schoolers, we will see you at 5:15pm!!! Check back in a few days for pictures and stories!