This year we will again be hosting Trunk-or-Treat on Sunday, October 31, 2010 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. We’ll be handing out toothbrushes in addition to hot dogs, popcorn, juice boxes and—of course—candy. If you can’t make it in person but want to make a contribution (in cash, or in kind) that would be very much appreciated, as we always seem to run out. We’re looking for volunteers to had out the toothbrushes, cook the hot dogs, etc. Let the church office know if you are willing to help. If you know some little ones who would enjoy this event please let them know.
The Upper Room is now offering an online prayer wall on which you can post prayer requests so that other can join you in prayers of thanksgiving, praise, confession, petition, and intercession. The project is part of what they’re calling “MethodX — the Way of Christ.” The Upper Room also has information on different forms of prayer and other prayer resources on the left of the same page.
Link: http://www.upperroom.org/methodx/thelife/prayermethods/prayerwall.asp
Church Office Open — Sorta
Linda is still sick, but I’m going to do my best to maintain office hours today. You should probably call my cell before coming down though.
Church Office Closed Today
Linda Beever is home sick and so the church office is closed today. Plans are to re-open with normal office hours tomorrow.
Choral Christmas Concert
The Choir will be having a Christmas Concert on Sunday, November 28, 2010, the First Sunday of Advent. The UMW will host a dinner in the Fellowship Hall immediately after the 10:50 am worship. The choir concert will be held in the Sanctuary following the noon meal.
Upcoming Meetings
Three upcoming meetings have been scheduled:
- Committee on Nominations, Monday, October 11, 2010 at 5:15 pm in room 102.
- Pastor Parish Relations Committee, Monday, October 18, 2010 at 5:15 pm in room 102.
- Church Council, Monday, October 25, 2010 at 5:15 pm in room 102.
Sunday's Sermon: Unexpected Thanks
This Sunday, I’ll be preaching on Luke 17.11-19 with a sermon titled “Unexpected Thanks.” I thought about using the title “Receiving the One Fingered Victory Sign” but thought that might be inappropriate. If you want to read and meditate on the other scripture readings for the day, they are 2 Timothy 2.8-15 and Jeremiah 29.1, 4-7.
The Fiery Sermon
Gail Misch received the following story in an email and brought me a copy. I wanted to share the story. I’m not sure if it actually happened (indeed I doubt that it actually happened), but it is true in the same sense that the parables told by Jesus are true.
A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him.
It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.
The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, ‘Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday’.
We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.
Hope to see you this Sunday.
Indoor Tailgate Party
The UMW will be hosting a Tailgate Party in the Fellowship Hall following the 10:50 am worship service on Sunday, October 24, 2010. Please join us for Sloppy Joes, Chips, Pop, and more, as we gather for a time of fellowship.
Christmas Gift Idea
The UMW has an early Christmas Gift Idea: a green Coffeyville afghan available in the church office for $35.
Voice of the Day: Wayne Lee Jones
Via Sojourners:
Teach me, God, to pray
in works as much as in words
to make my actions thoughtful messages
to make my actions more beautiful than words.— Wayne Lee Jones
Trustees Meeting Postponed
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees has been postponed from this Wednesday at 5:15 pm to Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 5:15 pm.