| Jul ’07 |
| 30 |
| 8:00 am |
... May, 2007
Last week was…well…eventful! I spent the week with our youth at Camp Summit in the Kiamichi Mountains of southeastern Oklahoma. We had a great week together. Danny and Tina did a wonderful job with planning, organizing and running our camp. Our sponsors, Liana Deason, Robin Haynes, Tina and Larry Westfall and Bob Lowery, were great. Kay Dye kept the troops well fed and we had the best group of kids in the whole camp. Thank you for all of your support financially, emotionally and spiritually. Our young people are blessed to have such a generous and caring church family. I believe in the coming weeks you will see the fruit of your prayers and the benefit of your investment.
And then there was a little excitement around here when a would be burglar got stuck in an old furnace flume. Fortunately for him he was not alone. His friend ran to a nearby house and called for help. A couple of hours later firefighters and police officers pulled the hapless burglar from the bricked-up flume. And some still think church is boring?
I’m trying to settle back into the routine of things this morning – who knows what this week will bring. I do know that I’m looking forward to join you in worship this coming Lord’s Day. I’ll see you then.
Rod
I noticed on the way into the church this morning (Monday) school parking lots overflowing with cars, school signs announcing the arrival of another school year, and I couldn’t help but think of the number of people in need of prayer this morning. I thought of those new 6th graders entering that “big building†in fear of getting lost or not remembering where their locker was. I thought of those excited kindergartners who were sure that they would be taught to read on this, their first day of school. I thought of the sadness in the heart of some of those veteran teachers who saw today as the first day of their last year of teaching. And I thought of those brave souls who would greet their first class of students. All of them in need prayer for various reasons.
We all know that life has changed, the world is different. We live in the age of school shootings, gang violence, a breakdown of authority and a general lack of respect. These combine to make the school environment more dangerous and threatening. It is easy to allow the bad news to drown out the good news. It is easy to ignore what is right to bemoan what is wrong. The fact is good and godly people work in the school environment both public and private. The fact is dedicated people give their lives to making a difference in the lives of children and youth. They teach, they encourage, they mentor and they model a godly lifestyle before their classes. We in the church must acknowledge that we are partners with the school system not adversaries. We both care about our communities. We both care about the lives of the students. We both want to see them thrive. I thank God for those who serve in the public and the private school and those who choose to educate at home. And it is our responsibility to pray for the good of our community and those who serve.
The next time you drive by a school why not breathe a prayer and ask God’s blessing? It was just on my mind this morning. I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
Praise the Lord for a great day Sunday. We were able to witness Christian baptism in the morning service and set apart three good men to serve as deacons in the evening service – that makes for a great day! Speaking of great days (that was smooth wasn’t it) we begin a new Sunday School year this coming Sunday. Students will be moving to new classes, we have a new Sunday School Director, and some new teachers will be setting up shop. It’s a new day. If you’ve not been active in a class why not start something new with us? Why not join with others in a small group Bible study? Interacting with fellow believers and with the text of Scripture will serve to sharpen your faith and deepen your relationships. Come be a part of something new.
This weekend makes it official – summer has ended and we will be getting back on track with our fall schedule. Wednesday evening meals will start again on September 5. Sign-up sheets will be available Sunday or you can call the church office. Dinner for an individual adult? $4.00. Age 6-youth? $2.00. Children under 6? Free. Maximum cost per family? $10.00. Fellowship around the table? Priceless! Join us Wednesday evenings 5:30 pm starting September 5.
Ladies, let me encourage you to attend the “Revive Our Hearts Conference†September 28-29, 2007 in Denton, Texas. The speaker is author and syndicated radio host Nancy Leigh DeMoss. This is a great opportunity to be challenge, encouraged and strengthened in your faith. For more information see Kelly Mills.
I’m looking forward to seeing you in worship this coming Lord’s Day.
Rod
- 08/29/07: Are You Dating the Church?
- 09/05/07: Seeing the Church Through New Eyes
- 09/19/07: Why Do I Need the Church?
- 09/26/07: What Are You Passionate About?
- 10/03/07: Choosing Your Church
- 10/24/07: Rescuing Sunday
- 11/07/07: Loving Christ by Loving His Church
