I hope that you are doing well. I know the end of the semester can be busy and stressful, and I can relate. At times like these, it's important to remember, what Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-34 about not worrying about tomorrow. Here is what I take away from it:
Focus on what you need to do today.
Don't get bogged down in past accomplishments or regrets.
Don't get distracted with dreams or fears about what the future holds.
Today has plenty in store for you -- plenty of tasks to accomplish -- plenty of beauty and wonder to behold -- plenty of people to notice and connections to make.
Your ture value comes from God, who loves you more than you can imagine, just for being you -- the YOU that God created you to be.
Lord God, creator of all that is, hold us close, grant us peace, and give us the strength and focus to accomplish what you would have us accomplish each day. In the name of Jesus the Christ we pray,. AMEN.
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Upcoming Events:
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747 Creative Christian Worship - Wednesdays at 7:47pm in SUB1 room B. This week, we will have a short vespers service ending by 8:25pm, which will be followed by a GAME NIGHT with Hillel (see below). ALL are welcome!
GAME NIGHT with HILLEL and UCMNV - Wed. 4/28, 8:30-10pm in SUB1 room B - After worship, we'll be joined by Rabbi Aft and members of the Jewish community on campus to spend some time chatting, playing games, and making new friends. We would *love* to have a great turnout for this! This should be awesome!
Fill out our SURVEY for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate (to your choice of Target or Starbucks) -- *please* fill it out regardless of whether you have attended any of our events. This is really important for us to help us look back at the year and to plan ahead for next year. Thanks so much! Here is the link to the survey: www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran/survey.html
TransFORM conference - April 30 - May 2 at Wesley Theological Seminary in D.C. - Go for all or part of it! This is a FREE conference on forming transformational missional communities. That's a mouthful, I know. It's focused on how Christian communities can be spread the gospel in our specific contexts (unique to the location/people involved) -- on being an outward focused communitiy that exists to share God's love with others in a variety of ways, transforming us and our communities in the process. Website. Facebook.
THEOLOGY PUB - 5:15-7:15pm on Tuesday 5/4/2010 in the Mason Rathskeller (lower level of SUB1)! Order yourself food and drink of choice and we'll have a non-judgemental chat about life, God, faith, and the intersection of all these things. This will be the last one for the school year, and we'll have a seminary student from Gettysburg visiting with us -- don't miss it!
GAME NIGHT - 6pm-10pm on Friday 5/7/2010 (location TBA) -- Burn some stress before the weekend of studying for finals. ALL are welcome!
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Summer Opportunities
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SUMMER ACTIVITIES: I'm starting to try to figure out how many students will be around this summer. Last year, we started having fellowship events each week during the summer, and if people are going to be around this summer, we can do that again. Let me know if you'll be around so I know what to expect -- and if you want to help plan activities.
The Refugee & Immigrant Service Program of Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area is seeking interns for SUMMER and FALL. Let me know if you want info ASAP because the deadline is Friday, April 30th (may be extended by a week).
Community Lutheran Church in Sterling, VA seeks a creative and energetic part-time summer intern to coordinate children's programming, June 28th – August 8th. Primary responsibilities will include overseeing VBS with our volunteers and creating/implementing children's programming during Sunday Morning worship services. Qualified applicants may be considered for a continuing position in Youth Ministry commencing in the fall. Stipend commensurate with experience. Interested applicants please contact Sarah Shangraw at ChristianEd@CommunityLutheran.org
Ever consider being a counselor at SUMMER CAMP? I still can't believe I actually got paid for all the fun I had the year I was a camp counselor! Ask me for more info.
Lutheran Student Movement - Sharing the Gospel in a 2.0 World - August 11-14, 2010: What does it mean to be disciples of Jesus in a world with social media? Join college students and others from across the country as we gather in downtown Chicago to explore this issue with phenomonal speakers including:
Let me know if you want to go, and we'll help you afford it. $100 discount for the first 200 student registrations! More info HERE.
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Grace and peace,
Ben
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Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University
http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran
MSN 2C7; SUB 1 room 207; Fairfax, VA 22030
703-829-0220
703-829-0220