Dear Friends,
Yesterday, I attended the funeral service of Bro. Bruce Murphy, my pastor in high school. My mother had worked for Bro. Bruce for ten years before she went back to school to get her nursing degree. He was a rare pastor - spending hours each week translating the text for Sunday morning and evening from the most valid manuscripts in Greek or Hebrew. He understood that all translations of Scripture are ultimately interpretations and he wanted to get his right. His service included a video of one of his sermons from Romans 8:1-4. It was a joy to hear him again and appreciate his ministry. If you have ever worked with children or youth, please know that your influence makes a difference.
Many have expressed concern that they do not see children in our worship services like we did before COVID. Let me reassure you that our families are still here but you may not see them in worship because children under the age of twelve cannot be vaccinated. If you wish to stay connected, please consider becoming a prayer partner to a child or teenager. Send them a card every month to let them know you are thinking about them and praying for them. You will make an impact by saying, "you may not know me but I know you and I care." You can find the list on the front pew or call the church office.
Next week begins that launch of a new study entitled The Difficult Words of Jesus. Ellen will be teaching it in person on Sunday Mornings at 9:30am in the Great Hall and online in our YouTube Channel. I will be teaching it on Monday nights at 6:00pm and Wednesdays at noon. Please let us know if you need a book. Last year we could order books and have them here in a couple of days but now it takes up to ten days so we need to order early.
We will have a Church Council meeting on Wednesday, September 22nd at 6:00pm in the Sanctuary. The purpose of this meeting is to approve Charge Conference forms. What is in the Charge Conference Reports? The Charge Conference sets the Pastor's Salary, elects Administrative Committee, and approves Reports. These Reports include a Membership Report, a Pastor's Report, a Trustee Report, and a Financial Report. Due to COVID, we have had and have needed only limited meetings. The Trustees, SPRC, and Finance have met this year. Our Mission Teams have been the most active and we are grateful for their work. Your faithfulness has helped us expand our mission and operate our church even under the most trying of times. Thank you.
We have replaced many of our worn hymnals so if you would like to have a hymnal, they are in the Welcome Center.
Here are a few Sundays you may wish to earmark:
October 3rd - World Communion Sunday
October 17th - Laity Sunday
November 7th - All Saints Sunday
November 21st - Christ the King and Thanksgiving Sunday
November 28th - First Sunday of Advent
December 19th - Christmas Cantata
December 21st - Blue Christmas Service
December 24th - Christmas Eve Services
Grace and peace,
Beth
