As you should know, in mid-July, we will be taking a group down to New Orleans for this summer’s LCMS National Youth Gathering.  This is going to be an incredible trip for all who attend—a spiritual mountaintop experience. We will join with about 20,000 of our closest Lutheran friends, from all over the country and other parts of the world. Please keep us in your prayers.  We will have a total of 35 people in our group, from 8 different LCMS churches in the area (15 from KOK). Our congregation is leading the charge, organizing the trip.  As you might imagine, it can be a bit overwhelming and stressful to plan a trip for 35 people.  For the last several weeks these efforts have amped up. Flight changes. Airport Shuttles.  Budgets and Payments. Dinner reservations. Daily excursions. Hotel room assignments. Trip Itineraries. Packing Lists… etc., etc.  After months and years of planning and preparation, we are in the homestretch.  Only 35 days to go!  In no time at all, we will be headed with our fingers crossed to Newark Airport, hoping for the best.  The excitement boosts for sure; but the anxiety does also. Have I packed everything? What did I forget? Do I have Real ID?  Do I have anything taken care of? How bad will the delays be at Newark?
 
Anyone who has ever planned a trip, or a vacation, knows this stress.  It doesn’t matter if you have a group of 35 people, a small family of 4, or your road tripping solo.  Vacations are supposed to be a relaxing event. No one would spend the time and money associated with such an adventure thinking it would be more stressful to experience than their day-to-day lives. Yet studies have unsurprisingly shown that trip planning is the most stressful aspect of the vacation, followed by travel to the destination.  No matter the size of your group or the destination of your choosing, you do whatever you can to make sure you have every detail correct. Fill out the paperwork. Cross the ‘t’s’ and dot the ‘i’s.’  Make sure every part of your trip is thought about and planned for.  No surprises or uncertainties. 
 
How wonderful it is then, that our journey towards heaven involves no such work or effort on our part. No need to plan for heaven. No arrangements to make. No financial burden hanging over our head. It’s already done. All of it. Taken care of and paid for by our Savior.  In John 14:2-3, we hear Jesus say, “In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”  Jesus promises His followers that, no matter the troubles or burdens of this world, our final place of rest is with Him.  In the gates of heaven, we can put up our feet and have no concerns or worries.  All of the travel arrangements—all the planning and timing and details—have been taken care of. They are already worked out. We have nothing to fear. No need for worry.  No need hidden payments.  Jesus has purchased our place by His blood. He has secured the destination and sealed our travel documents through the waters of our baptism.  No stress. Thank you, Jesus! 

I’ve been taking quite a bit of flak at home lately.  As coach of my daughter’s softball team, I get to nominate girls from our Sparta team for the league “All-Star” team.  It’s not like Little League. This is a single game, a non-consequential exhibition event.  As has been my custom for the past several years, I always nominate the 8th graders—so they have the chance to play in one last game. That’s what I did again this year.  All four of them. My daughter included.  Come to find out, after the invites were extended, I was only allowed to nominate three girls. No exceptions. No wiggle room. No grace from the softball powers that be, even though the game is only played for fun.

Now what do I do? How do I rescind an invitation? Which girls draws the short straw?  “Sweetie pie, I need to talk to you…” Thus, the bummer part of being the coach’s daughter. The other three girls will play; she will watch with me from the bleachers (although I did promise her ice-cream).  She, from the start, has been understanding and gracious about it.  She gets it. She expected it once she heard about the 3-player limit. It stinks, but she gets it. She really has been great about it.  Truth be told, she would be my first choice. (Shhh… don’t tell her I said this.) This is not a case of coaching nepotism. All season, she has been the best (and only) pitcher for our team, played her position extremely well defensively, and has been a consistent, solid offensive threat from the 4 or 5 spot.  I’ve told her repeatedly, that regardless of who plays on the field during the All-Star game this Saturday, she is unequivocally an All-Star.  She knows it. Our team knows it. Yet, she will not play.  And make no mistake, she still gives me a hard time about it. Lots of grief.

Busting my chops. Frequently. And I deserve it. 😉
 
It's good to be positively affirmed. It’s necessary. Especially in a world that breeds and spews nonstop negativity, it is uplifting and encouraging when you are built up and appreciated. Whether it’s a gold sticker in preschool or a promotion in the workplace, it feels good to celebrated when we are doing something right. When we are working hard. When we are doing good. When we are putting in the time. When we are showing up.  It fills our emotional and mental gas tanks—whether on the softball field or elsewhere—to be recognized!  To this end, I would like to recognize YOU, our KoK members, for being proverbial all-stars.  How?

1. At the start of the year, I challenged each person/family in the church to be present in worship at least twice a month.  This wasn’t about achieving some arbitrary number for worship attendance, but consistently engaging our church families in the life and ministry of our congregation.  A great many of our families have met this challenge. You’ve showed up.  Yes, our average weekly attendance has ticked up, ever so slightly, but most importantly we are seeing each other more frequently.  Relationships deepen, excitement grows, ideas form.  Of course, there is still plenty of room in the pews for other lapsed families, new families, friends and visitors! If you or your family haven’t quite hit that twice/month mark yet, don’t stop trying. This weekend is a great time to start!  I know it can be especially challenging/tempting to stay home in the summer months; but we want you here. We need you here. Our church is better when all are here, when we are together. We are a stronger church and can make a more noticeable impact when we are a community who worships together, encourages and cares for each other, and prays for one another.  If you have noticed a friend or church member who has been missing, reach out to them! Mail them a card. Give them a call. Shoot them a text. Send them an email. Let them know they are loved and missed.  
   
   
2. Back in January, we also asked you, our all-star KoK members, to continue to be faithful in your financial giving. This is being done.  Thank you. Many of you continue your generous offerings to our church from 2024, some have even increased their giving a bit.  As you may recall, last year was the first time in many years that our church budget finished in the black. We’d like to make this a recurring trend.  Unanticipated expenses are always coming up as we take care of our aging facilities. Necessary future projects and improvements are on the horizon. Additionally, and as you all know personally, other “monthly” bills and weekly purchases continue to see price increases. Your faithful generosity gives us the flexibility to meet our needs and think of ways to be a blessing to others. Thank you for your continued contributions to our church!
    
3. To add to this, and as way of a reminder, our upcoming voter’s meeting is on June 29th for the purpose of electing new church officers.  We are looking for people to serve in a variety of different capacities on both our church council (president, vice-presidents, youth group director, treasurer, fellowship, Christian Education, property chair).  We also have to open positions on our endowment committee.  Please consider how you, or others, might be able to use their God-given gifts and time to serve our church.  If you have questions about any of these, please contact me.

 
Thank you KoK “All-Stars” for being faithful to God’s church in this place!
 
“Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NLT)