06/09/04

As fellow Presbyterian Minister and Children’s TV Personality Fred Rogers used to say, “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.” And indeed it is.

We continue with our Vacation Bible School program this week – lots of children, with youth and adult helpers and teachers. Last night’s meal was Bootleg BBQ – pretty good stuff. We are using the “We Believe” PCUSA Curriculum (that Judy now helps to edit). The children have “visited” the Philippines, Guatemala, and Peru so far, learning about these places in God’s creation, the people, the food (the banana tortillas were great!) and something of the church’s work in these places. Tomorrow, Thursday, I will be helping them learn about Uganda – where I visited back in 1995. On Sunday the kids will be singing some of the VBS songs they are learning.

For an update on our prayer list, and for your own prayers in these days:

Geneva “Neva” Poole continues to improve at Baptist East, with some adjustments of her medication. She looks a bit tired, but more alert and ”with it” that she was.
David Steffey (married to Connie, daughter of Vernon and Donna Stout, niece to Joy Straub) had quadruple bypass heart surgery this morning – and all went well. He will be in the hospital for about 5 days.
Jim and Eleanor Young’s daughter in law was also in for some surgery ( I ran into them while finding out about David Steffey) All went well there also.
While at the hospital I also ran into former member Richard Schrader and children Patrick and Megan. His ex-wife, Julie, had some surgery and was being released today – again, all going well so far.
While there I also saw Harriet Throgmorton, sister to our Administrative Secretary Carol Daugherty, who is married to John Throgmorton. John was in for some more surgery related to his cancer. He continues to struggle mightily; the tumors are not currently growing, but some blood levels are getting worse.
Martha Stepro’s voice sounds clear and strong as she recovers from knee surgery. She is currently “home bound” for a couple of weeks – give her a call!
Good reports are in for Bob Denney and his newly installed pacemaker.
And Cliff Stout is feeling pretty good these days, just slowed down by his toe.
Jim Harris’ Dad James did have hip surgery last Saturday, and has been transferred to the Masonic Home for some rehab and physical therapy.
Jeannie Koerber, our Financial Secretary, has injured her back and is diagnosed with a herniated disk. She is struggling with severe pain, and finding little relief. She has an appointment with another doctor on Friday, with hopes for some relief and further treatment. This is all very discouraging for Jeannie, and I encourage your prayers for her and for all those on our prayer list these days.
On Saturday, June 12, ten of us are participating in “Repair Affair” – through the New Directions Housing Corporation. We are helping to fix a house of a senior woman who lives out in Valley Station. For those participating – please be here at Beulah by 6:55 AM – that’s in the morning. We will leave at 7:00 sharp for the Breakfast of Champions at the New Directions Office, 1000 East Liberty Street – and then travel to our house assignment.

On Sunday the Rev. Dr. Garnett Foster will be preaching. Garnett is a friend, an able preacher and worship leader; she has served two multi-cultural Presbyterian churches, and is currently the Director of Field Education at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. I hesitate a bit to tell you all this, as in the past some folks (that is, some “other” folks) have thought that “since Ken is away then we can skip worship.”

Don’t Do It!

Come to worship on Sunday. Garnett will be preaching on the text from Luke, about the woman who washed Jesus feet and dried them with her hair – from Luke 7:36-8:3. The other lesson (first lesson) is Galatians 3:23-29. Her sermon title is “Living From the Heart.” You will not want to miss worship this Sunday - @ 10:00. Come as well to Sunday School @ 9:00 – Diane Adams is leading our combined, intergenerational class, and the Fellowship Class and Conversations Class (adult) are still meeting.

I will be thinking about and praying for you all on Sunday morning, as I travel with Terry Hargrave, Jim Watson, and a number of our high school youth - as we travel to the Montreat Conference Center near Black Mountain, North Carolina – a little bit of paradise in the mountains. We leave the parking lot at 7:30 A.M. sharp (Youth who are going, and their parents, take note! – the bus leaves at 7:30 A.M.) As in prior years we are participating with about 1,000 Presbyterian Youth from around the southeast (and some from around the country) for Week Two of the 2004 Montreat Presbyterian Youth Conference. It is a tremendous event, for youth and for the adults who chaperone. I went for the first time last year, and am eager to go again.

We will be back on Saturday, June 19, and God willing I will be in the pulpit preaching on Sunday morning. The text for Sunday, June 20 is Luke 8:26-39.

I will be sending a News From the Pews – Montreat Edition – from the youth conference as long as the technology is all working – I will try to send a group picture!!

May God bless you this day, and for the rest of the week. I hope you will gather, as you are able, for worship on Sunday, and so be more able to “live from the heart.”

Blessings,

Ken H

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