05/18/04 What a Sunday we had last Sunday! Most of you were there, but in case you could not be in worship last Sunday –
We ran out of bulletins for
the 10:40 service (always a good sign). Phyllis Bunnell presented
a Minute for Mission for the Presbyterian Women Birthday Offering, and invited
all women of the church to consider joining a circle – for fellowship, study,
and mutual support – some of the benefits of our “home community”
here at Beulah (in my sermon last Sunday – check out the web page). At 10:40 we heard 4 of our young people confess their faith in Jesus Christ,
confirming the baptismal vows taken by their parents when they were baptized as
infants. Confirmed Active members of Beulah now include Tommy Ogle, Kristen Schuenemeyer,
Katie Spalding, and Ally Taylor. For Katie, she also received the sacrament of
the Lord’s Supper for the first time this past Sunday! Each received a New
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, with their name on the cover, and a confirmation
certificate. We celebrated the Lord’s Supper at both the 8:30
and 10:40 Worship Services. At our congregational meeting that followed
the second service we took action to amend our church by-laws to have again at
Beulah the Office of Deacon. Eleven (or was it twelve) individuals have agreed
to serve and were duly elected to this Office. Ordination and Installation, and
Training for these folks, will be scheduled in the summer and fall. I was thrilled
with this number of folks willing to serve in this way. Information
on Session actions were shared regarding budget and salary adjustments and cost
of living raises for the staff. And for me, terms of my call for the remainder
of 2004 were approved, with an increase in salary that brings me more in line
with other Presbyterian pastors serving churches in our area and about our size.
(yeh!!) A good day all the way around!
On the family news front, I want to ask for your continued prayers for Edith “Mickey”
Evans, who is continuing her struggle with life and death. Mickey will be 95 this
year, and is ready to “go home” (part of my sermon topic also) to be
with her Lord. I saw her again early Monday morning, and little has changed with
her condition. Also remember to pray for – Deb Sexton, who will
have hand surgery (again) on May 27th. The surgeons hope to replace a nerve in
her wrist with a nerve from either her arm or leg. Medical procedures are truly
amazing in our day, and let us keep praying that this will be a success for Deb!
Also – Cliff Stout and his toe troubles – which are about
the same. And - Jimmy Fox. Jimmy will be going to the VA next week
for some “respite care” – so Mary (his wife and primary caregiver)
can get some needed refreshment and perhaps take a trip out of town. I brought
Communion to Jimmy and Mary last week, and they both look good. We shared the
sacrament outside – it was a beautiful afternoon. Also remember - Greta
Ford, Melanie Magruder’s sister, who is facing lung surgery for cancer (I
think the surgery was Monday). The doctors are most hopeful they can get all of
it, and let us pray to that end. Also - Frank Krofhage continues to
heal, stitches and all – and Twenty men showed up for Breakfast last Saturday, and Al Greene showed pictures of his “sort of vacation” to South America – ask him about that one. Last night I attended the Voces Novae Concert – Doug Jones sings with this group, and so will Christie Tompkins. If you enjoy choral music, you will want to attend the next concert. It was absolutely tremendous, a spiritual experience for me, moving and refreshing! Thanks Doug! (and Barbie Turner served as an usher!). The Preschool is rehearsing for the program on Thursday night, and if you want to be refreshed by seeing preschool children sing and delight in life, come out to the program on Thursday. Or – the women of Beulah – you can come to the PW General Meeting. It is Pot Luck, at 6:00 – and you will be moved spiritually by listening to Rachel Keith as she shares her mission experience in Africa. Don’t miss it! (Judy H will be leading the devotional!) Judy started her new job yesterday, and last night she was exhausted and excited! So far, so good! I will be attending the 216th General Assembly Leadership Training Event from Thursday noon to Saturday noon at the Brown Hotel – and I will be here on Sunday. I will be preaching on the lessons from Revelation, the last two chapters. I will be “taking on” the “Left Behind” books (so called “novels”) with the hope of sharing the “good” news of the gospel, the peaceable kingdom that God is working to bring about, with our help (see Isaiah 11) and the hope that is ours in Jesus Christ – a hope the is also for the whole world. Remember John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world – the whole world, and all of us! See you Sunday in worship (this is the last Sunday for two services – 8:30 and 10:40). Beginning May 30 we move to our summer hours: Sunday School at 9:00 and Worship at 10:00. (from May 30 to Sept 5). Peace, Ken H.
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