By Pastor Herb Gifford, member of the LIFT planning team

It’s a new year and you have a new calendar. It’s 2007 and it’s time to mark Saturday, June 9, as a red letter day! You don’t want to miss LIFT (Lutherans in Faith Together) at Muhlenberg College. It’s an all-day event celebrating our life in the church as the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod.

The theme for LIFT is from the Book of Lamentations: “Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven” (3:41 NRSV). June 9 will be a day to do just that through a wide variety of exciting activities including worship, music, food, playshops and workshops, games, story-telling, and just being with one another as Lutherans in thanks to, and praise of, God.

LIFT is an intergenerational event. It’s for everyone — old, young, families, singles — everyone! Bart Campolo will be the featured speaker of the day, bringing a dynamic message based on God’s word and his experience as the founder and leader of “Mission Year.” There will be a special morning program for kids K through 6 and an opportunity for teens to have lunch with Bart Campolo. Tracy Radosevic will be on hand to tell stories as only she can. There will be spirited music by “Bread for the Journey.” You’ll have the chance to meet and speak with Martin and Katie Luther, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Johan Sebastian Bach, Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, and Davey and Goliath, as well as other important Lutheran personalities.

June 9 will be a day to visit with the bishop, walk/run for World Hunger, sing, laugh, play, and just have a great time as we celebrate being God’s people in this place at this time.

You’ll be hearing more about LIFT as we get closer to June 9. This is a synod-wide event. It is being planned by a committee of persons from all nine mission districts of the synod. In most congregations there is a LIFT Ambassador who will share the latest information and details about the event.

In addition, ask your pastor about LIFT. Registration materials will be available soon. Watch for them and note that the modest registration fee includes lunch.

Encourage your friends and other members of your congregation to attend LIFT. Plan now to bring the whole family. Let LIFT lift you as together we lift our hearts and hands to God on June 9, 2007!