Last Wednesday night's Fall Family Fun Fair was a great event for our church and community.
No tricks- just lots of planning by folks like Erin Moss and Teresa Denmark.
No tricks- just lots of folks contributing time and energy.
No tricks- food, games, and children are always a recipe for fun!
Lots of treats- in the smiles and laughter of children.
Lots of treats- in seeing how families enjoyed a good night out in a safe environment.
Lots of treats- in seeing how much fun our volunteers had in serving.
Now... what are we going to do next year?!?
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
I Stand Amazed
The last four weeks have been incredibly busy around here... at least that's been my excuse for not being faithful to blogging. For me, the blog is reflective exercise- and we all know that busy-ness is the enemy of reflection! I can look back now...
- and see how touched so many were to participate in our last Sunday morning service. I am amazed at the little things that trigger big experiences and add to life-long memories.
- and see just how many people participated in the move that afternoon. The efforts of scores of younger and older folks, long-term and more recent members (and some college student volunteers who have never worshiped with us) allowed us to literally move a worship center and set-up 15 classrooms. I am amazed at how much work can get done when everybody pitches-in.
- and see how much skill, "know-how," and experiences we share in this family of faith. I am amazed at the gifts that God has given us and the willingness of our folks to share them.
- I am amazed at how much can be accomplished when nobody's worried about who gets credit.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Change
Change is in the air. I could feel it this morning as I walked the dogs. A little cooler, maybe a little crisper. Oh, we'll still have a couple more warm, maybe even hot, days- but autumn is on the way.
My family, like yours, is experiencing change. Our kids are getting older- even if we're not!
Our church is certainly in a period of significant change. The biggest challenge may be the simple fact that the most immediate changes are only stepping stones to even bigger changes.
It's probably not a bad thing for all of us to be reminded that change really isn't a four-letter word!
Brian McLaren offers the following prayer in his book, Naked Spirituality:
All that I'm now going through
Will make me better or bitter,
Break down or breakthrough.
Learning this patience-- it takes so much patience.
It's a great education,
But why is the tuition so high?
Why God, why?
My family, like yours, is experiencing change. Our kids are getting older- even if we're not!
Our church is certainly in a period of significant change. The biggest challenge may be the simple fact that the most immediate changes are only stepping stones to even bigger changes.
It's probably not a bad thing for all of us to be reminded that change really isn't a four-letter word!
Brian McLaren offers the following prayer in his book, Naked Spirituality:
All that I'm now going through
Will make me better or bitter,
Break down or breakthrough.
Learning this patience-- it takes so much patience.
It's a great education,
But why is the tuition so high?
Why God, why?
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
USMC
The call came early Monday evening. I could barely recognize the voice I knew in the voice I was hearing:
This is recruit Conrad calling to inform you that I have arrived safely. Please do not send any food or packages. I will be in contact by mail in the next 7-9 days. Thank you for your support. Click. I wonder what the voice will sound like when I hear it again in thirteen weeks?
Since we first laid eyes on Thomas twenty-three years ago He's become quite a young man. His Marine Corp packing list included only the clothes he wore, razor and toothbrush (forgot both), and Bible (which he remembered), and $20 (I guess there aren't too many vending machines on Paris Island). As he undergoes this intense period of preparation and transformation I find myself praying:
Our son is a Marine. I ask you to pray for him. I hope you will pray for his parents.
This is recruit Conrad calling to inform you that I have arrived safely. Please do not send any food or packages. I will be in contact by mail in the next 7-9 days. Thank you for your support. Click. I wonder what the voice will sound like when I hear it again in thirteen weeks?
Since we first laid eyes on Thomas twenty-three years ago He's become quite a young man. His Marine Corp packing list included only the clothes he wore, razor and toothbrush (forgot both), and Bible (which he remembered), and $20 (I guess there aren't too many vending machines on Paris Island). As he undergoes this intense period of preparation and transformation I find myself praying:
- that the body God has blessed him with will stay safe and strong
- that the mind God has blessed him with will master knowledge and skills that will serve him for a lifetime (and some, I pray, that he will never have to use) and
- that the spirit God has given him will be strengthened by the Spirit that indwells him.
Our son is a Marine. I ask you to pray for him. I hope you will pray for his parents.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Happy New Year!
Yes- I know it is the end of August, not the first of January! But you don't have to look far to celebrate the start of new things around us!
Those big, yellow, traveling prayer reminders- most people call them school buses- mark the beginning of a new school year for children, families, teachers, and support personnel.
We are surrounded by plans for "new things" here at church as we work on building plans and arrangements for the transition period.
The arrival of Chris Robertson on our ministry team is not only a new beginning for him but for our fellowship as we further develop ministries with students (youth and college) and reach-out into our community.
I sense a renewed spirit of expectancy in our worship- easier experienced than described. Jesus makes all things new- get out the party favors- let's celebrate!
Those big, yellow, traveling prayer reminders- most people call them school buses- mark the beginning of a new school year for children, families, teachers, and support personnel.
We are surrounded by plans for "new things" here at church as we work on building plans and arrangements for the transition period.
The arrival of Chris Robertson on our ministry team is not only a new beginning for him but for our fellowship as we further develop ministries with students (youth and college) and reach-out into our community.
I sense a renewed spirit of expectancy in our worship- easier experienced than described. Jesus makes all things new- get out the party favors- let's celebrate!
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