Labyrith + worship + learship + hiking + Theology Pub + Retreat + much MORE!

It's move-in weekend, and many of you are in various stages of unpacking and getting settled in, meeting and getting to konw roommates, figuring out your class schedules, and wondering what kind of semester this is going to be.  It makes me think fo the many stories in the Bible about people moving to strange places and unknown futures: Noah unloading the ark after the flood, Abraham leaving home to move someplace God had yet to reveal to him, the Israelites coming out of the wilderness of the exile and into the promised land, and the list goes on.  It reminds me that Christians are a pilgrim people, who are often on the move to follow where God leads, with the courage to take the first step on a journey while trusting the God knows where it will lead.

Dear Lord, in this time of transition, help us to have the courage to live with unknowns, help us find communities to support us and welcome us for who we are, and grant us the wisdom to find the time to spend with you in silence and contemplation.  In Jesus' name we pray.  AMEN.

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REQUEST FOR HELP: Please let us know if you can help out at all this Tuesday (8/31) with the Kiosk, Root Beer Floats, or Labyrinth (aka - anytime between 10am-6:15pm).  Also, anyone who wants to help paint one of the cubes by Southside, or chalk around campus, let us know.  

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Please feel free to share these emails with a friend -- many people won't know that we exist without your help.

If you don't want to receive these emails, just reply and let us know.  We don't want to spam anyone.

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Planning meeting: Sun. 8/29, 2pm-3pm, SUB 1 Patriots Lounge:  Your voice and ideas matter -- regardless of whether you are a Freshmen or an upperclassmen -- ALL are welcome to join us to chat about ideas for the upcoming semester. Facebook event. 

Kiosks: Come by to help represent LCM, or to meet us and find out what's going on this semester:

+ Mon 8/30, 10am-2pm: JC Kiosk B

+ Tue 8/31, 10am-2pm: JC Kiosk B (serving free ROOT BEER FLOATS / ICE CREAM starting at Noon)

+ Wed 9/1, 11am-3pm: JC North Plaza (Connection Carnival)

Ice Cream Social & Root Beer Floats: Tue 8/31, Noon-1:30pm at JC Kiosk B (note the location change).  Please let us know if you want to help us make this Welcome Week event possible.  If you just have time to pass by, please drop in to eat some FREE ICE CREAM!  :-)  Facebook event.

Labyrinth: Tue 8/31, 2pm-6pm: JC meeting room D (3rd floor) -- this will be the first use of our brand new labyrinth, which is a tool for prayer and meditation.  More details on the Facebook event.

747 Creative Christian Worship: Resumes Wed 9/1 at 7:47pm in JC meeting room C (3rd floor) -- Bring your whole self (and a friend), your voice matters!  We'll worship together, and learn from each other.  Facebook event. Locations for future weeks can be found at http://GMU747.org

Hiking GREAT FALLS: Mon 9/6, leaving campus at Noon (returning by 4pm).  We'll head to Great Falls National Park for some hiking and spending some time in nature while the weather is still so nice.  

Theology Pub: Tues 9/7, 5pm-7pm in the Mason Rathskeller (lower level of SUB 1).  We'll order food/drink and chat about God, life, theology, and where they instersect.  You do not need to a certain age to join us -- ALL are welcome!

"Faith Chat" -- Pastor Darcy Percy will be having a lunchtime discussion group in the JC on Wednesdays (lasting approx. 5 weeks).  We're taking suggestions for the time, so that those who are interested aren't stuck in class, if possible.  Let us know ASAP what works best for you between 10:30am-3:30pm. (Assume it will end up being roughly an hour/week.)

747 Worship at the Mathy House (home of President and Mrs. Merten) on Wed. 9/15, 7pm-9pm.  Transportation provided -- mark your calendar now, and email us to RSVP (space is limited).

"BE STILL & KNOW" Fall Retreat to the BEACH: October 8-10 in Ocean City, MD with Lutheran Campus Ministry groups from across Maryland & Delaware. Cost is $20 if this is your first LCM trip ($40 otherwise / scholarships available if needed). Mark your calendar now -- you won't want to miss this!

