Get ready to Explore the Rainforest at Deerfield Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School 2010.

This summer, bring your kids to SonQuest Rainforest VBS for an experience of discovery they'll never forget! Best of all, SonQuest Rainforest will take your kids beyond what they can explore with their senses to discover a living spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This adventure is open to kids ages 3 and up starting on Wednesday, July 28th through July 31st. It will run from 5:30pm to 7:30 pm and on Saturday morning from 9:00 to 11:30 am. The cost is $15.00/child or $20.00/family. For more information contact Jenn Brattlie, Jen Lees or the Deerfield Lutheran Church office at 764-5566.

Helping others....

To help the Deerfield Lutheran Middle School KAIR Group better understand the relationship between our faith and our food, the past few weeks have been spent using Just Eating? Practicing Our Faith at the Table. Using Jesus' stories and looking at the affect food choices have on our health, the earth and others, the students went outside the classroom and visited a restaurant, collected dollars and then with the guidance of Michelle Schmidt, seven young people went grocery shopping. In carrying out the Mission Statement of the church the students were serving others and being the hands and feet of Christ as they purchased and delivered food for the Deerfield Food Pantry.

They purchased 210 non-perishable items, used 14 reusable grocery bags and submitted 3 Cash-4-Community Center Pig receipts. Through this experience and with the help of the Deerfield Lutheran Congregation they learned the priceless lesson of being compassionate and giving. The students who were involved in the shopping were Rachael Ammann, Andrew Schmidt, Laura Schmidt, Noah Lazzara, Micaela Schultz, Anna Haag and Mara Shelley.

CONFIRMATION 2010

Thank you, Mentors for a Great Year!

Confirmation Recognition and Potluck.

A time to thank the mentors for all they have done for our confirmands.

The Mentor Program Builds Relationships in Christ.

At Deerfield Lutheran Church, there is a shared belief that the greatest witness of faith in any person’s life comes from relationships with other faithful people, especially parents and other significant adults in the church and community. Preparing youth to affirm their baptism is a life long process: at baptism, Faith Chests are given which include materials to help parents share their faith with their child; Bible are given at 3 years old and 3rd grade; chalices are made for first communion at 4th grade; 6th grade through high school involves focused learning on the Lord’s Prayer, Ten Commandments, and the Baptismal Creed, a deeper understanding of scripture as it relates to their lives, and service activities to involve them in the greater community. This time of preparation is to learn more about Christianity and grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Relationships are a strong focus at Deerfield Lutheran - relationship between students and God, between students and their parents and mentors, and among students and their peers.

What has traditionally been a two-year confirmation ministry is now spread out to give faith-questioning preteens and teens many opportunities to learn and experience the love of God in a way that is age-appropriate, family-centered, and meaningful and relevant to young people’s lives. Between the spring of 8th grade and the spring of 9th grade, students focus on becoming disciples of Jesus. Students are matched with an adult mentor - a church member who commits to sharing their own faith journey and guiding a student in exploring Christian beliefs, values, and involvement in the church and the great community. The relationship between mentor and mentee is one of growth and deeper commitment to faith. Through discussions of faith-life issues, fun group activities and service projects that focus on Christian discipleship, students learn that confirmation is just the beginning of their life of faith.

CHICKEN AND BISCUIT DINNER

to raise funds for the elevator/lift

The Women of Deerfield Lutheran held its Chicken and Biscuit Dinner on April 14, 2010. This event was to help raise funds to put in an elevator/lift at that church. The biscuits and gravy making was overseen by Jerry Schultz and Donn Johnson. Marge Peters finally took a moment and let Phyliis Rude and Cara Lazzara dish her up a plate so she could rest. Cheri Lemke was also busy serving. There was a thumbs up on the meal by Gordon and Sally Mortensen and Dick and Sharon Berge along with Linda Johnson and Shirley Hanson enjoyed their meal. Dick was able to answer questions anyone had about the proposed elevator/lift. Helping serve the tables were younger members of the church. It took many helping hands and feet to make this event a success; the Women of Deerfield Lutheran thank all who attended this annual event. They are looking forward to next year and the ability for those attending to use the lift to get to the lower level. .

Confirmation Retreat 2010...

The 2010 confirmation class met for a retreat on April 10th to have some reflection and time with their mentors. They took an Emmaus Walk around town as they talked about their faith and where they go from here. The morning ended with communion and a light lunch.