MIDWEEK MESSAGE 23
Good morning/afternoon/evening middle of the week! Yeah, that’s what a confused pastor does when he doesn’t know what time his folks will read the MM. One thing I am not confused about is the return of summer. After a few days of a “cooling off” down to the low 80s, summer has returned with a vengeance this week. I rode Saturday and it was three-sweatband ride. I rode a much shorter ride on Monday at lunch and it was a two-sweatband ride. I can’t help but think of the days when A/C was not a factor for houses or churches. I was describing the church building Jo and I got married in yesterday in staff meeting. Old clapboard outside. Ornate inside. High ceiling. Stained glass windows where the bottom half raised. June 16, 1973 and it was in the 90s with humidity at 150% (quite possibly a slight exaggeration). AND NO A/C!! I am thankful for advances in comfort. All that to say that I hope you are all doing well and staying somewhat cool.
I failed to say anything about Route 66 in last week’s MM. At this writing, I now have 11 signed up. Two are unable to come out at night so they will be studying at home. A couple are question marks right now, but I still have a good, solid core to have the study. So beginning Tuesday night, September 15 at 7:00 I will be offering Route 66. In case you are new to the MM or missed out, “66” is a study of the 66 books of the Bible. It will take 2 years to do since I take my time and we do take breaks. All you need will be a Bible, a pen, and a learning attitude. I will have handouts for the class that you can also write on. After offering it for 6 years in a row I needed a break. I’m ready to get back to it now and show the overall strength of the Book of books. It is not too late to sign up if you would like to participate. If you just want to check it out for a few weeks then please feel free to come. Just let me know so I can have enough material for all. We will be meeting in the big room of the children’s wing.
I want you to please say a prayer for Ryan and the leaders/teachers of the children’s ministry. We have been meeting in person for close to three months now but the children’s ministry has not. We have tried to take it slowly and allow the kids to adjust to being back at school. I know Ryan is chomping at the bit to get things rolling again…but cautiously. He sent out a survey to all parents and to each teacher for your input. I hope you have replied. He is meeting with Jo and Cara this Saturday to discuss how to proceed and what you can expect when it starts. I know Ryan has a starting date in his head (now that is scary) but I will let him share all that news with you. I’m asking you to pray for him and everyone involved in the opening to know how to proceed.
I was so excited Sunday to see all the screens working! Our team has been working hard to make things happen but unfortunately, several things were working against that. One, we don’t have a full-time AV person. Second, even though we had the new camera and iPad we still needed a new computer. Someone donated a brand new one to us but it came without a monitor. 🙂 Sort of hard to see without one of those. Well, we finally got it all together Sunday and voila! A super-sized thanks to Ryan, who was out of his comfort zone big time; Joe Pavich, who took some time away from the new twins to get things hooked up; and to Jo for her work each week doing the Power Point. Thanks also goes to Ray, Linda, and Vicki for their help each week with sound. Karen Turner has really been faithful in doing the livestream. But as you know, help is always needed and appreciated. We’d love to have more help and it doesn’t take a lot of extra time. Just being here to learn the equipment and then to take your turn in a rotation. If you are interested, please see Ryan (livestream) or Ray or Linda (sound). You don’t need to be an expert or have a degree in technology to help. We will train you.
This Sunday is my final sermon in the “Promises, Promises” series. My next series, which starts Labor Day weekend, is called “Q & A.” As you can guess, it will a series of sermons dealing with questions people ask. I’ll tell you more next week. I can tell you it will go to the end of November. Then it is Christmas emphasis! Imagine in 4 months we will be talking about how cold and (maybe) snowy it is. Don’t that beat all?
Each week I close with telling you that I love and miss you. I am not saying that lightly. I know many of you are staying away for the meantime, but I do take showers! Honestly!! 🙂 Seriously, I do want you all to feel safe. If you can do that and be here I’d love to see you. If not, and you feel comfortable with me coming by and even sitting on the porch, drop me a text or email or call. I’ll set up a time to visit. If you can’t be here, I sure hope you are watching online. It will at least keep you connected. And you also get to see my handsome face. Okay…I’ve said enough. Don’t want you all to get sick. Have a great rest of the week.
Pastor Bill
