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From the Pastor's Desk |
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ!
September is a time of beginning! God's work never ends but, September means our 'wandering' slows down and we return from the vacations and necessary-fun distractions of the summer. Although your church never stops working, it 'gears-up' this month as well…
Bible Study(s) - The parish-wide AM Bible Study on Thursdays from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM that I will lead will begin on September 9th in room 202-204 at St. Paul's. We will study The Gospel of Luke. There are sign-up sheets at the back table at Gaither and the Stair Tower table at St. Paul's. You can also contact the church office if you are interested, or just show-up! Bring your lunch! We usually lunch and chat together from 11:30 until noon when we begin our study time. We will observe dismissal time quiet rigidly so those who are taking their lunch hours can be assured of getting back to work on-time.
We are also offering Disciple One Class! The deadline for Disciple registration may have passed by the time you receive this newsletter, but if you really are interested call the office or speak to Pastor Chuck and we'll see if we can add you to the class. Disciple Class is held on one evening a week from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The classes begin in early September. There will also be a Disciple Four Class (please see the weekly bulletin for dates and time) led by Temple Riehl. August 31 is the orientation meeting. Again call the church office if you are learning of this class with this newsletter to see if you can be added (Disciple One is a pre-requisite).
There are many other opportunities for service and fellowship within our parish: UMYF, UMW, Prayer Chain, Choir, UMM, the Wednesday Night Prayer Group, the Missions Team, the In-Reach committee, and numerous other ministries from E.S.C.A.P.E. to odd jobs around the churches. If you have a particular interest, skill, or talent call the church office and VOLUNTEER!
As I write this I am struck by how quickly time passes as one gets older. I remember how interminable the school year seemed when I was young. How I thought summer vacation, or Christmas, would never arrive. Yet now Christmas comes so quickly. It is hard for me to believe that in just a few short months Carolyn and I will be celebrating our 24th Advent and Christmas season with you. Twenty-four years in which our family has been blessed beyond our ability to comprehend! Like others in our congregations it will be a different year with Lorilyn away at college, but it is comforting to know that our church family remains a constant source of strength.
Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good! God's steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 106)
Grace and peace,
Bud