Well, we have survived the first month of our Pastor’s Sabbatical! Not that there was ever any question! We were prepared and we prayed, and we prayed, and we prayed! And we will continue to do so. Now, we are ready to move on to one of the busiest times in the life of our church...the beginning of a new church year! Again, we are prepared.

Trustees are working on getting our grounds and buildings ready for the colder months. Cleanups, inside and out are being planned. Painting of the porch will be in progress soon. Planting of our Member Memorial Tree should be happening sometime this month, with a dedication at a later date. If you would like to help with any of these projects, please speak to Mike Moore, chair of the Board of Trustees. The Trustees are also keeping watch over our income and expenses. Financially, we are ok.

The Board of Christian Education is preparing for Rally Day and the beginning of Church School. They are also planning family events. Adult Bible study will begin September 18th. Opportunities abound!

The Board of Deacons is very busy preparing for the new church year. Rehearsals of the Sanctuary Choir have begun and the Bell Choir will begin soon. Visitation has been ongoing and we ask for your help in this area. There is a chart on the bulletin board outside of the Sanctuary. If you visit anyone on the list, please note that on the chart. If you know of anyone who may desire a visit, please speak to Linda Palazzo. If you would like to usher some Sunday, please speak to Darlene Conti. It has been a joy and a comfort to have the Rev. Marie Carpenter with us these past weeks and we can’t thank her enough. We have been, and will continue to be, well taken care of and for that we say, “thanks be to God”!

The Executive Board, with the help of the Deacons, has been working on a new trifold brochure to be placed in the church pews, hopefully by Rally Day. A special thank you to the Future’s Committee for funding this endeavor. We will also be updating our church directory and our emergency contact list.

As you can see, Oak Lawn is bursting with life! And for that we say “thank you”. Opportunities abound for everyone! We wish our Pastor well, we pray for her, and we miss her. We honor her by carrying on all in the name of, and to the glory of, God and Jesus Christ, our Savior. Happy New Church Year!

Judy Butzier