VBS for this year:
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SUNDAY MORNING from the pastor July 14, 2002 A new day has dawned clear and cool and beautiful. The mild weather seems tailor made for porch sitting, air conditioner sabbaticals, and outdoor endeavors. I hope each of you takes an opportunity to enrich your soul with a little time outdoors. It has been a lively and optimistic time around the church these days. A glance at our garage shows that volunteers have just about completed the roof and are making good progress with the siding. A walk down the education wing reveals that we are making cheerful renovations to our nursery. A stroll through the church grounds reminds us of Virginia’s gifts with flowers and Wally’s hours on the lawn mower. Those driving by the church on Friday night could catch a whiff of hamburgers and hot dogs as James Wright and his team shared another fine fellowship meal. Rumors this weekend circulated word about the softball team playing 5 games--winning three and losing two--and once again watching the preacher get injured. (This is my third weekend series in a row to come away with bandages and ice packs.) Colorful brochures are being distributed all over southeast Urbana concerning our Vacation Bible School this year, called THE PHILO ROAD KIDS FAIR. That event begins tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m. And several meetings were held this week to further plans for the youth mission trip to North Carolina--a group of 18 will be pulling out this Saturday morning at 7 a.m. And always best of all, today we have the joy of baptism at our 10:30 worship service. Attendance is holding up well for the summer. I haven’t heard a single complaint about the change of worship times or the ‘arrangement’ in the late service in which we have everyone sitting closer together. Last Sunday’s offering was one of the largest of the entire year. And the treasurer reports that all bills are paid to date with a little money left over. And that is just the stuff I know about. The good that is being done in our congregation goes far beyond what I see. I am reminded of a conversation between two pastors several years ago. The first said, "I know everything that goes on in my church." And the second responded, "If you know everything that goes on in your church, then there ain’t enough going on." That’s not a problem at Grace. We are pleased to have Karen Henderson playing the organ and piano for us today. Gordy is visiting family this weekend and taking a well deserved Sunday off. Karen blesses us with her piano music nearly every Sunday before our worship services. And this morning we will enjoy her music leadership for the entire service. I want to end on a note of encouragement--for all of us to be recruiting children to come to our KIDS FAIR this week. If we are to fulfill God’s call to us as a congregation, all of us need to be inviting children to the great opportunities that they have in our church. This congregation was born to serve children. Please work the circles you know: family, friends, neighbors, grandchildren, whatever. And pray that Grace Church be a path to Christ. --Mike |
