How can you top a concert by Dakota Road and a keynote address by Mark Allan Powell, author of the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music?

You can’t. But you could miss them if you are not at LIFT (Lutherans in Faith Together) 2009 on Saturday, June 13, at Muhlenberg College—rain or shine.

Attendees at the first LIFT event in 2007 were virtually unanimous in their plea, “Do it again!” The synod council, staff, and planning committee members all agree. ”Yes, let’s do it again!”

So jot down LIFT on the date in your appointment book or on your wall calendar: SATURDAY, JUNE 13. Note the location: Muhlenberg College, Allentown. If you thought Muhlenberg was hospitable in 2007, just wait until 2009!

Dakota Road Music will be with us for the entire day, providing participants with fitting music that will be spiritually uplifting. The event will end with a rousing Dakota Road concert. You just don’t want to miss it! Invite your friends and family. The more, the merrier!

We look forward with great anticipation to the keynote address by Mark Allan Powell, an internationally known theologian and Bible scholar. Dr. Powell will also do two workshops on the Book of Faith Initiative (he’s one of the authors and editors) and another on contemporary Christian music.

World Hunger will be an important focus of LIFT 2009. Attendees are asked to bring canned goods to be given to America‘s Second Harvest. In addition, there will be a short presentation from the ELCA World Hunger Appeal along with a member of the synod’s World Hunger team, which is also sponsoring a Walk (around the campus) for World Hunger. Beyond these things there will be an opportunity for everyone to send a letter to a legislator addressing the needs of the hungry.

Workshops will be numerous, with a wide array of topics where one can learn, be invigorated, and be spiritually moved. There will be so many workshops to choose from that you will be hard pressed to know which ones to attend.

Among the highlights of the day are four concerts in Egner Chapel. They will provide a broad variety of music styles. There will be interactive games on the front lawn. And it has been reported that seven Old Testament prophets and personalities will be on hand for you to visit with, have your picture taken with, and obtain their autographs. They will be identified by name in later news releases, but at this time it is known that Ezekiel is definitely excited about attending LIFT.

Be sure to check the synod website often and to keep up to date on all the news about LIFT 2009, but, for now, the most important thing you can do is save June 13, 2009.

One more thing: at LIFT 2009 there will be napkins for the popsicles! (Anyone who attended in 2007 can explain this...)