It's Fall in Navajo
Dear Friends in Christ,
“God’s own child I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price.” (Lutheran Service Book 594).
Pictured above is another family who received forgiveness, life, and salvation through the waters of Holy Baptism.
The journey of this family to the font started this past summer when we hosted a team from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Topsfield, MA. The team led Vacation Bible School and simultaneously, a women’s Bible study. The mother of the family attended the Bible study and heard the Word of God, and through that hearing received faith (Rom. 10:17).
She has been faithfully participating in worship since then, and wanted to receive the gifts we had been talking about, and not just for herself but for her whole family. We were able to celebrate this wonderful occasion with our congregation as well as 18 visitors from Concordia University in Irvine, CA.
The group of students came on their fall break for a short-‐term mission and spent time leading the children in Bible lessons, games and crafts, and also learning how to make frybread! It was a wonderful time of learning, sharing, and growing.
As I mentioned above, we also had the team from Massachusetts return for the third consecutive year. They again kept a blog, as they have in past years where you can see their day-to-day reflections and many photos
Another major event that took place at the end of August was my ordination.
We were blessed with the presence of our District President Rev. Allen Anderson, 18 pastors (from New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Washington, Alaska, and Texas), and one vicar (serving in Utah), along with many other friends, family, and visitors. Included in that group was a team I traveled to Africa with back in ‘92-‐93 who surprised me in coming and shared a song in the service.
We are so thankful for God’s faithfulness through this process of education, and the willingness of Lutheran Indian Ministries to support God’s mission in Navajo.
We continue to teach, proclaim, and disciple. We have four confirmation students and another family that we continue to teach in the way of our Lord.
Please Thank God with us for:
- The New Life through the Water and the Word that a family received last Sunday.
- The work of the CUI group and the great fellowship we had with them.
- The team from Our Savior’s in Topsfield, MA, and how the Lord used them.
- The wonderful ordination celebration on August 27th of God’s calling and faithfulness.
Please intercede with us for:
- Our four confirmands, that they would grow strong in the knowledge and grace of our Lord.
- Families that are being torn apart by sin and the devil.
Thank you for your prayers and support,
Tim and Heidi Norton