"Looking Toward Sunday": Sunday, October 11, 2009

I had a good week last week. It included running into LeBron James

and his family (star of the NBA and Cleveland Cavaliers) while Beth and I were in Akron. He loves his family and his hometown, so all you other NBA cities out there might as well give up trying to lure him away from here. We had a good Sunday of services last week, which included our communion service. And then I had a great day fishing.

I thank the Lord for giving many blessings like these along the way as we live for Him. Certainly I have many "uneventful" weeks, and I am really thankful for them, too. I hope you had a good, or at least uneventful, week.

This Sunday we continue with all our regular services:

9:30 AM - Sunday School and four Adult Bible Fellowships. Studies include 1 Thessalonians, Colossians, the Life of David, and Fighting Spiritual Battles. Classes and fellowship for ALL ages, so no reason to miss it.

10:45 AM - Worship service of songs, giving, and look at God's Word in 1 John 2:3 - 11.

Here we will see how "Our Obedience to God's Word" is one of the "Foundations For Our Faith" that John describes. Each week builds on one another, so this is another "building block" in the series. Read the passage over ahead of time, and maybe even the whole book to see how it fits.

4:45 PM - the first choir practice for this year's Christmas cantata for adults.

Even if you have not been involved before, check with Pastor Tom about singing this year.

6:00 PM - ministries for children (AWANA), Students (grades 7 - 12) and all Adults. AWANA kids will enjoy a bonfire, so dress warmly and invite a friend. Students will continue their study in "My Heart, Christ's Home"

and this week will focus on the Dining Room (read 1 John 2:15 - 17.) Adults will view and discuss the third part of our video series, "When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box."

This time John Ortberg will challenge us to "Resign as Chairman of the Board." These studies have been helpful in our relationship with God, so don't miss it.

Remember our mid-weekly Prayer and Bible times on Weds. at 7:00 PM and Thurs. at 11:00 AM. I believe this Thursday is the monthly OASIS meeting as well, so check with Rosemary as to what to bring.

At 5:30 PM on Thursday, October 15 we will have our next church deacon / board meeting. Please pray for our wisdom and working together with God and each other. The fall season brings the important duties of new budget preparations and deliberations on new officers. Your prayers and participation in regards to these are appreciated.

I gave a pretty thorough run down of some upcoming events in last week's post in this blog, so click back there to review them. Don't miss these great opportunities for personal growth and fellowship!

In a few weeks it will be the election day on Tuesday, November 3. We will still plan to give away the breads, coffee, hot chocolate, etc. as we have done in the past. One very helpful area of volunteers needed is several parking lot attenders to guide traffic in and out of our lot smoothly. We did this last year and it was a TREMENDOUS help. The officials even commented on how smoothly it all went once we started it. We will need many to assist in this way, so if you can help please let me know. We especially need some "early birds" who can assist before the polls even open. There are four voting precincts here and many opportunities to serve those who come through our doors. Pray we can continue to "put our best foot forward."

I don't know how to advise you regarding flu shots; but I have instructed our ushers to escort anyone out who begins to make "oinking" sounds! I really shouldn't joke about such things - rather I want to encourage you to take whatever steps necessary to ensuring your personal health and that of those around you here.

I leave you with some thoughts from my reading today in Proverbs 8:35 & 36 from the writings of William Arnot, a Scottish pastor and scholar of the late 1800's: