VBS for this year:
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SUNDAY MORNING from the pastor February 9, 2003 Puffs of smoke drift eastward from my neighbor's chimney, another reminder of this winter's deep cold. The heavy coat on the coat rack, the high power bill on the counter, the cold fingers tapping out letters on the computer keyboard, and the restlessness of a soul too long indoors are all signs of the thoroughness of this year's winter. Yet in spite of the inconvenience of it all, one might suspect that we are being led through a grace-full time. These are days of extra darkness--a gift for our weariness. These are days of drawing to warmth and fire--a metaphor teaching us about the needs of our souls as well as our bodies. And these are days testing the limits of our bodies and machines--inviting us to draw more deeply on thought and wisdom. May God pour grace upon us all in this winter season. This is the first weekend in several months I haven't had either daughter at home with me. Alison is attaching herself to some of the social life at DePaul in Chicago--trying to navigate a Chicago winter for the first time in her life. And Mindy is finally recovering from jet lag and a bad cold as she is learning her way around Hull, England for this semester abroad. I'm doing fine with them away--getting caught up on some things I had put off while they were home. And phone calls and e-mail keep us involved daily. The cat, however, is another matter. She doesn't like them being away one bit. So she's taken to jumping up on my head when I sit down and biting my feet when I walk by. If anyone knows a good cat psychiatrist, let me know. This is a reminder for all small group leaders about the small group leaders' meetings this month. You are asked to attend one of three options. February meetings will be this Tuesday (February 11) at 6:30 p.m., next Sunday (February 16) at noon, or a week from tomorrow (February 17) at 8:30 p.m. Tonight is a meeting of the Ministry Coordinators at 6 p.m. and the full Church Council at 7:30 p.m. Any interested person is welcome to attend those meetings. They are open to all those who care about the church and are interested in its future. We are continuing to start and develop small groups. The men's group meeting on Thursday night is welcoming more men to join. They meet in my study at 8:30 p.m. A new group is forming in the next couple weeks to read through a text book on theology and discuss it. They will meet every other Sunday at 6 p.m. Another group is starting for couples. And another is starting at the Florida House. We are eager to connect individuals with these opportunities. Let me know if you are interested. Our prayers this week include Ray Dipple. Ray is at Champaign County Nursing Home and it is a time for Ann to make some difficult decisions about his immediate and long term care. --Mike Go to archive of sermons and letters
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