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There is a lot more coming -- and don't forget to join the Facebook group & invite your friends: 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=19907586200

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Grace and peace,

Ben

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Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University
http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran
http://facebook.com/LCMGMU
http://twitter.com/LCMGMU
http://GMU747.org
MSN 2C7; SUB 1 room 207; Fairfax, VA 22030
703-829-0220

Lots of LCM events, including Labyrinth-making & FALL EVENTS

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Can you believe it is already mid-August classes resume in just over 2 weeks?  Where does the time go?   Anyway, I was recently skimming a collection of quotes I've gathered, and this one seems relevant:

"Christianity started out in Palestine as a fellowship. Then it moved to Greece and became a philosophy, then it went to Rome and became an institution, and then it went to Europe and became a government. Finally it came to America where we made it an enterprise." ~Richard Halverson (US Senate Chaplain)
 
One of the things I'm seeking as we head into this new school year is that core of Christian fellowship -- following Jesus together as a community: supporting each other, loving those around us, working for justice, being vulnerable, celebrating each other, taking risks, helping each other grow, and being open to God transforming us in unexpected ways. 

Are you like me?  Are you seeking deeper discipleship and intentional community?

Lord God, grant us the courage to follow where you lead us, the wisdom to know when to take risks and when to have patience, and above all, to love you with every fiber of our being, even when we struggle with doubts, and to love those around us with the love that overflows into us from you.  In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.

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As summer slips away...
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CANCELED: Barbecue at Burke Lake Park -- Lord of Life Lutheran has canceled this event (previously scheduled for 8/14).

Installation Service for Pastor Mark Olsen: Sunday 8/15, 2:30-4:30pm.  Many of you probably remember Pastor Mark from our Holy Week service last year, one of our Theology Pubs, or the Advent celebration at the Mathy House in 2008.  Well, he has accepted a new call, and will be serving as Pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Haymarket, VA. 
     He will be installed there this Sunday afternoon, and has decided to give half of the offering to support this Lutheran Campus Ministry.  Since he is generously supporting us, I would love it if we could get together a group to be there at his installation to show our support and appreciation of him!  If you want a ride, let us know (703-829-0220), and we'll depart from the Sandy Creek Shuttle Stop at 1:45pm sharp. Hope to see you there!  Facebook event.

Labyrinth-making: Saturday, 8/21, 10 AM - ??? -- I'll be at King of Kings Lutheran (4025 Kings Way, Fairfax, VA 22033) by 10AM, and will be working on painting our new canvas labyrinth from then until it is done -- and I'm hoping for lots of help on this community project! 
     Bring a friend!  We'll order in some lunch and have a great time.  (Keep in mind that we will be painting, so don't wear your favorite clothes.)
     Also, if anyone wants to help me get things ready and sketch things out the evening before, just let me know (703-829-02200).  Facebook event.

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Looking ahead toward FALL semester....mark your calendars!
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Ice Cream Social & Root Beer Floats: Tuesday 8/31, Noon-1:30pm on the JC East Plaza.  Please let us know if you can help serve ice cream during part of this time as a Welcome Week event.  If you just have time to pass by, please drop in and eat some FREE ICE CREAM!  :-)

Labyrinth: Tuesday 8/31, 2-6pm in JC meeting room D (3rd floor) -- we'll have our new labyrinth set up for its first use.  Drop in to catch your breath and center yourself amidst the busy-ness of the first week of classes.  Tell your friends!

747 Creative Christian Worship: resumes on Wednesday, 9/1 at 7:47pm.  Locations are posted at http://GMU747.org

Theology Pub - Tuesday, 9/7 at 5pm in the Mason Rathskeller (lower level of SUB 1).  We'll order food and drink and talk about God, life, theology, and where they intersect.  ALL are welcome!  This happens the first Tuesday of each month.
 
747 Worship at the Mathy House (home of President and Mrs. Merten) on Wed. 9/15, 7-9pm.

Fall Retreat to the BEACH (October 8-10) in Ocean City, MD with Lutheran Campus Ministry groups at schools across Maryland and Delaware.

And so much more...

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Grace and peace,
Ben

--
Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University
http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran
http://facebook.com/LCMGMU
http://twitter.com/LCMGMU
http://GMU747.org
MSN 2C7; SUB 1 room 207; Fairfax, VA 22030
703-829-0220 (call or TXT)