Costs Rising
 We are all too aware of how our costs at home are rising rapidly due in large part to the rise in fuel costs. The same applies here at church.

The Farm Bill Is Finally Law!
 Yes, thanks to YOU and many, many others across the country, the Farm Bill--the subject of our Offering of Letters--was finally enacted as the "Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008". Bread for the World gave us leadership to work long and hard to make the new farm bill fairer to struggling U.S. rural and farm families, people in the U.S. who are hungry or at the risk of hunger, and poor farmers around the world. The final law included a significant increase--approximately $10.3 billion over 10 years--in U.S. nutrition assistance.

Bashas Shop
 Once again until March 31, 2009 Bashas will give a percentage of grocery receipts from our members/friends who shop at Bashas when we give them our ULC ID number. Our number is: 23796 You can tape the number on your Bashas card. Thank you!

Choir Resumes!
 Come join the ULC choir in making a joyful noise during Sunday morning services! No experience necessary, only a willingness to serve God and the ULC community on Wednesday night rehearsals (7:30-8:45 pm) and the 10:30 am service on Sundays.

Paz de Cristo
 Paz de Cristo, a soup kitchen located at 424 W. Broadway Road, Mesa, is a soup kitchen where we have served over the years. They are inviting us to a celebration of 20 years of service Saturday, September 13 at 10am. Refreshments will be served and there will be tours of the facility available. Event parking is available in the Food City parking lot.

Continue To Be A Pen Pal To Your Elected Officials
 Even if you've already written or e-mailed as a part of our Offering of Letters, our congressional representatives need all the help they can get from the likes of you and me, citizens concerned about hunger and justice. So, take a couple of minutes (again) to encourage your senators to cosponsor the Global Poverty Act. which the Senate has not yet adopted as we write this.

Aaron VanderYacht's Gift to the Congregation
 An amazing gift to the congregation. Thanks Aaron!

Lutheran Thirft Store - Fiesta Conference
 Fiest Conference Thrift Store is now open! The Hidden Treasures Thrift Store, located at 610 N Alma School, Ste 30, CHANDLER (between Ray and Chandler), is now open to all conference congregations. They are needing volunteers who are will to work a 4-hr shift on a regular basis, weekly/monthly.

Study Abroad
 Campus Ministry always seems to have a student or 2 studying abroad. Catherine Vale will return this fall after a "Semester at Sea". Catherine attended on board classes on a cruise ship while circling the globe during Spring Semester. Ashley Paul is studying in Jordan and is to return back soon. Barry Lumpkin spent part of the summer in Switzerland studying and returns just in time for Fall Semester to commence. And Jeremy Wendte has returned from his summer in Bangladesh where he served as a volunteer through a US State Department program.