Jambo (=hello)! I’ve had such a great time seeing everyone involved in Vacation Bible School. The leaders and helpers have been phenomenal – great music, great skits, lessons, crafts, and enthusiasm for reaching kid’s hearts! As one of the youth said, it’s one of the few times churches get together and do ministry with each other. I pray for more opportunities to reach the community together. And, of course, you can’t beat spotting a Blue-cheeked bee-eater…how often do we see one of those birds in this area?! Seeing kids jumping around, singing, laughing, quoting scripture, and being led by older kids and youth and adults doing the same thing…so cool!
WEDNESDAYS
After talking with Doc and Sue, we’ve decided to not immediately re-start the midweek Oasis service. If there is a need, we’ll restart later, or wait until January. I personally think it is a gem of a service but there was decreasing participation. There is already a lot going on Wednesdays. So given Doc and Sue’s busyness and other music ministry opportunities (nursing home visits), we’re not planning on restarting it in September.
However, the Wednesday Dinners will begin September 15th at 6pm. Everyone is welcome. Reasonable donations are
appreciated. Our Chef Rose hurt her foot a few weeks ago so she may be limping among us, but is excited about the dinners and will able to lead them with her helpers.
UPCOMING
Sunday School will launch September 12th along with Bible presentations at the 9:30 service.I’m excited about Sunday School. We are tweaking the opening a little and working toward lining up a couple of SS units with my sermons so we can encourage more dialogue about faith between us all. I also want you to know I’ve challenged our teachers to be regularly involved in gathering for worship. We are to minister out of our overflow which can’t really happen unless we are soaking together in God’s presence and celebrating His grace in our lives. Nor can we ask our kids and youth to be involved at church if we adults aren’t modeling it faithfully. It may mean a conversation with a spouse or boss in order to help make this happen, so I’m praying we let God’s Spirit lead us, speak to us, and strengthen us for this. It really is at the heart of our faith. Thanks for your openness about this.
There is a Christian Education Seminar coming up on Saturday, October 2. If you’re a Sunday School teacher, Sue will cover your way through the SS budget! It’s for everyone who teachers, leads a small group, facilitates a Bible study, etc. Brochures are available in the office or outside the sanctuary.
Kelli still has Women of Faith tickets available – please call her if you’re interested (494-2189) – the conference is on October 8 & 9. It’s a great time away for women.
Two additional ministry groups will begin in the Fall. The first is DISCIPLE, which is a small group geared for an in-depth overview of the whole Bible. Steve and Nancy Daniels will lead this and it will be held at a time the class decides on together. There is an orientation on September 12.
GriefShare will also be starting up on Tuesday September 21st. Sandra Parry and Harry Garner will lead it together. It’s a small group environment designed to minister to those dealing with loss. There is a very helpful dvd curriculum, some dialogue together, all in a very safe welcoming environment. Please spread the word to those you know who could benefit from this!
Our Praise Team (BUMPY) held a phenomenal concert on Wed. August 18th in Hickory Park (Bergen). Great music. Kids had fun. Beautiful night. A couple of new folks came out. Huge blessing!
THANK YOU
I like to include saying ‘thank you’ every month in the newsletter, and there is always a lot for which to say so:
Once again, I want to thank Kris and Bill Genagon for their faithfulness in the Angel Food Ministry as they wrap-up that ministry. Thank you!
I also want to thank Eldon Martin for sharing with us his heart for faith that moves him to mission ministry in China. And thank you to those who give financial and prayer support to him.
Thanks also Pastor Shari for speaking at 9:30 and 11:00 on August 1st. Took about 2 ½ years to be willing to do it, and now you know you can! Thanks.
Thank you George and Sandra for being willing to have people over to celebrate their Baptism in your pool!
Thank you for those willing to pray through and start new ministries, as well as those with discernment to tweak or end ministries whose life span has ended.
By the time you read this, you will most likely have had a chance to hear youth and adults from the mission trip share some testimonies. They are powerful testimonies to God’s work in them. And His grace can inspire and change all of us when we come together to go out and serve. Our minds move off the petty complaints we have. Our narrow frustrations get elbowed aside in favor of locking elbows in loving service to others. Our selfish patterns in our relationships get busted apart by a desire to share Jesus and see Him in one another. What’s your testimony? In what ways have you let God humble you? How have your eyes been opened to see what’s real and true? How are you following Jesus together? How are you together sharing Jesus with others? It’s our call.
