MIDWEEK MESSAGE #101<\/p>\n
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #101. I\u2019m guessing many are saying, \u201cUGH!\u201d after having been on Spring Break last week. I\u2019ve talked to several who have said it was hard for them to get back to work or to school after being out for a week. Even those who stayed around here seemed to have enjoyed their time of relaxation. Long story short, I hope your week back to normal hasn\u2019t been too bad. \u00a0J<\/p>\n
I wanted to pass something on to you that I heard this past Sunday. But first, a little backstory to fill you on why this is so important. This past weekend (Friday and Saturday) a funeral visitation and service took place for a relative of one of our folks. Because it was Friday (my day off) I am ashamed to admit that I \u201cspaced it\u201d and simply forgot about the visitation on Friday night. When I realized I had forgotten the visitation I was mortified and was beating myself up a little bit. I lost some sleep over it as well because I wasn\u2019t there for the folks who lost a loved one. Sunday morning I apologized to the couple for my failure to attend. I say this carefully: I was never so relieved after I heard what they had to say. They were quick to forgive and say it was no big deal (which I was grateful for) but it was what they said next that had me beyond thankful. \u00a0They said it was no problem because several others had shown they cared. They received a card of sympathy from the Care Team Ministry. When they got to the visitation there were flowers from the church which showed them we cared and were thinking of them. Then on Saturday, one of the elders went to the visitation which took place before the funeral service. And while they were grateful for my words, they made sure to tell me I \u201cwasn\u2019t needed\u201d because several others made them feel special. People stepped up to the plate in a big way!\u00a0 I want to give a big shout out to the Remembrance Care Team for doing what the whole Care Team Ministry is designed to do: reach out to those in our church family. And thanks to the elder who made his way on a Saturday morning to visit and offer his condolences.\u00a0 {Sidebar: while I am thrilled they stepped forward, I\u2019m going to try not to let that happen again on my part.}<\/p>\n
I also know of other Care Teams which are preparing to be ready whenever the need arrives. I know the Safety Team has been actively making sure all our medical supplies are in stock and up-to-date. They have also been actively watching and being alert on Sunday mornings, which I deeply appreciate. I don\u2019t want to ever think something will happen, but I am also not na\u00efve in this day and age. The New Baby Care Team has also been stocking up in order to help new mothers transition well. The Wellness Care Team recently delivered food\/medicine to one of our families. I\u2019m excited to see the teams meeting and setting some goals to meet the needs of our folks.<\/p>\n
For the past couple of weeks we have been announcing our Resurrection Sunday service will be at Abram Farm. For those \u201cveterans\u201d you already know a lot of work is needed to help get things ready. For you \u201cnewbies\u201d here is a list of what we need to do.\u00a0 All of this has to be done on Sunday morning since we cannot get into Abram Farm until 7:00 AM due to a wedding on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
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I know this is a lot of information to digest all at one time, but writing it to you now, and then reminding you along the way, will give you an opportunity to consider helping. I can guarantee you it will be much appreciated.<\/p>\n
There is also one more item you need to be aware of. Having our service there hinders us from having any children\u2019s programs. We can offer a place for a nursery, although unless someone or some folks want to step up, the nursery will not be staffed.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m excited about being all together in one place, and what better day to be together than Resurrection Sunday, the celebration of Christ\u2019s resurrection.<\/p>\n
This is also a good time to bring you up-to-date on the Building Team (BT) and our progress. First, we have had to slow down some due to the pandemic. But you all have been phenomenal in your consistent giving to both our weekly need and to the Building Fund (BF). Currently we have $203,064 in the BF. The BT met this past Monday night to dream about the building, begin putting our dreams on paper, and to also start the process to secure an architect. May I ask you to please be in prayer for the whole process? We are going to continue investigating and pursuing ways to build, all while keeping in mind that we are going to pay cash for it.<\/p>\n
These are exciting times! Just remember I love you.<\/p>\n
Pastor Bill<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MIDWEEK MESSAGE #101 Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #101. I\u2019m guessing many are saying, \u201cUGH!\u201d after having been on Spring Break last week. I\u2019ve talked to several who have said it was hard for them to get back to work or to school after being out for a week. Even those who stayed around … <\/p>\n