Upcoming Events -- February 27, 2008

I keep hearing how the generation in college right now likes Jesus, but doesn't like religion. There is a sentiment that the institution of Christianity isn't doing the work of Jesus -- that the institution is more concerned with their carpets and sound systems than with loving and caring for their neighbors -- that the institution has become as materialistic and shallow as the rest of the world.


Are we better off stuggling with faith on our own? Can we discern God's will on our own, apart from communities?


Maybe we can....God does work in mysterious ways -- but I don't think we are better off going it alone. I think that communities are essential for those wishing to follow Jesus. Jesus said "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them" (Matthew 18:20). I think Jesus probably is with us when we are alone too, but he emphasized coming together as community.


Do you have a mental image for what you think a Christian community should be like? Let me know if you have ideas, because our community is open to your input -- and we hope that we can enable our combined vision to become reality on this campus.


Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of community. May we continue to support each other, have fun with each other, and accomplish things we never thought possible with your help. AMEN.


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UPCOMING EVENTS:
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(All times, dates, and locations are subject to change. Check for updates at http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran or the "GMU Lutherans" Facebook group.)

Game Night / Simpsons : Friday, 3pm-6pm. We'll meet in Johnson Center meeting room B (3rd floor) to play board games and watch the Simpsons -- laughing and having fun. Whatever peope want to do. I'm tying to line up some free food too! Feel free to bring your favorite game! Bring some friends along -- EVERYONE is welcome! Link to Facebook event.

Sunday Morning Worship: Katie Kane leads the worship carpool If you want to go to worship on a Sunday morning, email her at kkane [at] gmu.edu to work out the details.

Lenten Devotions: Each day during Lent, I plan to provide a scripture-based devotion for you to read and pray with. I will commit to writing them if you commit to reading them. Feel free to share them with any interested friends as well. To get the devotions daily, do any of the following:
1. Join our "Lenten Devotions" Facebook group .
2. Send gmuLutherans@bbuss.com an E-mail message asking to receive the devotions by email.
3. Subscribe to the RSS feed.

Survey: Please don't forget to take a few minutes for this survey so that our ministry can work to better serve you!

Service Opportunities:
I'm in the process of scheduling more opportunities with the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter, the FACETS/Fairfax County Hypothermia Shelter, and Habitat for Humanity. If you have particular dates or events that you are interested in, please let me know!

Other events of interest hosted by United College Ministries:

• Discussion on life-direction/vocation with Pastor Herb in SUB I outside the Campus Ministry office Fridays 11:45 am. All are welcome.
• Table Talk on Thursdays at 7:00 pm at St. George's United Methodist Church (4910 Ox Rd, Fairfax).
• Mission Trip doing Hurricane Reconstruction in Mississippi during Spring Break (March 8-15) -- 2 spots left that need filled ASAP.

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Experience the loving grace of God renewing the world through Jesus Christ crucified. Our servant community laughs, questions, worships, hopes, struggles, prays, volunteers, and grows together. GMU Lutherans.
Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19907586200
Website: http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran

Upcoming Events

Hello GMU Lutherans & friends!

Cooler temperatures ... leaves falling from the trees ... it's starting to feel like fall! Before we know it, the trees on campus will be exploding into color! Many changes will be occurring for us too, as servant opportunities and fellowship events start bubbling up, and as our "747 Tuesdays" grow & evolve! Check out the listing below to be in the know.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the wonderful opportunities we are given each day. Please help us to wrestle with the questions in life, to grow deeper in community, to make a difference in the world, and to know you more. In Jesus name, Amen.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Game Night: We'll be having a game night this Friday night (9/21/2007) at 7pm in SUB I room C. Bring your favorite game(s) and some friends & I'll bring some games too -- it'll be fun!

Carpool to worship: I'll be at the Lutheran Church of the Abiding Presence this weekend hyping GMU Lutheran Campus Ministry. It would be awesome if some of you could carpool to one of their services too! If you'd like a ride to the service on Saturday (9/22/2007) at 6pm, contact Katie Kane at kkane1@gmu.edu to arrange a meeting time/place. If anyone wants to offer a ride to people for Sunday morning, let me know. Service times:

• Saturday, September 22nd at 6pm ("vespers" = Holden Evening Prayer)
• Sunday, September 23rd at 8:30am ("contemporary" service)
• Sunday, September 23rd at 11am ("traditional" service)

747 TUESDAYS: Every Tuesday, we're meeting at the Crosspoint Ministry House at 7:47pm for FREE home-cooked food, table fellowship, and a devotion/discussion. Come & bring your friends! Directions:

• Walk through Presidents Park and back behind Jackson Hall.
• Follow the gravel road to Roberts Rd.
• Cross the street and the white house there to your right is the one.
• Enter side door near the parking lot. (It's about a 5 minute walk from SUB II.)

NOVACO: The Northern Virginia Coalition (NOVACO) helps homeless victims of domestic abuse become healthy, secure, and self-sufficient. We'll play with children on a some upcoming Monday nights while their mothers are in classes to equip them for the workforce. We'd need to be at King of Kings Lutheran from 6:30pm-8pm. I can provide rides if needed, leaving campus around 6pm. Let me know if you are interested. We'll be helping out on these dates:

• Monday October 15th
• Monday November 19th

Mini-golf: We'll be going to Burke Lake Park for some mini-golf fun on Saturday October 6th at 2pm! Time & date are tentative -- More details as the time draws closer.

Habitat for Humanity: Let's get our hands dirty building some affordable housing. Details coming soon!

MALSM Fall Retreat: The Mid-Atlantic Lutheran Student Movement will be holding their fall retreat October 19-21 -- mark your calendars now -- these are always a great experience!

Homelessness and Hunger Action Week: November 11-17. We'll probably partner up with another ministry on campus help raise awareness about this issue & provide help in whatever way we can.

Program Support: We want students involved as we plan our programs & events. Let me know if you want to set up a service opportunity, fellowship event, etc. Also let me know if you have ideas, but want me to set it up.

That's all the news for this week. Feel free to share this email with your friends!

In God's grace,
Ben