MIDWEEK MESSAGE 21
I am writing this Tuesday morning. What a light show we saw last night! We had the front door open, and as I sat in my recliner I was able to see it in action. Makes me appreciate even more the Scripture which says, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shows His handiwork.”
I had an opportunity yesterday to visit Eliza, Isabella and Alexander Chambers. Along the way I also saw their parents, Jimmy and Christine. 🙂 Jo and I say that about visiting Braden, our grandson. We visit him and if by chance we see his mom that is good. Anyway, those kids are just something else and Alexander is a phenomenal young boy. Many of you know he was diagnosed with a heart condition before he was born. He has taught me s-o-o-o-o much about not giving up. I’ve told his parents that I believe God has His hand on him and will use him in a tremendous way. He already has! All that to say that I really messed up Sunday. I failed to mention that Alexander has an EKG today to see how his heart is doing after his last procedure. I know this will get to you late but if you have the time, please say a prayer for him (and his parents) when you get this.
This must be the week for correcting mess-ups. I mentioned last week about someone asking me about offering Route 66. So I mentioned in my MM last week that if there is interest I will offer it again. I had someone email me a really, really good question: what is Route 66? “Well, Bill, duh!” Hit me upside the head with a 2×4 (not literally, of course). So we had a back and forth correspondence on it. Silly me never even thought there would be some people who would not have a clue what Route 66 is. So here is the scoop in a nutshell:
- It is a tour through the 66 books of the Bible (hence the name).
- It comes with notes already prepared for you but with space for personal notes from class. There is both discussion and teaching.
- I take two years to go through 66 because of breaks/time off for holidays and breathers.
- There are NO tests or memorization required. Just a Bible, a pen/pencil and an eager heart to learn.
- If you would like to be a part of the class, I plan to begin September 15 from 7-8:00 p.m. in the youth addition. I’d like to have at least 5-6 to offer the class. I currently have 2, so if you would like to be involved please let me know. Call or text or email me.
- There is no age restriction, i.e. you are never too old. ☺ Or too young.
I am really pleased with what Ryan and Hope (R & H) are trying to do. Ryan has sent out a survey that only takes minutes to complete to parents, and a separate one to teachers, about re-opening the youth area on Sunday morning. R & H have worked hard to put this survey together and from what I saw yesterday during staff meeting, it covers all the bases. And many of you have responded. Good for you! If you haven’t, please, please, please do that today!! He is trying to do this safely and correctly. Your voice and your cooperation is vital to making good decisions in this and I am glad he is not trying to make this decision in a vacuum. So please take a moment and fill out that survey.
Going virtual as we have had to do (thanks for watching on our FB page and/or YouTube channel) involved some major changes. New equipment to make it more visually attractive (I’m no longer presented as an old Japanese movie where the voice catches up to the lips seconds later) was purchased. Our service was stream-lined to make it fit a time frame. (Thanks to the Worship Team for their adjustment on that). But the real thanks goes to the video team- Joe Pavich (on maternity leave after the birth of twins); Ryan; Karen Turner (Ryan’s mom who has been doing the live stream the past few weeks and is nailing it); and new addition, Justin Chandler. Thank you for all your hard work. More improvements are coming with the gift of a new computer system from an anonymous person. That will allow all screens to be used once it is up and running. I can’t wait for that!
And thanks to all of you who have been coming to the physical church building. You are showing me the ability to adjust is part of our makeup and I have been so pleased to see masks and no masks not being made a big deal. You have been understanding of the seating arrangement, as well as other protocol. I can’t begin to thank you enough.
One last thing before I go. Last week I received a monthly newsletter from John Eldredge, founder of Wild at Heart. In his letter was the attached thought on Psalm 23. I had Diana redo it for me and thought it might be something you might like to have for your fridge or mirror or to read each day. It is attached to this MM as a separate document. Hope you enjoy it. I love each of you.
Pastor Bill
