A Message from the Pastor


Dear Disciples of Jesus at American Lutheran,
 
Our culture worships the powerful-usually meaning those who are rich, famous, or have political clout. Even in religious circles we hold up successful mega-churches as " bigger is better," or equate those who lead highly disciplined, ethical lives as more " holy" with greater personal power.
 
But Paul turns our usual notions of power upside down when he says " whenever I am weak, then I am strong." We worship a God who doesn't just use the mighty, the gifted, the morally virtuous. Our God uses flawed and imperfect people-like us-to do amazing things.
 
When we rely not on our own power, but on God's power, we trust that God's grace is sufficient, and God's power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
 
See you in church,
Pastor Gretchen

Church Softball  

The season is now over for our A.L.C. Angels after winning 1st place in the B division. Thanks to Will Campbell for his leadership as team manager and all those who played, along with our many supporters in the stands!

Season Highlights

Family Entertainment at BCTC! 

Show starts TONIGHT!!!!!!!

 

  

Welcome to New Members, August 23rd   

On Sunday we will welcome new members into the life of our congregation. To help all of us get to know one another better, please wear a name tag and introduce yourself to our new members during fellowship time after worship. We look forward to the presence of these new brothers and sisters in Christ, and the gifts they bring in sharing this ministry together!

Kimberly Hoover
Bob Gifford
The Greene Family


Sermon Series and Bible Study, August 23rd  

 

This Sunday we conclude a 5-part sermon series on Paul's letter to the early church in Corinth. There is also a weekly Bible Study group called "A Heart for Reconciliation: A Walk through 2nd Corinthians" based on a book by the same name authored by Megan Dosher Hansen and Michael Rinehart. for anyone interested in deepening his or her understanding.

 

Last Bible Study session will be Sunday after worship. Bring your coffee and snacks from the patio to the Friendship Room.

 

Topic covered:

  • Aug 23 "Powerful Weakness" 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 

Young Families Gathering, August 23rd  

 

The next gathering for families with young children is scheduled for THIS Sunday, August 23rd from 4pm-6pm at the home of Teresa and Michael Corrington in Burbank. It will be a backyard play date, including water tables, chalk drawing and tons of bubbles floating through the air! 

 

Complete with a Nacho Bar, quesadilla options for the kiddos and a snow cone machine for dessert, this is an event you don't want to miss. 

 

Please RSVP to Teresa Corrington: teresal767@hotmail.com or 818-439-9211.

Time for LWR School Kits!  
 
We have about 100 School Kits to fill for 

We need the following items for each backpack:  
  • Spiral notebooks 4-70 pages each; 
  • metric rulers; 
  • 5 pencils; 
  • 5 ballpoint pens; 
  • scissors-blunt point; 
  • erasers (like pink pearl); 
  • pencil sharpeners; and 
  • box of 24 crayons. 
Cash donations are also accepted.  Checks should be made out to ALCW.  There will be a box for donations in the narthex.  


"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday, September 13th
  • We will be assembling 100 Lutheran World Relief School Kits after worship on Sunday, Sept. 13th as one of our projects for the annual "God's work. Our hands." day of service. 
  • Another project we will be doing after worship September 13th is walking the neighborhood distributing door hanger invitations to "Back to Church Sunday" coming up soon on September 20th. 
" God's work. Our hands." Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. 

This is always a hugely successful event at our church and the best part is...we get to wear our fashionable Mango T-Shirts!
 

 
Any questions call Vi Reardon 818 353-5563 or e-mail

Calling all Middle & High School Kids, August 30th 

   

Our fall Youth events get underway on Sunday, August 30 with a Welcome Back Potluck dinner, 6:30pm at Salem Lutheran in Glendale. During this time of fellowship and orientation to the new year, we will also have a presentation from the American/Salem high school group that attended the National ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit. 

 

This year we are also doing something new by inviting 6th graders to join the Confirmation group. Sunday night sessions for all youth begin Sept. 20th.

 

More details and a full schedule will be e-mailed to families soon.

SAVE THE DATE! 

Back to Church Sunday, September 20th

 

 

  

Council Highlights   

Below are some of the items discussed at the Congregation Council meeting on Tuesday, August 18. Full minutes will be posted on the website after final approval at the Sept. 15 Council meeting:
  • Pastor Gretchen led devotions on the importance of becoming a strong, vibrant church by building on our strengths. Council members identified the following five areas as our strengths: meaningful worship; care for children and youth; fostering spiritual growth; providing a sense of belonging; and welcoming and assimilating new worshipers and participants.
  • Guest Cliff Meyer gave background on the condition of the Screenland house we own. Council approved having the tenant pay the water bill, and re-visiting a possible rent increase at the November meeting.
  • A new to us copy machine was purchased from another ELCA church and will be delivered next week.
  • Approved $1900 to bring 50 year old sprinkler system in school up to city code.
  • Getting two bids for roof maintenance for school and leak between church and 747 building.
  • Approved carpet cleaning for sanctuary and Nursery in Administration building.
  • Set the next Congregation Chat for Sun. Sept. 27th  

 

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Public Notices

Walk to End Poverty, October 3rd


 

LSS Walk to End Poverty: Saturday, October 3rd
This year we are walking from the office in Canoga Park. Use our "Friends Asking Friends" website  to register to walk and/or volunteer for this fun event. Once you register, you can create your own web page, and use the easy-to-use email app to get all your friends, family and coworkers to help you raise money for this great cause.
 
LSS Community Care Center
21430 Strathern Street,
Canoga Park, CA 91304
Registration : 9:00am * Start Time: 9:30am
BBQ and raffle to follow.

Please address any general questions to FKilner@LSSCommunityCare.org 818-901-9480

What Will Be Your Legacy?
"Legacies are footprints we leave behind after we die. They prove that we were here: we lived, we mattered, we made a difference." Rachel Freed 

A legacy can come in many forms. It can come from the way you lead your life, the way you share the word of God, and by the way you share your resources given to you by God. For those who walk in faith, all three of these ways of leaving a legacy are important. To learn more about how you can leave a legacy from your resources, contact our congregation's Gift Planner.
 
To learn more about how you can leave a legacy from your resources, contact our congregation's Gift Planner.  Greg Shepherd, at: 909-910-6823 or by email at:  gregory.shepherd@elca.org.