"Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven” (Lamentations 3:41).

One of the gifts that God gives people is the gift of community. On June 9, 2007, Lutherans in our synod will be given the opportunity to celebrate this gift at a daylong festival called “Lutherans in Faith Together” (LIFT) on the campus of Muhlenberg College. Together we will be given the opportunity to “lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven.”

Bread for the Journey (http://www.bfjmusic.com) will be with us for the day to lead us in an uplifting worship and in workshops. This well-known Lutheran group of musicians teaches and leads songs that are enjoyed and appreciated by folks of every age. As we lift up our voices in song, we will be accompanied by the joyful sounds of guitars, flutes, fiddles, congas, claves, and more. Participants are sure to leave the LIFT event with new and old songs in their hearts.

The LIFT planning committee is working to get a well-known and engaging keynote speaker to be with us for the day. (Check out the synod website for updates on the LIFT event, including the soon-to-be-announced “press release” on the keynote speaker!)

And there’s more! Both children and adults will be captivated by tales told by a professional storyteller. Attendees can choose to participate in a walk or run for world hunger. Participants might find themselves playing a game of “Frisbee golf,” “Duck, duck, goose” or some other game. Or they might find themselves wandering around Muhlenberg for a scavenger hunt or a campus tour. And they can attend a variety of musical events in the chapel.

You’ll never know who you might bump into at the LIFT event. Rumor has it that Martin Luther and Henry Melchior Muhlenberg may show up to sign autographs. A wide variety of workshops/playshops will be offered as well. Families will be encouraged to participate in the various activities together, but if parents and children need a break from one another, a children’s program will be available for part of the day. Special activities will also be available for teens.

Make plans now to attend LIFT next year – and continue to check out the synod website for updates on the details of the event. Join others in June 2007 as we “sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds…” (Psalm 68:4).